Job Discussion Forums

[PUCK]

MOD EDIT

First, Thermal, PLEASE do not take the information that certain posters are giving you too seriously. Yes, they are right in saying that education level is really important in Japan as far as getting teaching jobs. But it is not necessary. It is necessary in getting a visa for a lot of people, but not necessary in finding work.

Neither of the posters (PH or GH) live in Tokyo or the Tokyo area. Nor have either of them lived in the Tokyo area in recent years. They have NO idea (and they confirm that with their far too often lousy posts) about the teaching market in Tokyo. No, Tokyo isn't the only place to work and live in Japan, there are several other great spots. However, Tokyo happens to be by far the largest center, and it ultimately possesses the largest job market in any field. The English teaching profession is no different. In fact, the English-teaching profession could very well be more prevalent in Tokyo in its own field than other industries.

If you come to TOKYO without a university degree but with a CELTA certification, you will NO DOUBT find plenty of decent part-time jobs. Once you get one or two under your belt, even for a very short time, you'll be able to acquire a lot of other positions after that. It's a snowball effect. If you are willing to teach kids, there are literally hundereds and hundreds of jobs available all the time -- some of which pay quite reasonably. In Tokyo, if you have the right attitude and are a good communicator, you'll find work fast. There is so much of it available. Once you get your feet wet, you'll be able to "cherrypick." You'll be able to arrange your schedule with only the best-paying most enjoyable jobs you are offered. If you are here for 18 months on a working holiday visa, no doubt you'll be able to organize things and find a way to obtain a visa after that. Who knows, maybe you'll even get married and you could get a spousal visa! There are plenty of women to go around!

I hope this is more useful that the BS that others have given you.

[thermal]

Thankyou that is useful.

I have been discouraged coming here and feel that some of the advice given to me was needlessly negative and rude.

I think I will come to Tokyo in September, get 6 months experience under my belt and then try and move to Kyoto or Osaka.

[Glenski]

[earthmonkey]

Who is this PUCK person? Location says Canada. That gives him a good perspective on the Tokyo job market, doesn't it?

Yes, there are plenty of jobs in Tokyo. But, the good ones which are advertised will have many, many applicants. Most of those applicants will have more experience than you, and working visas, and degrees. The really good jobs will often be obtained through personal connections, of which you probably have none.

If you don't have a job offer before you arrive, come with enough money to last 2 or 3 months (maybe USD3,000). Get the Japan Times every Monday first thing, scour the Internet, register for privates on the web. You say that you only want to stay for 6 months? You'll be lucky to break even financially. But, you will have lived in Tokyo for 6 months. That's good!

I've lived in Tokyo for the last 4.5 years and I love it.

[thermal]

I am set on Kyoto, but it looks like it will be much harder to start off teaching there and I am very afraid of running out of money and having to go home. So I figure get 6 months experiece in Tokyo first where it isn't so hard and then move to Kyoto (or Kanazawa or Hiroshima). Is that doable?

I will be very proactive in finding a job and working hard. So hopefull that makes a difference.

I plan to stay for the full year and a half.

How long does it typically take from application to approval for a WHV?

[PUCK]

Glenski, first of all, I'm not sure why it says MOD EDIT because the message is exactly as I posted it. No changes whatsoever. Second, I'm not sure where you get your information about a WHV person being taxed 20%. How and why would you pass on information like that? More information that is completely fabricated and / or untrue (like most of yours). The fact is, if Thermal is from Canada and in Japan for 1 year or 18 months, he will be taxed as if he were working in Canada. It will be much more than 20%. He'l likely be taxed at least 35%, possibly as much as 50%, depending on his earnings. I highly doubt that you know much about the tax system for Canadians, or Canadians working abroad for that matter. Even though you seem to be quick to pass out infotrmation on a lot of different matters, you seem to be lacking in accuracy. You should really think before you type.

Earthlink, my apologies in the fact that my profile indicated I am in Canada. The fact is that I am a Canadian but have been living in Tokyo for about 4 years this time around.

Thermal, Glenski and Paul H. continue to harp on the notion that you'll never get anything better than "entry level jobs" as long as you live in Japan. Take there advice with a couple of kilos of salt if you know what I mean. They like to furnish things (a) that are true of themselves and (b) to make their "vast" experience look so brilliant to the newcomers. There are a lot of jobs in Tokyo (and elsewhere) that pay reasonably well. Now, those guys can call various jobs "entry level" or whatever name they feel they should use. The fact is, many of these "entry level" teaching positions (as they call them), probably pay better than both of them earn or have earned in the past. More certainly more than they earned when they started at the "entry level."

As Earthlink stated, scour the internet and check the JT. There are so many jobs that you'll definitely do okay if you have the right attitude in Tokyo.

As for the taxman, I'm afraid you'll be required to pay the Canadian taxrate for your earnings abroad until such a time that you are no longer considered a resident of Canada. As long as you are simply on a temporary WHV, I am afraid that that will undoubtedly keep your ties to Canada as a resident. So, you'll have to pay your taxes here in Japan and then file a return in Canada too. Then, you'll have to pay the difference to the Canadian govt. As much as I'm sure you'd like to believe Glenski's information, I'm afraid it's only one of several things that are inaccurate and untrue. Often people like to pass out information - even if they don't really know what they are saying.

Thermal, if I can help you more, feel free to PM me anytime.

[thermal]

I'm actually Australian. Is it the same deal?

[PUCK]

If you're Australian, I can't help you with that. I'm sorry, I thought you were a Canadian. For Canadians, you are obligated to pay Canadian taxes, regardless of your visa status in Japan. (PH, sorry pal but you lose).

[Glenski]

[canuck]

[thermal]

Guys I am struggling with the mixed messages.

I have two main questions:

1. I will come to Tokyo with around 4000 USD in mid September. I will be very proactive and professional in getting what ever teaching work I can. What are my chances of failing to get off the ground as a teacher and being forced to coming home?

2. If I do succeed, with 6 months of experience behind me, what are my chances of landing a job in Kyoto (or Hiroshima or Kanazawa)?

Recap on my details:
25 year old Caucasian Australian.
No degree.
CELTA (Pass B - puts me in top 17% of graduates and goes on my card, so hopefully this will help me)
I am engaging, friendly and suited IMO to teaching (I love it! both English and otherwise).

I need to decide whether to postpone my trip until next year, or even until I complete my degree (would take a year full time). Thoughts?

[canuck]

[thermal]

[tokyo story]

The best advice is to just come.

I met a guy from Quebec the other day who got a job after a week and a half.

You need to bring as much money as you can, that's all the advice we can give you.

[Glenski]

Thermal,
You wrote on the original thread that these were your expectations.