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Sometimes we may need to ask you to be an ‘intern’ in order to maximise your chances of being placed at a resort.
This page explains the differences between being ‘regular’ staff or an ‘intern’, and how, in some cases, being an intern can secure you a position, which you may not otherwise get.
BoobooSKI’s sister company. Japan Internships was set up a few years after boobooSKI, when a university in Tasmania contacted us about creating internships for university credits. Over the years we have had about 20+ interns join us through their university programs gaining credits for their work experience in Japan.
However, when we first discussed these internships with resorts we became aware that many resorts have different quotas for different “types” of staff.
In addition to their regular ‘Part-time staff’ quota they often have an additional quota for ‘interns’.
Until then we had only been sending “Regular” staff, so the total number of people being placed per year was lower than it is now that we can send “interns” under their “internship” quotas as well.
The tasks you perform as an intern, the hours you work, and the accommodation you stay in, are all exactly the same as those of a ‘regular part-time worker’. The main difference, from the resort side, is the food and/or dorm deductions are higher.
Please check your resort page for the exact details, however generally the deductions for food/accommodation are about 1000yen/day higher for interns at ski resorts, and about 500yen/day higher at Okinawa resorts.
THE TWO MAIN REASONS TO BE AN INTERN
THE QUOTA
Once a resort reaches its quota limit for ‘regular’ part-time staff, any additional positions can only be confirmed under their internship quota (assuming there are vacant internship positions).
LANGUAGE LEVEL / AVAILABILITY
The resorts give priority to those who speak a high level of Japanese and who have a long period of availability, and fill their “regular” quotas with them.
This means beginner-level Japanese speakers and/or those with short availability are often overlooked for “regular” positions, even if the “regular” quota isn’t full.
Before, that meant those people missed out completely, but with the intern quota, resorts are able to consider people they might not otherwise confirm for a position.
If we’ve sent you an internship job offer (check the “Pay Category” section), we think it’s a good idea to be open to the idea of being an intern, as it might be the only way to get your position confirmed.
PLEASE BE AWARE
DEDUCTIONS
The only VISIBLE difference between being a “regular” staff and an “intern” to you will be that you will be deducted more for food and/or dorm costs.
This fluctuates slightly from resort to resort, but generally it’s an extra 500yen/day in Okinawa and an extra 1000yen/day at ski resorts.
Because interns work the SAME job, SAME hours and SAME everything as “regular” part-timers who are deducted less, there’s sometimes points of tension on pay-day.
While it might seem unfair that some people are being paid more for doing the same job, assuming you’re confirmed, please remember that it’s likely because of the “intern” quota that you got the job in the first place.
Submitting you as “regular” staff will likely mean you’re passed over for the next applicant who either speaks more Japanese, can stay longer, or who agrees to be an intern.
RESORT PAY
Resorts hire hundreds of staff a season. To do so they rely on many types of recruitment.
Of course they have their long-term regulars who work season after season, but they also need lots of new seasonal workers – and for them they rely largely on recruiters and job agencies.
Japanese staff go through part-time / resort work companies like Arubaito.com or resortbaito.com.
Taiwanese applicants will apply through Taiwanese agents, and South East Asian workers from Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar go through their own job placement agencies.
We are one way that resorts secure some of the staff they need. We’ve been working with the resorts since 2005 and know them very well, which is why they trust the applicants we introduce and trust our recommendations.
We’ve negotiated great deals for you at your resorts. Even as an intern, you’ll still earn enough to cover personal expenses and have some left over for travel and fun.
The pay is low, but cost of living is also very low. Hopefully you’re coming more for the adventure and experience, rather than to get rich. Especially with the low yen, comparing ANY Japanese salary to one back home will be disappointing. But what you’ll earn in Japan will help you pay your way, and anything you can bring with you will go further than it’s ever gone before.
In short, please focus on the experience you’re going to have and let’s be grateful that it’s possible, as foreigners with little Japanese ability, to have such a unique and fun opportunity – and get paid to do it!