Greetings.
I am currently on a student visa scheduled to graduate mid-September.
I would like to stay in Japan a little longer (maybe for another 2-3 years), so I am thinking of looking for an eikaiwa (or one of those international preschool) position. I am currently working at one part time and I quite enjoy it (perhaps I was lucky to have stumbled upon a decent one), but I won’t be able to stay here as they don’t hire full-time.
This might be a strange question (I haven’t found a similar one here), but what would be a good time to start applying?
Gaba, for example, says that people outside Japan should apply 3-5 months in advance (Aeon says something similar), but that the ones already in the country with a valid work visa should do so 2-6 weeks before the intended start date. (I won’t be applying for Gaba, nor Aeon, but I assume other places are similar in terms of application times.)
But what about in-country applicants without a work visa (therefore, requiring sponsorship)? Is it alright to apply 5-6 months in advance (like the applicants from abroad) or is that considered too early?
I’d start working late September or October. I’m thinking about slowly starting with my applications from mid-April or so (after places are done with April recruitment).
I am just worried about my application being ignored if sent too early in case schools are simply not hiring for fall at that time. Then again, I’ve seen some April positions being advertised from November or so, so it might be alright?
With the borders opening and many people entering (I’m really happy for them), it’s bound to get more competitive, so I wouldn’t like to wait too long, if possible.
(Also, it’s worth mentioning that I’m not a native speaker, so there’s that, too…)
![Is this just a rejection letter or are they really already filled? [Interac]](https://www.lonelyjapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nq9fy10inmj71-380x220.jpg)
4 comments
Do you have a degree? If you don’t, then you don’t have much chance working in Japan since that seems to be one of the visa requirements.
You could also ask companies directly in regards to your situation. If they are desperate and want you, they won’t ignore you.
That non-native thing may also put wrench in your plan. (I’ve heard it doesn’t make it impossible but makes it a whole lot harder.)
In my experience, the non-native thing is just for companies you probably wouldn’t want to work for anyway.
Anyone of even slight quality will actually look at your CV instead of just ticking boxes.
Generally – there is no advantage to waiting when looking for a job. If you need a job, especially for the visa, you should have already been applying.
Just call the company and ask them. It’s really that easy.