Job Discussion Forums

[roadballmint]

I know GEOS and ECC have pretty much publicly declared a hiring freeze. Some of the recent threads seem to suggest that Aeon is officially interviewing but unofficially in a hiring freeze. Is there anyone at Aeon who can tell me what's going on? I live in Korea, and I'm interested in applying to some of these eikaiwa companies. I am willing to travel to Japan for the interview, but it's going to be extremely inconvenient for me. I'll be happy to go if there's at least a chance (ie: they actually do have some vacancies to fill). However, I really do not want to spend the money and take a day off work for some company that's just trying to keep its HR and recruiters busy.

Also, when schools say they only want applicants who are currently in Japan, does that mean they will only take people who currently live in Japan? Or does it just mean that you have to come to an interview in Japan and typically applicants in other countries are not willing to make the trip?

Any suggestions/advice are appreciated!

[Patros]

When schools advertise that they're looking for someone in the country, it's often a visa issue. It's much easier to sponsor renewal of a visa than it is to sponsor the initial visa, so many places won't want to go through that extra trouble if they can avoid it. There's also much less turnaround time on hiring someone who already has a valid visa.

You'd be much better off letting them know the situation in advance, and finding out if they're still interested before flying out for an interview.

[Suwon23]

AEON is still hiring. they hired me just a couple months ago, so they must be desperate for more people

GEOS and ECC cut back, I think, but didn't stop hiring entirely. And Shane school of English is still hiring, I think.

BTW, "take a day off work"... I take it you live in Korea or China? From the states it would probably take more than that. Especially since some companies have two-day interviews, and they often aren't available on weekends.

[Glenski]

[roadballmint]

Good to know. Thanks for your input everyone!

Next question: How far in advance do I need to apply? Aeon says "Two to six months or more," other schools aren't as clear about it. OK, well I suppose I have my answer for Aeon, but for positions in other schools, is 9 months too early? 6 months? (I'm talking about the big eikaiwas that hire continually year-round, the smaller ones usually say when they want you to apply by in the job posting).

And yes, I live in Korea. So hopefully I would only have to take 1 or 2 days off work. Or better yet, see if there are interviews scheduled during my vacation time

[Glenski]

Visas take 2-4 months to process, so figure on that as your gauge for applications. The big schools tell you when they want the hires to start anyway, so you will know.

If you had experience in Japan and were applying for some ALT or direct hire jobs at mainstream schools, it might be much longer if they are looking that far ahead. Rule of thumb: apply to places when they are advertising.

[thecobra2006]

I applied for AEON 9 months in advance. Mainly because they were recruiting near my area. I think it worked to my benefit as well because I was able to get a decent location that was near my preference. However, I did have to fly 2 hours and stay in a hotel for a night which was a considerable expense. But worth it in the end.

[LITTLE PEACHES]

GEOS is holding interviews in japan now, i just applied and have already got a response. So they are hiring...what are peoples takes on GEO's its all over the board and i want to look at good companies to work for that will be plesant to enjoy your time in japan.

[ShioriEigoKyoushi]

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[Bread]

I just came over for Korea on a tourist visa, it took me exactly one month to get a job as an ALT. I had previous experience in Japan, though.

I worked for GEOS before with an interview in Canada, their process was 3 days long. I also applied to GEOS in Japan and got asked to a 2-day interview, I think. I didn't go, so I don't remember. As far as working for GEOS, it's a total crapshoot. It's not fantastic, and they have branches EVERYWHERE, so you're likely to be way out in the countryside, but it gets you in-country with a work visa.

If you're looking to apply to places other than the big eikaiwas, even if you're in-country, you need to look for "willing to provide sponsorship" in their ads. Otherwise they are expecting somebody in-country who already has a working visa (and there are a LOT of people like this, since the regulations aren't so horribly restrictive as Korea's).

[Angelfish]