Job Discussion Forums

[liis]

Hello All,

I have a NOVA interview this weekend and I would like any tips, info, advice, etc. I've searched this site and it seems like there a lot of NOVA haters. But I can't be discouraged by the negativity. If anyone has anything positive to say, please do so!!

Take care,
LIIS

[Glenski]

Since we don't know your qualifications, background, or education, the best advice is going to be general.

Show up on time.
Wear proper business attire.
Be well-groomed (hair, nails, teeth, etc.).
Smile.
Ask questions, but don't ask too many.
Know something about your employer before you go.

[annacam]

I went for an interview in Australia a few months ago expecting it to be a quick and simple interview, with little real testing about the English language. Do all the things Glenski says and brush up on your grammar (in Australia we only get taught grammar until about grade five then it is all 'creative writing'), as we had a test and then had to pick the grammar point in a lesson out of their teaching manual. We also had to describe how we would explain certain everyday situations to our class in simple terms. We were also asked a number of questions about ourselves, which we could aswer in only three words or less. Eg What is your greatest achievement? Whay dou you want to teach English in Japan?

Hope this helps

[RMoss]

I had a positive nova experience overall....It's just like any job and if you do what they ask, which isn't really all that much more than should be expected by any employer anywhere, you'll have no problems. Every school I went to had a couple of people who were constantly bitter at Nova but always seemed to be the longest tenured people at the school. Also, most of the bitterness I came across was because Nova didn't accomodate someone's every whim. Sure, I did hear people with legitimat beefs but that's what the world of work is like anywhere. My two biggest problems were the no interaction with students policy and the general impersonal nature of the company. However, when I needed time off, wanted to transfer, or wanted overtime, it was no problem.

As far as the interview, don't sweat it. As far as I can tell by some of the chowders that made it to Japan, to work at Nova you need:

1) A pulse
2) Most of your limbs
3) A plane ticket

Just be confident and exude an open-mindedness to living in Japan. When they ask you about how you would cope with life in Japan, talk about making friends with locals. I had zero questions about grammar or lesson planning. I think it may depend on who interviews you...I had a cool youngish guy and it was so casual that I was using swear words in the interview.

I'd be glad to answer any other Nova questions for you...

Good luck!

[kimbo]

I was just wandering how your interview went & if you have any tips. I also have an interview with NOVA soon and I was just wandering if there is any advice that you have??

Also after you interview, how long was it until you found out if you had been accepted and where you were going to be accepted?

Thanks for your help.

[diomedes]

I interviewed with Nova last year and I am now working for them.

In terms of the interview, be personable and energetic. People are mainly hired for their personalities. Try to project yourself as energetic, personable, fun-loving but responsible. Come across as an interesting person. If you are not interesting, exaggerate or lie outright.

Looks count. Dress professionally but not too severe. You don't want to come across as a stuffed shirt.

Smile. Tell polite jokes. Participate during the info sessions. Volunteer answers. Try to take a leadership role, but don't be pushy.

Check out Japan and make a wish list of places that you want to go and things you want to do. Be excited about the possibility of working and living in Japan. Be knowledgable.

Tell them you are "creative." They're big into creativity--or at least my interviewer was.

Hope it helps. See you at the Christmas party.

[ruggedtoast]

I work for NOVA now, I started a couple of weeks ago and it seems ok. Like any workplace how much you like it will depend on the people you work with, your boss, the students and whether you like the work or not.

At the moment the people I work with seem ok, my boss is really nice and fosters a relaxed atmosphere. The students comprise the good the bad and the ugly. NOVA is so successful cos it sells the students cheapo english lessons at their convenience with the promise of having to do very little work themselves, unfortunately this means that some of them are real no brainers who look　at youreike youre mad if you ask them to do sometihng difficult, like thinking or using their imagination once in a while.

Lessons are easy to teach and can drive you mad with boredom if you dont change them to make them more interesting. Unfortunately as you already work 40 hours a week with no paid prep time theres not much incentive to spend a long time preparing yourself.

Many NOVA staff stay for a long time and the majority of people Ive met seem to like it there, the pays ok, theres plenty of overtime, sicks days are no problem (bit you woint get paid of course!) they keep all their promises, you know exactly what they expect from you and what your supposed to provide in return.

On balance I dont think its really for me and Ill be looking for somewthing eldse but thats purely because I find it a bit impersonal (I used to work in a small ekaiwa) with rather too many hours a week and a somewhat inflexible attitude towards holidays.

I dont really understand the posts you find with things like "NOVA is HELL" as their titles, if you dont like it you can always leave anyway.

good luck