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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
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 Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:32 am Post subject: getting a job from within japan |
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i have a friend who is going to set me up with an apartment in tokyo after the summer. i am currently teaching in south korea, have been for the last three years. was wondering how difficult it is to get a job during that time, and to do so from within tokyo, as opposed to going there with it all lined up.
all help would be greatly appreciated. |
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timothypfox
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 492
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:39 am Post subject: |
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| Even though I am a high school teacher now in New York City (hahahha - I'm actually laughing at myself here) - I subscribe online to Ohayo-Sensei (www.ohayosensei.com) with dreams about returning to Japan, which posts many jobs that you can only get once you live in Japan. I have never used it before, but it has been recommended to me before. Hope this helps. |
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Quibby84
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:42 am Post subject: |
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| Gaijinpot also has lots of jobs..most want you to already be in Japan so that is good news for you...just make sure you have money saved to live in Tokyo for a while without a job...it can get expensive.. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:15 am Post subject: |
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| wow... great information. thank you so much. how much money would you recommend bringing for the first few months while i'm getting started/settled? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:53 am Post subject: |
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Unless you have experience teaching in Japan, you are going to have to look for entry level work. ALT positions through JET programme are long since taken (deadline for applications was last year), but ALT positions from dispatch agencies might be available. They are a flaky operation, though, so research the agency thoroughly!
Other than that, you can expect to get only eikaiwa work, IMO. That's conversation schools. Summer is not exactly the best time of year, but you might find something. Look at the FAQ stickies for some links, but the main point is to start looking early enough (before you get here) to get your hat in the ring. They won't likely interview you outside the country, but line up an interview knowing your arrival date if possible.
The market is pretty flooded. Beware and be aware.
As for funds to tide you over, consider the equivalent to US$4000-5000 for 2-3 months. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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| okay... thank you for the tip... will definitely start looking into it now. one other question i have is getting the visa once i'm there. is it easy to line up the visa with a school if you're already in the country? |
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milesdenman
Joined: 16 Mar 2006
Posts: 42
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| Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Will you be in Japan on a tourist visa? |
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Schick
Joined: 30 Oct 2007
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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Ive been in Japan for about a month now, and I got a job from within.
ITS EASY, BUT TIME CONSUMING
Make sure you have alot of money. Cause till you start regular work usually takes about month-2 months
and then your first pay check doesnt come for another month
and its exspensive place |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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| milesdenman wrote: |
| Will you be in Japan on a tourist visa? |
yes.
| Schick wrote: |
Ive been in Japan for about a month now, and I got a job from within.
ITS EASY, BUT TIME CONSUMING
Make sure you have alot of money. Cause till you start regular work usually takes about month-2 months
and then your first pay check doesnt come for another month
and its exspensive place |
thank you for the information. getting me more and more excited.
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| bg430 wrote: |
| okay... thank you for the tip... will definitely start looking into it now. one other question i have is getting the visa once i'm there. is it easy to line up the visa with a school if you're already in the country? |
Too many variables to give a straight succinct answer.
If you're qualified,
If you come at the right time of year,
If you find an employer willing to sponsor visas (not all do),
If you interview well with them and beat out the other candidates (remember the market is pretty flooded now),
then you will be hired and can start the visa application process. There are more opportunities in Japan than abroad, so in that respect, yes, it is easy. But only in the respect of percentages.
As others (and the FAQs) have pointed out, be prepared to support yourself for 2-3 months before getting your first paycheck. |
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bg430
Joined: 09 Feb 2005
Posts: 25
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| Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:18 am Post subject: |
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| Glenski wrote: |
| bg430 wrote: |
| okay... thank you for the tip... will definitely start looking into it now. one other question i have is getting the visa once i'm there. is it easy to line up the visa with a school if you're already in the country? |
Too many variables to give a straight succinct answer.
If you're qualified,
If you come at the right time of year,
If you find an employer willing to sponsor visas (not all do),
If you interview well with them and beat out the other candidates (remember the market is pretty flooded now),
then you will be hired and can start the visa application process. There are more opportunities in Japan than abroad, so in that respect, yes, it is easy. But only in the respect of percentages.
As others (and the FAQs) have pointed out, be prepared to support yourself for 2-3 months before getting your first paycheck. |
thanks for the information... very much appreciated. i'm hoping the last three years of teaching in south korea will be worth something when it comes time to interview.
how crucial is the tefl certification. i was thinking about getting it before going there just to fatten the resume a little more. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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| bg430 wrote: |
| how crucial is the tefl certification. i was thinking about getting it before going there just to fatten the resume a little more. |
Normally, I'd say not crucial at all, as you're going to be considered eligible only for entry level work, ALT and eikaiwa, which doesn't usually require any certifications, experience, or relevant degree.
With NOVA collapsing and dumping 5000 teachers on the street last November, perhaps employers need more to consider when they hire people now. |
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Gypsy Rose Kim
Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 151
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| Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:03 am Post subject: |
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| bg430 wrote: |
thanks for the information... very much appreciated. i'm hoping the last three years of teaching in south korea will be worth something when it comes time to interview.
how crucial is the tefl certification. i was thinking about getting it before going there just to fatten the resume a little more. |
You already know that the TEFL will help you to be a better teacher. I do have it from a close and high up source at Interac that they are starting to look at more and more teachers with some sort of certification. However, it won't do to have just any old TEFL. You need a fairly prestigious one (like CELTA) for it to mean much.
If you want my real advice, though, keep your money. Moving to Japan is expensive. I personally think the money would be better put toward Japanese lessons when you arrive. Speaking Japanese won't necessarily get your foot in the door, but being able to make small talk will surely help you move up faster. It'll take a long time to achieve more proficiency than the small talk level, but if you do, a lot more doors will be open than with a TEFL certification.
P.S. I learned more about teaching in two years in Korea than five in Japan. And I went to Korea in the middle of my time in Japan, so it's not much to do with the learning curve. Find a way to sell your Korean experience. I've posted some advice on other threads about Korea vs. Japan. I wish you all the best. I don't know why some Japanese employers and many English teachers in Japan look down on the Korea system (but it is a fact you'll have to face, all the same). Koreans run rings around the Japanese when it comes to speaking English. (Ha, ha. I bet you didn't want to think about what THAT means is in store for you when you start teaching here...) |
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