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jamo22
Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Posts: 47
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 Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 7:54 am Post subject: prospects? Plan of action? |
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Ok so I have decided I want to come to Japan and look for a job when my current contract expires...specifically Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe.
I have 2 years experience in Korea, 6 months in China, TEFL, Law degree, British passport.
Im currently in China, looking to come over July/Aug/Sept.
1.When would the best time be?
2. So far I haven't had any luck on the net, am I more likely to get a job if I'm physically there?
3. If I do decide to go, what advice can u give me, ie, where should I stay-hostel? how much money would I need to survive?
4. If I arrive on a tourist visa, will I need to do a visa run? Alternatively I could get a working holiday visa, but I dont want to go back to the UK, any chance I could pick it up either in China or Japan?
Much appreciated, and I apologize if my requests overlap with other messages/stickies... |
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TokyoLiz
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1548
Location: Tokyo, Japan
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| 1.When would the best time be? |
Read the faqs.
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| 2. So far I haven't had any luck on the net, am I more likely to get a job if I'm physically there? |
You've got to make a lot of applications at the right time. If want to get a job starting April at public or private elementary or high schools, you have to begin applying in November or December.
Eikaiwas such as Shane hire British people with TEFLs any time of year.
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| 3. If I do decide to go, what advice can u give me, ie, where should I stay-hostel? how much money would I need to survive? |
Where are you intending to land - Tokyo, Osaka or some other regional center? Location is everything.
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| 4. If I arrive on a tourist visa, will I need to do a visa run? Alternatively I could get a working holiday visa, but I dont want to go back to the UK, any chance I could pick it up either in China or Japan? |
No, you don't need to leave Japan to change visa status. However, you do need a Certificate of Employment from a sponsoring employer in order to get a work visa. Contact The Immigration Information Center at Shinagawa for details - http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/iic-01.html
About the WHV, you should contact the consulate in the UK to find out if you can apply from abroad. http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa/work_hol.html |
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jamo22
Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 10:57 am Post subject: |
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thanks for the reply.
If anyone else has arrived in Japan, and specifically Osaka without a job, I'd love to hear your experience. |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Tue May 10, 2011 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: prospects? Plan of action? |
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| jamo22 wrote: |
| Ok so I have decided I want to come to Japan and look for a job when my current contract expires. |
I'd say look around and at least start dialogues with employers before your contract expires in China.
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| ..specifically Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe. |
Why limit yourself, considering the market is flooded (and Kyoto is not a real haven for TEFL jobs)?
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| I have 2 years experience in Korea, 6 months in China, TEFL, Law degree, British passport. |
None of which will really matter to most Japanese employers, except your passport.
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Im currently in China, looking to come over July/Aug/Sept.
1.When would the best time be? |
Whenever you come, be sure to have enough money to tide you over until the first paycheck comes. I'd say the equivalent of US$4000-5000.
Forget July. August has a week of down time due to Obon national holiday, so skip that period. August itself is not good for public schools because they are mostly on summer break. Don't come in late September because there is a tiny surge of hiring for early October, and you will want to be here soon enough to go through the visa process.
In any case, I wouldn't expect many openings during all 3 of those months. Plan ahead. Look at the ads and contact employers before you set your feet on Japanese soil, to minimize delays.
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| 2. So far I haven't had any luck on the net, am I more likely to get a job if I'm physically there? |
Yes, but as I wrote above, your timing could be better.
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| 3. If I do decide to go, what advice can u give me, ie, where should I stay-hostel? how much money would I need to survive? |
Money advice already given.
Stay in guesthouse/gaijin house. More private than hostel, perhaps cheaper, and you can rent by the week or month, plus you are more likely to share the building with other job hunters (with whom you can trade info).
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| 4. If I arrive on a tourist visa, will I need to do a visa run? |
You mean visa wiaver, and the answer is no.
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| Alternatively I could get a working holiday visa, but I dont want to go back to the UK, any chance I could pick it up either in China or Japan? |
No, you have to get it in the UK. |
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jamo22
Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Posts: 47
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 1:29 am Post subject: |
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thanks for the excellent advice.
1. How likely is it that I will find employers willing to change my visa from a tourist to a working visa while im over there?
2. Obviously it is more attractive to go on a working holiday visa, how difficult is it to get one? is it largely a formality? Im asking because although I have a british passport, I have only lived there for a year or so, and actually grew up in south africa.
3.If those three months are poor hiring periods, what would be the best time to come this yr? |
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Glenski
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
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| Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| jamo22 wrote: |
| 1. How likely is it that I will find employers willing to change my visa from a tourist to a working visa while im over there? |
There are plenty. The question is, how many of them are willing to hire you, too? Look at a sample issue of OhayoSensei (free) and see what percentage of employers want applicants who are already in country and who will sponsor visas. I just wrote that summary somewhere on this forum.
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| 2. Obviously it is more attractive to go on a working holiday visa, how difficult is it to get one? |
If you're the right age and can prove the necessary funding, it is usually pretty simple. I think there is a quota, but basically there aren't tons of red tape to jump over, if that's what you mean. Look at the WHV site and you'll see.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html
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| Im asking because although I have a british passport, I have only lived there for a year or so, and actually grew up in south africa. |
That in itself may pose a big problem. I think you have to show residence in your home country. I strongly suggest contacting the UK office and asking them directly.
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| 3.If those three months are poor hiring periods, what would be the best time to come this yr? |
The best time is already gone for the biggest start date (April). Look at JET program, which has deadlines of end of the year for the August 2012 start dates. (You have to interview in your home country, BTW.) Otherwise, it's all a crap shoot and depends on where you are, how well you interview, what they need, etc. |
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