This article will look at some common methods recruiters use to lure unsuspecting teachers into unfair contracts, bad working conditions and poor living conditions. Here's some tips on how to avoid them.
Step 1
The recruiter asks for fees up front for placing you. The company that employs you will pay any legitimate recruiting firm.
Step 2
They ask for “visa processing fees” or some other administrative fee. Payment of these fees is the responsibility of your employer and not you.
Step 3
They don’t use a legitimate street address. Instead they rely on a post office box address.
Step 4
Any company that charges you for job leads claiming that they have an inside track on ‘great jobs” that never make it to the paper or internet. The truth about getting good job leads is actually learning about them from other teachers who have worked those jobs and now are headed home.
Step 5
Be suspicious of overly prestigious sounding names.
Step 6
Get everything in writing. Look at the contract carefully and make sure everything is in line with accepted labor practices. Ask in Japan ESL forums if something you find in your contract is accepted or is typical of other schools’ contracts. (You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn in a short period of time.)
Step 7
Never fall for the “We’ll get you a working visa after you arrive” line. (It’s illegal to teach in Japan without a working visa or other proper visas like a spousal visa.)
Step 8
Don’t cave into a pressure pitch like “there are only 2 more positions available, so we need a firm commitment from you now” sort of a thing. It is the same thing as when T.V. commercials tell you to “Call whilst supplies last,” or “Hurry, supplies are limited.”
Step 9
Never give out personal information like credit card or bank information.
Step 10
Don’t even consider a company that won’t issue you a working contract or one that will bill you per job lead.
Tips
- Following this simple advice and using a little common sense will go along way towards making sure you never get caught in a recruiter's scam.
