Job Discussion Forums

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

Hi all,

I know this has been discussed before, but I'm curious to know if you think it is always better to come to Japan in person if you want to find a teaching job?

I imagine most people are interested in doing a job search from their own country, getting hired, and then heading over to Japan. This is nice if you want to work for one of the big four, but I personally don't want to work for one of the big four, and I would prefer to see the country first before I made the commitment.

This leads me to another question, if you do work for a smaller school (not one of the big four), what are your chances of having them pay the key money and some of the other costs associated with moving to Japan? Is this standard only with the big four companies or do other schools do this as well?

Many thanks

viddy · Joined: 07 Jan 2004 Posts: 50 Location: London, England

What kind of experience do you have?

avahanian · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 123

easyasabc · Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Posts: 179 Location: Japan

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

If you want to see the country first, then come as a tourist. Of course, you won't have much, if any, experience with learning how Japanese businesses/schools work.

Denying the Big Four leaves one with a handful of schools in order to get hired from abroad.

Coming here on a tourist visa to look for work can be equally daunting. You may never even get hired and waste 90 days of your bank account. That's a lot of money. I know people who have been hired in 3 days and some who have spent their entire 90-day tourist visa period unsuccessfully and had to go home jobless.

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

wintersweet · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2005 4:57 am Post subject:

Old thread, I know, but I didn't think there was any point in starting a new one. Let's say someone has unexpectedly come into a few thousand dollars. Shocked

Should said someone, who has a BA, a legit TESOL certificate, a genuine desire to get started in teaching English as a career, some teaching and tutoring experience (but not a year of classroom teaching), and a smattering of Japanese a) apply to the overseas-hiring schools from the USA or b) bite the bullet and go there? (I actually think I have enough frequent flyer miles for a ticket to Japan--whether they'd let me USE it 'em is another question. Rolling Eyes

But I live near San Francisco so it doesn't cost that much from here anyway.)

I'd probably go in early September, as I'd like to see the Expo before it closes, and then look in the Kansai area. I know that September is not an ideal hiring time.

I've read this section of the FAQ, and as it's not clear-cut, I'd like your opionions. I've looked through various questions about this via search, but most of the posters seemed to not have what the experienced teachers felt was a reasonable amount of starting money, so ... my situation is currently a bit different.

Thanks for your indulgence on this reheated topic.

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

Telling people what they "should" do is tough. I usually don't. I just offer options and explanations.

If you have the money and the time and some experience, then it might be better for you to come here and job hunt. Logistically, you have more opportunities to choose from.

You will have to choose a good time and location, of course, or you will be wasting a lot of time and effort and money.

My advice is always to prepare before coming. Know the market. Know the location where you want to work. Know how to interview. Pick up as much Japanese as you can, and learn as much about the culture (social and business) as possible.

wintersweet · Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:17 am Post subject: