Job Discussion Forums

[dhalgren17]

I know this is probably a question that is oft asked, but I would like to see it discussed considering my particular situation. I am currently employed in S. Korea at a public school. I am new to the game and have only been working for about 4 months. As I'm sure you know since I've started here the currency exchange rates have made it so that jobs in Japan pay more than double the same jobs in Korea (for U.S. citizens). So I was wondering how difficult it would be to get an offer in Japan. I have a degree in business and a 100 hour TEFL (online) cert.
dhalgren17

[Brooks]

I don't think Korea is as bad an option as some people think.
But I do know that Korea is in a recession, but it is not as bad as the recession in Japan. It is worse here.

You get a free place to live.
Taxes are less, as is the cost of living (although Seoul has gotten more expensive).

Well, do the math. You could get a job for 250,000 a month.
Housing isn't free, and is costly in Tokyo.
I really know, since I am going to move in a couple months, and I have to pay that key money.

If you want to save money, maybe you should live in the country.
It depends on what your priorities are. But it is easier to get a job where many foreigners do not want to live.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

A 100hour online TESL certificate means nothing good to employers who care about that kind of thing, but then, in Japan most don't really- it's just a word to put on the resume.

All you can do is apply to jobs, but keep in mind that being outside of Japan would make it much harder to find a job, but once you're in Japan you are bleeding money like a chopped off limb until you have a job and your first paycheck, and you most likely won't have a job until April and no paycheck until May (or the last day of April or thereabouts), and if you wait much longer then all the April starts will have been hired, too.

4 months experience in Korea also says nothing good. All it says is 'Hi, I did a midnight run on my first employer a third the way through my first contract! Now that I've left that country, I want to try your's. Why did I leave, you ask? Well, the currency wasn't very valuable any more you see... and...and oh, Japan's economy is in the toilet? ... what if it turns even worse here? What assurances do you have that I won't pull another midnight run and go back to Korea once I really and truly understand why it is that just about everybody says that if you want to save money go there, and not Japan? Well... uh... hmm. Yes. That's quite a conundrum... yes, yes, I can see where you might get that kind of an idea... yes, I'll just let myself out now, then...'

In the current work environment, there is a LOT of competition, from people with teaching degrees, Post graduate certificates, very high Japanese level, masters degrees, several years of experience in Japan etc. If you are really only thinking of the bottom line (that's what your OP suggests) then keep in mind that over the course of a single year, you would probably do better in Korea than Japan. The cost of living is more than double what it is in Korea and so although you may be thinking that the salary when converted is worth double what it is in Korea, most people are now saving very little of their paychecks because once outside of very rural areas, it takes almost all of it to live. So if you can save half your Korean paycheck, then in American dollars that's still going to be more than you're saving from a Japanese entry level paycheck converted to American dollars, just because you will have spent it in Japan.

[JL]

If your biggest reason for wanting out of Korea is because of exchange rates, you could be about to commit the classic mistake of "selling low," so to speak. Most people (from what I've read) expect maybe only a little more weakening of the won. For the most part, the worst of it seems to be right now. You've already absorbed the biggest hit. By late spring/early summer, many analysts think the won could be "the" currency to be holding (earning), as it will be on the rise.

I've read several reasons for this. One, the Korean government starts out in better shape than the U.S.'s, Japan's, or most of Western Europe's, when it comes to indebtedness. So the Korean gov. has more tools in its tool chest to take action to spur Korea's economy. Another reason, is that a lot of foreign investors from Japan and the U.S. view investment in Korea as a bargain now. If foreign investment starts flowing into Korea, the won will shoot up in value. Yet another reason is that, Korea, unlike the U.S. and Japan, still believes having an industrial base. Indeed, Korean manufacturing has garnered a lot of respect in the past decade. Samsung is now an elite electronics manufacturer, with products as well designed and manufactured as those by Sony or Sharp. Hyundai is another company well run, and gaining respect. In fact, I just found out today, that while GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and practically everyone else is seeing sales volume disappear down the toilet, with horrendous speed, Hyundai just posted a 14% sales gain this past month. In this global economy, what other company can claim that?! Being in Korea, I'm sure you've seen the headlines.

Anyway, leaving a sure job in Korea, for an uncertain one in Japan, is a risk I personally wouldn't take, if its only over frustration with the weak Korean won. But if you have other, more important motivations, well then that's another story. But are you sure you won't be kicking yourself about four months from now, if the won starts getting stronger and stronger and stronger? You would have absorbed the very worst of it, just to then walk away and see every one else still in Korea enjoy all the fun.

[Brooks]

if you are sick of Korean culture, by all means come on over.
But I would say that in Japan, you have to hustle more to make a living.

[Glenski]

[elkarlo]

Dude moving to Japan will cost you $2k if you're lucky. I thknk $4k is about average. I wouldn't bother if you are trying to save money. Just keep your Won as Won, and transfer them in a year or so when the Won goes back up.

Oh JL. I follow the Auto Industry a lot. Hyudai is putting a lot of incentive money on each car in addtion to dumping cars into fleets. They are doing volume, and not going after sales where there is any profit margin.

[JL]