With my bank balance diminishing with seemingly with every day that passess, and also in no small part to HSBCs scandalous withdrawal rates (3.91 to withdraw 300 pounds- Nationwide here I come), it's high time I got my finger out and started looking for a part time job. I haven't been too fussed about this recently however, because my Pre-college student visa is still two weeks away, and the majority of positions for part time teachers that I see demand that all applicants have a valid visa for inspection at interview.
However, I did fill out an online form or two and emailed them to some companies, and on Friday I was asked to go for an interview in Ginza, which is on the other side of town. The company, Efront, is a school which teaches all types of English, from business to medicine. This job interested me because they were after a conversational English teacher, with some experience in business (I, having taught a business class or two in China). I also decided to apply for this particular job because the hours are perfect. It really is part-time, from 6pm until 9pm, Monday to Thursday. Because of this, I can fit in school, some study, jiu-jitsu and of course, a beer or two with my friends with no trouble.
The interview went well, but I know that there are many teachers who would find the position attractive, and I know that they are interviewing for the rest of the month, so the competition might be tough - we'll see.
However, the most depressing thing about the interview was that I was made aware of the new tax system, recently brought in for foreigners. Basically, for gaigin who have lived in Japan for less than one year from two weeks ago, the tax is set at a whopping 20%! This is a big chunk out of any paypacket that I might get. My interviewer told me that because Efront is a Japanese company, they play by the book and that 20% would be deducted. Other firms, he told me might not be so vigilant. My interviewer counterbalanced this news with the fact that all travel expenses to and from work to home are paid for (which is a bit per month actually) but still, I think I need to look into this new tax law for foreigners to see whether there are any loop-holes...........If you think you can make sense of the new tax laws, click here.
In other news, class still goes well. I am in my fourth week of lessons now (time doesw fly!) and I have just about mastered hirakana, although katakana remains a mystery. I am loving the sightseeing and experiences, and also student life!
