Job Discussion Forums

[kindamagic69]

ok,
I'm currently teaching in Korea. To cut a ong story short, I enjoy living in Korea, however my job sucks. Im teaching all kindergarten, which does not suit me- i guess I found out the hard way. My school have been messing me around and not sticking to the contract etc.

I would like to continue teaching in Asia, however I want out of this school. The problem with teaching in Korea is that you are on a special kind of Visa, that means you can ony work at a certain school, no privates, no moving around schools, thats prob why my employer is pushing her luck.

In order to move to another school in Korea one must obtain a letter of release, however most do not grant this to you, as for me to get one if they refuse, I would have to take legal action, costing me a bomb as a foreigner. It's bacicay difficult.

The other option would be to do a midnight run, once out of the country they can't do much/anything.

How could I go about finding work in Japan in my circumstance. I would be willing to make my own way over there if a job was lined up for me. What is the job market like over there at the minute, has the post nova madness calmed down? (Im only wanting Tokyo or Osaka, I know everyone wants to work in those cities, however Iv had enough of small(ish) cities. Can I have an interview via phone?

Thanks

[RonnieColeman]

I'm in a slightly similar situation to you at the moment. From what I've gathered the best thing to do is to look on foot around February and March. Most of the jobs advertised require you to be in Japan for the interview, the only places I've seen willing to hire abroad do not have the greatest of reputations or are in Rural areas.

[Glenski]

Some places will do phone interviews, but most won't. If you can't find those (or if they don't seem reputable), or if you don't like phone interviews themselves (plenty of risk there), then you are going to have to come here or return to your home country.

Returning home makes you eligible for the few bigger outfits that recruit outside of the country. GEOS, AEON, ECC, JET Programme, etc. About a dozen in all, and they don't visit all countries. You pay expenses to attend the interview (sometimes lasting 3 days), and you deal with THEIR recruiting schedule most of the time.

Coming here means careful planning unless you want to be walking the streets for a while. You may anyway because the market is pretty saturated. Come expecting to support yourself for 2-4 months before you see that first paycheck. That's roughly US$4000-5000 needed. February and March are the best times.

See this thread on another forum for more.
http://www.gaijinpot.com/bb/showthread.php?t=60263

[dove]

If you come here to look for work without a visa, make sure you bring a lot of money! You will probably stay in a gaijin house (at least 50,000 yen per month--plus deposit). You will need to get a phone, you will need money for transportation because you will be interviewing all over the place......but you probably knew all that.

I have just returned to Japan. I have a valid visa which makes it easier for me. I have been applying for lots of jobs. One place called me for an interview almost as soon as I hit the send button. I think there are many part-time jobs in the Tokyo area, but not so many full-time ones and not so many that sponsor visas.....but they are out there.

My advice would be to work until you have at least 4 or 5 thousand dollars saved. I would come over and try my best to find something. If that didn't work out I would return to my home country and apply to one of the big companies that recruit from overseas......but again, MONEY Is the key!!!

By the way, could you explain more why you don't like your job? How is your boss screwing with you?

Good luck!

[Khyron]

[dove]

Just as an aside-- I have been applying for jobs in the Tokyo area. Yesterday I went to an employment agency that helps the foreign community in Japan (not just English teaching jobs). Anyway, the lady that interviewed me said that she has had a lot of bad luck when she sends teachers to interview at various schools. She told me that so many are late for the interview and generally unprofessional. I guess I bring this up because, although there is a lot of competition for jobs these days, there are also a lot of applicants who disqualify themselves almost from the start.

[khusam]

I was late for my last two interviews.. due to REALLY poor instructions to the offices. Try to get decent maps, and beware stuff like 'get off at the station, walk up the road'. Argh, which exit? Which road?

Worked out fine in the end, got both jobs. I hate being late, though.

[Sadebugo]

Just do it!! I worked four years in Korea on my own back in the 90s. I worked in Japan last year for the federal government for six months. I had never been to Japan before, but wish I had. The two countries don't compare. Once you've lived in Japan, you'll rue the time you wasted in Korea.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

[southofreality]

[Glenski]

There is almost no excuse for being late to an interview. Bad instructions? Go the day before just to see where it is! Geez. Japan doesn't number its buildings consecutively on the block, and if the job is that important to one, why not make the extra effort NOT to be lost?

[khusam]

Sorry, not travelling four hours to do recon for a job. Not when they told me it was easy to find. Well.. maybe if the pay was much more than usual and included dancing boys.

[wayne432]

I agree with Glenski. Even if it's not the day before, I go maybe at least an hour or 2 early. That way I can find the office, and then maybe have time to eat something before I go for interviews.

Google streetview also helps too if you're good with it.

[Glenski]

Lame excuse. It's a job. Want it? You'll be on time for the interview. Might as well just show up in T-shirt and dungarees.

You're going to be working there. Aren't you going to commute that far anyway? If being professional (or sensible) enough to know how to find it isn't enough, why not get the lay of the land beforehand? You know, see what convenience stores or restaurants or izakayas or new apartments or supermarkets are around. Who knows whether you'll be frequenting them in the future if you get the job.

But being late pretty much precludes that, doesn't it?

[khusam]

This is way off topic. But no, none of the actual work has been near the interviews I was late for. No idea what dungarees are, but I did end up showing up in hiking boots for one. And like I said, I got both jobs. I'd just like people new to Japan to be aware that office staff may not be all that great at giving directions in English.. and even if it sounds easy, it's probably not.

[AndyH]