Job Discussion Forums

Leith

Hi, im looking to find work in Japan. And have some questions asking about the process.

Firstly, my qualifications:
BA (Majors in both English and Film and Media)
TESOL Cert. from Global TESOL College
21 years (20 August 1988)
Native english (New Zealander)
No teaching experience, but plenty of work expeirence with training others etc.
Prepared to teach anywhere any time, but would like a salary contract
(If you require more info, check out my cover letter on the resume board)

Questions:
1) Based on my qualifications how good are my chances of getting a job in the july-sept period? how good are my chances regardless of the time?

2) Sending resume & cover letters via email, what format should they be in (remember I want to come across as organised, so I dont want my doc. to alter because of someone elses formatting)?

3)I have just applied for some jobs..how long should I wait for replies?

4) If I don't get replies...what should I do? I assume patience is a virtue etc etc?

5) as an entry level teacher what salary should I 'settle' for? As its a big move I dont want to go and find my self having to return in a few months because I cant make enough money (a reason why I'm very weary of GABA)

6) any other advice and tricks that might increase my chances of getting a job?

Thanks heaps,
Leith

G Cthulhu

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

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Leith · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:34 am Post subject:

Wow, seems rather dire. Reagardless, thanks for the replies!

I guess one of the problems I have had from researching online, is that many website (particularly esl sites) give the impression that it is realitively easy to find a job..any time any where. Obviously it is not quite this simple, hence why I have asked for 'realistic' info from people who have or are teaching in Japan.

I have also been looking at other countrys because of the situation in Japan and the timing of my move. Many of these jobs are also painted in rather colourful pictures. However, there seems to be an abundance of jobs in China... and because I am desperate to see the world and have always wanted to visit the country..and Japan might not be the right move just yet... I wounder weather my situation would improve if I open myself up to Job hunting in China. I also get the impression that the pay is not as good, but you are 'looked after' slightly better, as in acommodation is paid for, etc.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

This is the Japan thread, try asking in the China one as most have no idea what its like in China, so cannot compare.

If you are serious I would try to see if you can get some experience at teaching in NZ before you come over (to see if its really what you want to do) even just doing a few private lessons

But, as others have said, this is a bad time at the moment (Geos and the school year has just started)

G Cthulhu

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

Well, let's see here.

Format, as in what type of program you should use?
Format, as in what style the resume should be in?
Format, as in whether tables are acceptable or not?
Format, as in paper or web version?

Bleeding obvious, my eye.

And, yes, I have seen what various computers do to resume "formats". Many employers don't even want attachments, nor do they want things with bold, italic, underlines, etc., so they just ask for a dry-looking ASCII "format" so that they can scan for keywords.

There is no real standard.

Send it in a Word document without using tables, unless the advertisement stresses otherwise.

My comment about "laziness" was trying to cover the many bases that countless previous threads have posted with regard to content as well. I mean, some people regard that as format, too.