Job hunting question

[gaijinDW]

I've read this forum for a long time but this is my first post. Mose people here seem to give pretty good honest advice. My situation, I'm a recent college grad who is finishing up a CELTA course next week. I really want to teach English in Japan. Should I "A" try to find a job while I'm still in America before going to Japan? Or "B" just go to Japan on tourist and look for a job? I've been doing some research and know the basic differences between the two options. But, I would really like to her from some people who know what the current job market is like as I get the impression it is in a bit of a decline. I can speak Japanese more than enough to get by. I would like to work near Tokyo because I have a lot of friends around there but I could work anywhere. I would like to go to Japan as soon as possible. Any advice you guys could give me would be great.

[GomiGirl]

You should always try to find a job before just arriving..... doesn't matter what it is as it is easy to upgrade after you arrive. Not having a job is very stressful - money, accommodation, bank accounts, mobile phones etc.

[amdg]

Should I "A" try to find a job while I'm still in America before going to Japan? Or "B" just go to Japan on tourist and look for a job?

Option A, as GG says. Unless you plan on staying with friends, I say its better to get the job, accommodation and visa set up before coming. That way, you can just roll in here with a job and a place to stay and you won't go broke staying at a hotel while you try to find a job. Teaching jobs are more competitive than they used to be, and don't pay as much as they used to (generally speaking), but there are still plenty of them to go around, so it shouldn't be too hard. You'll be over here in no time!*.

BTW - what's the rush?




* see, I can be supportive

[gaijinDW]

Thanks for the advice guys.

BTW - what's the rush?

I'm not really in a rush. It's just that after I finish the CELTA I will be living at my parents place. I would like to find a job (in Japan) soon enough that I can justify crashing at my parents place and then going over to Japan without finding a job (that I would just end up quiting soon) in the States.

You should always try to find a job before just arriving..... doesn't matter what it is as it is easy to upgrade after you arrive

If get a work visa with one company and then just go over to Japan and quit after a month or so... Won't my work visa be invalid then?
Thanks

[mr. sparkle]

If get a work visa with one company and then just go over to Japan and quit after a month or so... Won't my work visa be invalid then?

As I've never taught English, nor do I live in Japan (been there a bunch, tho'), I am not an expert, but consider the following:

You may not want to screw the company over like 'dat ol' boy. IMHO, quitting right away, like after a month, is probably is not the best way to get started in Japan.

I suggest that you choose wisely and do a 6 month contract. I am quite sure the time will go by very quickly while you are settling in.

If it's money you crave, you can probably also teach on the side for more booty while you are planning to switch schools in that period. An even better use of your time would be a language exchange so that you can improve your Japanese, eh?

I've never taught English in Japan, so I am sure others have better advice. However, I did go to an AEON interview here in SF once. I suggest you try a school that actively recruits in a nearby metropolis. AEON and NOVA come to mind, but I am sure there are others if you dig. For the interview, have your resume ready, prepare a lesson in English, and dress smartly and conservatively (like a dark suit and tie). It helps if you are flexible in where you do your first 6 months and insisting it be Tokyo would lessen your chances.

I read the book, "How to teach English in Japan" back then by Jerry O'Sullivan. It's a breezy read and should put you in the right frame of mind. I believe Rob Pongi suggested that one, and it was a good one.

Plenty of web resources on the Web as well. Just link to the sites on the front page.