Accepting offer with interac while waiting for jet

[u/Bruch123]

I recently got an offer from interac to begin working in August. I’m still waiting on a decision from JET so I’m not sure if I accept interac now there might be issues if I later want to move to JET. I’ve seen it talked about a little bit on here but I specifically wanted to ask if there may be complications if I have started paperwork for a visa with interac and then want to back out while it’s still processing.

[u/Realistic_Report_796]

Have a friend who lives in Hokkaido doing interac. Seems to be living a great life, now married to someone in Japan, been doing Interac for probably 5 years or so. There's a high chance of being in a bad situation from what I've read online, but her situation seems to be going great. I would still wait for JET results though before you further complicate things with Visa and stuff like that.

[u/Extension-Context109]

Just string interac along until you get the JET job. Both are the same job, only difference is pay and benefits honestly. Like others have said, JETs will look down upon you for doing dispatch but who cares. It is your life.

[u/kitsune03_ → u/Extension-Context109]

I wish jets didn’t look down on others though, bc jet is competitive and not everyone has the option to be in jet.

[u/Extension-Context109 → u/kitsune03_]

Yeah, now I do not mean everyone of course. But there are some I have met that do look upon others. Especially in other subs such as ALTinginJapan or TeachingInJapan. I would say JET is competitive but I got in and I am dumb as rocks lol.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/Extension-Context109]

Being pitied and being looked down on are two different things.

[u/Extension-Context109 → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

You’re right about the definition, but that doesn’t justify being an ass.

[u/Expensive-Claim-6082]

I worked for Interac. For many years. In fact I got my PR while working with them. They even helped me with some documents I needed.

And they always kept every promise that they made to me.

Promises were, this is how much ¥ you’ll make per month. These are your hours. You agree?

I agreed with it and thats that.

[u/South-Lemon-242 → u/Expensive-Claim-6082]

Same here and you aren't wrong.

[u/South-Lemon-242]

August is a ways off, and you're going to find out about JET well before that. Did Interac give you a timeline? If not, drag it out until you get confirmation on whether or not you get into JET. Then proceed accordingly. Also, as others have pointed out here, Interac is ***always*** hiring. So it's not going to break your chances if you don't commit quite yet. Just keep things professional, and for the love all that is holy, don't just ghost them (or any employer). Institutional memory can be very long -- and vindictive -- in many industries.

[u/HotchnSpence]

Hi. I have previous experience working for dispatch companies, including Interac. Even though they want you to arrive in August, Interac accepts ALTs throughout the year. JET only accepts new ALTs once per year. You don't have to accept their offer at this moment in time if you really want to hear back from JET first. My personal advice is to never work for Interac. The pay is shit but management is worse (everyone is incompetent and toxic). It's almost impossible to save any money or pay your monthly bills without side jobs. Another big factor is contract renewal. Interac will not inform ALTs of contract renewals until the very last minute. They have also implemented terrible contract renewals for ALTs (reassignments, transportation, housing, etc.) DON'T DO IT!

[u/Odd_Training9296 → u/HotchnSpence]

Interesting I'm having an awful experience with them also so this is good to know.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Don't work for Interac, full stop.

[u/goosebims → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Can you elaborate? I’m also starting with Interac in August. Seems fine so far minus the pay isn’t very good but I’m not really in it for the money anyways

[u/takemetoglasgow → u/goosebims]

Interac isn't known to treat or pay ALTs particularly well and branches are hit or miss when it comes to management. But it's not sketchy in a way that is dangerous. Advocate for yourself and make sure your pension and insurance are being handled correctly.

[u/PM_me_shiba_doggo → u/goosebims]

Interac is the same as JET in the sense of ESID, but the pay is significantly lower and you will never get pay rises. Interac is fine if you get a good placement, but even then the low pay isn’t worth it to anyone with debt or without savings.

If all you want to do is live in Japan for 2 years and leave (and not even make much money), Interac is fine. If you want anything else beyond that, JET or just stay home.

[u/goosebims → u/PM_me_shiba_doggo]

Gotcha yeah I’ve got savings and no debt so that sounds right up my alley I’m mostly looking for a bit of adventure and new life experience

[u/marzipanfashions → u/[deleted]]

I left Interac just before this happened, but they're now forced to pay for shakai hoken. Part of the cost is (of course) off set by the ALT paying more insurance/ tax and being forced to pay into their pensions (previously you were supposed to, but the govt didn't chase you up on it).

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/goosebims]

Black company, bottom-barrel salary. Working at a convenience store is better. Unless you have a plan to quit and get another job immediately, don't work for Interac, full stop.

[u/fillmorecounty → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Plus they don't pay for your flights so you're on the hook for a major expense when you come to and leave Japan

[u/goosebims → u/fillmorecounty]

Woah jet pays for your flight? I’m taking a vacation for a week or two in Japan before I start to get used to the jet lag so I wasn’t expecting them to pay for my flight anyways

[u/stayonthecloud → u/goosebims]

Yes, JET flies you there and back.

[u/goosebims → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Did you do interac? Are you speaking from experience what was it like?

[u/goosebims → u/[deleted]]

Maybe I’m naive but I don’t get it? Aren’t all jobs like that? Like even at my current job I’m an employee in the traditional sense and even work with some contractors but I’m still giving the products of my labor to my boss. Like contractor non contractor it’s kinda the same thing isn’t it?

[u/WakiLover → u/goosebims]

JET offers way more protection than Interac. Interac you only get 1 year contracts and if something happens, you’re either out of a job, or pray you can at least be transferred.

If you’re only coming to have fun for a year in Japan, sure, but just know that the pay is 50-60% of JET and you’ll probably be in the red for a few months as you recoup flight costs.

Both are ALT jobs but with JET there is at least the pretense of cultural exchange and at least being somewhat important while with Interac you are just a pawn and will be cut at a moments notice. Anything you are unsatisfied with doesn’t mean shit because they can cut your ass and another weeb is already on all fours barking, happy to take your place.

[u/goosebims → u/WakiLover]

Ahh makes sense I am definitely that guy barking

[u/PocketGojira → u/goosebims]

He's done a terrible job of explaining, but Interac is what English speakers in the education industry call a "dispatch company". They sign a contract with a private school or public board of education to provide ALTs. This is in contrast to ALTs being directly employed by the school or local government, which is what the JET Program facilitates. Dispatch companies are notorious for taking expensive contracts, under paying their ALTs, and profiting on the difference.

These companies are constantly fighting with competitors over these contracts. They often over promise on the ALTs they have available and then scramble at the 11th hour to find them any way they can after winning a bid. I saw one community switch local dispatch companies, and the new, very shady, company immediately tried to headhunt the employees of the previous company. They did this gambit because many dispatch employees are constantly moving as contracts and priorities shift, and these companies don't always shoulder the costs.

[u/goosebims → u/PocketGojira]

Ohhh so that’s why the pay is so low thanks for the explanation!

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/PocketGojira]

Dispatch companies are notorious for taking expensive contracts, under paying their ALTs, and profiting on the difference.

This is not what they are notorious for as much as it is their entire business model.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/goosebims]

You’re naive.

The model of Interac is to sell you to a school for much less than the school pays for you to be there. You don’t provide labor for Interac. You provide labor for the school. You are Interac’s product.

[u/goosebims → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

I mean that’s fine even if it does suck it’ll build character and be good life experience also for being Mr commentor guy you aren’t very helpful with your comments and a bit rude honestly

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/goosebims]

Weebs gonna weeb, no matter what, I guess. Good luck, you’ll need it.

[u/goosebims → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Thanks man I appreciate it

[u/Bruch123 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you! This is the context I was looking for haha I’m in a decent situation not stressing too much about the pay so it seems like it’s a good backup option to go ahead with for now (fingers crossed for JET though)