Cover Letters

[TacoTaco]

Lately I've been applying for quite a few Japanese teaching positions, but I haven't been getting any interviews. Maybe it's just the time of the year, and maybe I'm applying for the wrong jobs, but I'm a bit worried about my cover letters. Of course I took the time to look online, and I noticed people are generally recommending cover letters to be even shorter than I am used to. The point is, for those who landed jobs in Japan, what did you choose what to include in your cover letter?

How much did you talk about your interest in Japan? How much did you talk about your education? How much did you focus on the specific requirements? Lastly, how many paragraphs did you write?

[vallient]

I don't know what jobs you are applying for or what your background is. My cover letter is a page. It highlights the key aspects of my resume that hit the positions specific requirements. Your "interest" in Japan doesn't really matter to anyone hiring you. Your cover letter shouldn't repeat your resume, it's redundant, and a waste of paper.

[TacoTaco]

I don't know what jobs you are applying for or what your background is. My cover letter is a page. It highlights the key aspects of my resume that hit the positions specific requirements. Your "interest" in Japan doesn't really matter to anyone hiring you. Your cover letter shouldn't repeat your resume, it's redundant, and a waste of paper.

I'm generally looking for entry level English teacher stuff right now. Jobs that will get me a work visa, but require no experience. My cover letter was a page, but a lot of universities, like Yale and Purdue, say that four paragraphs should be max. I was personally at seven, although I could have easily made it six.

I've also noticed a lot of positions say that they want people enthusiastic about teaching and Japan, which is why I felt I should put that. Personally, I'd assume they would already know that considering I'm applying, but by that logic I don't know what I'd write about as everything important is in my resume. Honestly, I wonder if I'm just over thinking this whole thing. I need to find out why I'm not getting those interviews, however.

[KansaiBen]

How much did you talk about your interest in Japan? How much did you talk about your education? How much did you focus on the specific requirements? Lastly, how many paragraphs did you write?

Most cover letters should only be a page or less. No need to write your life story if you are applying for an entry level position. 90% of teachers coming here have no experience what so ever but most employers want someone already with a work visa.

Mostly they want to know if you have a degree and when you are available to start working. If you are overseas then you need to tell them when you will be in Japan so you can arrange an interview. Being in Japan will indicate interest in working here. They dont necessarily look for Japan "otaku" as thats not what they are paying you for.

Are you adaptable and teachable and willing to learn? They want team players and people who don't whine and need a lot of hand holding.

[TacoTaco]

Most cover letters should only be a page or less. No need to write your life story if you are applying for an entry level position. 90% of teachers coming here have no experience what so ever but most employers want someone already with a work visa.

Mostly they want to know if you have a degree and when you are available to start working. If you are overseas then you need to tell them when you will be in Japan so you can arrange an interview. Being in Japan will indicate interest in working here. They dont necessarily look for Japan "otaku" as thats not what they are paying you for.

Are you adaptable and teachable and willing to learn? They want team players and people who don't whine and need a lot of hand holding.

Yeah, I can see how the whole showing initiative thing can be useful. Heck, most companies won't even talk with you unless you're in Japan. I just never knew whether or not these companies were even willing to sponsor a visa. I spent the last six years of my life being adaptable and willing to learn, why stop now? So long as I get a visa and a pay check.