So, you will be retiring from the JET Programme! What’s next? Below are some resources to help you start job hunting. Most (but not all) of these resources are for people who want to work in Japan.
JET Programme Resources
For starters, as a JET, you should take advantage of the JET Programme’s Career Vision Conference and Job Hunting Webinar in November. You will hear presentations from former JETs in many different industries located all over the world. The JET Programme also has two, in-person job fairs every year. These job fairs host companies that are eager to hire JETs. (The JET Programme Website is temporarily down, so information about the job fairs is currently unavailable. Check it out when the webpage is back up!)
Non-JET Resources
Japan Teaching Jobs has a number of jobs all over Japan and the website is extremely easy to use. I would like to point out jobs posted by The Japan Association of College English Teachers and the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) because they have many positions available. JALT also posts their Job Listings on their own website.
Hello Work is similar to the unemployment office in your home country. They have a job search engine and you can even go to Hello Work in-person to get help from workers there. All government positions (like direct hire ALT or CIR positions) would be posted here. Unfortunately, Hello Work locations in Okinawa do not have foreign language assistance. Also, the job search engine is in Japanese.
On ALT Direct, you can see BOEs that are known for hiring ALT directly (rather than through the JET Programme or a dispatch company). If a BOE is hiring, they will also post the link to their website.
Gaijin Pot has an extensive job search engine. Gaijin Pot also hires freelance writers.
Finding jobs in Okinawa may be tough, but OIST and Okinawa International School may have some positions you are interested in.
A former JET has provided her advice about job hunting in a blog. This post includes an extensive list of job hunting websites.
Some other job sites include:
AJET has a useful article called Career Resources from Brett Huestis at Nisshin Global. You can find interview tips, how to write a resume, and more on this page.
Finally, the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) in collaboration with Hello Work offers free Japanese for Work courses (in person and online) for foreign residents. In addition to learning workplace Japanese, you will receive instruction on job hunting in Japan, Japanese job interviews, and how to write a Japanese resume.
Higher Education
The Gifu JET website is a great resource for those considering going back to school after JET. National AJET also has a list of partner universities in the USA.
