1. Would you please share how you find your job?
– I found a job working for an eikaiwa (English school) online. I googled “teach English in Japan” and found the company I worked for as one of the first results. I did some research on English teacher sites and forums (example: gaijinpot.com) and compared the company with other English teaching schools, and decided it was one of the better ones and one of the easiest ways to get a working visa. The bigger schools can help you get a visa more easily, whereas if you try to get a job first at a small school, it’s going to be harder.
2. What was the interview process like?
– I applied on their website and was invited to a group interview in Toronto (this company only occasionally did interviews in the US in New York and LA). The interview wasn’t too difficult: they talked about their company and what the job would be like. They definitely want people who can handle living in a foreign country, people who are interested in Japan, and people who are comfortable around kids.They gave us a long grammar test (100 multiple choice questions) that I had to study for but did well on. If you fail that then they don’t give you the job. They also made us give a demo kids lesson. No experience teaching kids was required (and they tell you this at the interview) and they provided us with the lesson and materials at the interview. They gave us about 10 minutes to plan it as a group and we each did a part of the lesson. They just want to see if you can be lively and funny (and creative).I then had a short one-on-one interview after the grammar test, really simple though. They just asked things like “Where in Japan would you like to go?” and “Why do you want to live in Japan?” and other typical interview questions.
After about a week or two I was given a position, and they helped speed along the visa process. It only took about 3 months between the interview and arriving in Japan. It all depends on when you apply though (they typically hire more in the summer and Dec-Feb, before the start of the Japanese school year [which is in April])
3. What is it like to work in Japan and/or for a Japanese company?
– The company I worked for was both a typical and unique Japanese company to work for. Foreign teachers weren’t treated like typical Japanese workers: we had about 6 weeks of paid vacation each year, along with a few sick days. Most teachers only work 30 hours or less, but make a full-time’s worth of salary. So in that way it wasn’t a typical Japanese company.Higher management, however, was very traditional Japanese. They don’t like to rock the boat and are very slow to change things (if anything). Strict dress code as well (suit and tie everyday).
Some of the classes I taught were great. Kids classes are always interesting and a challenge. I still keep in touch with one of my students and we sometimes have English lessons on Skype.A few of my adult classes were fun. A lot of the adult students though were businessmen, engineers, generally shy…so sometimes it was struggle to have a conversation with them (the majority of the classes I taught were conversational English).
Overall the kids classes were my favorite. They were crazy and hectic, but funny.
4. What is it like to live in Japan?
It was a great experience. I definitely recommend living abroad, if not in Japan then somewhere else, after graduating. I learned a lot about not only Japan but myself.At times I felt isolated (most of my friends were other teachers who lived at least 30 minutes away by train), but I had a lot of free time to travel and see most of Japan. I went as far north as Rebun Island at the very northern tip of Hokkaido, all the way down to Nagasaki in Kyushu (haven’t been to Shikoku or Okinawa yet though). The Japanese people I met throughout the trip were incredibly friendly and good-natured (especially outside of the Tokyo area). Once in a while you run into racism, but for the most part if I spoke even just a little Japanese, people would get excited and open up more.
My Japanese improved quite a bit (I’ve forgotten a lot of it unfortunately since coming back a few years ago). The first thing I learned when I got to Japan was that my Japanese was way too formal and unnatural, but you quickly pick up on natural expressions and find better ways of saying things. That said, it’s good to have a solid understanding of polite Japanese before you go.
Other things I really liked about living in Japan were the food, onsen, and transportation system. There are so many different Japanese dishes, my favorites being okonomiyaki and rice curry. Onsen are great after a long hike. The trains were great (SUPER crowded most of the time, but almost always on time).5. Any tips for those who are going to Japan after graduating from UVM?
– Yeah, a few. If you want to teach English but don’t have a master’s or advanced degree other than a BA or BS, the easiest way to get a working visa is to get a job at one of the major eikaiwa chain schools. Once you get there you can look for jobs at smaller schools, where things tend to be less corporate and you can get closer to staff and students. I’ve heard great things about the JET program, so that’s worth applying to if you’re interested. It is more competitive though, and the interview process is harder I think. And they usually place you in more rural places, so you need to be confident with your Japanese.
Unless you’re fluent in Japanese, it’s hard to get a job other than as an English teacher in Japan. If you are fluent, then be prepared for a different work culture. People are expected to be early to work (which is considered “on time” there), work overtime (often “voluntarily”), and be selfless. As a foreigner, these things won’t be expected of you as much (especially the overtime thing), but it’s important to keep these things in mind.
A general tip while living there is to get out and see the country as much as possible. Japan is a surprisingly diverse place in the sense that there are a lot of regional/local differences in customs, language (dialects), foods, and attitudes. Some of my favorite places were in less-traveled and less-inhabited spots like Nikko (Tochigi Prefecture), Takayama (Gifu Prefecture), and Tono Valley (Iwate Prefecture). And traveling within Japan is super easy and fun.
Other than that, don’t panic and have a good time! Japan is such an interesting country, I definitely want to go back to visit soon.