Job Discussion Forums

[Deckard]

I have been in Japan now for 6 months on a 1 year contract with a large Eikawa. My company offered me a contract renewel, beginning at the end of the current contract. I have until later this week to decide if I want to accept the offer. Basically as I mull over my decision I am looking for some advice and input from teachers who have lived and worked in Japan.


The pros for accepting include: a slight pay increase to 300,000 yen a month and slight increase in my bonus, i dont have to move and my apartment is subsidised, my apartment is in an area i really like, i dont have to start somewhere new and '' learn the ropes'' all over again, i also have a good working relationship with the majority of the staff

The cons for accepting include: my school is a childrens school and i think i would like to teach adults, i dont have a good relationship with either my manager and head teacher (long story short it is very bad and aggravating)

I am 30 years old and in addition to Japan have taught English in South Korea for 15 months. I have been led to believe that not accepting would be a huge risk (for example: there is a glut of English teachers after Nova's collapse and competition would be huge, setting up again in a new apartment would be extremely expensive-appliances, key money etc, and potentially i would probably have to take a pay cut from 300,000yen

With my relevant experience, and fact that i am here in japan already can someone give me any advice on the realities of finding a job and apartment relevant to my situation. I would be looking to start in and around october 2008

[azarashi sushi]

Without knowing the other details (like what area or hours etc...), 300 000 yen a month isn't too bad these days especially if you like the area and school. As you said yourself, the market is fairly saturated these days.

Anyway, you can always tell them you're going resign but look around anyway. Nothing is written in stone and you may find something better, but if you don't, you will always have that job to fall back on.

[southofreality]

Re-sign for the shortest term allowable and start seriously looking elsewhere.

A rule I always follow is never leave one job without having another one to step into, especially in a foreign land.

30 is not over the hill, by the way.

[Glenski]

[Wintermute]

[Deckard]

Thankyou all for the advice. I still have a few more days to mull over my decision but i am definitly leaning towards resigning. I would like to move away from teaching kids but I cannot afford to not get at least a comprable paying job at the end of next sept.

ive been led to believe that part time teaching positions(i want to call them dispatch companies but at the moment i cant remember for sure) are fairly abundant and generally available. but again im not certain of this, and my former concerns still apply to the risk of depending upon these jobs. Especially,if i were to get one, the consistancy and dependability of regular work and income.

anyway thank you again to all who can and have been able to offer me some advice, it is appreciated.

[Glenski]

A dispatch company hires you to go to a client's office and teach.
A part-time job is ANY job where you work less than 29 hours per week.