t ertewtr uhrty Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment ☺️ I’m working on a lot of stuff at the moment. I plan to make more helpful videos about work, life, different visas, and things that you’ll need (and don’t need). I’ve been here for a minute and I’m still finding things to be untrue or simply never mentioned by other people, books, or blogs that I’ve watched and read. I researched Japan religiously before I arrived so I’m really interested in helping other people as much as possible (I’m open to new video ideas too) and your comment to me is pure motivation... Thank you! 🙇♀️
Hello Everyone! Thank you for watching! If you are unsure about which company you should choose to work for, you want to know what it's like working as a teacher in Japan, or if you have questions about work visas and the interview process then you should watch this playlist that I created th-cam.com/video/mXii5UYVg5g/w-d-xo.html I also have several blog posts on my website about teaching. You can use the search bar to find answers to specific questions within the blog www.comic95.com/2018/08/5-reasons-why-you-cant-find-job-in.html You can also checkout my TH-cam channel for additional videos about living, working, studying, and shopping in Japan. I upload a new video everyday at 8:00am Japan time.
Gaba sent me an email asking for some documents. I am in the process of completing my cover letter. Hoping I will get the job. Thank you so much for this video. It will surely help me a lot! Also, I love your background music and your soft, soothing voice. Subscribed!
Thank you so much for watching, leaving a comment (ahhh thank you for the compliments too haha) and forsubscribing. I really appreciate you.I'm glad that you found this video helpful. I'll be making more soon. I prayed for you and I hope you get the job :)
Very informative. Thanks for the heads-up! Btw, I’m kind of digging the song that can be heard in the background across the 6th minute of the video. Would you be so kind as to share the title? Cheers
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found this video helpful. You have good taste in music haha. This song is from Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 "Serah's Theme Memory" th-cam.com/video/mxcDzr0PsoE/w-d-xo.html
I really appreciate that you made a video about the interview process. I actually scheduled an interview with gaba but since I sent the email with my application documents I haven't received any response... I hope is because of the holiday season. How much time after you send your documents did you get your respond? Cuz I think it was around the same time as I did mine.
Hilda Gabriela Quintanilla Thank you for watching! You’re very welcome! 💝Yes unfortunately everything is closed here for break. Both New Year’s Day and the emperor’s birthday are observed during this time of the year so you probably won’t be getting a reply until after break is over which varies for each company. The 7th is the absolute earliest you should expect a reply. There is no consistency in the time they take to reply after receiving your documents since there’s work to do on their end too. It normally takes less than a week though. I received a reply a day later from Gaba, but I know of others who waited a week so don’t worry 🙂 I’ll be praying for you. I hope that everything works out and that you’ll find and accept the right job here too!
@@CoMic95 thank you for your quick response!!!! The interview was supposed to be this week but I guess it will be during the time you mentioned!!! Thank you again!!! It means a lot to me ❤
Hilda Gabriela Quintanilla Oh! Well then don’t take my word for it. Each school and company is different 😅 If they scheduled the interview for this week then that’s a different story. It is very possible that they are still open during break. Otherwise I don’t see why they’d lie to you since that would be very rude and unprofessional of them. In fact I just did a Google search while typing this (haha 😆) and apparently the one closest to my home is supposed to be open today in 5 minutes but another is closed for some odd reason according to Google at least. I searched Nova too and it looks like all of their locations are open today as well so their break must start later than other companies I assume. If I were you I would call and ask them if they received your documents and confirm the day and time for your interview again by phone if possible 🙂
Hello, thank you so much you made this video. it was very helpful and comprehensive. I'm going to have my second interview with Gaba. During the first interview they asked me to explain ''carry'' and ''move'' and that was all about teaching. But the second interview is going to be an online mock lesson. could you pleas tell me what mock lesson is like? what is expected of me? and what kind of things are they going to ask me to teach?
Hiya, Ik you mentioned that there’s like 0 use of Japanese .. but like what do you do if you want to explain what the sentences mean in Japanese to them? Just asking
Thanks so much for the information! I have an interview with Nova tomorrow. I love the music used in your video! If it's not to much trouble, would you mind telling me the song at 9:41? Thanks again!
Thank you for watching :) You have great taste in music ;) This is actually a Final Fantasy soundtrack (my favorite) from the video game "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII". Song Title: Sunset Path Here's the link to the song: th-cam.com/video/7VDhQTDKqe4/w-d-xo.html I'll add it to the description if anyone else would like to listen to it as well! I actually use this song as my morning alarm and a timer at work for private 101 lessons haha. Good luck on your interview! I'm sure you'll do just fine. It's fairly easy and it will go by pretty fast. It's mostly just listening and questions about your interests in Japan.
Thank you so much for this video. I wanted to ask if you know of the company Joytalk as it has sent me an employee offer to start in April this year. And they noted that I will be allowed to travel to Japan as an essential worker for public schools, did you have to use that as well?
CoMic95TheSavior...Thank you so much for such a detailed and informative video. I am an Indian and I want apply for GABA. Do you think I stand a chance? Also, could you please give me a rough estimate of how much we can earn in a month working with GABA. Waiting for your reply...
Kotta Kouhai I’m sorry I forgot to answer to mention that! 🤓Good question! It depends on where you live. If you live outside of Japan or if you are not near their headquarters in Osaka, but still live in Japan then your interview will be conducted solely over Skype. If you live in Osaka, Japan or near their office you will be asked to interview in person. There is only 1 interview in both scenarios. If you are hired you will be notified by email in both cases within a week.
Dear sensei is there any Chance to Teach in german at Nova? If yes what i need for Them? And the last i have a Lot of Tattoos and also my face a little. What do you think sensei?
I am also part German although I cannot speak it xD I'm a Bohlen. German is available as a language to teach but not at all locations (Nova has tons of schools scattered across nearly every city in Japan) although I am sure Tokyo gives that option I only know for sure that Osaka hires instructors for the purpose of teaching German. If you can also speak English and know some basic Japanese you might find teaching private lessons or even starting your own school out of your home to be more profitable in the future. There are a lot of people here interested in learning both German language and culture but there aren't a lot of schools or people that are here longterm to teach them. I have had several students who lived in Germany before or that were preparing to go their on a long-term business trip. Keep in mind that Nova is an entry level job and I wouldn't recommend staying at that company long-term for a ton of reasons but it is worth working there for the experience and visa sponsorship. As for your tattoos it is extremely hard to find a job that will hire someone with a tattoo especially if it is somewhere very visible such as on your hand, face, or upper neck (areas that normal professional clothing cannot easily cover). Your only solution will be to wear makeup to cover it. You can purchase foundation and concealer specifically made for covering up tattoos. Depending on where it is and how small it is your hair can even be used to help cover it. My best advice is to be 100% sure to hide it at all times during your interview and when meeting students. People are very judgemental and unforgiving towards those with tats even if it were on a place like your arm. The discovery of even a small finger tattoo can cost you the interview or your job. Different companies have different rules about the acceptance of them but generally all chain schools have a no tattoo policy. The good thing is that no one suspects a face tattoo so hiding it can be a bit easier to hide if it isn't big. There are tons of cosmetics that are made specifically for hiding ink. You can go to Sephora to shop for items that hide them. I suggest watching some TH-cam videos here first for brand recommendations and help applying it but you will likely need a concealer that can cancel out the color of your ink plus one that is a bit lighter than your complexion plus a waterproof foundation and maybe even a setting spray. The good thing is that we are also wearing masks for the time being so that could help a bit too (even a bandaid can potentially). I know it all might seem girly but I am assuming that your tattoo might be medium sized and noticeable. Japan is very hot during the summer and you wouldn't want to wipe away your sweat and reveal the tattoo suddenly at work etc.. If you go to Sephora the staff would love to show you exactly what to buy and the staff can even show you how to apply the makeup and cover it for you.
@@CoMic95 damn dear Sensei. You answered a lot i thank you a Lot you helped thx i Wish i could Talk to you face to face:( I will study in year 2023 april in Japan and hope i can be a model or zumo . 1 year or 1 year a half. IT will BE a lot of Money to be there so i have to find Something. Maybe german company or i will open my own store like fast food. I will 150% there but my Future to Work there that Sucks.. Hope sensei you can help me. Thx a lot and have a nice day MS German :) hehe
Either style is okay. Your employer will expect that you will use a foreign style resume. I personally still use an "American" style resume. The only thing is that you are required to attach a passport size photograph of yourself to the top so that they can see your face. You should be wearing business attire in the picture (makeup (for women), clean shaven (for men xD), and nicely styled hair is preferred). NOVA and Gaba are mass hiring companies so they aren't very picky about these things so don't worry! Good luck! I hope you get the job :)
Thanks for your informative vid!! Im kindda concerned though...is it difficult being black in Japan? I mean...from what I've been told, some students dont want to be taught by a black person....they'd very much prefer a white person. So Im worried. =[
You're very welcome! Ahhh the infamous question! It really all depends on how you look. The short answer to your question is simply "No that is not true!". My answer is EXTREMELY long (sorry like 4 pages long) for anyone who has the time to read, as I am sure another person watching may have the same question as you and I received 2 emails about this last month alone. It's hard for me to answer this without being offensive or seeming cocky to anyone but I honestly don't care. I am just trying to tell you the truth! I am one of the most shy and self-conscious people that you'll ever meet. It is hard to read tones through the internet so I am just warning you that this is a bit harsh but it is not my intention. I am not a goddess and there are people who make me look like dirt! These TH-cam videos of me are very unflattering and I honestly look better in person haha. Anyway.... There's a TON of black people both on TH-cam and even that I have met in real life that will disagree with what I will tell you. Most of them think Japan only likes white people and that if you're black nobody will date you or hire you. However since you're asking me I will give you my opinion/experience and observation. There is some truth to what they have to say but only if you look like 95% of the people who make such negative statements. I am planning to make a video on your question eventually too! Employers and students aren't concerned with your race BUT they do care about your attractiveness, education, professionalism and accent. It's generally an unconscious decision. Most people would rather pay for someone that they think is attractive and looks friendly and young. This will attract more students and parents to the school and this will make private students want more and lengthier lessons. Black people stereotypically do not speak English properly and appearance wise may be perceived as scary if you have dark skin and/or are fat. First you have to define black. I have lighter skin than a lot of south Asian people. Black people here are treated differently depending on their country of origin, their complexion and their weight. I am not agreeing with or supporting this but I have recognized that I have "privilege" in comparison to other black people from various countries including America. NO! Being black in Japan is not difficult for EVERYONE. Japan is sexist. Colorism is REAL. Being attractive is VERY important. Your experience is VERY important. Your country of origin is VERY important. If you are going through GABA or NOVA or any other agency that hires anyone who applies you don't and won't have to worry but if you want to work for a different/better company higher pay more prestigious school then all of this REALLY matters. With the exception of NOVA snd GABA all of my students 100% of them have made remarks about me being attractive, young and looking like "Rihanna". I have proof haha (I'll make a video about this later. I have NEVER gone to a bar, club, or even waited on a friend or my boyfriend without countless people trying to get my phone number, asking for my LINE, a date, friendship or even sex... My students blush and give me gifts and even try to make our lessons more like dates by insisting that we go out for dinner at a nice restaurant or to a karaoke bar for the lesson. Students don't want to pay someone who isn't cute to them and they don't want to risk wasting their time on someone who isn't "professional". Keep in mind when people think of America or English naturally even for myself you'd imagine a white person. On the flip side I have gone out with my friends who were black and honestly not attractive whether they were lighter or darker than me slimmer or more heavy set they received no positive attention either they are ignored or people just stare a bit as they pass by. I cannot relate to this. I have not had any bad experiences with employers, coworkers, or students because of my ethnicity but that is because I am perceived as attractive and I am not dark skin (for a black person). However my friends and even strangers whom I have conversed with have very different stories. I met a guy on the JET program in Tokyo whose students were laughing at him and calling him the poop emoji his first week and he had stories about jobs that he believed turned him down because of his color. He was well spoken and brown skinned. If you are overweight, unattractive, have dark skin, or if you speak in a "ghetto" manner finding employment, a romantic partner or even friends will be hard for you. If you are from South Africa or Jamaica employment will be near impossible at English schools as they don't have a preference for these accents. Keep in mind most of the black people here are Africans or in the U.S military. I have spoken to countless people who are black that lie about being American so that they are perceived better and trusted more as Africans and Jamaicans have a bad rep amongst most people. SO in conclusion being black is similar to being black in America to me. It's not problematic if you have light skin AND if you are perceived as very attractive by most people. Having light skin is a big help here but it means nothing if you aren't attractive too! You are judged on a different scale in comparison to white people. Unfortunately in my opinion I also believe that there is an unwritten rule here that having natural afro-hair, unnatural looking wigs and weaves, dreads, braids, cornrows etc. may effect your chances of employment too. I hope to make a video with a few of my African and African-American friends (I don't know any Jamaicans here but my employer has rejected applications form both South Africa and Jamaica). I'd like to hear their stories in more detail too! I worked many jobs here retail, restaurant and schools. My dark skin friend who spoke WAAAAAAY more and better Japanese than I was rejected at the maid cafe but I was hired on the spot and at the time I couldn't even read Hiragana! Japanese people always ask me where am I from or they will guess that I am American and then they will say " Thats's why you're so attractive!" a backhanded compliment in a way (to me) as it implies I am only sexually appealing because I am not 100% African. This topic is pretty deep to me but in my opinion colorism is the first and the biggest factor that they take into consideration and second to that is your physical beauty facially. Most people think that I am biracial. Even white and other Asian men ask me if I am half Japanese or half white. I had this experience in America too but I get asked this a lot more often in Japan than I did in America. I think people find themselves shocked or surprised that I don't talk, act or look like they expected me to since I am a black woman. Colorism is wrong and unfair and so is deciding whether to hire someone based off of their age or sexual attractiveness. It happens here but not as often as most people think. Jobs don't care about you being dark skin NORMALLY but students often times do. I am sure my white friends get more replies for lessons than I do as I have observed that I get more attention when I am with a European girl vs being alone. I think being black impacts your dating and friendships much more than it does your work life and experiences. My old job hired Africans, Indians, Filipinos, and Indonesians but my current company only has blonde men and a brunette woman. I am the only person at my company with black skin. I have seen other applicants who have been turned down for reasons that are unknown to me but I can make assumptions and guesses based on their accents and complexions. My dark skin friends haven't had any luck using websites to obtain private students Hello Sensei Find Students etc. they have gotten zero-threes replies over the course of months and students NEVER rescheduled a lesson after the trial. I get a minimum of 3-5 emails per a week from prospective students. I have only had 1 student choose not to continue taking my lessons and I don't believe it was because I'm black as all of these sites and even your resume to a traditional employer here requires that you attach at least 1 professional photograph or more. I can't complain about private students having a prefernce though. If I were taking private lessons Id probably choose the cuter teacher over the "ugly" one as long as they have the same qualifications. Black people vary too much in their reasons for being here, their age, skin complexion, country of origin etc.. Being American and being attractive her people treat me like a celebrity and thank time for talking to them! I have friends who have more lighter complexions but that dress in "different" styles and aren't physically attractive thus they have been made fun of by students and people avoid being near them when i public situations. I have dealt with racist Japanese people but only online never in person. Black & Attractive= life is easy Black & Unattractive= life is much harder here Please note that being light-skin ALONE (keyword here) isn't equal to being attractive but it is a definite "plus" Japanese employers want someone who is young, experienced, educated, attractive. Again I am just explain what I have observed I am no expert here but I have been living, working and dating here. This is all my perspective and experience. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions just like I am. You can choose to disagree. Your experience may be different. So is it hard? Yes it can be hard depending on your complexion, attractiveness, personality, and speaking skills/voice for lack of a better word/term. I'm sorry if I sound rude I don't know how else to explain this. I am black too!
I can not thank you enough for taking the time to write such an extensive response!!!! Dont worry, you didnt come across offensive or cocky to me. You just gave me your honest truth and gave me a great insight!! You're amazing and thank youuuuu!!
Japanese employers of any kind both retail jobs and professional settings such as an office or a school DO NOT allow hijabs, scarves, hats, religious garments etc.. It is against every company’s policy. Exceptions are few and far in between but they exist 🙂 Some might even say that in the work place there’s an invisible “Zero Tolerance Policy”. In a “normal” Japanese workplace everyone wears seemingly identical outfits and hairstyles. White pristine blouse and a black business suit for both men and women. Black hair styled in a simple and modest way. Almost all of the companies that hire foreigners allow a lot of leniency with the dress code and simply request that tattoos are covered and cleavage or excessive leg is not visible. Even if the manager is accepting/ understanding that this is being worn for your religious beliefs and not a sign or “rebellion”, unfortunately it is unlikely that the students or parents will be accepting. So there is a fear that it will be perceived as rude, scary or even disrespectful. To avoid people quitting the program or parents complaining, you simply won’t be hired or you’ll be required to remove it if you really want the job. I have no information about conducting private lessons while wearing head scarves but I imagine it is impossible to find students if you are open about being Islamic or have the “religious appearance” of belonging to this particular religion. This is a part of the unwritten rules as this is almost never clearly verbalized, written in contracts or on the websites of these schools and companies. It is just assumed and standardized. Think about hats in America (where I am from). I like to compare this to wearing hats in America. Unless you are religious or have old fashioned parents it’s unlikely that anyone has ever really told you that hats or even shades indoors is considered rude but it’s something that everyone just knows to remove. They’d rather not have to tell you to take this off or to not wear or cover/hide something but instead of being confrontational or offensive you will simply be ignored and rejected. Because there is no understanding/acceptance towards this religious practice, it is not seen as being any different than rude and rebellious. Again it all depends on where you work. I am just giving you a general idea and prospective. When you submit your resume you must attach a recent preferably professional photograph of yourself. This allows them to see your ethnicity, approximate age, and provides a way to gauge your overall attractiveness. It can also be used to identify religious people too. There’s nothing to back me up on this but you’ll see first hand once you come here! If you apply anywhere besides NOVA and GABA or any recruiting agency aimed towards people outside of Japan a clear photo is a must. This is not for visa purposes as they will request another photo for that too. I live in Japan and already had a visa before I got a job and I was still required to send 1-3 photos for positions that I had. I understand wanting to see and know who exactly are you hiring BUT I believe there are ulterior motives too. Even my apartment required me to take a headshot to submit with my rental agreement! I prefer to interview and meet with people in person so that I am not being judged by my appearance (color or beauty). You might think I am hideous but you may fall in love with my personality and think I’d make a great new addition to your team! What if you are was disabled, or have a facial deformity? Because you don’t look appealing you can be rejected as an applicant. This is NOT the purpose in having a picture with your resume but I can assure you that I believe it is the main purpose. Of course this can work in your favor too!I believe this is how I got the jobs that I had back when I lacked a degree and experience!
CONTINUED......To be honest, most people here have a VERY strong disliking/hate towards religion and religious people of any kind but especially Islam. More people fear it here than in America (IMHO) BUT they just aren’t nearly as vocal about it. Mainly because people don’t talk or even think too much about their personal opinions unless you pressure them to do so. Often times people don’t even have any reasoning for there disliking or fear towards it. They just know that it is bad for society because of the news and books that they’ve read as well as opinions passed down from their parents and grandparents. There is not a lot of understanding or cultural acceptance for that matter. If you belong to ANY religion people will perceive you as someone involved in a radical cult and somewhat of a freak or danger to society. Religion is associated with terrorism and it’s not just Islam, even Christianity is. You can read about a couple of old terrorist attacks from the 90’s that changed Japan forever If you refuse to remove your headwear you will be seen a problematic. You would be lucky if you were to get a reply or a call in regards to your application/resume in the first place and IF you are contacted they will tell you that you MUST remove it in order to continue with the interview process. Realistically the employer will immediately become disinterested in interviewing or hiring you. You will not be contacted for an interview if you don’t pass the “photo test” or if you don’t comply with requests to remove the headwear after being contacted. I worked with an Islamic woman at my last job. She was a very beautiful and bubbly Indonesian woman (sorry I don’t know of any black Muslims here) but had to remove her hijab 🧕 during work or lose her position. She felt she had no choice as it’s hard to find work as a non-native speaker without a degree. My grandma is also Muslim and has had similar experiences throughout her life. In general Muslims are not accepted here on any level, both in casual life settings and more prominently noticeable in professional settings. They want your money and tourism but NOT your presence here (on a long-term or permanent basis). This is felt more heavily and obvious if you leave Tokyo or Osaka and explore or move into the suburbs of countryside. While this can be a very controversial and debatable topic, whether you are a man or a woman from what I have read and more importantly seen and experienced with my own two eyes and ears... 1.) Muslims are ALMOST never given citizenship and it’s easier for them to lose theirs too if you are believed to have become involved in anything classified as radical or suspicious while overseas. This goes for both native and ethnic Japanese people AND of course foreigners alike. 2.) It’s VERY hard to find an apartment here if you are a Muslim. Landlords will typically discriminate against you and your neighbors might feel uncomfortable enough to move. 3.) Arabic religious or language writings such as the Koran (and arguably study materials too) are not allowed here. It must be translated into English or Japanese etc.. It can’t be imported. My boyfriend who is Japanese tried to study Arabic before he went to the Middle East/Africa and had a hard time finding materials to use. 4.) Propagation of Islam is practically banned. 5.) Universities and schools are NOT allowed to legally offer a language course in Arabic or any “Islamic language” (if you will). 6.) Japan’s goal is to make Muslims uncomfortable with living here. They believe that because of the “Politically Correct Culture” that the western world has adapted that bad things such as wars and terrorism has occurred. However Japan wants to give the appearance of freedom to its people to choose too! There aren’t really any REAL laws here to protect religious people. It is never asked don official forms or even job applications. *Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion and not a fact* Again this is Japan. Japanese people will almost never say anything negative to you about Islam until you bring it up. I have personally never met a Muslim person who has had anything other than a student visa or some form of temporary status. Muslims exist here! There’s actually a Mosque not too far from me (arguably dominated by foreigners but there’s Japanese Muslims that worship here too who are NOT binational/biracial) but there are very few and they are seen and labeled as “bad for Japan”. Because of this anything that alludes to your affiliation with this religion is grounds for being fired, not interviewed or hired. The wearing of a hijab, the belief in Allah, practice of Islam, and the study of languages associated with Islam are all seen as bad for Japan. You will get stares and people will feel very uncomfortable being around people wearing hijabs or any type of “Islamic” clothing or covers for lack of a better word please excuse my ignorance for the appropriate terms). Some young people, English learners, and world travelers are very accepting towards and curious about Islam because they are more open minded to and understanding that everyone is different.
CONTINUED (last part finally right haha).......If you speak to native Japanese people who speak English or that are mixed they will generally think more internationalized and less “Japanese” thus they will make you think that Japanese people don’t care and accept religious people but this is simply NOT true. Christians are also not accepted but are rather seen as a little cultic and weird. Islam is perceived as cultic, radical, rebellious, bad and scary. A major threat to society and something that goes entirely against Japanese culture. There’s actually TONS of Christian churches in Japan. Every city has at least 3 or more within an hour of your location. There are no rules for how they conduct themselves and people don’t really fear Christians they just don’t believe that Christianity is good for the country as it’s still viewed as a cult of some sort. However you will almost never be fired or not hired for saying that you are a Christian or for wearing clothing or accessories that is symbolic of your faith. I can’t say the same for Islam. Japan allows Islam to exist within its borders on its on terms and it is HEAVILY monitored. There is no separation between black or Middle Eastern Muslims here but this can be said for America too. There is a clear difference in treatment between those who practice Islam and those who practice Buddhism or Christianity etc.. This is my honest opinion and not facts. This is what I have observed and experienced. As always different people will have different thoughts, feelings and experiences. I am only sharing mines.
Thank you for this really detailed explanation of the interview process. Your voice is so peaceful to listen to. I look forward to more videos.
t ertewtr uhrty Thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment ☺️
I’m working on a lot of stuff at the moment.
I plan to make more helpful videos about work, life, different visas, and things that you’ll need (and don’t need). I’ve been here for a minute and I’m still finding things to be untrue or simply never mentioned by other people, books, or blogs that I’ve watched and read. I researched Japan religiously before I arrived so I’m really interested in helping other people as much as possible (I’m open to new video ideas too) and your comment to me is pure motivation... Thank you! 🙇♀️
She seems like genuinely a really nice person! Love this video!
Hello Everyone! Thank you for watching! If you are unsure about which company you should choose to work for, you want to know what it's like working as a teacher in Japan, or if you have questions about work visas and the interview process then you should watch this playlist that I created th-cam.com/video/mXii5UYVg5g/w-d-xo.html
I also have several blog posts on my website about teaching. You can use the search bar to find answers to specific questions within the blog www.comic95.com/2018/08/5-reasons-why-you-cant-find-job-in.html
You can also checkout my TH-cam channel for additional videos about living, working, studying, and shopping in Japan. I upload a new video everyday at 8:00am Japan time.
Pls comic i will love you to coach me.. Thanks
Gaba sent me an email asking for some documents. I am in the process of completing my cover letter. Hoping I will get the job. Thank you so much for this video. It will surely help me a lot! Also, I love your background music and your soft, soothing voice. Subscribed!
Thank you so much for watching, leaving a comment (ahhh thank you for the compliments too haha) and forsubscribing. I really appreciate you.I'm glad that you found this video helpful. I'll be making more soon.
I prayed for you and I hope you get the job :)
How was the first interview? do you think they have any prejudices because of where i come from
I was there during the Nova bankruptcy in Osaka MM center / headquarters. When the CEO Saruhashi kept disappearing like Waldo. Wild time in my life.
Thank you for this video, I have applied it too in Gaba, just waiting for their reply for my second interview. All the best to you...
fast forward 3 years, how was your experience with GABA?
I just done my first interview with Nova, thank you for sharing your experiences.😊
Hi did you get the job? I’m a Filipino as well I just applied
thank you for your honest review!
Very informative. Thanks for the heads-up! Btw, I’m kind of digging the song that can be heard in the background across the 6th minute of the video. Would you be so kind as to share the title? Cheers
Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found this video helpful. You have good taste in music haha. This song is from Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 "Serah's Theme Memory" th-cam.com/video/mxcDzr0PsoE/w-d-xo.html
CoMic95TheSavior Thanks for the prompt response. Much appreciated
Thank you so much for this video, where can i reach you beside here, email? Im planning to move there
I really appreciate that you made a video about the interview process. I actually scheduled an interview with gaba but since I sent the email with my application documents I haven't received any response... I hope is because of the holiday season. How much time after you send your documents did you get your respond? Cuz I think it was around the same time as I did mine.
Hilda Gabriela Quintanilla Thank you for watching! You’re very welcome! 💝Yes unfortunately everything is closed here for break. Both New Year’s Day and the emperor’s birthday are observed during this time of the year so you probably won’t be getting a reply until after break is over which varies for each company. The 7th is the absolute earliest you should expect a reply. There is no consistency in the time they take to reply after receiving your documents since there’s work to do on their end too. It normally takes less than a week though. I received a reply a day later from Gaba, but I know of others who waited a week so don’t worry 🙂 I’ll be praying for you. I hope that everything works out and that you’ll find and accept the right job here too!
@@CoMic95 thank you for your quick response!!!! The interview was supposed to be this week but I guess it will be during the time you mentioned!!! Thank you again!!! It means a lot to me ❤
Hilda Gabriela Quintanilla Oh! Well then don’t take my word for it. Each school and company is different 😅 If they scheduled the interview for this week then that’s a different story. It is very possible that they are still open during break. Otherwise I don’t see why they’d lie to you since that would be very rude and unprofessional of them. In fact I just did a Google search while typing this (haha 😆) and apparently the one closest to my home is supposed to be open today in 5 minutes but another is closed for some odd reason according to Google at least. I searched Nova too and it looks like all of their locations are open today as well so their break must start later than other companies I assume. If I were you I would call and ask them if they received your documents and confirm the day and time for your interview again by phone if possible 🙂
@@CoMic95 going to do that right now!!!! Thank you, I really really thank you ❤ you saved me right now jaja
Hello, thank you so much you made this video. it was very helpful and comprehensive. I'm going to have my second interview with Gaba. During the first interview they asked me to explain ''carry'' and ''move'' and that was all about teaching. But the second interview is going to be an online mock lesson. could you pleas tell me what mock lesson is like? what is expected of me? and what kind of things are they going to ask me to teach?
10 moths forward, how is your experience with GABA?
Hiya, Ik you mentioned that there’s like 0 use of Japanese .. but like what do you do if you want to explain what the sentences mean in Japanese to them? Just asking
Life is not easy.... So how far now? Do u still work with Nova?
Thanks so much for the information! I have an interview with Nova tomorrow. I love the music used in your video! If it's not to much trouble, would you mind telling me the song at 9:41? Thanks again!
Thank you for watching :) You have great taste in music ;) This is actually a Final Fantasy soundtrack (my favorite) from the video game "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII".
Song Title: Sunset Path
Here's the link to the song: th-cam.com/video/7VDhQTDKqe4/w-d-xo.html
I'll add it to the description if anyone else would like to listen to it as well! I actually use this song as my morning alarm and a timer at work for private 101 lessons haha.
Good luck on your interview! I'm sure you'll do just fine. It's fairly easy and it will go by pretty fast. It's mostly just listening and questions about your interests in Japan.
CoMic95TheSavior Thank you so much!!
Great info. Thank you for posting.
Oh snap I’m from chicago too
Thank you so much for this video. I wanted to ask if you know of the company Joytalk as it has sent me an employee offer to start in April this year. And they noted that I will be allowed to travel to Japan as an essential worker for public schools, did you have to use that as well?
Wow congratulation.... Pls can you help me to get prepared?
Hello Do
you think they hire non native
speakers?
Great video!! You seem lovely :)!
Thank you very much :)
CoMic95TheSavior...Thank you so much for such a detailed and informative video. I am an Indian and I want apply for GABA. Do you think I stand a chance? Also, could you please give me a rough estimate of how much we can earn in a month working with GABA. Waiting for your reply...
thank you!
so for nova, was it only a skype interview? no in person interview?
Kotta Kouhai I’m sorry I forgot to answer to mention that! 🤓Good question!
It depends on where you live. If you live outside of Japan or if you are not near their headquarters in Osaka, but still live in Japan then your interview will be conducted solely over Skype.
If you live in Osaka, Japan or near their office you will be asked to interview in person.
There is only 1 interview in both scenarios. If you are hired you will be notified by email in both cases within a week.
*or mention that
Dear sensei is there any Chance to Teach in german at Nova? If yes what i need for Them? And the last i have a Lot of Tattoos and also my face a little. What do you think sensei?
I am also part German although I cannot speak it xD I'm a Bohlen. German is available as a language to teach but not at all locations (Nova has tons of schools scattered across nearly every city in Japan) although I am sure Tokyo gives that option I only know for sure that Osaka hires instructors for the purpose of teaching German. If you can also speak English and know some basic Japanese you might find teaching private lessons or even starting your own school out of your home to be more profitable in the future. There are a lot of people here interested in learning both German language and culture but there aren't a lot of schools or people that are here longterm to teach them. I have had several students who lived in Germany before or that were preparing to go their on a long-term business trip.
Keep in mind that Nova is an entry level job and I wouldn't recommend staying at that company long-term for a ton of reasons but it is worth working there for the experience and visa sponsorship.
As for your tattoos it is extremely hard to find a job that will hire someone with a tattoo especially if it is somewhere very visible such as on your hand, face, or upper neck (areas that normal professional clothing cannot easily cover). Your only solution will be to wear makeup to cover it. You can purchase foundation and concealer specifically made for covering up tattoos. Depending on where it is and how small it is your hair can even be used to help cover it. My best advice is to be 100% sure to hide it at all times during your interview and when meeting students. People are very judgemental and unforgiving towards those with tats even if it were on a place like your arm. The discovery of even a small finger tattoo can cost you the interview or your job. Different companies have different rules about the acceptance of them but generally all chain schools have a no tattoo policy.
The good thing is that no one suspects a face tattoo so hiding it can be a bit easier to hide if it isn't big. There are tons of cosmetics that are made specifically for hiding ink. You can go to Sephora to shop for items that hide them. I suggest watching some TH-cam videos here first for brand recommendations and help applying it but you will likely need a concealer that can cancel out the color of your ink plus one that is a bit lighter than your complexion plus a waterproof foundation and maybe even a setting spray. The good thing is that we are also wearing masks for the time being so that could help a bit too (even a bandaid can potentially).
I know it all might seem girly but I am assuming that your tattoo might be medium sized and noticeable. Japan is very hot during the summer and you wouldn't want to wipe away your sweat and reveal the tattoo suddenly at work etc.. If you go to Sephora the staff would love to show you exactly what to buy and the staff can even show you how to apply the makeup and cover it for you.
@@CoMic95 damn dear Sensei. You answered a lot i thank you a Lot you helped thx i Wish i could Talk to you face to face:(
I will study in year 2023 april in Japan and hope i can be a model or zumo . 1 year or 1 year a half. IT will BE a lot of Money to be there so i have to find Something. Maybe german company or i will open my own store like fast food. I will 150% there but my Future to Work there that Sucks.. Hope sensei you can help me. Thx a lot and have a nice day MS German :) hehe
Quick question I have an interview tomorrow but I don’t know if I should use the normal Japanese resume or a foreign one is ok
Either style is okay. Your employer will expect that you will use a foreign style resume. I personally still use an "American" style resume. The only thing is that you are required to attach a passport size photograph of yourself to the top so that they can see your face. You should be wearing business attire in the picture (makeup (for women), clean shaven (for men xD), and nicely styled hair is preferred). NOVA and Gaba are mass hiring companies so they aren't very picky about these things so don't worry! Good luck! I hope you get the job :)
Thanks for your informative vid!! Im kindda concerned though...is it difficult being black in Japan? I mean...from what I've been told, some students dont want to be taught by a black person....they'd very much prefer a white person. So Im worried. =[
You're very welcome! Ahhh the infamous question!
It really all depends on how you look. The short answer to your question is simply "No that is not true!".
My answer is EXTREMELY long (sorry like 4 pages long) for anyone who has the time to read, as I am sure another person watching may have the same question as you and I received 2 emails about this last month alone.
It's hard for me to answer this without being offensive or seeming cocky to anyone but I honestly don't care. I am just trying to tell you the truth! I am one of the most shy and self-conscious people that you'll ever meet. It is hard to read tones through the internet so I am just warning you that this is a bit harsh but it is not my intention. I am not a goddess and there are people who make me look like dirt! These TH-cam videos of me are very unflattering and I honestly look better in person haha.
Anyway....
There's a TON of black people both on TH-cam and even that I have met in real life that will disagree with what I will tell you. Most of them think Japan only likes white people and that if you're black nobody will date you or hire you.
However since you're asking me I will give you my opinion/experience and observation. There is some truth to what they have to say but only if you look like 95% of the people who make such negative statements.
I am planning to make a video on your question eventually too!
Employers and students aren't concerned with your race BUT they do care about your attractiveness, education, professionalism and accent. It's generally an unconscious decision. Most people would rather pay for someone that they think is attractive and looks friendly and young. This will attract more students and parents to the school and this will make private students want more and lengthier lessons.
Black people stereotypically do not speak English properly and appearance wise may be perceived as scary if you have dark skin and/or are fat.
First you have to define black. I have lighter skin than a lot of south Asian people. Black people here are treated differently depending on their country of origin, their complexion and their weight.
I am not agreeing with or supporting this but I have recognized that I have "privilege" in comparison to other black people from various countries including America.
NO! Being black in Japan is not difficult for EVERYONE. Japan is sexist. Colorism is REAL. Being attractive is VERY important. Your experience is VERY important. Your country of origin is VERY important. If you are going through GABA or NOVA or any other agency that hires anyone who applies you don't and won't have to worry but if you want to work for a different/better company higher pay more prestigious school then all of this REALLY matters.
With the exception of NOVA snd GABA all of my students 100% of them have made remarks about me being attractive, young and looking like "Rihanna". I have proof haha (I'll make a video about this later.
I have NEVER gone to a bar, club, or even waited on a friend or my boyfriend without countless people trying to get my phone number, asking for my LINE, a date, friendship or even sex...
My students blush and give me gifts and even try to make our lessons more like dates by insisting that we go out for dinner at a nice restaurant or to a karaoke bar for the lesson.
Students don't want to pay someone who isn't cute to them and they don't want to risk wasting their time on someone who isn't "professional".
Keep in mind when people think of America or English naturally even for myself you'd imagine a white person.
On the flip side I have gone out with my friends who were black and honestly not attractive whether they were lighter or darker than me slimmer or more heavy set they received no positive attention either they are ignored or people just stare a bit as they pass by. I cannot relate to this.
I have not had any bad experiences with employers, coworkers, or students because of my ethnicity but that is because I am perceived as attractive and I am not dark skin (for a black person). However my friends and even strangers whom I have conversed with have very different stories. I met a guy on the JET program in Tokyo whose students were laughing at him and calling him the poop emoji his first week and he had stories about jobs that he believed turned him down because of his color. He was well spoken and brown skinned.
If you are overweight, unattractive, have dark skin, or if you speak in a "ghetto" manner finding employment, a romantic partner or even friends will be hard for you.
If you are from South Africa or Jamaica employment will be near impossible at English schools as they don't have a preference for these accents.
Keep in mind most of the black people here are Africans or in the U.S military. I have spoken to countless people who are black that lie about being American so that they are perceived better and trusted more as Africans and Jamaicans have a bad rep amongst most people.
SO in conclusion being black is similar to being black in America to me. It's not problematic if you have light skin AND if you are perceived as very attractive by most people.
Having light skin is a big help here but it means nothing if you aren't attractive too!
You are judged on a different scale in comparison to white people.
Unfortunately in my opinion I also believe that there is an unwritten rule here that having natural afro-hair, unnatural looking wigs and weaves, dreads, braids, cornrows etc. may effect your chances of employment too.
I hope to make a video with a few of my African and African-American friends (I don't know any Jamaicans here but my employer has rejected applications form both South Africa and Jamaica). I'd like to hear their stories in more detail too!
I worked many jobs here retail, restaurant and schools. My dark skin friend who spoke WAAAAAAY more and better Japanese than I was rejected at the maid cafe but I was hired on the spot and at the time I couldn't even read Hiragana!
Japanese people always ask me where am I from or they will guess that I am American and then they will say " Thats's why you're so attractive!" a backhanded compliment in a way (to me) as it implies I am only sexually appealing because I am not 100% African.
This topic is pretty deep to me but in my opinion colorism is the first and the biggest factor that they take into consideration and second to that is your physical beauty facially.
Most people think that I am biracial. Even white and other Asian men ask me if I am half Japanese or half white. I had this experience in America too but I get asked this a lot more often in Japan than I did in America. I think people find themselves shocked or surprised that I don't talk, act or look like they expected me to since I am a black woman.
Colorism is wrong and unfair and so is deciding whether to hire someone based off of their age or sexual attractiveness. It happens here but not as often as most people think. Jobs don't care about you being dark skin NORMALLY but students often times do.
I am sure my white friends get more replies for lessons than I do as I have observed that I get more attention when I am with a European girl vs being alone.
I think being black impacts your dating and friendships much more than it does your work life and experiences.
My old job hired Africans, Indians, Filipinos, and Indonesians but my current company only has blonde men and a brunette woman. I am the only person at my company with black skin.
I have seen other applicants who have been turned down for reasons that are unknown to me but I can make assumptions and guesses based on their accents and complexions.
My dark skin friends haven't had any luck using websites to obtain private students Hello Sensei Find Students etc. they have gotten zero-threes replies over the course of months and students NEVER rescheduled a lesson after the trial.
I get a minimum of 3-5 emails per a week from prospective students. I have only had 1 student choose not to continue taking my lessons and I don't believe it was because I'm black as all of these sites and even your resume to a traditional employer here requires that you attach at least 1 professional photograph or more.
I can't complain about private students having a prefernce though. If I were taking private lessons Id probably choose the cuter teacher over the "ugly" one as long as they have the same qualifications.
Black people vary too much in their reasons for being here, their age, skin complexion, country of origin etc.. Being American and being attractive her people treat me like a celebrity and thank time for talking to them! I have friends who have more lighter complexions but that dress in "different" styles and aren't physically attractive thus they have been made fun of by students and people avoid being near them when i public situations. I have dealt with racist Japanese people but only online never in person.
Black & Attractive= life is easy
Black & Unattractive= life is much harder here
Please note that being light-skin ALONE (keyword here) isn't equal to being attractive but it is a definite "plus"
Japanese employers want someone who is young, experienced, educated, attractive.
Again I am just explain what I have observed I am no expert here but I have been living, working and dating here. This is all my perspective and experience.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions just like I am. You can choose to disagree. Your experience may be different.
So is it hard? Yes it can be hard depending on your complexion, attractiveness, personality, and speaking skills/voice for lack of a better word/term. I'm sorry if I sound rude I don't know how else to explain this. I am black too!
I can not thank you enough for taking the time to write such an extensive response!!!! Dont worry, you didnt come across offensive or cocky to me. You just gave me your honest truth and gave me a great insight!! You're amazing and thank youuuuu!!
Japanese employers of any kind both retail jobs and professional settings such as an office or a school DO NOT allow hijabs, scarves, hats, religious garments etc.. It is against every company’s policy. Exceptions are few and far in between but they exist 🙂
Some might even say that in the work place there’s an invisible “Zero Tolerance Policy”.
In a “normal” Japanese workplace everyone wears seemingly identical outfits and hairstyles. White pristine blouse and a black business suit for both men and women. Black hair styled in a simple and modest way.
Almost all of the companies that hire foreigners allow a lot of leniency with the dress code and simply request that tattoos are covered and cleavage or excessive leg is not visible.
Even if the manager is accepting/ understanding that this is being worn for your religious beliefs and not a sign or “rebellion”, unfortunately it is unlikely that the students or parents will be accepting. So there is a fear that it will be perceived as rude, scary or even disrespectful. To avoid people quitting the program or parents complaining, you simply won’t be hired or you’ll be required to remove it if you really want the job.
I have no information about conducting private lessons while wearing head scarves but I imagine it is impossible to find students if you are open about being Islamic or have the “religious appearance” of belonging to this particular religion.
This is a part of the unwritten rules as this is almost never clearly verbalized, written in contracts or on the websites of these schools and companies. It is just assumed and standardized.
Think about hats in America (where I am from). I like to compare this to wearing hats in America. Unless you are religious or have old fashioned parents it’s unlikely that anyone has ever really told you that hats or even shades indoors is considered rude but it’s something that everyone just knows to remove.
They’d rather not have to tell you to take this off or to not wear or cover/hide something but instead of being confrontational or offensive you will simply be ignored and rejected.
Because there is no understanding/acceptance towards this religious practice, it is not seen as being any different than rude and rebellious.
Again it all depends on where you work. I am just giving you a general idea and prospective.
When you submit your resume you must attach a recent preferably professional photograph of yourself. This allows them to see your ethnicity, approximate age, and provides a way to gauge your overall attractiveness. It can also be used to identify religious people too.
There’s nothing to back me up on this but you’ll see first hand once you come here!
If you apply anywhere besides NOVA and GABA or any recruiting agency aimed towards people outside of Japan a clear photo is a must. This is not for visa purposes as they will request another photo for that too. I live in Japan and already had a visa before I got a job and I was still required to send 1-3 photos for positions that I had.
I understand wanting to see and know who exactly are you hiring BUT I believe there are ulterior motives too.
Even my apartment required me to take a headshot to submit with my rental agreement!
I prefer to interview and meet with people in person so that I am not being judged by my appearance (color or beauty). You might think I am hideous but you may fall in love with my personality and think I’d make a great new addition to your team!
What if you are was disabled, or have a facial deformity? Because you don’t look appealing you can be rejected as an applicant.
This is NOT the purpose in having a picture with your resume but I can assure you that I believe it is the main purpose.
Of course this can work in your favor too!I believe this is how I got the jobs that I had back when I lacked a degree and experience!
CONTINUED......To be honest, most people here have a VERY strong disliking/hate towards religion and religious people of any kind but especially Islam. More people fear it here than in America (IMHO) BUT they just aren’t nearly as vocal about it. Mainly because people don’t talk or even think too much about their personal opinions unless you pressure them to do so.
Often times people don’t even have any reasoning for there disliking or fear towards it. They just know that it is bad for society because of the news and books that they’ve read as well as opinions passed down from their parents and grandparents.
There is not a lot of understanding or cultural acceptance for that matter.
If you belong to ANY religion people will perceive you as someone involved in a radical cult and somewhat of a freak or danger to society. Religion is associated with terrorism and it’s not just Islam, even Christianity is. You can read about a couple of old terrorist attacks from the 90’s that changed Japan forever
If you refuse to remove your headwear you will be seen a problematic. You would be lucky if you were to get a reply or a call in regards to your application/resume in the first place and IF you are contacted they will tell you that you MUST remove it in order to continue with the interview process.
Realistically the employer will immediately become disinterested in interviewing or hiring you. You will not be contacted for an interview if you don’t pass the “photo test” or if you don’t comply with requests to remove the headwear after being contacted.
I worked with an Islamic woman at my last job. She was a very beautiful and bubbly Indonesian woman (sorry I don’t know of any black Muslims here) but had to remove her hijab 🧕 during work or lose her position. She felt she had no choice as it’s hard to find work as a non-native speaker without a degree. My grandma is also Muslim and has had similar experiences throughout her life.
In general Muslims are not accepted here on any level, both in casual life settings and more prominently noticeable in professional settings.
They want your money and tourism but NOT your presence here (on a long-term or permanent basis). This is felt more heavily and obvious if you leave Tokyo or Osaka and explore or move into the suburbs of countryside.
While this can be a very controversial and debatable topic, whether you are a man or a woman from what I have read and more importantly seen and experienced with my own two eyes and ears...
1.) Muslims are ALMOST never given citizenship and it’s easier for them to lose theirs too if you are believed to have become involved in anything classified as radical or suspicious while overseas. This goes for both native and ethnic Japanese people AND of course foreigners alike.
2.) It’s VERY hard to find an apartment here if you are a Muslim. Landlords will typically discriminate against you and your neighbors might feel uncomfortable enough to move.
3.) Arabic religious or language writings such as the Koran (and arguably study materials too) are not allowed here. It must be translated into English or Japanese etc.. It can’t be imported.
My boyfriend who is Japanese tried to study Arabic before he went to the Middle East/Africa and had a hard time finding materials to use.
4.) Propagation of Islam is practically banned.
5.) Universities and schools are NOT allowed to legally offer a language course in Arabic or any “Islamic language” (if you will).
6.) Japan’s goal is to make Muslims uncomfortable with living here. They believe that because of the “Politically Correct Culture” that the western world has adapted that bad things such as wars and terrorism has occurred. However Japan wants to give the appearance of freedom to its people to choose too!
There aren’t really any REAL laws here to protect religious people. It is never asked don official forms or even job applications.
*Please keep in mind that this is just my opinion and not a fact*
Again this is Japan. Japanese people will almost never say anything negative to you about Islam until you bring it up.
I have personally never met a Muslim person who has had anything other than a student visa or some form of temporary status.
Muslims exist here! There’s actually a Mosque not too far from me (arguably dominated by foreigners but there’s Japanese Muslims that worship here too who are NOT binational/biracial) but there are very few and they are seen and labeled as “bad for Japan”.
Because of this anything that alludes to your affiliation with this religion is grounds for being fired, not interviewed or hired.
The wearing of a hijab, the belief in Allah, practice of Islam, and the study of languages associated with Islam are all seen as bad for Japan.
You will get stares and people will feel very uncomfortable being around people wearing hijabs or any type of “Islamic” clothing or covers for lack of a better word please excuse my ignorance for the appropriate terms).
Some young people, English learners, and world travelers are very accepting towards and curious about Islam because they are more open minded to and understanding that everyone is different.
CONTINUED (last part finally right haha).......If you speak to native Japanese people who speak English or that are mixed they will generally think more internationalized and less “Japanese” thus they will make you think that Japanese people don’t care and accept religious people but this is simply NOT true.
Christians are also not accepted but are rather seen as a little cultic and weird. Islam is perceived as cultic, radical, rebellious, bad and scary. A major threat to society and something that goes entirely against Japanese culture.
There’s actually TONS of Christian churches in Japan.
Every city has at least 3 or more within an hour of your location. There are no rules for how they conduct themselves and people don’t really fear Christians they just don’t believe that Christianity is good for the country as it’s still viewed as a cult of some sort.
However you will almost never be fired or not hired for saying that you are a Christian or for wearing clothing or accessories that is symbolic of your faith. I can’t say the same for Islam.
Japan allows Islam to exist within its borders on its on terms and it is HEAVILY monitored.
There is no separation between black or Middle Eastern Muslims here but this can be said for America too.
There is a clear difference in treatment between those who practice Islam and those who practice Buddhism or Christianity etc..
This is my honest opinion and not facts. This is what I have observed and experienced. As always different people will have different thoughts, feelings and experiences. I am only sharing mines.
Youre so sweet! Good luck on the job! I hope to apply there someday too > w
Please do! If you ever come to Japan I'd love to meet you as well :)