Thursday, February 2, 2012

Job hunting in Japan

So, quite a few things have happened over the past few weeks.

Though it was a difficult decision, I have decided to leave my job as an ALT in Hokkaido and try my hand at job hunting the "normal" way in Japan.

To date, I have applied for about 10 positions, with two call backs. I am using LinkedIn, Gaijinpot, and Hokkaido Insider for ideas for jobs. I have also made a few applications directly through company websites.

The job situation for a former JET is not an easy one, as most positions start in March or April, whereas the JET calendar usually begins in July. As such, I am fully prepared to leave this position early (termed "breaking contract") should a job opportunity present itself that I deem worthy of this blow to my Board of Education and, potentially, my reputation.

A former JET, who now manages a recruitment firm, has offered to call me to discuss my options. He is calling on Tuesday.

I have applied for:
ALCOA
STEP (eiken test-makers)
3 recruitment companies
4 part-time positions

I am looking into applying for:
Amazon
Rakuten
Robert Walters
Sapporo Securities Exchange
BNY Mellon
more recruitment companies