Job Discussion Forums

[nonsmoker]

...hower, I can't help it. I want to come to Japan this fall one way or another. I am worried though, that for some reason I won't find a job. Like I said in earlier posts, my qualifications are minimal, at best. The only thing I can really 'boast' about is having a BSc and brief tutoring experience in college. I know people have gotten to Japan with less but I can't help to wonder what if I don't find any emplyers willing to hire me. I have wanted to go to Japan since I was little and now that it's within reach, I want to make that dream happen. I understand that life is not all peachy over there and that there will be trials and tribulations but I don't care. If I go there, I will be strong and overcome the negativity that exists there, just like anywhere in the world.

Having said that, how good are the chances of getting a job in Japan just by engaging in a resume/CV e-mail bombing spree to any and all the companies that look feasible. Is there a chance that I won't hear back from any of them? I guess I worry too much about this kind of stuff. I can't help it.

[furiousmilksheikali]

Get your CV written up and checked over by people who know what a good CV should look like; search for companies that are hiring in Japan; get your cover letters written and make sure they are specifically written for the companies that you send them to and then apply.

There won't be much more you can do after that until one of them contacts you for an interview. What more can we possibly say to you that will be of any help?

By the way, your handle is "non-smoker". Do you refer to yourself as this as you have just quit smoking? If so, that could be the cause of your anxiety.

[nonsmoker]

Yeah, actually I just quit smoking on Easter. Maybe I should start again to relieve some stress, haha. Just kidding .

[southofreality]

[Sweeney Todd]

AH, the thrill of the unknown, eh? That's what it's all about.
Nobody on here can give you any cast iron guarantees my friend, but if you really want to come, then do so. Make sure you have a return air ticket and then if it all goes pearshaped, you can get yourself home again.

When I was your age I did the same thing. I arrived in Hong Kong in 1991 with �500 ($1000), no accommodation and no job. I hoped to stay for 6 months. 4 1/2 years later I decided it really was time to move on. I'd had a great time.
Come on mate, where's your pioneering spirit? Take your courage in both hands and jump into life.
You'll love it!

[DNK]

How personalized should your cover letters be? I mean, most ads give such little info that it's hard for me to keep personalizing, when all I know is it's in Nagoya, I will be teaching a mix of kids/adults, and I'm expected to be a native speaker NOT currently residing in Japan. I do my best, but honestly so many postings lend themselves to the same letter...



Here's some positive food for thought: I'm not exceptionally qualified, and I'm pretty picky about where I work. I still got two offers in the past month (out of maybe 10 applications). No actual job yet, but that's another story. Then again, AEON doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with me. I just like to take it as I'm too good for them Point being, look up, be confident, the odds are with you, especially if you spam mailboxes left and right (although red 8 never EVER gets landed on, so never bet on it).



Last thoughts: boost your resume as best you can right now. You might have a month or two before you get an acceptable job. Try to find a local ESL person to tutor (if there's a major university nearby, they might have a service set up, or maybe you could post an ad at a nearby Asian market). It's a great way to learn some of the language, too. Maybe you could volunteer at a local school. I know around here (a relatively small town) there's a day care/kindergarten for "less fortunate children" that loves having young, energetic people come and play/teach with the kids every now and then. Any volunteer experience can't hurt, anyway.

So in a month you could add to your profile "worked with young children as part of a volunteer program" and "tutored Japanese speakers in English" and "some basic understanding of Japanese" and "understanding of typical problems Japanese speakers will have", and it shows you're at least interested and somewhat experienced in teaching. Perhaps it's not "taught elementary school for three years" or "MA in TESOL", but it's something.

And it'll help your confidence a good bit, too, if not also giving you an idea of where you fit in (do you like working with kids, are you patient enough to work with really basic students, etc). Maybe you'll find you can't stand kids and that'll save you at least from applying to Amity and finding out a week into the job that you hate your work with a passion (moreso than just working for a large chain school).

Best of luck.

[Glenski]

[furiousmilksheikali]