Job Discussion Forums

ghostrider · Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 147

After applying for the JET Program twice, and being an alternate both times, I am making plans to just move to Tokyo at the end of July.

How hard is it to really find a half-way decent job there (eikaiwa, dispatch, whatever)? From what I've been reading, it sounds as if all of the jobs in Tokyo are horrible and hundreds of people apply for every position. Is it really that bad, or is it just that the worst cases get the most attention, while a silent majority is doing all right?

I'm not expecting anything great, I'd just like to know if I'd be wasting $5k going over there, finding myself without a job or getting screwed. As for applying to one of the decent big ones here like Aeon and ECC, I cannot afford the plane flights and hotel stays plus have enough to make it 2 months in Japan (if they'd even hire me).

Please share any positive experiences you or people you know have had in Tokyo or which companies/schools generally have a good reputation (I've read enough about the bad ones). Thanks.

My background:
* BA in International Affairs (ha!)
* Between beginner and intermediate Japanese (nothing useful, but at least I can communicate a bit)
* Very limited teaching experience (informal, no official classroom).
* Took one Education class in college (I don't have much qualifications in that area since teaching English isn't/wasn't my career goal).
* Worked 5 years in the AV dept of a local college. Help and work with instructors in the classroom everyday.
* Currently do not live in Japan. Plan on moving there in late July.
* Hope to arrive there with $5k, plan to stay at a gaijin house first.
* I have experience in other areas, though not relevant for teaching (audio equipment, set up for bands/performances, radio dj, HTML/web design, computers)

Reasons for coming to Japan:
* I want to make sure I really want to get my master's/MBA specializing in Japan/East Asia (International Affairs or Int'l Business).
* Want to experience life there, but at least come out even at the end of it (long vacation would leave me several thousand in the hole).
* Started studying the language a few years ago and want to improve more quickly.
* I'll improve my chances of getting into a better graduate school if I have some international work experience.
* Since I've graduated, I've been stuck working shitty low-paying jobs because no one here wants to hire a person with my degree (Int'l Affairs). I know it won't be different in Japan, but at least I can accomplish the above goals there, where as right now I'm going nowhere with my life.
* I'm not coming to save a bunch of money. I know it'll be tough.

I originally posted this on another site's forum, but there is barely any traffic there.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

You provided lots of information, so people should be able to help. What nationality are you? How old are you? If you qualify for a working holiday visa (you aren't American), that would be the first step. You could come here and hit the ground running.

It's always a risk. Your chances of getting a job are ok. It's not the best time of year, but it's not the worst. You also need to be prepared because when you arrive in August, you'll have to deal with jet lag, the new experience of being here and that you'll basically miss a week because of the long public holiday.

Why Tokyo? It is possible to find a job before you even set foot in Japan. Try some of the sites like www.ohaiyosensei.com etc. You could apply all over the country. Or you can set up interviews for when you arrive etc.

Coming without a job involves a risk.

newyorkbunny · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 75 Location: Tottori

Hi!

I came here on the Westgate programme and honestly speaking, it has been an absolutely positive experience. I truly recommend it.

Some of the horror stories seem to be from the more standard, run of the mill eikaiwas. But even then, people who have bad experiences tend to share them in forums like this one. Those who are happy or at least content, keep mum.

Many of the problems I have heard/read about are actually intercultural miscommunication problems. Learn to let water slide in Asia (not just in Japan) and you will be absolutely fine. Work hard, keep time and look professional.

Best of luck! Tokyo is fun, vibrant and exciting. You'll have a blast!

newyorkbunny

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

To the OP: You probably don't feel like waiting to come to Japan, but you really ought to. Get a job with one of the big eikaiwa companies before you leave and you should only have to spend between 3-4 grand (US) on your plane ticket and start-up fees. NOVA, AEON, and others will pay all of the up-front money on your apartment. And, should you find yourself in a bit of a bind financially, you can get an advance from some of these companies.
Once you get to Tokyo, you'll start burning money fast. If you've got even a crap job back home and can pay the bills without eating up your savings, try your best to get on with one of the biggies. Somebody will pick you up if you've got a good attitude and don't screw up every interview.

X-MAN · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 16

Ghostrider,
I posted this on another thread but I thought it would serve well in answering your questions...

Here goes:

You shouldn't listen to the Glenskis and Paul Hs of the world. They are one of a kind. They have accomplished limited things but try to show how difficult the world of teaching in Japan really is. Neither of them live in Tokyo or anywhere near Tokyo. Tokyo happens to be the largest city in the world and there are a zillion opportunities to every one that there is in Hokkaido (yes, even the largest city of Sapporo). And the same goes for Kyoto. While they may be respectable places to live, they have nowhere near the opportunities that Tokyo has. [Just a side note on living conditions -- in Sapporo you have to deal with a lot of snow and harsh winters while Kyoto has murderously hot summers].

There are a huge number of decent teaching positions in Tokyo / Yokohama. Rent costs have decreased in the past few years. If you are willing to live in a small apartment, you could easily find a little hole in the wall in central Tokyo for about 80,000 (often much less). If you can stand the daily commute, you could live in the 'burbs for half that and save a lot more. (YES, 40,000/month in the 'burbs, sometimes a bit less) Actually, that's not a bad option.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO is get a company like Nova to hire and sponsor you. Then, you'll have your visa and you can quit before you start -- and go freelance. Is it a nice thing to do? Well, that isn't the issue. The system is set up in a way to make it possible so why not take advantage of it? Getting a second visa after that is quite simple if you have reasonable income to show (self-sponsorship). Earning 400,000/month in Tokyo is easy enough for any moron with a degree (or phony one) who wants to work reasonably hard. If you have skills as a teacher and actually enjoy what you do, it'll be a sinch, and you'll have a great time doing it.

Those guys are blowing hot air... They have been giving so much false information for so long the scare people away from coming to Japan. Unbelievable.......

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

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

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

Oh, and in case anyone else is interested, here is what I wrote (red) in response to ghostrider's identical post on GaijinPot.com -- Looks pretty useless and hot air, I know, but gee, that's all I could offer on my lunch break with my students interrupting me.

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

You also notice that the stickies that Glenski and I put together at the top of this page have over 30,000 hits on them. i think that speaks for itself.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Paul and Glenski, he is a troll. Thought you guys knew better than to respond to a troll. Laughing

Ghostrider, just come to Japan, sounds like you have already made up your mind anyways. Doesn't sound like you are giving up much job-wise to come here and the worse thing that could happen is you lose 5 grand, peanuts in the big scheme of things.
Staying in a gaijin house, I'm sure you could pick up a couple privates and odd teaching jobs until something more secure comes along. 10-12 years ago, I did a similar thing in Seoul and didn't regret it.

lalalateda · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 72 Location: JAPAN

I haven't used this service myself but a friend did. If you plan of arriving Tokyo and then finding a job, it may be a good idea to contact the kimi information center. They can help you set up job interviews. Here's the link to the website : http://www.kimiwillbe.com/joboppo.htm

ghostrider · Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 147

Thank you everyone.

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in my original post, but I live far from the interview sites of all the major eikaiwas here. If I lived in/near California or New York, this would not be an issue. I estimate I could end up spending $400 to $2000 applying at eikaiwas here (plane flights+hotel stays). The low end is if I apply in New York, am lucky, and get the first one, the $2000 is if I have to apply at 4 different ones. The only place ECC is hiring in North America now is Toronto. If one of them does hire me, I then have to spend the same amount of money getting there, paying for my apartment, food, etc. I'll have a pay check much sooner, so perhaps it works out about equal?

Canuck: I live in the U.S. I'm in my mid-20's. Unfortunately, we only have tourist visas. I have to find a sponsor fairly quickly, but if I run out of time, I believe I can fly out to another country and come back with a new one, right? I hope I don't have to do that of course.

Gordon: that was my plan basically. I'm going to do my best to apply for places there from here. I realize 9/10 say you must currently live in Japan, but I'm sure if I put myself out there and assure them I'll be living in Tokyo (or wherever the job is) in 2 months, that may open up a few more opportunities. If that doesn't result in anything, I assume I can still move there and earn some money unofficially (private teaching) while busting my ass looking for a job. I'm not a party guy, I don't drink, and I'm used to living on a very tight budget, so I'm not worried I'll blow a ton of money. As for housing, I plan to start at a guest house, or even hostel.

I'm not dead set on Tokyo. I originally applied for the JET Program and was prepared to live out in the middle of nowhere, but that was the JET Program. I've gotten the impression most jobs are in Tokyo (makes sense of course), and it's easier to adjust there. I have certain health needs and dietary restrictions, so that's a concern for me as well.

What can the average person with my qualifications expect if they came straight to Tokyo? I realize coming there with a job already is the safer option, and I'll try my best to do that so long as I can afford it, but if that doesn't work out...

24601 · Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 75

lalalateda · Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 72 Location: JAPAN