How to get a job in Japan

I just got asked this question again.  Someday when I'm not busy being a grad student, I'll start a blog all about how to get a job in Japan.  For now, here's an email I just sent out to someone, again, asking how to get a job in Japan:

I'm assuming you have a BA in something unrelated to English teaching like everyone else who wants to teach in Japan.  Like any job search, I'd recommend applying more than one place.

Your options are:
1) the JET program http://www.jetprogramme.org/

Everyone applies for this government program.  It's dual purposes of English teaching and Japanese culture appreciation means that they get crap "teachers" fresh out of college who know nothing and mostly just want to party and travel. 

Because of this, no major city in Japan (i.e. Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo) uses the JET program.  A bit of advice, if you want to work in a major city, don't apply to the JET program.  They all use go between head-hunters organizations like:

2) https://www.interacnetwork.com/recruit/

3) http://www.heart-school.jp/en/

4) http://www.rcs-ed.jp/en/index.htm

Beware, #2, 3 and 4 actually hire people whom they consider qualified to teach English at the elementary, junior high or high school levels. 

Next, there are plenty of schools where working people and children go to learn English after school and on weekends.  They are called "eikaiwa".

5) for more info see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eikaiwa_school

The big ones listed in the article are GEOS, Aeon, ECC and Berlitz.  Follow the links in the wikipedia article, and you can find their websites.

5) job listings:
http://www.ohayosensei.com/current.html

http://seekjapan.joblet.jp/jobs

http://classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/

https://jobs.gaijinpot.com/

About.com also has a great page about this: http://japanese.about.com/od/jobsinjapan/Jobs_in_Japan.htm

Just for fun.  How to get a job in Japan: http://anothershittyblogbysomedouche.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/getting-a-job-in-japan-part-1-resumes-etc/

Hope this helps.