Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I should enter Tokyo in the first week of March. I'll have at least $10,000 USD available via debit card if needed.

<I'll find a gaijin house. ( What are the prices like in Tokyo and how about security? Should I be wary of leaving my laptop in my room? )

<I'll enroll in some Japanese and calligraphy lessons, enabling me to get a "student" visa. Then get a work permit so I can at least teach part-time while I search for more serious work.

A few other bits:
- Do any gaijin houses have internet connections?
- Where should I get my resumes printed out?
- Do I need transcripts, diplomas, etc.?
- Is there such a thing as a centrally located gaijin house near many
potential schools or Japanese language academies.
- I assume that the train will probably be a major expense while job
hunting, is there a way around this?

Thanks for your advice.

[Glenski]

[drifter13]

Oakhouse and Sakura House have websites you can check before you come, and they gaijin houses. They're a bit high priced, but it will give you some idea what to expect. As for internet, when you get here net cafes are abundant, and are a pretty affordable alternative if you can't get internet right away (also most places have free drinks). Travel will be expensive, I've spent quite a bit running around doing interviews, so be prepared. Otherwise, get a good haircut before you go, bring a nice suit and hang in there, you have a good amount of savings so you should be able to slog it out for awhile till you find work. Do lots of reserach and good luck, I hope things work out for you.

[Symphany]

There are a number of guesthouses scattered across the Tokyo area. Alot of times when you see a "room" advertised its actually referring to a room in a guesthouse. I stayed in a guesthouse for some time while I was in Tokyo and found it reasonable and a good way of getting to know different people from different countries and a range of experiences. The further you get away from central Tokyo, the lower the price range goes, but you're also further afield and I'm not sure what your preferences are. The guesthouse I stayed in was 20 mins from central Tokyo. Alot of guesthouse vacancies are listed in Metropolis if you do a search, Oakhouse is another name of guesthouses in the Tokyo area. Oh, also the guesthouse I stayed in offered free internet.

[chaz47]

How much and what sort of stuff could I reasonably bring with me without drawing immigration's attention? I assume I'd have to leave my rice cooker and pots/pans in Korea.

[Are they the lemmings]

[Tara2117]