Job Discussion Forums

[flyingkiwi]

Hi guys. I am still job hunting. Unfortunately had to turn down one offer, and probably another offer coming up.

Just wondering what, in your opinion, is the most important thing to look for when looking for a job:

1. The 'vibe' or general feeling you get when you are interviewed by your potential boss.

2. The salary. Would you work for 250,000 yen, because that is probably what I will be working for.

3. The rent. How much is too much? 70,000 plus?

4. Holidays. Would you accept 10 paid holidays and only New Year off? Or would you want more holidays off, such as Golden week?

Cheers.

And one more thing I am wondering about: I live in Kyushu and will leave at the end of July. I have applied for quite a few jobs and many got back to me but I had to keep saying I couldn't make it to Tokyo for interviews until August. Do you think it's better if I just wait until August, move into a monthly mansion, and then apply for jobs? Or should I try to get a job waiting for me when I do move to Kanto, which is where I want to be.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[JimDunlop2]

5. The work conditions / contract. Even though I've never seen a contract that actually abides by Japan's labour laws, there are some that come closer than others. Make sure that you're not going to get shafted by a crooked company (or at least as little as possible).

That, and number 1. (They often go hand in hand).

[Gordon]

What you would work for and what others would do, may be completely different. If you're 20 something and single, then you don't need as much money as some others.
250,000 yen sounds like the norm, better than many advertised unfortunately.
Like Jim mentioned, work conditions are big for me. How much leeway do you have to teach? What about travelling? Split shifts?

Without other offers and depending on how much cash you have left, you may not be able to be too choosy or you could wait it out and hope for better.

[anne_o]

For me, the feeling I get from a prospective employer is very important. I usually trust my instincts and I've never really had any problems.
If you are coming to Tokyo and already have a work permit and experience, why should you have to sign a contract with one of these companies that will offer you 250,000 and only 10 days off? I would think you could get a few part-time gigs and then arrange your own schedule and make more money and have more time off.
That's just my thoughts, and I've only been here for 2 months....but it seems to me to be a feasible alternative to slaving away your days with little paid vacation.
Good Luck!

[DNK]

1. Vibe is hard to get over the phone, but I do pay attention to what the employer is looking for and how they approach the interview. Still, I don't think I'd turn a job down solely based on this, unless there were real issues.

2. 250,000 yen minimum. If rent is higher than 60,000 I might look for a higher pay to balance it also, but again it's not a make-or-break thing (I do need to get a job eventually!) Still, I don't reply to adds below 250K.

4. 2-3 week minimum would be preferable, but again... need work.

5. What I do need is a decent contract that doesn't look like I'm signing my life away and that doesn't have ridiculous clauses (like the $2K fine I mentioned in my other thread).

6. What I look for is a decent location. I can't stand living in crowded metropolises. I suppose I should pick a different country, though...

7. Decent conditions and expectations. I'm not going to teach 30 hours a week, for 30min/class, and have to drive 20-30min to a decent number of those classes. I'd rather be a paper pusher.

[Quibby84]

Find out your hours AND find out how far you have to drive or ride a train to work those hours. 20 to 25 hours sounds nice but it isn't if it is like today for me. I leave at 7:54 by train, ride for 1.5 hours teach for 2, ride for 1 hour teach for 3 and then .5 hours and arrive at home at 8. That is only 6 (they give me one extra hour) hours but I am gone from home for 12. You have to be careful about this.
Also it is hard to judge if it is a good boss because you probably wont talk to the owner just a recruiter who is usually (I say usually because not always) charismatic and friendly. For me the work hours and pay are really important, also getting national holidays off. It would also be nice to get extra days off....
good luck

[flyingkiwi]

Does anyone live in Gumma (or is it Gunma) prefecture? Like in Maebashi or Takasaki? How much is your rent? For me, if I was making 250,000, I wouldn't want to the rent to be higher than 50,000.

[MrCAPiTUL]

[Quibby84]

I live near Gunma and I would say that the rent will be around 50,000 or maybe cheaper depending on what type of apartment. 50,000 is pretty standard as far as I can tell especially for apartments around this area...