Job Discussion Forums

[robinnn]

Hi
This is my problem, although to some it may seem obvious as to what I should do.
As a Nova and Geos reject, I'm trying to raise money to get a working holiday visa for Japan, but I guess I have only until October to get one otherwise I'll arrive there in a dead hiring season and won't last very long. My back up plan is to go to China on a volunteer English teaching project to get some experience for 3 months, come back with just enough time to raise the money I need for Japan again from scratch, and get over there in Spring 2007 when the hiring picks up, plus 3 months experience in China to put on my CV.
My problem is that logic is telling me to go to China first but my desire to live in Japan tells me otherwise. I know which option is better and more sensible, but I think I just need to be discouraged or encouraged to go one way or the other. I would like to go to China alot, but I've been preparing myself for Japan for so long that the idea of not going this year feels so disappointing. Will somebody give me a metaphorical slap round the face?!!!!

[movinaround]

[Glenski]

What's the rush? The surge for October hires is not that large here in Japan. Having 3 months volunteer teaching experience under your belt won't really count for much, either. Besides, volunteering does give you a chance to experience a new culture (something that IS good on a resume), but you will only waste the time that you could be using to build up your finances.

movinaround suggested JET, and I will only point out that JET accepts applications in late November/early December for the following year's hires (interviews in February, shipping out in August), so Robinn has a long wait. The GOOD thing about JET is that they pay more than the average salary here, and they pay for airfare.

I'd say look more at a chance to get hired next year, or get some work at home now.

[robinnn]

That all seems like good advice, thanks. I'm still torn though. As far as volunteering goes, it appeals to me more than paid work because I'm not comfortable with the idea of being paid for something I may be really bad at. I just want to try myself in that area first. As the China work is classroom ALT stuff it would make me good Interac material right?
On Japan, I know I'm good at one to one private tution because I've been doing it for 2 years in the UK, so I think I could do that in Japan to supplement the money I brought with me, to keep my head above water until I find a full time job. Any thoughts on that?
You asked me what the rush is? I just left university and I'm young and impulsive! Er, and living with my parents.

[Glenski]

[robinnn]

I hear this all the time but I still don't know why, why is experience in China or Korea, etc, not valued in Japan? Is it just snobbery?

[Glenski]

Robinn,
Call it snobbery if you like it. The students are not the same, although they share some cultural characteristics.

What I meant above was that a mere 2-3 months won't matter much.

[paulmanser]

2 months TEFL experience does count if your a newbie and getting your first job. Would give you an edge over any other applicant without those 2 months. As long as the qualifications are fine too also.

Just got back from Prague, 4 week TESOL

[caneisha]

you can spend a month in China working as a instructor, tutor or conversation partner in summer programs. there's a stipend and your accomodations are paid for. they'll even give you guided tours for free. i have a friend who's going to Guangzhou mid july, he said he'll be there for 5 weeks, with one week off in the middle. I'm sure there are many such programs there.

[stillnosheep]

The hiring season applies to schools, colleges and universities. The Eikaiwa (conversation schools) hire all year round to replace teachers who are leaving. Any time is as good as any other (apart from the New Year, o-bon and golden week holidays when few people will be working).

[robinnn]

Oooooooooooohhhhh! That's good to know (hiring season bit). So do you think october is okay then? How about non-teaching work? I think my Japanese would be up to it.
About China, I was planning to do a 3 month teaching programme in Hainan, southern China, with a company called Real Gap, anyone had experience with them?

[robinnn]

Oh by the way, the certificate I'd get from the teacher's college in China will probably be worth absolutely nothing anywhere in the world let alone in Japan. I think it's just so you can show that you've received some level of training.

[Glenski]

Eikaiwas in general DO hire year round, but not all eikaiwas do. Big difference. The number of ads diminishes considerably during certain periods and not just around the major holidays.

October is a starting date, so you'd do better to come before then, not during October.

robinn,
Just curious, how good is your Japanese? What level are you? What sort of work do you envision doing with it, if not teaching? What is your background for that sort of work?

[Gordon]

[Yu]

I studied in Japan while I was an undergrad and always dreamed of going back there.

I visited China a few times and absolutly hated it. Then I moved here to teach and have been here for 2 years.

All I have to say is that things dont always work out how you plan them to, but they still work out.

Also, I would not have any qualms about taking money for a job even if i wasnt sure I could do it..... This would have been what I did when I taught a class on Finance for Managers (I can barely add, and I studied sociology in college--- I was in no way qualified to teach this course). I collected my pay happily every month!!!!