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arguile
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject: Long Hair and getting a job in Japan |
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| I have been told by a TEFL agency that males cannot get a job in Japan teaching English, if they have long hair. Is this true? |
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bje
Joined: 19 Jun 2005
Posts: 527
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| If this is the case then that is the least of your problems when seeking a decent job in Japan given the current market. |
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arguile
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Is the teaching market recessed in Japan? What about Jet and Interact? |
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ssjup81
Joined: 15 Jun 2009
Posts: 664
Location: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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| More people are applying to JET. I know last year seemed to have a bit more applicants than usual. You could still try out for JET I suppose when the application opens up this fall. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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The spelling is an abbreviation -- JET, not Jet.
And the company is spelled Interac, not Interact.
Yes, the market here is depressed. Read a handful of posts on any forum and you'll see that.
As for long hair, is that really the most serious of your worries? How long is it? |
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G Cthulhu
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 1373
Location: Way, way off course.
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| arguile wrote: |
| Is the teaching market recessed in Japan? |
What a peculiar way of phrasing it. 
| Quote: |
What about Jet and Interact?
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Interac will take anyone with a pulse. The only problem for you the "anyone" list is currently 4 kilometres long, so they get to choose from among all those heavy heartbeats.
JET won't, per se, give a damn about your hair. But you will probably be asked about it because they want to know the why of it and whether you'll fit in to a Japanese office. Again, JET has applicants a-plenty and they'll use any negative they can to whittle the list down to something workable and take the best they can get from that now-increasing list of applicants. Hope you speak Japanese already, because I only interviewed one candidate last year that didn't speak any. |
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seklarwia
Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1546
Location: Monkey onsen, Nagano
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| Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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| G Cthulhu wrote: |
| Interac will take anyone with a pulse. The only problem for you the "anyone" list is currently 4 kilometres long, so they get to choose from among all those heavy heartbeats. |
Correction: Only those with a pulse whom fit the professional image as dictated by Japanese society get added to that 4km list.
JET might not give a damn about the hair, per se, but Interac would. |
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flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:14 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't say it is impossible, but it would be very difficult (at least that is my impression after many years here)
Its about image, if you are serious about getting a job, you need to make an effort to llok the part (IMO) |
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arguile
Joined: 09 Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks to everyone for the input. It seems like I should look at Korea and other options as well. The hair is shoulder length and I wear it back.
I appreciate the help! |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| G Cthulhu wrote: |
JET won't, per se, give a damn about your hair. |
'JET' may not. But what 'JET' cares about and what your actual employer (your 'contracting organization') care about are two ENTIRELY different things. Your BoE could tell you to get your hair cut short when you arrive. |
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Cool Teacher
Joined: 18 May 2009
Posts: 930
Location: Here, There and Everywhere! :D
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| GambateBingBangBOOM wrote: |
| G Cthulhu wrote: |
JET won't, per se, give a damn about your hair. |
'JET' may not. But what 'JET' cares about and what your actual employer (your 'contracting organization') care about are two ENTIRELY different things. Your BoE could tell you to get your hair cut short when you arrive. |
Wow! I didnt realize thery were so facist!  Isn't that against some international laws?  |
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GambateBingBangBOOM
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Cool Teacher wrote: |
| GambateBingBangBOOM wrote: |
| G Cthulhu wrote: |
JET won't, per se, give a damn about your hair. |
'JET' may not. But what 'JET' cares about and what your actual employer (your 'contracting organization') care about are two ENTIRELY different things. Your BoE could tell you to get your hair cut short when you arrive. |
Wow! I didnt realize thery were so facist! Isn't that against some international laws? |
You think telling someone to get their hair cut to meet social norms contravenes international labour laws?
ummm.... no, it doesn't.
(Unless, possibly, the hair is long like that due to a recognized, organized religion [like in the case of Sikhs] I suppose- and even then, is that actually an international law, or is it the law of the country? [one that Japan doesn't have and therefore doesn't need to follow]).
Besides, in this scenario you wouldn't HAVE to get your hair cut, you could always quit (I've actually known people who threatened to quit when told to shave their beard. They were serious and the BoE backed down. If a JET tried that though, then BoE would likely let them and then get somebody in C group- the group of JETs that arrives in September to replace the people who quit in the first month). |
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flyer
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 539
Location: Sapporo Japan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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what on earth is wrong with getting a hair cut? whats the big deal?
are you so insecure that you can't do that?
IMO; coming to working in another country is about many things, but one is learning from the other culture etc, I don't think itys too much to ask, they are not asking you to join a religion! |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:03 am Post subject: |
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Long hair (on men)
Beards
Cornrows
Dreads
Whatever.
Realize that Japan is a very conservative country, especially in the business world. If you choose not to conform, so be it. Nobody is telling you to. However, it's entirely possible that they will judge you on appearance, from your clothing to your hair style.
Don't like it and want to keep your appearance? That's up to you. Don't expect employers to change their views, though. Some employers are very particular about what kind of attire is to be worn on the job
James English School:
Working Attire: North America has become very casual with regard to business attire; this is not the case in Japan. If you join James English School, you will require a professional working wardrobe.
Men: Business suits (at least 2) these can be two-piece but NOT pants and sports jacket, conservative (white or pin-striped) shirts and ties.
Women: Business suits. Women have more flexibility in that they can 'mix and match' but suits should be conservative, standard skirt and jacket with several blouses. Female teachers wear stockings all year.
Interac:
Interac ALTs and LCs must wear business attire while undertaking training, on all teaching assignments, or when visiting the office. Clothing standards in Japan are conservative and professional. For men, a dress shirt, tie, and business style pants are required. Long hair and/or facial hair are not recommended. For women, smart professional attire, inclusive of skirts below the knees or business style suits are required on all Interac Co., Ltd. related business. If you have tattoos, please be sure to wear clothing that covers them at all times!!
GEOS:
Does GEOS have a dress code?
Due to the makeup to our clientele, GEOS staff are dressed according to Japanese business standards. For men, this includes: suit, tie, business shoes, neat hairstyle, and no facial hair.
Shane/Saxoncourt:
1. What constitutes acceptable work dress?
Teachers in Japan are expected to be dressed smartly, in attire that is acceptable for a business environment. The General Directives for Teachers states: The Teacher should wear smart clothes and shoes that would be suitable for normal office wear. This means that male Teachers should wear a formal shirt and tie, and a business suit/trousers (not jeans) and formal shoes (not training shoes, boots or sandals). Female Teachers should wear a formal blouse (not T-shirt) with a business suit/skirt/trousers, or a dress, and formal shoes or boots (not training shoes or "Doc Marten" style boots). Hairstyles, jewellery and standards of personal hygiene should be consistent with these guidelines.
2. Do I have to shave off my beard?
No. Provided that it is neatly groomed and in line with the above dress code.
3. Do I have to wear a tie for all lessons?
Yes. This is an essential component of business wear for men.
Look at the pictures (what they choose to advertise, of course) and see what they want people to consider as role models:
http://genkienglish.net/altiacentral.htm
http://aeonet.com/aeon/index.html
http://recruiting.ecc.co.jp/school/coworkers.html
http://www.jesjapan.com/teachers.html |
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SaganWasHere
Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Posts: 39
Location: the 10th dimension...?
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| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:57 am Post subject: |
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| flyer wrote: |
what on earth is wrong with getting a hair cut? whats the big deal?
are you so insecure that you can't do that?
IMO; coming to working in another country is about many things, but one is learning from the other culture etc, I don't think itys too much to ask, they are not asking you to join a religion! |
Perhaps it's a cultural thing and not because people are "insecure"? My brother has long hair because it's a part of our culture.
Granted, they are moving to a new country with a new culture, but there are many Japanese men who hate cutting their hair as well and some who do the pony-tail/bun method at work.
The interesting thing I find about all of this "conservative" talk from companies like Interac, is that requiring ALTs to be dressed up as if they're going to a business meeting to teach elementary school can be off-putting, especially when everyone else is wearing track suits and overalls. |
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