Hi,
I have a private school close to where I live and I’m interested in knowing whether they have or will have any openings for a native English teacher. I asked Hello Work to whom I should address a letter and they suggested I address it to the 採用担当者 / recruiter.
I was wondering if someone whose done this can say whether this is a reasonable approach and if anyone has any hints and tips to be successful in sending an exploratory letter what works or could work.
11 comments
***I like ya;***
***and I want ya.***
I think you should go into their office and drop off your resume.
Send a formal letter, in both Japanese and English. Include copies of your passport, gaijin card, qualifications and references. Specify when you’re available for a meeting/interview, and if you’re available for full time work and/or part time work. Mention when you’re available to start, but it’s always a good idea to say that you’re willing to attend some observation sessions for training (unpaid if you’re willing to do that) in order to be ready for the start of the year/term. Finally you need to do the yorushiku
Edit: a passport photo, from the chest up, wearing a suit and looking clean cut.
Speculative applications in Japanese and English are fair game. Institutions can actually save a lot of money going through recruitment agencies this way.
If you don’t know anyone who works there, try going to events they hold for the public. This would most likely be the culture festival, as most other public events aren’t really for people who have no connection to the school at all. Talk to English teachers, both Japanese and foreign, if you can.
Try networking, as well. Talk to more teachers at your schools, assuming you’re an ALT or eikaiwa worker. Go to local Japanese language classes and you have a chance of meeting someone who did or does work there.
I got recruited by my first private school this way. I didn’t send a letter, they contacted me directly. If “near” isn’t so near, you might need to go ahead and hand in the resume directly, but if you can get to know someone who is there it can go a long way towards getting your foot in the door.
The BOEs that gave me interviews for direct hire ALT positions were exclusively the ones that I went to in person to inquire about future openings, and then I dropped off my resume in person when it was time.
Not letter related but I know of someone that spent an entire afternoon cold calling all of the private schools in their region and wound up getting a job that way. Also, you may already know this but it’s something i had no idea about, a lot of private schools have a recruitment section on their websites.
Dude don’t be afraid to ask around; they might have an exclusive contractor that can actually hook you up.
Someone likely knows someone who works there on this very thread.
I moved cities to live with my bf and emailed a couple of schools. I asked if they were currently hiring and attached my resume. They knew a teacher was gonna leave for her maternity leave but hadn’t advertised anything. Got the job 😉
Likely nobody will read your letter.
Go in with some Taiyaki sweets and grip and grin. Press the flesh.
They will remember you.
My wife works at a private and they get “cold” resumes they use for both foreign and Japanese teachers when they hire someone. Obviously, if you close if would be advantageous for the position.