Job Discussion Forums

[davidq]

I'll be arriving in Tokyo in a couple of days on a 90 day tourist visa and looking for a job. Unfortunately this has been a last minute decision I hope I don't regret. Things fell through for me in China as the School I was teaching at couldn't secure a visa and I was forced to leave the country.

Any advice on Japan would be greatly appreciated, since, from what I understand most jobs are secured from overseas or under different visa circumstances.

Regards,
David

[Glenski]

#1. Read the 4 FAQ stickies on this page.

#2. Look at the major job boards. I hope you have a resume prepared, and are bringing your degree parchments.

#3. Can't help you more until we know more about you and your desires.

e.g., got a degree? Where are you anxious/unwilling to work? What type of work are you seeking?

Oh, and what did you mean by "different visa situations"? There are 3 work visas tailored for teaching jobs, and a few other visas that will permit work (including teaching and other things). Is that it? Basically, you find an employer willing to hire you and sponsor your visa, and assuming you meet the immigration requirements, you should get a work visa. But, that brings us back to item #3 above.

[parrothead]

Yes, some jobs are secured overseas, but many job postings require potential teachers to be in Japan already.
So you got that going for you.
Try gaijinpot.com. Get a phone, get hardcopies of your CV, look professional, and be enthusiastic about being here even if you didn't intend on being here. If you are flexible about where you will work, you should be able to find a job.
You might want to look into short-term housing when you get here, as staying in hotels (especially in Tokyo) will cost you a fortune. Here are links to a few gaijin houses:
http://www.shrek-watta-house.com/
http://www.tatami-guesthouse.com/
http://www.sakura-house.com/
http://www.oakhouse.jp/eng/

Good luck, David!

[AgentMulderUK]

tatami-guesthouse.com oO

Just down the road from me that one , parrothead. Do you live in nishitokyo then?


David, I have done what you are planning 3 times. And succeeded 3 times. And there is nothing great about me. You can do it too.

Keep a cool head, get all those documents ready that the others suggested. And do look smart. You might feel stupid walking about in a shirt and tie in the burning sun but it really does put you in a different light here.

At the guest house, ask every gaijin you see where they work and do they need people. A word from a current employer goes a long way to getting your foot in the door.

Check all the websites daily. gaijinpot, jobsinjapan.com etc etc

Approach all the big ones. Interac, GEOS, AEON ,Shane and especially the dispatch companies for work in Jnr and High Schools. They all advertise on the website given.

Take the first job offer that comes with a visa application. Just put up with it, no matter if you don't like it. Once you have the visa, its yours , then life gets easier. Stick out the contract if you can,but don't make yourself miserable if you can't stand it, move on.

You can work here whilst the tourist visa is being transformed into a working visa. I have done it twice. Totally all above board,no need to leave the country, as long as that visa process is under way. (A nice little side bonus is that you won't be charged tax either.hehe)
i.e. if the process can be completed whilst you are in Japan before your 90 days is up!

Get moving. don't mess about. Get the visa application underway. After that you can slow down.


Finally, consider this:

What's the worst that can happen?

You get to see Japan for a while.


P.S . if you do decide to stay in the nishitokyo area, I would be more than happy to meet up with you and help you out. I know exactly what it feels like to do what you are doing.

[phoenixstorm]

Good advice.

I have a quick question for those of you who arrived without a job on a 90day tourist visa. Did you find the positions offered were generally better than those advertisded by the companies who recruit from overseas only?

Thanks!

[anne_o]

YES!! You will have the chance to work for smaller schools, which in my opinion are better. Good luck.......

Oh and I can't figure out how to make a link to the web-site, but....

http://www.ohayosensei.com/

has good job listings!