Looking for a job thats not teaching!!!

[chidsta]

[NeoNecroNomiCron]

Hostess!

[Maths Dude]

Sounds like your in a rut all right. Even though you said you don't want to teach english, I reckon it's your best bet for a 'quick fix' to your problem. I taught for 5 years in Japan, and I must say I loved most of my students.
Why don't you just try it for 6 months? And while your saving money look for something more appealing. Believe me, there are worse jobs than teaching english. Even though some (alot of?) people look down on the teaching profession doesn'T mean you shouldn't give it a go. You lucky, I was kicked outta my house when I was 18, didn't get any support from my parents, but 10 years later I'm still alive .

Anyway, while your teaching, look for a translating job in the city offices. There are heaps of brazilans in Japan, I'm sure you'll land something within 6 months of teaching.

I know you don't have any money, but I'm sure you dad will lend you a little bit. The english school will help out with the accomodation etc. Go for it!

[Mulboyne]

It sounds like getting out of the rut will be more important than what you actually end up doing.

Don't rule out English teaching as a means to get some measure of independence back. Even though you are looking at jobs in Japan, it would probably be easier to get a job in the UK and as, a female, you would enjoy a better status within an organization than you are likely to find in Japan. However, the cost of living in London is high. Arguably higher than Tokyo depending on how you want to live. Your Japanese skills won't be much in demand in the UK but you shouldn't use that as your USP anyway. It should just be a bonus.

What do you enjoy? You have written a long post but you've left out the most important part as far as what you would be suited to. If hostessing has "crossed your mind" then presumably you aren't a shy, retiring type.
Look at what these two FGs are up to: Isabel and Bene website. They are both 23 and speak English, Japanese, French and Spanish.
"Getting into action generates inspiration. Don't cop out waiting for inspiration to get you back into action" - Robert Evans, "The Kid Stays in the Picture"

[goldenboy_ge]

[Marked Trail]

You're "in this rut" ....so you want to stay in the Pit-o-Nippon? Huh?

[Taro Toporific]

You're "in this rut" ....so you want to stay in the Pit-

Leave no, run to grad school.

As you are learning, your "BA with honours in Spanish & Portuguese" and an unused TEFL certificate that you do not want to use is poor leverage for non-teaching employment in Japan. Basically, you have the wrong degree for Japan and you need to retrain or teach engrish.

There are plenty of translation jobs for bilinguals, but that work demands a higher level of technical or business Japanese than you have. In a similar way, most clerical positions are not worth having but there are bilingual openings in Tokyo.

You could start your own buisiness... However, you sound like you do not have any particular skills or interests in that direction.

Grad School in real/valuable field --not TEFL--- is your best bet. If I were you, I would refocus on a practical <yuck> grad degree in a field you could stomach.

What would you study if you went to grad school? Since you feel your Japanese could be polished, s there anything in Japanese grad school you would like to do?

[chidsta]

[Mulboyne]

Did you apply to or get rejected by any other companies since you last posted? Has there been a job you didn't get which you found, as you were looking at it, seemed quite interesting?

Taking another degree with no real aim just sounds like a bad way of killing time. Most UK university students go straight to the workforce after the first degree so, unless you have definite plan you are just postponing decisions you probably need to start making now. Having said that, with your language skills, you might consider a programme at a European institute. Many UK employers like the "international" angle and the EU organizations are big employers.
If more education doesn't sound like your scene then you could contact the EU groups in Japan which are often a good way to make connections
EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Co-operation
Delegation of European Commission in Japan
EC Links Page
One interesting feature of jobs with these kinds of institutions is that they don't lock you into being in Japan since there can be a lot of job mobility.

As the other posters have said, your profile sounds good but there are many job-seekers who may have less on paper but know how to make a lot of it. Be prepared to present yourself in the best possible light.

One of the fastest-growing Spanish employers in Japan is Zara, run by the Inditex Group. They value English/Japanese/Spanish speakers although it would be better to get a contact in HR in Spain to refer you to Japan so you can drop names.
JETRO Profile of Zara

If you really feel that an address in Awaji is putting off employers (I'm not totally convinced by that, I think it depends how you present it) then do you, or your parents, have a friend in Tokyo who could "lend" you a mailing address and agree to take a phone message for you? That way an employer doesn't get a chance to think about it.

It sounds like your Japanese is pretty good so I wouldn't have a chip on your shoulder about it. However, if you are concerned that you aren't up to "business standard Japanese" then make a bit of effort now. Read the business pages and check the things you don't understand. Always look for something you can say you achieved with your time while you are looking for work otherwise it is easy to get lazy and unfocused which is not a good place to be if you are trying to get out of a rut.

[killjoy]

Well, you should study for the Level 1 exam to see where you are in terms of reading.....if you get level 1 or 2, it helps with resume for non-teaching jobs. Probably if you want to be in Tokyo, an English teaching job is the quickest way and it would give you independence which you could use to look around, explore your interests and try things in your spare time.

Shane English school is always looking for English language (British speakers only) teachers so they are one place to start. Then you can probably land a translating job in a year or two. Probably sooner if you are keen on it but then it just takes a longer view point. Also, after 2 years in Tokyo, you probably will know if you want to stay or go back to Britain. What do you want to be doing in 2 years or longer? If you don't know, then it won't hurt to be here exploring....

[chidsta]

[Charles]

...I'm now thinking I want to go to SOAS in London to learn Japanese or go to Goldsmiths or some other University and do an Art foundation course followed by a graphic design course. I'm also planning on taking a night class in website design...

I am surprised that I can help you with that. Go find a copy of the magazine "Computer Arts." It has listings for all the good schools in the UK for website design, multimedia, etc.

[Mulboyne]

Basically what I'm saying is I'm not depressed and feeling like I'm in a rut anymore. The world is a brighter place now and I'm having fun.

Great to hear it.

I'm now thinking I want to go to SOAS in London

Another site member, sillygirl, is heading back to the UK and thinking about doing the same thing. Drop her a PM.

[chidsta]

[Mulboyne]

Excellent news. That sounds like a good place to be.

Keep looking for opportunities to learn new things and you'll find it easier to avoid falling into a rut in the future.

Thanks for giving us the update.

[Taro Toporific]

A few years later... things have worked out great!!

K-kool! So many relocation outcomes here on the FG are, errr, ummm, fucked.

[Adhesive]

I love happy endings.

[kamome]

This thread is further proof that returning to one's home country for professional advancement is the way to go. Japan is not the place to start your career.

[Adhesive]

This thread is further proof that returning to one's home country for professional advancement is the way to go. Japan is not the place to start your career.

You know, FG has been solely responsible for setting me straight on the illusion of starting a career in Japan. I was supposed to intern at a firm in Japan this summer, but after reading through threads on this forum concerning practicing law in Japan (many thanks to you, Kamome) I have come to the realization that it would be the worst possible decision to make at this point.

So, uh, thanks for sharing your misery with us noobies, fellow FG's.

[Charles]

You know, FG has been solely responsible for setting me straight on the illusion of starting a career in Japan. I was supposed to intern at a firm in Japan this summer, but after reading through threads on this forum concerning practicing law in Japan (many thanks to you, Kamome) I have come to the realization that it would be the worst possible decision to make at this point.

I don't know how you came to that conclusion. An internship isn't exactly a commitment to a career path in Japan. And it's the cheapest way you'll ever get to Japan without a big relocation allowance. You could do a hell of a lot worse than a summer internship in Japan, even if you're on a non-Japan track.

[Adhesive]

I don't know how you came to that conclusion. An internship isn't exactly a commitment to a career path in Japan. And it's the cheapest way you'll ever get to Japan without a big relocation allowance. You could do a hell of a lot worse than a summer internship in Japan, even if you're on a non-Japan track.

Oops, you're right, I should rephrase that. What I meant to say was that trying to get employed in Japan as a first step in my career would have been a bad idea. Spending a summer there gaining experience would have been fun, and I may even still do it next year.

[kamome]

Oops, you're right, I should rephrase that. What I meant to say was that trying to get employed in Japan as a first step in my career would have been a bad idea. Spending a summer there gaining experience would have been fun, and I may even still do it next year.

Yeah, it's a good experience, but if you're weighing it against a comparable internship in the US with a good firm, I'm not sure I wouldn't take the US gig.

[Mulboyne]

Yeah, it's a good experience, but if you're weighing it against a comparable internship in the US with a good firm, I'm not sure I wouldn't take the US gig.

That's good advice in general but it's worth remembering that it does depend on the time. A Japan internship from 1982-1989 gave you a real leg up in most businesses. Subsequently, it proved to be a professional handicap. Going forward, who can tell?

[Adhesive]

That's good advice in general but it's worth remembering that it does depend on the time. A Japan internship from 1982-1989 gave you a real leg up in most businesses. Subsequently, it proved to be a professional handicap. Going forward, who can tell?

I'm thinking HK or China would probably be a better bet these days.

[kamome]

That's good advice in general but it's worth remembering that it does depend on the time. A Japan internship from 1982-1989 gave you a real leg up in most businesses. Subsequently, it proved to be a professional handicap. Going forward, who can tell?

It's never a handicap - just not the best way to start your career.

[chidsta]

I just wanted to say thank you very much for all your advice all those years ago. I remember posting that message of despair from a really dark place when I felt trapped and isolated and I never properly thanked you all for your input, advice and comments. I really appreciated it. I'm saddened to know this site is now closing down so I just wanted to say thank you and I wish you all the best for the future. Farewell to you all! x