Looking for advice on finding work

[Jeimuzu]

Hi,

First off I will introduce myself and give a little background, the name is James (like my handle hadn't already given that away) and I am currently residing in London, UK. I've just recently returned from a nice two week holiday in Japan where I got to see more of the country that wasn't Tokyo and visit my cousin who is an ALT in Shizuoka. I met some of her friends who also teach and I mentioned that I have been looking at work opportunities but finding it a bit difficult for a specific reason (which I will get on to in a moment). One of her friends is a member of this website and he mentioned I should sign up and create a thread as it's possible there will be regulars here who might be able to give advice.

For the last year or so I have been looking into the possibilities of finding work in Japan so I at least live there for a couple of years or so, I've had an interest in the people, culture and language for a number of years now and want to learn more and London is not the place to do it. I've done a fair amount of research on the Internet and have found that teaching English is by far the best way for me to make the move if it wasn't for one small minor little problem... I don't have a degree.

The impression I'm getting is that the only way I am liable to get a work permit is to have a degree but the problem with that is it requires about 3 years to acquire and many thousands of pounds to fork out. Being the wrong end of my thirties (38 to be precise) means the clock is ticking and my will to live is being sucked dry the more I have to stay in the UK.

I was told that some of you regulars have been in Japan for many years and might possibly know of some alternative ways of getting work which don't require a degree, so here I am hoping for some help and options I've not been able to find on my own.

My apologies if my question isn't suited for the forum.

[Paul]

Ok first off have you checked out the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Japan website regarding visa requirements?
If your objective is work or a long-term stay; http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa1.html and http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html

Generally speaking at the minimum a bachelor's degree is required for many if not most English language teaching positions in the public school system. Private schools do not have the same requirements but most include them, either that or a cv or resume that shows work experience in the field.

Maybe some of the folks here working for dispatch companies, which are companies that hire ALT's (Assistant Language Teachers) for boards of education and outsource them to the schools. I have never worked for one so I do not know their requirements first hand.

[jeisensei]

Hello and welcome

If you already have a trade or a career, maybe you can exploit (OK...maybe bad use of English) that to get to Japan. I know of a lot of people that have come to Japan because their company shipped them here. Other than that there are some jobs that can be found on line that don't require a degree that can be found though some of the links on this page: http://work.3yen.com/2005-03-21/how-do-i-get-a-job-in-japan/

I wish you the best of luck!

[azuhlLt.]

Hi, welcome to the foum, you Southern Fairy The following is all speculation and personal experience, there are many issues about Japanese law of which I am unaware.

There 'are' "alternative ways" of getting work, but 99.9% of English work requires a degree. I can suggest you teach conversation classes, but you would still legally require a Visa (work or spousal). I'll assume you want to teach English.

As Jei stated, if you have a trade there's a chance for sure, if you can get a sponsor. If you're ex-military and have/can get a doormans license, there's a chance you can get on the doors at Roppongi.

It's never too late to get a degree, any degree will do, I got a Sociology degree, what-good that is. I know, now it's piss-the-bed expensive, but if you want to get out here to teach, you really need one to be considered for ALT or Eikaiwa work (that's a governmental issue).

Best of luck though, try Gaijinpot, although I think it might be pretty fruitless without a degree. Take care, Az.

[jp_headonJohn]

Hi Jamuzu.

Just to fill you in on the degree side of things. I don't have one and I have been teaching here for 8 years, I am Australian (100%) a permanent resident visa holder (because I am married to a Japanese National) I had zero experience in teaching when I came to Japan and It did not stop me from getting a job here. I have worked for very small private schools and very big Juku schools, and now I am in the puplic schools. The fact you don'y have a degree is totaly up to the company weather they hire you or not. You might have an issue in getting a work visa but if a company sponser you you should be fine (as long as you have no criminal record and are of good character) My advice if you don't want to get a degree, at least do a TESOL of TEFOL course to give you some thing behind you. Then apply for jobs (even ones that say a degree is required, all the Jobs I have had, required a degree in the add) Sell your other assets etc, and If you are lucky something will come up, but keep trying.

[Paul]

jp I might add that your having the spouse visa then PR makes a huge difference when looking for work from within Japan and from outside trying to get here. Companies see you differently because of your being married and living here. Not to throw water on James and what he is trying to do here, just pointing out that out.

Another option might be to come here on a tourist visa, look for work, and then self sponsor your own work visa. I have a friend who did that and stayed here for about 4 years. One thing that immigration looks for is whether or not you will become a burden on society here, meaning are you stable, have enough money in the bank, no criminal records, mundane things like that.

[Jeimuzu]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate the time you have all taken to reply to my question.

I'm under no illusion that lacking a degree will make it incredibly hard to get a work permit, I'm currenly looking at TESOL/TEFOL courses as I know that I'll need that certificate to be included on any CV I do. Being a practical person means I've always found it hard to sit down and study when I find it more informative to be out there and actually doing what needs to be learnt in a hands on fashion. Still, if I really want this then I'll probably have to take a long hard look at seeing how to go about getting a degree in something.

The other ways of getting a permit are probably harder for me, the chances of me meeting a Japanese women in London aren't all that great and I've got lousy luck with Love to say the least. Work wise, I'm employed by the NHS so there's no overseas opporunities there.

Paul, this self sponsor thing sounds interesting as I might be able to support myself a little by renting out a 3 bedroom house that I co-own with another member of my family, I wonder if a regular income coming from the UK is something immigration would consider to be a good thing?

You've all given me some good advice and links to check, many thanks.

[moolooman]

I recommend entesol if you are after a TESOL course. It is online, and I am doing it now, and it is pretty cool. If grammar can be cool.

[jeisensei]

Grammar = cool!

[azuhlLt.]

Work wise, I'm employed by the NHS so there's no overseas opporunities there.

What's your role? Can you triage?

[Paul]

Work wise, I'm employed by the NHS so there's no overseas opporunities there.

What's your role? Can you triage?

I agree on this question. More details about what you currently do might help in pointing you in other directions besides English.

[jeisensei]

Paul is correct. English may be the easiest way to get here, but it is by far not the only one.

[Jeimuzu]

I'm currently doing plain old Admin work at the moment, mainly dealing with new births and immunisations.

I've done a fair amount of IT work in the past (helpdesk and software/hardware installations mainly) but the current climate has made it hard to find work. Doesn't help that all my IT knowledge is self taught so I've no official certification to back up what I can actually do which wasn't an issue until a couple of years ago. I've tried taking exams but it seems that having a problem written down on a piece of paper is totally different to actually having it physically in front of me, I get total memory fail in exams.

I'd spent the previous 7-8 years before my current employment doing contract work so I was never in one place for too long which has caused all sorts of problems when trying to find people to add onto the end of my CV as references to prove I have IT skills.

Moolooman, will check out entesol, thanks for the info.