Job Discussion Forums

[skirmish]

Okay, so I am currently in Osaka, been here two weeks (I know, not long) but have to say Im a bit dissilusioned about the job market here. When I heard this was prime hiring time, I thought there would be more jobs, but full time positions really seem to be few and far between, and average pay at that. I came on a WHV. Now, I have taught in Korea for a year, and am starting to think about heading back and trying my luck at a job there, as there seem to be a lot more opportunities. I had a reasonably good time in Korea, but Im sure I would enjoy Japan as well. It seems I could make a lot more money in Korea as well, which would help my student loan/travel plans.
Was just after anyones thoughts on what I should do, anyone who has lived in both places for a while got any comments?
Cheers

[Glenski]

I've only worked in Japan, but here is something from a person who has been to Japan and Korea (and Taiwan).
http://seamonkey.ed.asu.edu/~jonb/

As for your situation, all I can tell you is this. You are probably going to find a lot of unscrupulous school managers in Korea. Look at the fact that Dave has locked out the Korea forum to new people signing up. Yes, you might have more opportunity to make money there, but your visa is not yours there. Lose your job and you lose your visa, too.

Besides, a working holiday visa is not meant for making money, but for traveling and working a little.

Best of luck.

[canuck]

The best way to get a job in Osaka is through a friend. The second best way is through the Kansai Flea Market. You're right, there is slim pickings if you're looking for work in Osaka right now. Good luck.

[Glenski]

From the most recent ohayosensei.com
NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHER FOR CHILDREN.
Full-time, M-F. 270,000yen/month. Teach children.
Position located in southern Osaka. Intermediate
to advanced level of Japanese language skill
required. Teaching experience with children or
early childhood education background preferred.
"Since there is a short period of time left
before the position starts, a priority will be
given to those who currently reside in Japan."
Position begins April 1, 2005 (or May 1 at the
latest). "Only successful candidates will be
contacted for interviews." Apply by fax or
e-mail. Fax 0797-81-3217.
mailto:[email protected]

NATIVE ENGLISH TEACHERS FOR SENMONGAKKO CLASSES.
Full- (Kobe) and part-time (Nagoya, Osaka and
Fukuoka). Positions located in Nagoya, Kobe,
Osaka and Fukuoka technical colleges. Native
English speaker, BA/BS, two-five years experience
in English teaching (or closely related field),
and ability to use a variety of
instructional/information technologies required.
Japanese language ability preferred. "For full
time positions, we can provide visa sponsorship
and housing while part time positions require the
applicant to already possess a valid work visa."
Apply by fax or e-mail with CV/resume. "Be aware
that providing false information during any phase
of the application process and thereafter will
lead to rejection or termination." ILC
(International Language Center). Osaka. Fax
06-6245-8562.
mailto:[email protected]

from http://www.eol-japan.com/eslelthelpwanted.html
URGENT! A FULL-TIME position in south part of Osaka starting April 1, 2005 (or May 1 the latest). Looking for a native English teacher for children. Intermediate to advanced level of Japanese language skill is required. Teaching experiences with children or early childhood education background preferred. Starting salary is Y270,000/mo. This position is to teach children English from Monday to Friday. Since there is a short period of time left before the position starts, a priority will be given to those who currently reside in Japan. Only successful candidates will be contacted for interviews. E-mail: [email protected]
(Posted: March 15, 2005)

See also the latest (Friday) edition of Kansai Flea Market. There are a couple of ads for FT work in Osaka.
http://www.kfm.to

[Glenski]

[ohahakehte]

skirmish,

i taught in korea for a year and had a decent time and now im wanting to go to japan in the next few months to teach. when the job search has gone iffy ive also considered returning to korea though japan is my first choice these days. theres piles of money to be made in korea but sometimes its a boring country. its true that theres a lot of shafty companies and managers there but theres also a lot of good ones, or at least ones that wont screw you over badly.

[skirmish]

Yes, I have a degree, and I was hoping to get a salary of 250,000.
Thanks for those job ads, Ive read them both however. The first one, I dont have any japanese language ability. The second one, only 1 years teaching experience. I applied anyway, but havent heard back.
I am going to make a decision in the next few days about what to do.

[Gordon]

From the sounds of it, you didn't come with much money. That is one of the biggest mistakes people make. This is an expensive country to travel around and look for work. It would be best if you could stick it out awhile longer. You have only been here 2 weeks, not very long and I'm not surprised you haven't found anything. In Korea they jump at you if you have white skin, they are a little choosier in Japan.

[skirmish]

No, I have enough money, I could stay longer if needed.
What Im wondering is whether its worth spending that money, where I could go to Korea and earn more.

[Glenski]

Just re-read your OP. If you have only been here a couple of weeks, you really can't expect much feedback from employers even during the busy season. Give it a little more time.

Also, if you are here on a WHV, you could start work immediately after you are hired, compared to people who have to wait for work visas to be processed. That is in your favor.

And, with a WHV, you don't need a school to sponsor you. I would seriously consider stringing together several PT jobs instead of focusing on getting just one FT job. You might even find that this would bring in more than the average 250,000.

[skirmish]

But I get taxed 20% on a WHV, thats kinda why I wanted someone to sponser me for a work visa, hence full time work.

[Big John Stud]

skirmish wrote:

Okay, so I am currently in Osaka, been here two weeks (I know, not long) but have to say Im a bit dissilusioned about the job market here. When I heard this was prime hiring time, I thought there would be more jobs, but full time positions really seem to be few and far between, and average pay at that. I came on a WHV. Now, I have taught in Korea for a year, and am starting to think about heading back and trying my luck at a job there, as there seem to be a lot more opportunities. I had a reasonably good time in Korea, but Im sure I would enjoy Japan as well. It seems I could make a lot more money in Korea as well, which would help my student loan/travel plans. Was just after anyones thoughts on what I should do, anyone who has lived in both places for a while got any comments? Cheers

I lived in both countries! I like Japan a lot more. In fact Korea doesn't compare to Japan. Japanese are more fair, kind and honest than Koreans. but to each their own. You may find life in Korea more to your liking.

Anyway, finding a full time job in a city is hard. Most companies in Tokyo and Osaka like to hire part time teacher so they don't have to offer benefits.

I believe someone already recommended get two part time jobs. I did this when I had a spouse visa and living in Tokyo. I had 4 part time jobs. I would teach a class run to the station get on a train and be somewhere on the other side of Tokyo teaching another class within an hour. I used to bring in 400,000 a month, but believe me, I earned every yen.


In Korea, I did save more money than I am now. I now have a full time job and make a lot less than I did back then. I prefer to have a balance lifestyle not always working like I did back then.

Anyway Korea is a lot easier to save money because the price of living and for me not much to do.

Remember you have only been here for two weeks so give Japan a little time before going back.
Good luck on whatever you decide.

[ronin]

Glenski is right that a WHV is for travel and work but mostly travel, but if you go to the WHV office in Osaka they'll be able to help you find work but I don't know if you've been there or not. Yeah when I first came to Japan I had to work 2 jobs to support myself one as teaching and the other working at a hotel. I liked Tokyo but I felt the brunt force of the falling Japanese economy because I couldn't travel through out Japan properly because I was working all the time in Tokyo LOL. I miss Asia though So I'm going to be doing a WHV in Korea starting either in September or Jan 06 depending on how much money I have in the bank, I hope Korea works out better.