Long story short: got hired by an ALT-esque company for a job in Japan. Yes I know borders are closed blah blah blah but anyways, job would be starting in April if all goes well. BUT i just got an offer to teach in an international school and of course i’d prefer that. The other ALT company already applied for the COE though, they’re just waiting for the possible border announcement/any changes.
I need them to cancel it because the international school needs to apply for my COE for them. Will they do it? Do I tell them I got another job or just tell them I can’t come? I need to make sure they cancel it so the other job can do one for me because I actually want the intl school one more. Thanks!
4 comments
From someone who has been in a similar situation:
1. Don’t be afraid to tell the international school about your dilemma. They may ask why you were applying to ALT jobs if you’re qualified to teach in an international school. You can tell them that you are serious about teaching in Japan and that you were looking for a way to get your foot in the door and get around the COVID restrictions, and planned on applying to international schools later (or something along those lines). If the international school wants you, they will work with you. If anything, telling them this will make them more patient with you with regards to paperwork and such.
2. You can tell the ALT company the truth. Tell them that you are sorry to say that you can no longer accept their offer because you have accepted a job at an international school, and because COVID restrictions ban private ALTs from coming in.
3. The second part is important because you MUST let the ALT company know that it is urgent that they cancel your COE so that you may proceed with the other school. They’re not going to do something heinous like delay canceling your COE out of spite or something.
Was sort of in the same situation. I had a job lined up but couldn’t enter due to restrictions. I decided to no longer go for the job and change over my CoE for a spouse visa so I could enter. (Company wouldn’t let me keep the job offer if I did it which was why I gave it up) but yeah, once I told them, they canceled the CoE application pretty quick and I was able to start the spouse visa application.
As others have said, they won’t try to screw you over, just tell them how it is.
Which company is it? I mean, not saying they’re going to hold it over your head or anything, but depending on the company it may make a difference in how long it takes them to get it done. A lot of them have skeleton staff in the office doing a bunch of stuff.
No advice but I’ve seen you on r/internationalteachers so just wanted to say congrats on the job offer!!