Alt Jobs - Good Companies, When to Apply?

[Bokuwa-neko]

I know most schools hire for the start of the year in April, but do they ever hire part-way in? Is it possible to apply for a start date after April (Such as late summer/early fall), at the beginning of a semester/term? Also, I currently reside in the US.
Also, I've been looking for some good companies. Thus far, I've found pretty good reviews of the following companies:
Interac
Altia
Cosmos
W5

More concerned with manageable hours than fantastic pay (I can always tutor on the side...). Looking to teach, and I don't mind living outside of the city (cheaper rent, too!)
Here's a summary of my meandering post: Will they hire me AFTER April (can't get to Japan until summer or fall), and do you recommend any in particular?
Thanks.

[Tall Tall Tree]

Yes, eikaiwa companies typically do hire at "off" times in the school year, as it's pretty much a given that a small number of new hirees will freak out and go back home or something before their contract is up. It won't hurt to keep an eye on job boards and recruitment web sites year round.

[strongbad]

Thus far, I've found pretty good reviews of the following companies:
Interac
Altia
Cosmos
W5

Where did you find a good review of Interac? They're one of the suckiest of the bloodsuckers.

[Bokuwa-neko]

I see I need to do more research! Thanks for the tip, strongbad.

[T.D.]

All of them are at some time looking for someone at all times of the year. There is always someone who quits in the middle of the year for some reason or another. It'll be tough with you not being in Japan for the interview process though. I think Altia would be the best bet for you since they hire overseas on occasion. They are a great company to work for too.

[vadarfone]

Bokuwa-neko...

I have worked for a number of ALT dispatch companies, good and bad.

The good ones will help you a lot and leave you alone to a large degree when you are actually set up and working.

The shit ones will pay low, bother you all the time for loads of meaningless progress reports and will basically treat you with a bizarre contempt that seems to come out of nowhere.

I am not going to list the good and bad ones I have dealt with over the years, but suffice to say; with all of them, if you approach them like you are in the driving seat, and are not going to take any shit, you will get results.

This whole industry is basically run by borderline personality disorders, who adopt what they think is the Japanese way of doing things, but actually comes across as nothing more than simpering and spineless. So, shop around and be straight up with the companies. The chances are, the foreigners they have working for them are not Alpha material, and can be told what is up (without being rude, of course!). You will get the results you want this way.

Once you are in a school, you are pretty much set for the course of your contract; it is more troublesome for a company to replace a bad ALT mid term than it is to just smooth things over and release them at the end of the term. You seem genuine though and if you are wanting to teach, then you will have a great time.

Like I said, the best thing is to shop around.

As for coming in Fall, well, I got my first ALT job during August/September, and it didn't seem to be any harder than finding a job in April (in a way, you might be better off, as if indeed someone does drop out, which happens all the time, the companies will be desperate to fill the position (this game is basically a slightly pathetic version of musical chairs).

Good luck and let us know if you need any more info!

[Stick-Swinging Incident]

Vadarfone, which is it???

OK, I will admit it...

I don't live in Japan. I live in Watford (in England).

I have been dreaming of coming to Japan for ages, and I thought I would check out the people who frequent the internet about Japan.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=256580#p1072784

OR

I have worked for a number of ALT dispatch companies, good and bad.

The good ones will help you a lot and leave you alone to a large degree when you are actually set up and working.

The shit ones will pay low, bother you all the time for loads of meaningless progress reports and will basically treat you with a bizarre contempt that seems to come out of nowhere.

Bokuwa-neko, just ignore him. Regardless if he has or hasn't been in Japan, he's a troll, and has little or nothing to say that you could trust anyways.
Head over to the Good Bad Ugly thread to see what people have been saying about various companies they have worked for.

viewforum.php?f=9

[sex_sensei]

Vadarfone, which is it?

Bokuwa-neko, just ignore him. Regardless if he has or hasn't been in Japan, he's a troll, and has little or nothing to say that you could trust anyways.
Head over to the Good Bad Ugly thread to see what people have been saying about various companies they have worked for.

Man, you high-sticked (high-stuck?) him!

Good job!

[otakuman]

I know most schools hire for the start of the year in April, but do they ever hire part-way in? Is it possible to apply for a start date after April (Such as late summer/early fall), at the beginning of a semester/term? Also, I currently reside in the US.
Also, I've been looking for some good companies. Thus far, I've found pretty good reviews of the following companies:
Interac
Altia
Cosmos
W5

More concerned with manageable hours than fantastic pay (I can always tutor on the side...). Looking to teach, and I don't mind living outside of the city (cheaper rent, too!)
Here's a summary of my meandering post: Will they hire me AFTER April (can't get to Japan until summer or fall), and do you recommend any in particular?
Thanks.

Where did you find a good review of Cosmo? Cosmo is probably the worst company on that list. Beware of that company. They only offer 3 3 month contracts. The salary is misleading. Plus, you have no paid holidays.

For info about the other companies, look at the good, bad, ugly forum. Beware of dispatch companies. They will lie and mislead you.

Good luck.

[nemo flow]

Every 'vadarfone' said, was right.

[genieZero]

There are NO good ALT companies, they should not even be there in the first place!

Get directly hired...fuck ALT companies!

[steki47]

Get directly hired...fuck ALT companies!

So...how do you get hired directly?

[Wage Slave]

Get directly hired...fuck ALT companies!

So...how do you get hired directly?

Contact the Board of Education in the city you are interested in working. In many cases you will be out of luck as they will probably use a despatch company but you never know.

If you are interested in High School teaching then it is usually organised by the Prefectural government rather that the City.

If it is university you are interested in then contact the university directly. The same applies for private schools.

Good luck and happy hunting. The process to hire for April next year starts about now. My BoE is currently trying to find out how many vacancies they will have.

[steki47]

Wage Slave-many thanks! Will do!