Job Discussion Forums

unsung · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Posts: 34

I just finished my WESTGATE application. They said thanks and you'll hear from us in one month. Maybe two.

Does this sound bad...?

locomote · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

That's pretty much where I am - he told me it could be up to 4 months~ Shocked

Did you ever hear back from them?

My solution: move on...find someone who is organized enough to know what they'll need and when they'll need it. I'm a bit shocked actually...I applied to Westgate 'cause they seemed professional. Leading you through all that process of interviewing just to tell you, "we can't give you an answer for up to 4 months"......that just doesn't seem too professional to me.

All those applying for Westgate - be warned~!!
If you've got things planned for the time between when you're applying and the time that the job starts that isn't affected by whether you have the job or not - go for it.
If you're in a place where you need to have some kind of certainty so that you can plan around it - don't waste your time (or your references').

What's up with Japanese companies and that? JET wants you to go through months of application and not know for possibly about a year - and Westgate is like this? I'm used to jobs where they know exactly what they want/need, they interview you, and if you're it, then "you're hired~!!"
If you're not it, then "sorry - try again next time". This waiting game is NOT for me.... Rolling Eyes

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

locomote · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 27

2-3 weeks for the purpose of background checks, reference contacts, board meetings to discuss if we really want to hire this guy, etc... <--I totally understand.

"We have no clue if we even need you" <---a bit too much for me~

This just seems like a recipie for problems for the company to me. They get someone like me who is well-qualified and genuinely wants to be a valuable teacher for their company. I go through the whole interview process (which is a bit lengthy at Westgate, but of course it's worth it if you can land an actual professional teaching position), and then I find out that I must wait to find out. I can't wait unless I know that there's something to wait for, so I will continue my search. Now Westgate has used their time and resources up for my sake, but I'm diligently looking elsewhere and very likely to have taught 2 months at another job before they even get back to me.

They spent all their time/energy over me, and in the end it was a waste for them. If they had made it clear from the beginning that they couldn't tell me anything for up to 4 months down the road, I wouldn't have even bothered with the application - wasting their time and mine.

To overgeneralize:
Korea waits 'till the last minute and then desperately scrambles like an anthill after a cherry-bomb trying to find a teacher. Japan goes through the whole process long in advance only to tell you they won't know until possibly the last minute.
Which one is better:?: Despite what seems like a bit of moaning, I'd have to go with Japan. That was just a bit of a rant.

Iwantmyrightsnow · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 202

Problem is companies like Westgate don't actually know if they have the contracts yet. With dispatching taking off in the past few years, your kind of scenario has increased. They have to tender for the contracts every year and with competition increasing they cannot certain they will have jobs to give people. They Should make this clearer in the application process but then of course, a lot of people wouldn't bother applying and would look elsewhere.