[Sangetsu]

As far as I can tell, your main problem in getting a job is an issue with timing. Schools (including conversation schools) begin classes in the late summer, early spring. Hiring for the spring semester starts as early as December, hiring for the late summer/fall begins in June. The times outside these periods are hiring "dead zones", where new people are hired only when a current teacher quits unexpectedly.

To get a work visa, you need only a few things, your original college diploma, an employment contract/agreement, and a signed sponsorship form. The employer doesn't have to do much of anything short of signing the forms, you can take them to the immigration office yourself.

I assume you have made the general preparations for job searching, but if you haven't, here's what I recommend. First, a navy-colored suit with a conservative tie, a black leather belt, and black dress shoes with leather soles. You should have your hair cut short, and very neatly.

Your resume is important, but you need a Japanese-style resume. A Japanese resume is only 1 page, with a shoulders-up color photograph of you wearing business attire. Do not smile in the photograph. You should have copies of your resume in English and Japanese.

Get an ESL or other kind of certification. If you don't have the time to go to school and get one, just make one up yourself on Microsoft Word and print it out on thick, parchment-colored paper. The majority of these certifications aren't accredited anyway, and aren't worth the paper they are printed on -except in places like Japan. Don't worry, even if you did take a proper ESL teaching course, you would never use what you had learned there, you'll have to use the school's curriculum and materials (which they sell to students).

Be confident at your interview. Smile, be direct, and make them think that you are the right person for the job. If they ask you to rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being best), don't hesitate to immediately say 5. If they ask why they should hire you instead of someone else, simply tell them that you think you are the best person. Don't mention your personal life, whether you have a girlfriend, boyfriend, or whatever is not relevant, and will hurt your chances more than help.

Good luck.