Tired of the U.S.

[Tiger Stripe]

Just checking to see if anyone had noticed any new trends in employment
for ex-pats. After hearing reports of out-sourced English teachers, and other nightmares related to the proffesion I am reluctant to rely on that option too heavily.

Are there any other demands that a reasonably competent, upright walking, american can fill??

I am also interested in studying abroad if possible......

[AssKissinger]

Yeah, I know a trend.

If you ain't got the skills, you can't pay the bills.

[Tiger Stripe]

yeah good point, but WHICH skills are in demand??

I know that not all americans in japan are english teachers,
so what are the other percentages doing?

IT?, public relations?, salaryman type jobs?, mopping up excrement?

[Big Booger]

I teach by day, and gigilo at night. In my spare time, I sell on ebay.

[Tiger Stripe]

Something else i thought of, somtimes a good contact is just as valuable as a degree.

anyone have any opinions on the advantages of having contacts in japan?

[Taro Toporific]

Something else i thought of, somtimes a good contact is just as valuable as a degree.

So are you actually saying you have neither a degree or defined skills?

That's gonna make getting visa a bitch and working here less than fun.

[Taro Toporific]

so what are the other percentages doing?
IT?, public relations?, salaryman type jobs?, mopping up excrement?

There's only "some" demand for all of the above. It's superior skills, degree and 1-kyu/2-kyu Japanese language test level that is what is higher demand here.

On the FG Forum, I suppose it's 50% Eikaiwa, 20% IT, 10% biz professionals, 5% students/arbieto and the rest entrepreneurs (with a lot of crossover among those categories).

[amdg]

Something else i thought of, somtimes a good contact is just as valuable as a degree.

anyone have any opinions on the advantages of having contacts in japan?

Contacts are everything, which is probably true in any country, but add an extra 10 percent for Japan.

But what AssKissinger said is also true. You have to have the skills. Even further than that, a lot of professionals who indeed have the skills are having hard times here right now. You shouldn't waste the money and time coming here unless you have a specific goal and a plan to see it through.

Are there any other demands that a reasonably competent, upright walking, american can fill??

Sure but it just depends on how high you want to set the bar. There's jobs here for bartenders, chefs (you could fake it with short order cook experience), proofreaders etc. None of them pay very well on their own.

Let us know a little bit about your work experience and your education first , then maybe you'll get some useful tips.

[Taro Toporific]