Job Discussion Forums

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

I am going to Japan this spring with Interac. Originally I was going to go last Fall, but as I could only be an alternate, I deferred.

Since I was still around, I decided to apply to the JET Program in the meantime, and recently I found out I got an interview. This is before I leave for Japan, so it's not a problem, and if I get into JET, I have no qualms quitting Interac. On the other hand, if I don't, then I am fine sticking with my Interac job (assuming that nothing awful crops up where I'm at) either.

However, I am worried about what I should say if I'm asked what my present plans are during the JET interview. I've been told that it will make me look bad that I'm taking a position now which I will quit for the JET Program, but I also don't think it would be the best idea to just blatantly lie. (Wouldn't JET wonder why I'm meeting them in Japan, or why I have a visa already?) Anyway, I was wondering if any of you more experienced people here (especially those that have worked with JET) have any advice on what to do if this comes up?

Thanks,

Mikoan

G Cthulhu

What? Your interview is in Japan in the next few weeks?

If so, not a problem - you just tell them that you're interested in Japan and JET and had been pursuing several options to get there, and the way the timing worked out, viola - here you are.

If you're interviewing outside Japan then you're not "meeting them in Japan." You're going to Japan with every other JET at the time JET says and from the location JET says and with the correct visa, not whatever Interac might get you.

Those are the two options. EOS.

seklarwia

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

It just like someone in a another thread who said they were going to sign a new contract for this year just to be able to stay for a few more months. It is the samething you are doing, the exception is you are going there on one contract and possibly accepting another contract.

It is shady... sure there are a few people on here that will say "look out for yourself..don't give a shit about anyone else just do it. You have to take care of your money needs...ect...ect"

Also think about all of the arrangements that Interac has made for you. They have invested time and money processing your CoE ect.

Look into what you really want to do. If you HAVE to be there in April, then fullfill your Interac contract and if it is not for you, then apply somewhere else. But, if JET is what you really want and feel like you could really get hired...then wait and see what happens with your JET interview and tell Interac sorry and that you will not be working for them. You should also know that if you say no now and you don't get in with JET, Interac may re-hire you for August or 2011 because you were up-front with them. I learned in my years of working in business, you never want to burn any bridges.. you may need them someday and believe me, word travels fast from company to company and you could be black-listed. This goes for everyone that is thinking about backing out on a contract with a company. Reputation is important. Yours and the company.

Ok, let the bashing begin......

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I thought JET did not do any interviews in Japan. Is this an official interview you are attending here?

If JET asks you what your plans are, tell them you will continue to pursue job opportunities to teach in Japan. Period. No need to lie or volunteer information that won't help your interview.

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

The JET interview is before I would leave for Japan with Interac. Also, you can meet up with JET in Tokyo if you're already a resident in Japan; you do not have to come back to your home country.

It would be really hard for me to defer with Interac now as most of the preparations for the spring arrivals have been done by now. I suppose I wouldn't be that hard to replace, that's what alternates are for, but I really have no desire to wait half a year.

Glenski, I like your suggestion. Keep things vague.

As for the moral questionable-ness of what I am thinking of doing: look, I understand it's not the most honest thing in the world, but I wasn't aware that it's so terrible either. It's actually what I was advised to do by my Japanese professor and several others (not saying that automatically makes it ok, but). I'm only going to not fulfill the contract if I get into JET, and that's a humongous if. Other factors might come up to that would end up with me sticking with Interac (which isn't so terrible after all, from I understand)...I end up loving my BOE/placement and/or find financial costs of moving too much or what not. On the other hand, I don't think I should have to wait another five months in limbo/transience just to be completely honest to Interac (who can replace me easily) which isn't the most perfectly honest company themselves either. But I understand people have different senses of what's right and wrong, so I'm just going to agree to disagree with those people here.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

I asked for advice on what to do at the interview (which some people gave), not for a moral lecture. Though knowing that many people think it looks bad has certainly been helpful too! Doesn't mean I have to personally agree with them to recognize that.

Amarok · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:58 pm Post subject:

I second what fat chris said. If you have shady morals and you want to just do whatever you've decided is best for looking out for yourself, and you were going to go through with it anyway... Why post here?

Also, one thing to consider: most people probably don't have advice on how to handle a JET interview when they already have a job lined up because most people's sense of morals or desire to not look bad/burn their bridges mean that they wouldn't contemplate what you're doing or put themselves in that position to begin with. Like you said, you disagree with that and have a different sense of what is right, but you can't expect others to have advice on something most people wouldn't do or consider to be right.

lenoreelux · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 44

Well, if you tell JET that you already took a job at Interac, then it will look bad on you. They will think that you will do the same thing with them and you cannot be trusted.

If you do not tell them that you have a job with Interac, then yes you will be lying but then again you would not look bad to them, you will look bad for Interac. BUT if you are already in Japan with a Visa from Interac they ask you how you have it already, I am not sure what they would do.. you may not get contracted again if you want to stay another year... It would look bad on all companies. You will just have to take your chances.

It is a difficult situation.

i understand about the money issues. Moving costs ect.. but I am happy to have my own apartment that I will not have to give up if I decide to go with another company after my contract is over. With JET you would have to leave when your contract ends and/or if you decided to work someplace else.. I saved a lot of money in order to do this and i plan on staying in Japan for several years.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

Hi Glenski: by meeting up, I mean that JET's have certain cities that they can depart from as a group (in the fall, not now), but they make an exception for people who get accepted that are already living in Japan. Those people do not have to fly back to the US and can just join the other JET's in Tokyo.

I don't think Interac is terrible in that they pay pretty on par with other private companies and enough to live comfortably (I think), on time (so I've heard), and unless you're at one of the sucky branches, are fine to work for, will treat you professionally, etc. They're not perfectly honest in the same way that many other big private companies hiring English teachers are: they don't pay shakai hokken, don't count you as full time, dock vacation pay though I've heard Interac gets the same amount of money from the BOE, don't give very many sick days, etc. (All things I've learned on this forum!) JET, as most of us know, does not do any of those shady things.

Glenski, I think I will take your advice and not say anything that I do not need to, and keep it vague if I do. I'll worry about how to explain how I already have a visa when and if I get in. Thank you for your help.

robertokun · Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 199

Go JET. Even if you don't get in, you have a visa. You can get on a plane and go get a job anytime you want.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:17 pm Post subject:

Mikoan · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 28

G Cthulu: Obviously I would mention that I already have a visa if I get into JET, and I don't think they would have to switch it. Interac gives out a Instructor Visa, which is the same visa JET gives out for their ALT's. I will not be getting a Specialist in Humanities visa because you cannot teach in public schools with it as you said.

Do you or have you worked for JET? I'm just wondering because I'm pretty sure JET stated that while one can join the orientation in Tokyo, no one can interview inside Japan, even if you already live there. So, I was under the impression that the two are not tied together, but if you have some reason to believe otherwise, please let me know where you're getting this information.