Korean Job Discussion Forums

austinmc86 · Joined: 23 Feb 2010

How do you find a job in Japan?
I am in Korea now, and would be interested in working there after my contract ends. All the job ads are for people who have an international driving license.
I want to find a job, where I do not need a international license.

What is the best way to find employment in Japan? I would, if possible, like to go straight from Korea to Japan after the contract ends.

I have been to Japan a few times, and loved it.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Japan doesn't have the market for TEFL that Korea has at the moment. I know a few people with Japanese wives/girlfriends working over here because they can't find decent work in Japan. They say there's work to be had but mostly entry level low quality stuff e.g. low paid, soul destroying one to one lessons with bored housewives and an even greater emphasis on appearance and popularity. So I suppose it depends where you are (experience and qualification-wise) and what you're after.

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

I found a job on dave's. quit it later and ended up coming back to korea. but pay-wise it was above average. give dave's a try...most employers there are more open to hiring from abroad. there's a newsletter called ohayo sensei you can sign up for with job listings. the majority of those require you to be in country, and possibly already have a visa.

i got the job in 2008, and i ended up in a desirable location (near osaka and kyoto). obviously if you are flexible location wise, your chances increase. but yeah, a lot of those international drivers license jobs are probably in the sticks and require you to visit multiple schools.

it's a tight market but it is possible. the japanese visa is easier to get than the korean visa, but it takes longer. i ended up coming to korea on a visa run when my tourist visa was about to expire, so technically i was working illegally for 90 days.

WaveFunction1984 · Joined: 28 Feb 2011 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

Don't do it. Working in Japan is a miserable nightmare unless you get on JET.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

ohayo sensei or gaijinpot are good online places to look.

WaveFunction1984 · Joined: 28 Feb 2011 Location: Haebangchon, Seoul

Zackback · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk

nukeday,
Why did you quit your job in Japan?

Died By Bear · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject:

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

legrande · Joined: 23 Nov 2010

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

Murakano · Joined: 10 Sep 2009

crisdean · Joined: 04 Feb 2010 Location: Seoul Special City

Neil · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo

I'm in 2 minds about the future of TEFL/ESL in Japan, part of me thinks things will improve here as they are recently expanding the English programme in public schools, English to become mandatory in elementary schools from next year, high schools to start immersion classes and I've heard whisperings more of the zaibatsu (Japanese version of the chabol) are going to start asking for English skills from their new recruits.

On the other hand Japan has a HUGE public debt problem and as they would be loath to make cuts in healthcare (loads of old people innit), education would I assume be the sector for the chopping block. Could be the end for JET, further decreases in salary for dispatch public school teachers and the private sector is rubbish as Japanese tend to save not spend during times of ecomonic uncertaintly (ie for them the last 15 years).

Far more of an employers market as Japan has a more fashionable image in the west than Korea so more people are willing to accept poor wages just to live here (curse you anime/manga! you blokes had better hope K-pop/dramas never take off in the west or you could wind up with the same problems).

Practical advice, apply in March as most of the new jobs start in April (August isn't a bad time either as theres a months break so schools are looking to replace people who have quit/haven't worked out also some contacts finish at this time). Save 5000 USD as moving in costs are high and virtually everywhere pays a month in arrears. Japan is a lot bigger than Korea so apply via location, there's a expat site for most of the areas, Kyushu, Kansai ect...check the FAOs on the Japan forum.

It's not all doom and gloom, if you can get in living here is spendid and the visa situation is a million times better than Korea, yen is never a bad currency to save with and it really isn't that expensive.

Both Korea and Japan are IMO the best countries to teach with China looking a tempting plan C at the moment.

silkhighway · Joined: 24 Oct 2010 Location: Canada

My advice on this is if you want to work in Japan go for it, Japan is a great place and you'll probably have a lot of fun. However, I'd only consider it under the following conditions:

1) You have a job set up before going there.
2) You will earn enough to cover all your living expenses
3) You will save at least 1/3 of your salary AND that will be at least 80% of what you would save on a Korean entry-level ESL salary.

Under any under circumstances, I wouldn't consider it. Japan (or anywhere else for that matter) is not worth scrape-by wages which a lot of ESL teachers are starting to earn.