Filling the Gap Wisely: Career-savvy Gap Years

GAP years are becoming increasingly popular, which is hardly surprising; the prospect of travelling to exotic destinations, meeting new people, experiencing unique cultures, and having some rollicking good fun along the way has an undeniable appeal.

Traditionally viewed as a year out before beginning university, the GAP year concept has evolved and is now a popular choice for university graduates. More and more students are choosing to combine their personal adventure with a professionally valuable experience by undertaking fulfilling work in an exciting location, and gaining sought-after transferable skills along the way.

Teaching English abroad is a popular option and offers the opportunity to establish a diverse skill set. Europe has long been a favourite spot, however moving beyond the continent and choosing to teach in Japan will further demonstrate your initiative, adaptability, and willingness to move outside your comfort zone. Nova Group, Japan�s largest private language school, employs more than 5,000 language instructors to teach conversation classes across the country. Instructors benefit from ongoing professional development and support, and return with a curriculum vitae full of work-related competencies that are in high demand with employers, including:

1. Global Experience and Cultural Awareness
Experience of living and working in a foreign country adds a point of difference to your curriculum vitae and demonstrates your ability to achieve in a multicultural work environment. Graduates from all corners of the world join Nova Group to teach one of six languages (English, Chinese, French, Italian, German or Spanish), and leave with a proven ability to work within an international team.

2. Communication Skills
Communication skills are crucial in today�s job market. Teaching in Japan is about equipping your students with the ability to communicate in a foreign language; making communication your job and adapting to a global work environment will advance your own communication skills across an array of registers. Teaching in Japan also offers the opportunity to pick up a new language and gain valuable presentation skills, which will help make communication one of your strengths.

3. Interpersonal Skills
Working with people from a variety of backgrounds also showcases your ability to engage naturally and effectively with a diverse range of people. Interacting with foreign students as well as colleagues from all corners of the world equips Nova instructors with the ability to relate well to a wide range of people.

4. Flexibility and Adaptability
The ability to adjust and respond appropriately to new conditions is invaluable in today�s constantly changing business environment. Living and working in a foreign country is the ultimate test in flexibility and adaptability, and will challenge you to be confident, resourceful and dynamic in the face of change.

5. Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
Strong analytical thinking and trouble-shooting skills, and the ability to formulate effective solutions, are highly sought after. Identifying students� language weaknesses, developing creative solutions, and overcoming challenges in a foreign country will hone your analytical and problem-solving expertise.

6. Leadership Skills and Professional Development
Teaching experience will enhance your confidence, decisiveness and ability to be charismatic, and promotion to a supervisory role is possible after as little as six months. Alternatively, move into human resource management, gain corporate training experience, get involved in curriculum development, or become a designer/illustrator producing education resources.

7. Life Experience and Drive
Show potential employers that your interests are not limited to work, that you are motivated, and that you are interested in advancing yourself both in and out of the work arena. Be a balanced job candidate. Pick up a new language, travel, study a martial art, soak up the local culture, work towards a post-graduate qualification extramurally�living and working in Japan presents plenty of opportunity to upskill, extend your range of interests and become more worldly-wise.

These skills are relevant to all fields of work and are receiving an increasing degree of emphasis, with employers prepared to offer training in more technical areas in order to secure candidates with these fundamental transferable competencies. Embarking on an adventure can in itself advance your career; enjoy a challenging and enriching year abroad and return with the skills and experience to set you apart from other job applicants.
 
To embark on your adventure teaching English in Japan, visit www.teachinjapan.com or call Nova Group�s London office on 020-7734-2727, we�ll be happy to share our own experiences of Japan with you.

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