Job Discussion Forums

[StellaLaBella]

Hi all,

I know there are a ton of posts on here about Westgate but I'm wondering about two things that I haven't seen in earlier threads:

a) how long after the interview will it be until they notify you? I was interviewed last Thursday, and received an email on Friday asking me a series of questions related to the Japanese visa, and then another email today saying they'd review my whole application and let me know in a few weeks. A few weeks!! Seems like a long time and I would like to plan ahead a little for the next few months.

I think I'm pretty qualified for the post, but they seem to have a pretty set idea of what they want. I've got three years of teaching experience, including a year at a university in China. I thought the interview went well....but now it seems like it's taking quite awhile.

b) how much can one save in three months? I know Japan is super-expensive but I can live quite frugally. Estimating I'm making around 2,000 dollars a month (I'm estimating on the low end, taking out rent and insurance from the salary) and I can survive on noodle soups, would it be possible to save half the salary? Part of my motivation here is being able to save enough to live in Mexico for a few months.

Thanks so much for your input!

Cheers,

Sarah

[passport220]

[StellaLaBella]

That's encouraging, thanks! And how long did they take to tell you you'd gotten the position?

[Glenski]

How much you save really depends on where you live and how frugal your lifestyle is.

Figure the average person spends roughly 125,000 yen/month on basic necessities:
rent
phone/Internet
utilities
food
insurance

If you get paid 275,000 from Westgate, that leaves you 150,000 every month to do with as you please.
magazines/newspapers
emergency medical
rental DVDs/CDs
books
movies, nightclubs
drinking, meals out
sightseeing, other trips around the city
souvenirs
dry cleaning
gifts for friends/family
long distance phone calls
etc.

If you did absolutely nothing during those 3 months, you would be able to save 3 x 150,000 = 450,000 yen.

Live in a cheaper than average place, eat more sparingly, keep your utilities down, and you'll save more than someone who doesn't.

[passport220]