Job Discussion Forums

[bre_anna]

I have an interview on Tuesday with somebody from New Path Recruitment. They say that they are a company in Vancouver and that they work for Heart English School in Japan (various places in Japan).

I was just wondering if anybody has heard of either of these places. And if you have heard of them, or experienced them, what can you tell me.

I'm just a bit paranoid, I'm a newb trying to obtain my first ESL job and I've already encountered a few attempted scams (good thing I didn't fall for them ... yay for being informed).

[Imseriouslylost]

I have an interview with them too, on the same day as you. My friend in Japan tells me they're pretty good but doesn't know anyone who has worked for them before. Just reputation.

Anyone else?

[Yakamo]

I currently work for heart as an ALT in the Ibaraki prefecture. No problems here. They've been very good about setting me up, helping me out with stuff I need, and have been pretty supportive ever since I moved here in March. If you have any questions, just PM me.

[Deep Thirteen]

I met a guy whose friend worked there. He said it was OK, no big complaints. Some of the past posts on this board and others have been negative about Heart, but I was going to apply with them also had I not gotten an offer from another company I applied to.

[Imseriouslylost]

Good to hear. They did leave a really good impression on me so far and the hiring manager seems really nice and upfront in our correspondence.

I'll have to save up all my energy for this interview!

[bre_anna]

Well, that makes me feel better. Thanks for your information everybody.

And good luck with your interview Imseriouslylost, I hope I do good on mine.

[Imseriouslylost]

[bre_anna]

[Imseriouslylost]

I already had my interview. It was about 15 minutes long, I wasn't counting. It felt very preliminary.

The Skype connection was bad so there was a bit of lag, making the conversation a tad awkward. Other than that I think it went alright.

They said they'd contact me in a couple of days. *Fingers crossed*

[bre_anna]

[spidr245]

They do seem pretty good about getting back to you on time. A few days really do mean a few days in this case.

Just curious since you are very keen on this position. What is the pay rate that you are going to be offered? Is it at least the average �250,000/month rate?

[Bread]

Heart's standard salary is 220,000. Not fantastic by any means, but livable. I think they (said that they) vary it depending on the cost of living in your area, so it could be more or less. When I got hired I had about a 30-minute phone interview and got an offer by email the next day. I was already in-country, though, so your deal might be different.

[bre_anna]

They say that they pay 170,000 - 240,000, housing and utilities are subsidised. I know it's not the best pay, but I budgeted it out and it's definately doable for me (though I grew up poor and being very thrifty).

Don't think that I'm only relying on this position to get started teaching in Japan. I have another phone interview this week with a different school.

[Mr_Monkey]

170,000/month is disgusting. As I understand it, they're not entitled to vary the salary under 250,000/month - it is (supposed to be) a legally mandated minimum.

If you work a 25 contact hour week, then you're looking at earning 1700 yen/contact hour. If you're contracted to a 40 hour week ("preparation time"), then the pay is even lower.

You get paid more working in clothes shop in the UK, for which you need the skills of being able to use a till and not drool over the clothes.

If you take a position that pays like that, you're doing a disservice not only to yourself, but to all the other NETs in Japan.

[bre_anna]