Get me outta Japan!

[CDNSushi]

Ladies and gentlemen of the rabble… This is really getting out of hand. This morning we had a nice, solid intensity 5 earthquake hit fairly close to us.*

After all the quakes in 2011, especially the one in March, along with a new Tokyo University study that predicts a 75% chance of a major, 7+ quake to hit Tokyo within the next 3 years (the last one in the 1920s killed over 100,000 people) is just taking a toll on our nerves over here.

Ever since I completed my MBA in 2010, we've been trying to relocate either to Europe, the U.S., or back to Canada, but recently we've redoubled our efforts.

Some of the best experts in job hunting, including my own career coach are adamant that "wanted ads" and job websites simply are not effective -- that your best bet is to build your professional network…

I have an account on LinkedIn, and would certainly appreciate connecting with any of our XMTS members who might also have a presence there. (For those who aren't familiar with LinkedIn, it's a social network -- like Facebook, except that it's for business, companies, professionals, rather than friends, family and pictures of your last road trip with your favourite dog).

In addition, leads and ideas via PM would be most welcome.

At this point in time, neither my wife or I are particularly picky about where we would move to -- as long as it's out of Japan. As I wrote above, Europe, U.S., or Canada are all good.

Second, the type of work I'm looking for would ideally make use of my experience and education. I have a Master's in business and administration, with a specialization in global management… I've been involved in public teaching (at the college level) for a number of years, and I am looking to make a transition into corporate training, learning, and development… Adult education interests me and I believe that many of the same principles behind teaching adults remain constant, whether it's a university or college, or company classroom. At the same time, I'm also flexible. My MBA covered a LOT of ground -- everything from economics to operations, to project management… I am qualified to do that type of work too -- it's just that most of my actual work experience is not in those areas.

Anyway, the open XMTS forum is probably not the ideal place for this, so again -- I would encourage anyone who might have some suggestions or who would be willing to connect with me on LinkedIn to send me a PM.

A final note… If anyone (or anyone you know) would want to get together in person, I will be in Canada from March 16 to April 6. March 16-21 will be spent in the Vancouver, Abbottsford, Victoria area, with the remaining time being in Alberta (Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton).

Thanks all! Let's hope I can get out of this earthquake-ridden place soon!

JD

*Update: This actually occurred yesterday, early morning. Nothing gets yer weekend started quite as well as standing buck naked in your bedroom on the 2nd floor of an old house, with underwear in one hand, while the entire house shakes around you... Today we had an aftershock that was almost as strong as the original quake. I was on the 6th floor of an office building in Tokyo and really felt it. One of my students, a professor and researcher at Tokyo Medical and Dental University told me today: "If I weren't Japanese, I'd be moving me and my family far away from here." Now all we need is for Mt. Fuji to erupt! (No... I'm NOT kidding -- it tends to do that from time to time... And from what I'm told by some of the locals, it's prone to be volatile during years with high seismic activity)...

[Father Bill]

I'm not "Linked-in" with business, but maybe God can help you out. You're in my prayers this Sunday, and that's a pretty powerful "Link."

Bill+

[flyingshamrock]

I'm not "Linked-in" with business, but maybe God can help you out. You're in my prayers this Sunday, and that's a pretty powerful "Link."

Bill+

++***

[Tartan Tess]

CDN Sushi...as my mom used to say "The worst decision is no decision"
sounds like life is definitely telling you it is time to go. I will think good thoughts for great things to open up for you and your wife through this trial.

[CopperNGold]

I'll be keeping you in my prayers and thinking of you as I read the Sunday papers today. Have you tried Monster.com? Also, Microsoft in Redmond is always hiring, and Amazon is getting a new campus in Seattle. If I hear of anything solid, I'll IM you. Good luck, Sushi!

[Ian_G]

You may like to take a look at the Times Education Supplement web site
http://www.tes.co.uk/jobs/
They advertise all sorts of international education jobs.

Good luck,

Ian

[James Hood]

Riding with Father Bill on this, but remember, if y' pray to win the lottery, y' gotta buy a ticket...do your part.

Best of fortune.

[Really a McQueen]

PM enroute, with my Linkedin info. Don't know how good a contact I'd be, but you're welcome to 'friend' me. Just mention X-marks in the request.

[Emmet]

Get your details to some recruitment agencies in London. If you're qualified and got experience then there's a job for you here. Most will do the first and second round interviews with skype which is a plus too

[Bugbear]

Good luck, Sushi.