http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/ This info-blog features industry information and news regarding the job front in Japan, we will look at the current market and offer advice on finding the job that is right for you. en Copyright 2008 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:04:27 +0900 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Timing is very important in finding the right job and some jobs can be very “seasonal” meaning the requested start date and finish date (in case of a set contract) are very much set, an example of this is working in resorts during the snow season. It is a popular pastime for people from many countries to follow the winter and partake in some of the many activities available on the snow while casually working in the area. Most jobs follow the standard working season in Japan that is referred to in Japan as Kamiki which starts in April and goes through to the end of September as the first financial half of the year. The second half of the year is referred to as Shimoki; it starts at the beginning of October and ends in March the following year. Many jobs become available for an immediate start at the beginning of the financial year or Kamiki, and or at the start of the second half of the year, Shimoki, as is always the way in any work environment, people come and go and in most human resource or recruitment based companies, the majority of the hiring takes place to prepare for these seasonal starts. When looking for work in Japan it is always good to keep these seasonal periods in mind, but it always necessary to remember that people do come and go in all sectors so it is wise to forward your information in advance. You never know what might come up! http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/finding_work_in_japan.html http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/finding_work_in_japan.html Finding Employment Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:04:27 +0900 Many ALT staff working with children in Japan definitely gain experiences that are rewarding and memorable. Children are so honest and tend to say and do things that reflect their personal lives, their fears and dislikes and their hopes and wishes. The Japanese children seem to attach themselves to ALT Staff from different countries almost like they are an animation character or a television hero, something that you will rarely see in their interactions with their home room teacher or other Japanese teachers in school. Many of the current generation of new Japanese teachers of English teaching English in Junior High Schools across Japan today fondly remember the name and the conversations had with the ALT that came to their school while they were students, inspiring them to study and practice English so that they can one day pursue their interest in the language and even teach the next generation of students. Yes, it’s been that long. The role of the ALT has changed dramatically over the past years but fundamentally it is still the same, providing the Japanese students and teachers with a chance to practice their English and experience life with a person from a different culture. A chance that is difficult to find for Japanese people outside of paying a monthly fee at an English conversation school. As the industry has moved away from the government sponsored programs such as the JET program to private recruitment companies, sometimes known as dispatch companies, a higher level of professionalism is required. After all, it is for the children. One particular ALT was surprised by a Year four Elementary students question while eating lunch with her class, the young girl looked closely into the ALT staffs eyes and quietly asked “Do you see everything in blue?” ]]> http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/professionals_for_the_children.html http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/professionals_for_the_children.html Education Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:20:59 +0900 A definite benefit of working as an ALT in Japan is the long summer holidays. Yes, most schools in Japan have a long summer holiday starting around the 20th of July and going all the way through to the beginning of September. This comes close to a month and a half and is a good chance to rest and recoup after all the early morning starts during the working weeks. Most ALT staff take the opportunity to head back home and catch up with family and friends, many try to pick up extra work during the summer and some use the time off to see parts of Japan that are difficult to get to during other times of the year. One difficulty in the later is that most people in Japan have the same idea about seeing the country and the main destinations are usually very busy during the summer holidays with many families traveling. Of course, the popular destinations for families are the usual Tokyo Disney Land and Sea in Tokyo or Universal studios in Osaka but the big family destinations during the summer are usually dominated by the many water theme parks and places that provide a chance to cool down and escape the heat. The best places to escape the heat are the local shopping complexes and mall centers that are recently more popular than ever in Japan. They provide all you need for surviving the hot summer days. Many including cinemas and entertainment complexes with food court style family dinning and more fashionable restaurants available to suit everyone. Most of these places are giant and can keep the average family entertained for the day. Go in the morning and step out in the early evening when the heat dies down a little and surviving the summer heat is not so much of a pain. http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/considering_working_as_an_alt.html http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/06/considering_working_as_an_alt.html Education Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:33 +0900 This info-blog features industry information and news regarding the job front in Japan, we will look at the current market and offer advice on finding the job that is right for you. If you have any questions for us here at HJJ, please feel free to post a response to posting you are interested in and we will get back to you. HJJ Staff http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/05/hjj_industry_talk.html http://www.hotjobsjapan.net/weblog/02/2008/05/hjj_industry_talk.html Finding Employment Sat, 10 May 2008 10:46:14 +0900