Job Discussion Forums

[flyingkiwi]

How do you get yourself directly hired with a b.o.e.?

I don't see them advertising on websites like gaijinpot like eikaiwas and dispatch companies.

I guess you have to have good Japanese skills and be experienced as an alt/qualifified as a language teacher.

What if you were working for a dispatch company at a b.o.e. then once your contract with the dispatch company ends, do you think it is feasible to get a direct hire job for the same b.o.e.?

Your experiences and thoughts, please.

Cheers.

[cornishmuppet]

Luck, right place at the right time. You can take your CV in to BoEs in your area, hope they hire privately and ask that you are contacted when any positions come up. I've seen ads in international centres but usually they ask their existing ALTs to recommend people when a position comes up. I'd be very surprised if you EVER saw a direct hire position advertised on an international site like this. I never have.

Unfortunately, the despatch company virus is spreading, and those areas still free from infection are gradually getting smaller and smaller. Some, including mine from Sept 08, are disappearing entirely.

[Wintermute]

You need experience and you need to know the right people. If you rock up and simply ask for a job you'll probably be laughed out of the building. I don't know why but BOE's like to be bent over by dispatch companies but I know of only two people in my area who were hired directly by the board and that was only after they'd spent 2 years teaching JHS and HS and they were able to get teachers (Japanese) to vouch for them.

[cornishmuppet]

Well, I very much doubt they'd laugh as such, but you're not likely to find an English speaker waiting around to help you. If you have a little experience and Japanese ability to hand over your CV, then you'll do okay. Whether they'll call you is another matter. A friend of mine hounded them, but he still have to interview along with other candidates. Its not my place to talk about the quality of the other direct hire ALTs I work with (because I've never seen them teach) but they all share a high level of Japanese ability (more than mine) and several years in Japan.

Money and lack of responsibility is why BoEs like despatch companies. Also, if something goes wrong, it doesn't fall back on them. Money runs this country at the end of the day.

[flyer]

yes, you will need experience and good Japanese ability to approach the BOE directly
But some BOEs ask the present ALT to help find the next ALT (but rare?)
I got mine on the net (through the leaving ALT advertising)

it won't be easy