Job Discussion Forums

[Xanato]

I was one of the people who didn't get an interview for the JET Program this year and have read up a bit on the facts behind some of the ALT dispatch companies. Based on what I've learned, ALTIA and Interac (despite its infamous two-month hold on your first paycheck) are the most reasonable options. Would I be making a mistake by applying to these organizations or overlooking better employers? Also, is it true that ALTs from these companies have to wear suits while working or is business casual acceptable?

I'm not currently trying to get a career out of teaching. For the most part, I see this as a good incentive to be independent and challenge myself. However, I don't want to be dead weight in the classrooms. Do I stand a good chance of being fairly involved in the courses if I did well in Basic Japanese I and II or should I seriously consider getting more familiar with the language?

[seklarwia]

[rxk22]

[seklarwia]

[rxk22]

[Nagoyaguy]

OP;

If you work for Altia, dont worry about wearing a suit, except for special occasions. It is not mandatory at other times. Khaki pants and a collared shirt are more than enough (necktie optional). It's a decent company to work for IMHO. They dont play games with your salary or pull BS like paying less in the summer.

As long as you dress comparably to other staffers, nobody can complain. At my school, that meant a pair of purple track pants and a plain white t-shirt every day in the case of one JTE

[Glenski]

[seklarwia]

[Cool Teacher]

[Nagoyaguy]

[quote="Glenski"]

[Xanato]

Apologies, Mr. Glenski. I did not fully investigate their website due to finding conflicting testimonies from several Interactites. However, the people here appeared to be ALT sages. Ergo, I postulated that the probability of gleaning accurate information would increase exponentially if I were to inquire at this location.

You seem to have miscalculated the nature of my reference to autonomy. That portion of the dialogue that you quoted regarded emancipation from parents/legal guardians and any monetary debts to them which I have accrued. My predecessors will not accompany me on the flight to Japan or fund my means of conveyance, living arrangements, and excursions. Henceforth, I will be classified as "independent."

That said, I thank all of you for the information you've provided thus far.

[Glenski]

Thanks for the clarification.

Now, one more piece of advice. Even if you choose to go with an employer that does not require a suit on the job, get at least one suit anyway. There seem to be a lot of people nowadays who are getting into the TEFL biz and think that biz casual is the only way to go, so they balk at any moments when suits are required for Japan.

Lose that attitude, people, I say. Japan is (as the Interac site states) very conservative. A suit is imperative for certain functions (yes, even an interview, where a surprising number of questions have arisen on forums like this about such a straightforward part of the hiring process). Plus, who is to say that after you come here, that you won't change jobs and need the suit for that next interview?

[Ikki]

Glenski is right on about dress codes(as far as it goes)but such trivialities distract from the essential Q posed by the OP.


Decent alternatives to JET? In 2011 Japan? There ain't be many, mate.

A recent job ad(a month ago, from a smallish eikaiwa in Kobe)was typical, if a little extreme on the "crap job" spectrum. It offered 200,000/mo., no airfare or any other perk, for the privilege of working for them. It stated that the low salary was justified given that every barbarian who had ever been sponsored by them before was a poor teacher! And how was this outfit proposing to weed out undesirables to prevent this problem from occurring in the future? "We require a full body shot photo of you. If this offends you, you are not for us." !!!!!

Oh, there's more, dear reader. This paragon of Japanese employment virtue also requested that the applicant give them info about their political/religious views! Wouldn't want Western subversives perverting the great Yamato race,and its ethos & world view, now would we?

Am I making this up? I wish!

It is to weep....

[OneJoelFifty]

As people said, get a suit. If you end up at a public school as an ALT, wear it for the initial meeting with your new school. You can either ask at that first meeting how the school would like you to dress, or wear your suit for long enough to judge from the appearance of the other teachers.

I tend to generally look smarter than most of the other teachers as I wear a shirt and tie every day along with a light jacket or cardigan in winter. I quite like looking smart as I want to give a good impression to the students.

You're also going to have to accept that tracksuits are part of a teacher's attire as well! I got a complaint to my company for wearing a scarf in the classroom during one especially cold day, which I thought was a bit much when everyone is walking around looking like a PE teacher. But them's the rules, at my school at least.

[Mr. Fun]

ALTIA is the best major ALT company to work for. But they only hire for schools from Shizuoka to Hiroshima. So if you want to work in the Kanto Region (Tokyo) go with Interac instead.

ALTIA will also hire directly from overseas so you dont have to be in Japan to apply. And I know people who work for them who had no teaching experience, no Japanese ability and no University Degree. For the no degree people you'd already need some kind of visa though like a spousal one.

On the other hand I know people who were well qualified and were rejected. Their recruiters are all about personality and character. They want people who look at their job as an ambassador would. Someone who is like a representative of their country and wants to give the locals a good impression of where they come from and the use of the English language.

If you can get in with them when first coming to Japan you are set. 250,000 a month for full time plus paid holidays. About 15 weeks out of the year. They even give you an 8,000 yen party stipend to go out with your coworkers for functions like Bonenkais. And if you need an apartment or car they will find them for you. The car will cost you nothing if you only use it to go to work an back. Otherwise you'd have to pay the insurance and gas.

A solid company. No BS. And they look out for you.