Job Discussion Forums

[KoBushi]

Hi all,

I recently came back to Japan to look for a job. I left my big eikaiwa deal, got TEFL certified, and then started looking around and applying for jobs around where I was living before. I mostly ended up applying for part time positions, and sending out my resume to full time places that either weren`t hiring or told me they `didn`t think they had anything, but would keep my resume on file.` I went to a bunch of interviews, and everyone I talked to called me back at least once before mentioning a contract to me.

One school was quite different, first in that they offered me the contract right away, and second because they were brand new, with no materials set up, and no set base of students that they were working from. They had an actual school location, but I would be the one making their curriculum and working out what materials to use. From what I could tell, it was just the Japanese owner and her foreign business manager. I was a little worried by the fact that almost none of the work had been set up, but I agreed to meet a second time to discuss things, but didn`t agree to sign a contract at any point in these negotiations.

Anyway, one of the full time places I had talked to previously called me unexpectedly the day of the second meeting with this school, and said that they had had an emergency and a sudden opening was available. I immediately call all the places I have been interviewing and ask them to put off any new meetings or interviews until after I have met with these people and seen what they were offering. I don`t want to sign any contracts until I`ve seen all the possibilities and have everything laid out in front of me.

When I talked to the business manager of this new school, he asks why I want to postpone the meeting, and I tell him that I want to have all my cards laid out before I make a decision. He gets angry and tells me that in his mind, I`ve already taken the job with his school. I tell him that I`m still willing to help out with the school even if I get the job, and can recommend other people I`ve met who are looking for jobs, perhaps give advice on books or even meet with the owner pro bono once or twice a month if she wants some help. He tells me that I`ve `done enough damage already.` He threatens to tell everyone he knows `about what I`ve done,` and how I`m `not serious about taking real jobs.` He then wants me to tell him what company I`m working for, which I wouldn`t tell him. (I am not going to that information here either for the reasons that if he happens to be reading this, he can`t contact them either) The next day, I see a local posting referring to me as a `timewaster,` and I am worried about other damage he might be doing.

Now, I plan to stay here in Japan for a while; my fiancee is Japanese and doesn`t want to leave the country. I don`t want him damaging my chances at a future here, and I don`t want to play ball his way. I feel like he`s taking a matter that was completely business, and turning it into a personal vendetta. I am glad that I didn`t take the position now, in that I know that he`s would be terrible to work with, but I really don`t need him making problems for me either.

If anyone has any advice, I`d really appreciate it.

[Brooks]

where do you live? A big city? Small town where everyone knows everyone?

[Gordon]

Try and forget about it and things may blow over. You have nothing to be ashamed of (from what you wrote). If you live in a small place, I would go and talk to this guy and reason with him, but have nothing to do with him in a business sense. He sounds like a bitter man.

[VanKen]

What Gordon said.

If that new school had wanted to secure you (i.e. get you to sign the contract) they could have offered you more or simply set a time limit for now long it was on the table. You were just being honest with this guy, which he should have respected you for. Without the contract, you really don't owe him anything...

If this situation should arise another time, a simple "sorry, but something of a personal nature has come up and I'm afraid I can't make the meeting we arranged" should suffice. That's what I would do. If he is still interested in you, the guy in the new school should be willing to accomodate you.

[PAULH]

I would not consider working for someone whom you have not signed a contract, you have not worked a day for yet, yet he is vindictive and spiteful enough to say he will spread rumors about you being unreliable and a bad employee etc.

There is little he can do in practical terms to make things difficult for you or prevent you finding other jobs, but perhaps you can count your blessings you didnt work for him. Simply move on- he does not own you simply because you make a verbal agreement to work for him with nothing in writing.

[KoBushi]

I`m living in a mid-to-large sized city in Japan. Sorry, I don`t really want to post more than that at the moment, at least until things blow over a little.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I`ll just have to wait it out, and see what happens.

[fluffyhamster]

I can understand this potential employer's frustration to some extent, but the guy does sound a little vindictive (mean and psychotic) to have done more than just chew you out a little when you told him you'd found another job. If he was a reasonable boss he'd be putting every available minute into setting up his new school and finding other teachers than worrying about "the one that got away"...maybe it's his way of saying that he really liked you and still wants you to work for him LOL!

If he keeps up his vendetta much longer or escalates it (despite you having done anything else to "anger" him), you could maybe intimate that two can play at that game, and if he doesn't back off you might make it your life's sole purpose and mission to destroy the reputation of his new venture by posting all the juicy details right here on Dave's (that could be why you began this thread). I doubt if enough people read Dave's to shut down badly-managed schools, but if you kept dragging the post back up to the top with weekly or monthly updates I am sure it would affect his recruitment to some extent.

Then again, potentially mentally unbalanced people are probably best not "provoked" any more than they "have been" already, and I guess that if you just try to ignore him as best you can, the whole thing will, as other posters have said, hopefully 'blow over' soon!

[Mike L.]

To the OP keep in mind there's a lot of trash in the "English" business! And I don't mean the English teachers!

Threaten to sue if he gives you any problems. But I wouldn't worry to much as he's probably just talking s**T!