Job Discussion Forums

thermal · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

I have my ticket to Japan departing 7th of September. I just did my tax and now realise that I owe a great deal more money than I thought I did. So much so that I can't afford to go now and must postpone. The question is when to.

In terms of other stuff in my life, it would be very convenient to go on the 31st of October. At that stage I should have about 4000USD (I will have 1000USD at 7th of September). But my worry is that as the FAQ states November is a bad time to be looking for work.

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

If you're willing to take any work, you should have no problem finding work at an eikaiwa. My friend came to Tokyo, called one up (Nova), intereviewed that same day and was offered a position at the end.

Not sure about the apt situation though. I believe most eikawai's offer a place to stay but if not you might have a little trouble. Good luck!

thermal · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

In terms of apt I am thinking at least initially a gaijin house, just cos its cheap and relatively easy to get.

That's good to know re an eikaiwa. I would rather avoid them if I have to work in Tokyo, just because I actually want to live elsewhere but know that Tokyo is the best place to find teaching work. So I have been thinking work Tokyo for 6 months then move elsewhere. But if its a choice between that and coming home it is a pretty simple choice.

Are there any eikaiwas that have contracts that are less than 1 year?

TK4Lakers · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 159

Have you subscribed to the website www.gaijinpot.com?

They have listings every day for new jobs in and around Tokyo (and Japan in general).

I know for a fact that Interac, an ALT dispatch company, is always looking for fill-ins from now until the end of the academic school year which is next March. They usually have listings in Tokyo.

You can always apply to an eikaiwa/job, get hired, work for 6 months and quit too. You can be nice about it and give them a month's notice or just quit on the spot a week before.

thermal · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 60

Thanks man. I havn't subscribed to gaijinpot, will check it out.

I have looked at the money situation more closely and realised that I wont have enough money for November. So March it is for me.

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

With all due respect to TK4Lakers, did your friend come in November and find work with NOVA that easily?

thermal,
I have told you before that November is a terrible time. Now someone says it is easy to find work. Perhaps the truth is somewhere in between.

I would suggest coming when you KNOW the timing is good -- March.

Also, I haunt gaijinpot. Be prepared for an onslaught of flamers there. If you think people like PUCK and X-MAN are mean-spirited here, you ain't seen nothing yet!

The places you really need to check out are The Japan Times (online as well as Monday paper edition), OhayoSensei.com, and www.eltnews.com .

PUCK · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 20 Location: Tokyo

Thermal, November is actually a very good time to come. If you come during the typical hiring periods (before April and before September), you'll be in tough with a lot of competition. November is a great time to come as there is always turnover. Grabbing a job that someone has just left is often a great way to get your foot-in-the-door and there are ALWAYS opportunities like that arising in Tokyo. Always...

While I have gotten a lot of jobs (p/t mainly and also some f/t) because people have left a position, it is the best way to land a great position. A lot of schools will need to fill a sudden vacancy due to an emergency. A lot of times they will (a) settle for someone possibly less-qualified and (b) the teacher has much more bargaining power in these situations.

Glenski, how long have you been living in Tokyo? I think you're out of your jurisdiction on this one. Like so many others... Also, I don't think you're aware of some of these things. With you it seems everything is just black and white wth no exceptions. Again, Thermal said he's coming to Tokyo, not to the backwoods of Hokkaido. Try to stick to your area of expertise, which is um... I'm not sure...

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

A " very good time to come". How do you explain the drastic decrease in classified ads (from 3 or 4 pages in The Japan Times to less than one page)?

You say this "always" happens, as if there is a trend for foreigners ditching their jobs in November. Sure, people come and go in Japan for emergencies and such, but at all times of the year, not just in November. Tell the whole story here.

Please explain why such a job is " a great position." Again, you speak in half-truths. Besides, PT jobs won't allow a newbie like thermal to get a work visa.

Oh, and get off the bit about not being in Tokyo, so I don't know anything about it. You keep slagging Hokkaido when you haven't even set foot in it, so how do you know anything about it? What I know of Tokyo has come from 9 years of paying attention to posts, to discussing job markets with people who live there, and to reading extensively. Is it a perfect system? No, but what is? It's called doing research. You did it when you asked for my advice on personal and career matters, and you used it to get yourself back to Japan after 2 and 1/2 years of floundering back in North America. Don't be so quick to knock it.

PUCK · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 20 Location: Tokyo

Glenski, you're still avoiding the issue. You haven't lived in Tokyo. All your research is heresay from people on this board and others. You like passing out advice that is noty firsthand. Secondhand rumors that you've read about on boards like this! To me, it sounds ridiculous.

And I have NEVER asked you for career advice. Once I asked you about the price of a PC. Why would I ask YOU for career advice? However, you were trying to get info. out of me about employers to pass on to this site and others.
MOD EDIT

PUCK · Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 20 Location: Tokyo

And you're wrong Glenski, there are companies that will sponsor people for p/t work as I said before. Obviously, you haven't done enough homework or research.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

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

PUCK wrote:

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

To the original poster, even though you've already said you're coming in March because you won't have the funds in November:
I moved into a guest house last January, and at the time, two of the tenents who came in November to Tokyo were going home. The reason being was they couldn't find work.

True, you could land a spot when somebody's leaving. Most school's have a New Year's vacation, and might not be interested in hiring a person then giving them holiday pay a month after they start.

January is a slower period as well, just as in Western countries following the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

But, good luck in March when you do come.