| Qualifications / Situation
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Job Prospects
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| Less than a Bachelor's (4-year) degree
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You cannot get a standard working visa. If you are married to a Japanese national or are a citizen of a country with a working holiday visa agreement with Japan, you can still get a visa that will allow you to work, but some schools may not hire you. Otherwise, if you want to work in Japan, you will have to finish your Bachelor's degree.
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| Bachelor's degree, little or no experience teaching
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You will probably be able to get work at a private conversation school if you are able to demonstrate teaching skills (primarily classroom manner and ability to express yourself). Unless you apply for and are accepted by the JET Program, you will probably not be able to find a job paying much higher than the 250,000-yen minimum the first time you get a job.
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| Bachelor's degree in English / teaching-related field, some experience in teaching
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Your chances improve to be able to find a job; you will have more choices, and have some chance of finding work better than the 250,000-yen minimum.
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| Bachelor's degree in English / teaching-related field, solid experience in teaching ESL / EFL, certification
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You will probably have your choice of jobs in the private language schools, will likely qualify for high school jobs, and may even be able to get some work at the junior college level.
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| Master's degree in unrelated field, no experience teaching
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Despite the fact that universities usually require a Master's degree minimum, you will probably not have much luck finding a job there; they usually ask for TESOL-related degrees and experience. Private language schools are still a good possibility.
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| Master's degree in unrelated field, experience teaching non-language courses
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You have a chance at university positions for content-based courses taught in the English language.
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| Master's degree in English / teaching-related field, little experience teaching, no publications
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You have a chance at landing a teaching job at a college or university, but do not expect too much.
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| Master's degree in English / teaching-related field, solid experience teaching, no publications
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This is where I am at this time. You have a chance at many university positions, but the highest ones will likely be unavailable.
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| Master's degree in English / teaching-related field, solid experience teaching, publications
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You have a chance at all but the highest positions in universities.
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| Ph.D. in English / teaching-related field, solid experience teaching, publications
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I envy you.
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| Not currently residing in Japan
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Jobs are more difficult to find at all levels. Try the JET Program if you have not much more than a Bachelor's degree; otherwise, try Ohayo Sensei and other job listings.
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| Non-North American / British accent (includes Australian, Irish, etc.)
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You will have some difficulty finding a job at private schools; I do not know how universities react.
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| Age 35 or more
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Usually this makes little difference, but the older you are above 35, the more schools will turn you away. Most jobs are still open to you, though.
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| Want to work summer only, or no more than 6 months
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Unless you lie about how long you want to stay and teach (which I wholeheartedly advise against), few schools will want to pick you up for that amount of time, especially if you do not have a working visa. Almost all schools will ask for a 1-year commitment, minimum.
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Preparing for the Trip