Question about how to discuss relocating in an interview

Hey everyone,

I have a few interviews coming up to relocate from Yokohama to other areas of Japan to be an ALT. Like most of these positions, they ask for your preferences of location, type of town, etc. because they have to try and manage all of their hires for next spring. I feel pretty ready for the interview, but I’m nervous about how to discuss my boundaries and limitations with them.

My main issue is that I’m worried about how to mention the needs of my significant other. We will be moving together (potentially long distance for a bit depending on how job hunting goes), but she would prefer to be in a larger town so that she can find work. I know that these ALT companies have positions in the country side, but I would need to tell them I can’t do that since she will also need to find work. Would mentioning this condition lead to being blackballed? What are some suggestions of how to have this conversation in the interview? Thank you so much for any advice.

2 comments
  1. If her needs are your needs, no need to tell them about her if they don’t ask (might sound like an excuse if not asked). If they do, you do have a good reason to tell them. I think it’s good for everyone to be upfront like this about no countryside positions.

    About being blackballed, it’s a guessing game but if you can’t do countryside who cares?

  2. Just saying ‘I need to be in a city for my partner to find work’ will not get you treated negatively by any reasonable company

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