Job Discussion Forums

[nomadder]

Thought it would be easier. Initial response to application from most but then nothing. Must be too many applicants though in some cases it could be ageism as I am (gasp!) 40 though not all know this yet.

Anyone with experience returning to Japan after few years away. Unfortunately there are no openings at my former school right now. Already looking at other countries but thought I'd look for any information available here too.

[Glenski]

A few more details would help.
What was the "initial response"?

If you are applying now, are you answering ads or just cold-calling?

You probably know that this is a relatively slow time of year, and if you had made any contacts last month, it was even slower.

What was your experience, and what sort of jobs are you applying to?

When would you like to start?

40 is not a problem in most cases.

[nomadder]

I worked 3 years in eikaiwas.

There are more and more ads lately so hopefully something will turn up soon. Just found some employers very flaky lately. They were a mostly non-Japanese too. Better to know before taking a job with them I guess.

[nomadder]

Very interesting to read posts on other threads of those who returned to Japan after leaving(though not sure how) and others who returned home and are now thinking of returning to Japan.

Just to update you on my plight. As others have said I was ready to leave Japan when I left but coming home found nothing here. I will miss the ease of doing things here and more entertainment/social options etc. but over all I think I need to return to Japan for better work options(maybe) and culture/language.

Recent stabbing at my old high school brings things to an all time low here re: violence. One of many such incidents here nowadays. Then there are rising costs at every turn. I never had a good paying job here so the chances are even slimmer after being away working and travelling for years.

On the other hand the jobhunt is not going well. I usually hear from employers and they seem very positive and promising only to disappear from the radar. I am shocked at the shoddy business practices. These incidents all come from Chiba which I will now omit from my job search as there must be an over abundance of teachers who want to hop off the plane and flop into the closest school. Seems a bit of a teacher mill there.

First was a large school though said to have a decent reputation. I received a few positive emails that I had made it through the first screening and would be interviewed by telephone even though this required waiting until after their 2 week holiday. I was asked the best time to call and told I would probably get a call within the next week. That call didn't come. It would have at least have been decent to jot off a quick email saying the position was filled or something. So easy to do.

Next was a small school that was interested and requesting more information. Their fax wasn't working so I even called and got 2 more fax numbers. None of them worked. No one answered the email asking how to proceed nor any info to at least say the position was filled. Another place I'm glad not to work for. Wanted an ASAP tourist visa person. Wonder what was going on there. Seemed a bit of a mess.

Next was a medium school. Again lots of positive, friendly emails and an interview time was even set up. No call. No apology or explanation. One can only assume and hope that what goes around comes around.

There was another in another area-the only Japanese one-who asked some questions but never responded further. It would have been nice to hear if the position was filled as it was a very small school and they can't have processed dozens like the big schools but at least she didn't leave me dangling with any false promises, etc.

So I'm in Phase 1 of thinking I may not get back to Japan after all. Times have changed a bit and before I was able to have face to face interviews here and in Japan and always got the job. The irony is now I have more experience and knowledge of Japan/Japanese. And even if I do go back I may be paid the lowly 250,000 which I never was before. I was willing to take that just to get back. There are a few more options pending but another problem is knowing what I know now there are lots I just won't apply to. Luckily I have a place to stay for free now but I can't wait forever and so may have to give up.

[adalo]

I hear you there. One of the reasons I left Japan was the shadyness of the industry. Seems to me Japan is drying up. While still shady, Korea may be the place to be now...

[Glenski]

Remember that image and first impressions and politeness are valued here a lot. So, it is not surprising to hear from you that you got friendly and polite responses initially. That's just Japanese style.

Why they didn't follow through is anyone's guess. I assume they responded to a resume or cover letter you sent??? If not, perhaps they didn't like it in your follow-up communication??? Don't know. If you HAD sent them a resume / CL initially, who can say why they didn't come through later? Perhaps another more qualified person came along and was willing/able to start work earlier and didn't want to negotiate salaries, etc.

There are plenty of places to land work. Move on and work the percentages. Just don't expect more than 250,000 yen/month.

[SEndrigo]

Hey Glenski, if that's true, that you shouldn't expect more than 250,000 yen a month, then Japan is a lot less desirable than before, that's for sure.

Obviously, money is not the most important issue in life, but why on earth would someone leave their home country for a paltry figure that like? I ask myself this question when I see guys coming over here for a NOVA job paying 220,000 a month with Tuesday/Wednesday off stuck in a small town in the middle of nowhere.

not to mention the chances of moving up with an eikaiwa job is slim to none.

It just doesn't seem like a good career option to me, but others might disagree.

they'll talk about all the cultural opportunities, the opportunity to travel, etc.

good luck doing that with a standard job at an eikaiwa where you may have Tuesday/Wednesday off.

It seems to me most of these eikaiwa teachers shouldn't even be here....for their own good, and for the good of their students, since many of them could care less about getting qualified and teaching a good lesson.

On the other hand, there are many good eikaiwa teachers too, who are (more) qualified, and who do really care about giving a good lesson.

It's unfortunate they have to take a cut in pay and benefits due to the industry going in the direction it's going now.

[Stosskraft]

Hey nomadder,

Have you tried to following up some of your job prospects?

I am just curious if this may help generate some leads for you.

Once I send out an application or resume to a school, I will wait a couple days (3-5) and then send a follow up letter or email, asking if my information was receive, and if I could answer and questions they may have. If I don't hear back within a week, I then send another follow up asking if the position is still open and if my application is being considered.

I have found that this did help me get some interviews when I first arrived here in Japan and I always follow up and applications and resumes I send. It is relatively easy to do and I feel worth it, if you can generate 1 (or more) interviews from it.

To Glenski and Paul, whats your opinion on follow up for Japanese employers? Do you agree with it? Any suggestions and/or guidelines ?

[Glenski]

SEndrigo wrote:

[Glenski]

Stosskraft,
First of all, try to find out how soon the employer plans to respond. Then, give him a few days beyond that and politely ask. If you can't get an idea of how soon he'll respond in the first place, contact him in 2-3 weeks. Wheels grind slow here, so even that may be pushing it.

[SEndrigo]

Hi Glenski,

Yes, of course I live here, but I still can't get myself to believe some of the people who come over here....most are unqualified to teach, and end up lowering the reputation and salaries of teachers who are serious about teaching.

I have no problem with someone who is not qualified but who WANTS to be a good teacher....if the desire is there, a person will try hard to do a good job.

Those points I made weren't negative, they reflect the truth here.....I suppose even if someone wanted to come here for the strangest reason imaginable, I wouldn't care as long as they tried hard to teach a good class.

But unfortunately, what we see most of the time is people come here to party, drink, travel, what have you, but they're not serious about teaching a good class.

in fact, they could care less, since they often turn up to class hung over or not prepared to teach the lesson.

Normally, I wouldn't give a toss about that, but if it starts affecting others who are trying hard to teach good classes, that's when we should give people a dose of reality so they dont end up coming over here and being a pain in the a$%#.

Here's what I meant to say: Chasing skirt is fine, as long as you teach a good class and care about your students improving!

[PAULH]

[Gordon]

Paul, let's not forget the drop in currency of the Japanese yen to every major world currency (excluding the US). When I first came here 3 years ago, it was 76 yen to a CDN dollar. This summer I got 96 (even saw it at 104 in Whistler), which is a significant drop in savings.
So to say the pay has not declined in Japan is incorrect.

[PAULH]

[nomadder]

I got good responses and the promise of an interview. One said within the week and they would try for the time I specified which they asked-they'd already sent at least 3 messages expressing definite interest. It sounded like a sure thing.
The other definitely pinned down the interview time to a 2 hour time frame and looked forward to speaking to me after at least 3 previous messages. These were not Japanese people. Obviously they found someone else before interviewing me and couldn't be bothered to tell me. I never talked about salary. I would have accepted it for one year no problem. I've never seen this kind of rudeness before. I would never work for this kind of place.

Besides the decreasing salary other bad points are jobs which give you Sunday and one other day off. No time for anything there. Holidays often one week during the most expensive and busy holiday time. Good luck travelling then.

Some offer empty apts (as you know this means buying appliances etc.). Some may not even pay key money etc. The smart ones hold on to apts. and just use them for the next teacher.

I agree with sendrigo. It's a pity what some people put up with. They go so far away from home and have terrible conditions sometimes. Alone with culture shock and the uncaring attitudes you often find not only from the Japanese but especially other foreigners. Some must be so bored and lonely. The least they need is a decent job. It is a bit of a soulless place even at the best of times.

So we can only assume people are desperate or just don't know any better and that's why things continue to decline. Supply and demand will push things as low as they can.