I have a job interview scheduled to take place soon for a teaching job. I am guessing they would want me to start in early September, but I currently have a trip to Europe planned for roughly one week in November. I am definitely going. What’s everyone’s advice on how to handle this?
I am thinking that, since I would like to keep this job for a while, it would look better to disclose that at the interview, than to get the job, start in September and immediately announce that I won’t be there for a week in November. I understand that I won’t be able to use my nenkyu by the way. Is this the best way? I’m not an expert in job interview cause I’ve been lucky to only need to have few.
8 comments
If you tell them about the vacation they likely won’t hire you. Just announce the trip after getting hired. Two months notice of the trip is enough for them to figure out what to do while you’re gone.
You don’t need to mention it at the interview itself, since at that point it’s not clear whether you will even get the job. However, you should let them know ASAP after you have been given the job offer. They will need to arrange cover for you, so they need a heads up. Not letting them know right away would seem deceitful and to them and indicate a lack of good judgement. You don’t want to start off a new job with that hanging over you.
However, one problem is that most companies don’t give any paid vacation (and you are not legally entitled for it) for the first six months of your contract.
I think you should carefully weigh which is more important: the job or the trip, because the likelihood is high that you will have to make that choice. As you know, schools here are not exactly generous when it comes to taking time off.
What kind of teaching job is this? If it’s a dispatch ALT or eikaiwa job, tell them after you get on.
If it’s something where they’ll be relying on you to teach classes solo at a private school or university, be up front about it in the interview.
School year starts in April. They may be hiring for Spring 2024. Of course, they may know that many of their staff are quitting after first term (April-July) so they need fill-ins to start in September.
I’d go with not mentioning it and see ing the full deal on placement and term.
If you do tell them, don’t frame it as a trip. Anything but that
Good luck! You will learn a lesson in Japanese inflexibility.
As a foreigner living in Japan, you get to live in a bubble for much of it. But not so much with work, and especially not with irregular time off work, such as in term time, etc.
This is not a criticism of Japan, btw. In fact, I quite liked this about them. It does make things run more easily.
Idk I was able to request the time off just didnt get paid for that time
Tell them a week or two after signing the contract. “Oh, I was wondering how requesting time off would work. I’ve just been informed of a really important family visit I need to make in November.”
Usually companies will ask you if you need time off the month before, just let them know a month before you go if you get hired.