Job Discussion Forums

magicmajenta

I am thinking of going to Japan and look for a job once I get there. Is this a good idea? I know the demand is high for ESL teachers so I want your advice/opnions on the feasibility of my plan. Hopefully I will get a job in Tokyo but if not I am willing to settle anywhere in the country. I have a TESOL Certificate as well as a college degree. Please leave some feedback.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

If you've got the money to cover yourself for a month or more until you get your first paycheck (assuming you can find a job within a month or so of arrival) and you're the adventurous type, go for it. I wouldn't come with less than $5000 US ( about ￥600000) without a job in hand.

Good luck.

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

Coming here to look for work offers more opportunities than staying at home and dealing with the much fewer employers who look there from Japan. Better opportunities? That's up for debate. Sort of depends what you want and what you are qualified to do.

Coming here will, as southofreality stated, require that you support yourself until the first paycheck. That, too, depends on certain factors, not the least of which is timing. When do you plan to come? You could be here for nearly all of a 90-day tourist stay before the first paycheck. I agree with southofreality's figure on how much to bring. Others have brought less and made it; some of them have borrowed from their employer, but I don't advise it. It's up to you, though.

Your degree makes you eligible for entry level work. That's JET ALT, dispatch ALT, or eikaiwa teacher. Do your research to find out what they entail and what they offer.

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

In addition to these replies, after reading a couple of your posts it seems to me that you aren't a native speaker of English. (I'm not saying that to be mean -- it's just an observation). That too could affect your employability. Something to consider.

magicmajenta · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 12:35 am Post subject:

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

magicmajenta · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:32 am Post subject:

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

If this person comes on a tourist visa, will they need to leave the Japan again to change to a working visa?

maya.the.bee · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 118 Location: Stgo

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

In that case worth a try then, especially if you don't mind living in a "gaijin house". Most of the schools that recruit outside are also happy to recruit inside Japan, and others only recruit inside Japan.

Another more expensive way of getting to the country and finding your feet before you find a job might be to sign up with a Japanese school.

magicmajenta · Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject:

So will employers/recruiters take me more seriously if I am already in Japan as opposed to if I were outside of the country? Are there a lot of stories of people going to Japan and then finding work once they are there or are these cases not normal? Just want to know as I want to make an informed decision as to whether I should go.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:29 am Post subject:

If you're only looking to work for a year then don't waste your money going to Japan without a job first. Apply to one of the "Big HoweverManyThey'reDownTo" eikaiwa companies and come over to work for them - you won't find much better with your experience and they'll be the cheapest and easiest option for gettig into Japan for a year. They all recruit overseas and it'll be much cheaper to fly to London to interview than it will be to arrive in Japan and spend a month+ looking for the same level of work. You can find details on the big companies in the stickies or archives.

A "Global TESOL Cert" is pretty much worthless, btw.

magicmajenta · Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:39 am Post subject:

So if you are looking to work in Japan for the long term (i.e several years) then that would be when it's advisable to go to Japan and then look for work? But still are there a lot of people that go to Japan and find work once they're there, or are there people that actually have to leave the country empty handed despite having the proper qualifications.

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

Good point- if it takes you a month to find a job and you have to sign a one year contract you won't be able to fit it all into a year. There is no such thing as "worthless" teacher training though. I know nothing about that qualification, but I think you are being a bit harsh. Not as much use in Japan as (whatever) might be a better way of putting it.

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

magic,
Are you in Poland? If so, then the chances of you finding work in Japan without coming here are nearly zero. Hardly anyone will look at your resume unless they are a very rare employer who only hires with a phone interview.

If you are back in your home country, I'd suggest interviewing with the Big Four or Five eikaiwa and JET. There are a handful more of places that will interview from abroad as well. Look at the FAQ stickies.

If you show up, it's not a matter of whether people will take you "more seriously". Some will, of course, and it has been mentioned countless times on this forum that physical presence often signifies to an employer that you have made some sort of commitment (hence the serious part). But, beyond that, you are still going to be considered a newcomer, and you will have to face the simple fact that what you can land will be entry level work:

JET ALT,
dispatch company ALT,
eikaiwa instructor.

It matters when you come, too. There are deader times of the year than right now, but before long, it will not be worth your while. Come if you must, but be prepared to support yourself for 2-3 months (US$4000-5000).