Job Discussion Forums

[kozo]

Hello everyone,
I've been reading through countless posts and most of my questions have been answered. Thanks! I have only one question that I couldn't find an answer and I was hoping someone had advice.

My fiance lives in Japan and I want to live there with her. I'm quit familiar with Japan (countless visits, stationed there in the Marines). I've a bachelors degree in International Business and Asian Studies and have been looking for a job, but as of yet have found nothing (big surprise!). Since my Japanese is poor, I see English teaching as my only option. I'd rather not teach but know I can do it just as well as anyone. Anyhow, to my question.

I have interviews lined up with the big language schools and have done my "homework" on "what to do" and "what not to do". It appears that most of the schools ask you, "Why do you want to teach English in Japan?" In reality, my answers are, "So I can live with my fiance & so I can better my Japanese (through immersion) so I can find another job." Obviously I can't say this. (Or can I?) Should I even mention the fact that I have a fiance? Suggestions on how to handle this?

Along those lines, those of you who've passed the interview and wanted a specific location, did they give it to you?

Thanks for reading and sorry for so long!

Glenn

[PAULH]

Glen

cant say Ive been in this position but my guess would be from my understanding of living in this culture that dpending on where you live it may be frowned upon if you are living together and not married- especially if you are in a rural area and the locals make it their business to know who the gajin in and when he puts his trash out.

In the bigger cities generally people couldnt care less about your living arrangements- I lived six years next to my neignbors and I didnt even know what the kids names were or the wifes name.

In general Japanese dont have the same hangups about 'living in sin' that westerners do after all Japanese practically invented soaplands and ukiyoe- erotic art. Personallly i dont think your bosses will be too concerned about your living arrangements, and if you have your own accomodation its really none of their business who you live with. if you were getting an apartment from your employer it may be a different matter, but usually I will keep an arms length between my job and my private life. Who I live with has nothing to do with them

As I say, in smaller provincial areas you will find walls have ears, everyone knows everyone else and you may have a Japanese staff member living in the same area as you and will know your movements. If they ask- tell them, be up front. You are not committing any crime and though not widely practiced here living together doesnt have the ethical conurbations that it does in the West. Its not really any of their business so you really dont have to tell them if you don't want to

just my two cents worth.

[Snappin]

I think the point here is not whether you'll be "living in sin" or how this will be viewed. The schools are simply looking for a person dedicated to teaching, so it may not be such a good idea to mention the gf. This may be viewed as the alterior motive to coming to teach.

You could bang on about visiting Japan many times, being in the marines, loving the culture, having loads of friends bla bla bla. Lie and say you passionately want to teach, you've got more than enough ammunition there.

[Shonai Ben]

Never tell the interviewer that you are coming to Japan only for your girlfriend.Honestly,would you hire someone with the same motives?Tell them what they want to hear.For example:I want to teach English and have a cultural exchange with my students so that we both are enlightened by the experience,blah.blah,blah.
Anyway,good luck.

[kozo]

Yeah, that's pretty much what I figured. Will keep things tight lipped until asked. Have another question but will post it as a new topic.

Glenn