Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

I've all but given up on Japan. I got a no from NOVA and Westgate. The no from NOVA came at the beginning of my illustrious ESL career back in 2004. This led me to actually begin my ESL career in Korea in 2005. After two years in Korea I recently tried for Westgate and received a no also.

I'm 32 and not a quasimodo. I've studied in Japan before and have lived in Asia for over 3 years... so give me a F*CKING job already!!!
Embarassed

Angry... sorry. As I have said I've all but written Japan off but now Korean immigration is pulling some serious Nazi style fearmongering and the chances of ever being my own boss here are slim to nil. So, again, I look to Japan.

And without further ado onto the meat of the post, how flooded is the market after NOVA's fall?

Would I still be able to get a job at a conversation school in Tokyo? I'm definitely ready for the loss of pay at this point. I just need a slice of peace and the chance to not feel like big brother could oust me for suspicion of something. I might as well be back in the US with the freaking Patriot Act.
Rolling Eyes

Symphany · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 117

chaz47

There are actually alot more jobs that are available once you're in Japan, than outside of it. However there are still a few that recruit from outside. One of the easiest to get into is GABA, but there is no guaranteed salary from them -- your earnings are based solely on the numbers of students you can attract and keep. They may do visa sponsorship as well, I know there were interviews in Canada earlier this year. I'm not sure what the job search is like right now as I went through a teaching-in-Japan job search well before the Nova collapse. GABA's website is

www.careers.gaba.co.jp

The other big 3 are AEON, GEOS, and ECC.

www.aeonet.com

www.geoscareer.com

www.japanbound.com

If you're interested in teaching in highschools there is a dispatch company that sends teachers out to schools by the name of Interac. The website is

http://www.interac.co.jp/recruit/

You can try ohayo sensei, which is a job listing site.

www.ohayosensei.com

Another job list is

www.jobsinjapan.com

Among the most famous is

www.gaijinpot.com

Last but not least, there's JET, which is a government run and sponsored program. Its said to be the best teaching program for those who have never taught in Japan before. If you're a Canadian the deadline is looming pretty close, if you're an American you still have a bit of time yet, but not a whole lot.

http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/countries.html

Gambatne

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

Calm down. You say you have tried only 2 places here and you are ready to give up? C'mon.

Westgate requires experience and a certain level of certification or degree. Do you have either one? Perhaps they rejected you for other reasons. What did they say?

NOVA, well, as much as people liked to say they will take anyone who can fog a mirror, that simply was not true. Obviously, they had their standards and did not hire just anyone. How are we to know why they rejected you? Could have been for any number of reasons.

Symphany has shown you links that are mostly in the FAQ stickies. Have/Had you tried any of them before? Please realize that unless you are physically present on Japanese soil, your options are very limited in finding an employer who is willing to sponsor your visa. About a dozen or so, and you have to cater to their demands for interview schedules whereever you may live.

Right now is a poor time to be looking for teaching jobs here, too. Aside from the NOVA situation putting thousands of people on the street, November and December are the slowest months of the year for hiring. Bide your time.

Oh, no body is going to "give you" a job here. You have to beat out many applicants. One place just had 400 applicants for one position! I have also seen pictures of ex-NOVA teachers hawking their teaching experience on the streets to the tune of 500 yen per 1-point lesson! That's how flooded it is.

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

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

ironopolis · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 379

chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

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chaz47 · Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 157

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

I dont think you will have that much of a problem in the hiring season. Now is just really dead because of Nova and simply because this is not when people typically hire...dont lose the faith. Since I have been at my school (10 months) I have seen about 5 40ish year old people work for my company alone. Keep looking! Look at the smaller schools to though, gives you more options.

Wintermute · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 79

Just to echo what has been said already, actually being in the country makes it easier to find a job. The best time to come would be in February as that is when companies start to hire for the new school year in April. I would personally avoid the larger companies such as Nova, Geos and ECC. Aeon has a slightly better reputation but they are fickle about teachers, they prefer to hire people with little experience from their home countries. The most developed job market is in Tokyo but there is a lot of competition for positions. If you wanted to live in a better part of Japan I'd recommend Kyuushu. There aren't as many jobs as eastern Japan but there aren't as many teachers either.

32 is not such a bad age, it is a factor at times but when applying for jobs just don't mention it. If you were above 40 it would work against you given you have no experience in Japan but at the moment age wouldn't matter to most companies. Japan is a tough nut to crack initially but once you are here it becomes very easy to find work. And immigration isn't nearly as Draconian as Korea (from what my friend tells me anyway).

ohahakehte · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 128 Location: japan

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

ohahakehte,
If you already have a work visa and have worked here for at least the past 12 months, take those PT jobs and renew your visa as a "self-sponsored" one. No need to wait for the big one (unless you are in need of copayments to shakai hoken).

ohahakehte · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 128 Location: japan

glenski,
i already have a 3-year work visa. the part time jobs dont really pay the bills and i would think it would feel insecure to try and get by on a few PT's

Wintermute · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 79

It obviously depends on where you live but I agree with Glenski, take those PT jobs because a little money is better than no money. And when you do find a FT position simply quit the PT job, just make it clear from the beginning that you are keen on working FT and that is your ultimate goal. It's true the market is flooded now with ex-Nova teachers and that only exacerbates the fact that this is a naturally slow period for hiring. However, if you can hold on, even as early as January hiring will pick up again and most Nova teachers will have returned home due to a lack of money.