5 Tips To Get a Job in Japan, As A Foreigner / Expat
By Joshua Zimmerman
For many young people teaching English in Japan has been an easy and cheap way to travel to new and exotic places.
But due to recent changes in market pressures (we’re looking at you China) and a 15 year recession [ed: Not sure what 15 year recession Josh means - in Japan, maybe?], being an English teacher is not as easy as it once was. So for all you youngsters with visions of an easy paycheck and all the pocky you can eat, here is the Josh guide to getting a job in Japan.
1) Don’t get a job in Japan
The easiest way to visit Japan isn’t getting a job here, it’s studying abroad here.
If you’re still in college or one day will be in college, think about spending a semester abroad in Japan. There are numerous programs out there for either semesters or years abroad.
Plus you can usually stay with a host family, which provides you with a great source of Japanese food and culture.
Josh recommends: “Kansai Gaidai. Not only do they have a great international program, but you’ll be a half hour from both Osaka and Kyoto.”
2) Know the Japanese schedule
The Japanese school year is much different from the usual ‘Western’ school year. The school year begins and ends in March.
So when all you youngsters are graduating college and looking for jobs in the summer the Japanese school year is already mid-year. Meaning there will be less jobs available, and many may only be for six months.
Josh recommends: “Look for a job very very very early or waiting for six months before moving to Japan. Look at a lot of options, save up some money.”
3) Know what you want out of your experience in Japan
In Japan there are really two types of teachers. The ALT, Assistant Language Teacher who works in a public or private school, and the ekaiwa teacher, someone who works for a company teaching English to all age levels.
These two jobs are very different.
Whereas the ALT would work in a ‘typical’ public school classroom and have a ‘typical’ work schedule, the ekaiwa teacher will probably work nights and weekends. As an ekaiwa teacher you might also be asked to recruit students and sell materials, though the upside is that you might make extra money doing this.
Josh recommends: “Be a public school teacher. The job is much more rewarding and you don’t leave the office feeling like a slime ball. Plus who really wants to work nights and weekends?”
4) Find the proper job program
While Japan has always been good to its English teachers (Assistant Language teachers, or ALTs) times are changing a bit.
Where once the lowest paying jobs were 250,000 yen ($2,500) a month, these [$2,500/month] jobs are now some of the highest paying. Many school districts are moving away from government supported programs or hiring their own teacher, and moving to private companies who enter into bidding wars. The result is lower pay, lower benefits, and lots of job insecurity.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a job that even provides you with a plane ticket to Japan, something that was common five years ago.
Try searching the webpage gaijinpot.com for job listings. Apply to many places.
Josh recommends: “The JET Programme. Sure, you need to apply 9 months before the job starts but it remains the gold standard for English teaching in Japan. They provide you with a plane ticket, a high pay, a large support network, and (usually) affordable housing. If not, there is always Interac.”
5) What you need
First and foremost you need a college degree. It doesn’t matter in what subject or field, you just need a degree. You’ll be hard pressed to find any job that will hire you without a degree.
Second you need money. I’d say around $10,000 AND a plane ticket.
Oh that’s right, you need around $10,000s and here’s why.
First you need to get an apartment.
If you’re renting your own place you can expect to put down between 4 to 6 months rent before you even move in (at least). Think about that. If your place is only $500 a month (which is a steal in most cities) you’ll be putting down between $2-4,000.
Then you still need to pay for rent (not included in the above money), electricity, water, food, internet, a phone. You’ll need money for all those things for two months because most private companies don’t pay you until the end of your second month.
You’ll also have to buy furniture, bedding, home supplies, appliances, and probably lights as most apartments come with NOTHING in them.
Third, you’ll probably want to have some fun as well. So having some extra money is good if you actually want to do anything fun in Japan because Japan is just as expensive, or more so, then you think.
Last, you’ll need a lot of calling cards to make phone calls to Japan and back home again. [Ed: Why not get your calling cards at a discount?]
Josh recommends: “You can rent places called Leo Palaces, modern small apartments that come mostly furnished. The downside is that they cost more than places twice their size.
If you’re furnishing your own place buy second hand. Second hand stuff in Japan is insanely cheap and of high quality.”
Stay tuned for next time, when I’ll share the “5 Don’ts of Getting a Job in Japan!”
