Find work first or look in Japan?

[Anonymous]

My partner will be moving to Tokyo for work in a couple of months time due to a transfer with his company and I will be moving over with him. I have a university degree in French and German, I do not speak any Japanese. I am trying to decide whether to wait until I get to Tokyo before I look for work - I have heard this often results in better jobs and pay. However I could not wait indefinitely for a job. I would be more than happy to teach English but would also like to explore other options and so am reluctant to join a teaching scheme here and come to Japan through that, as don't want to be bound to it and I keep hearing not too great things about these schemes!

Does anybody have any advice as to whether the best option is to wait and look for a job in Tokyo and if so how risky this is or to try to come over on an English Teaching scheme?



Thanks!

[Robby]

Go for the English teaching scheme because it will give you the all-important working visa which will allow you to (easily) find other work here. Since we all know they are schemers (they = English conversation schools) get what you can from it (a working visa) and then do what you want.

Also if you come to Japan without a working visa you will have to leave the country and come back (you can only receive the visa at an overseas Japanese Embassy/consulate) which will mean forking out some money for a round-trip ticket (the cheapest option is S. Korea).

My advice is work 1-2 months teaching English. This will give you 1) a Working visa (i.e. a ticket to doing other things) and 2) some money to cover necessary living expenses like the room deposit for your apartment which typically can run $2-3,000 (yes that's thousands!).

Good luck

[Anonymous]

What about the consequences of agreeing to the one year contract and then having them fly you out there? Then suddenly, quitting to pursue what I had originally planned? Won't I owe the business something?

[Robby]

If you give one month's notice you owe them nothing. You're not a slave that belongs to them, are you?

You have the right to quit whenever you want to.

[Anonymous]

Is it a fact that you can just resign?? This does not affect your visa rights etc....? Does anybody know if this varies from company to company and are there some companies that are more lenient than others.....???



Thanks a lot!

[Anonymous]

I'm not 100% sure ..
but as far as I am aware If you quit with the company that supplies a visa then you must then apply for another one with your new founded employer.

But don't quote me on this ..

I myself am looking for Web Design work in Tokyo but I've learnt from my previous stay in JP that it's a Very good idea to establish work before going to Japan.

Saying that English Teaching is for sure a good way of establishing yourself if your confident and enough to be able to search for what you desire once there.


Good luck.

Damian

P.S Any links to working within Web design in JP would be Greatfully appreciated.