Job Discussion Forums

womble · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:56 am Post subject: Nova to .....

Hi Everyone - I was just wondering about the possibilities of maybe changing to another school/company once I get to Japan. I have a job with Nova and am just waiting to hear back from them to when I start. Since getting a job with themI have been doing a bit of research on Nova and have decided that I would like to try and change to another school once I get there. Maybe ECC? (I originally went for an interview with Ecc in Melbourne but missed out on the grammar test by 3 marks - they wanted me to come back for an interview in Brisbane in Nov but as I live in NZ and wanted to get to Japan sooner I said thanks but no-thanks) Has anyone else done this and what are people's advice on this matter.
Thanks in advance
Womble Very Happy

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

In case you havent seen it

I have listed some pros and cons of working at NOVA so you can make your own mind up, rather than jumping to conclusions based on Internet barnyard gossip,and before you have even set foot in the country and know what its like here.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=14075

Note Melirae at the bottom has just arrived in japan, been there a week and is quite happy with it

Different strokes for different folks.

womble · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 4:33 am Post subject:

Hi - thanks to the people who replied so quickly to my post. I kinda knew that that would be the case in terms of 'reputation' if one resigned early etc. Just thought I'd sound it out. And yes, a couple of you make very good points about the fact that I am not even in Japan yet working for Nova and I may even like it - heaven forbid! I am a pretty flexible person and deal with stress pretty well so I am sure I will cope. I guess the good thing is that I have accomodation sorted with a friend and her bro who both work for Ecc. I will be living in the Kanagawa area of Yokohama.
So, thanks again for putting me back in touch with a bit of reality. I guess I had just heard some bad things about Nova and was starting to freak a little... about working for them, about coming to live in Japan!!!!
womble

SEndrigo · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 437

I agree with most of what has been said before, and will say that Glenski and PaulH definitely know what they are talking about.

I haven't been in Japan that long but I will say this: I know at least 15 teachers who work at Nova - and not a single one of them is happy with the company (for various reasons)

I don't want to be a Nova basher, but nor do I want to be a Nova apologist.

I'll just end it with this - take the number of complaints about Nova, and measure that against the number of complaints about the other 3 big schools, and you'll see that there are far more complaints about Nova.

No it's not the worst company you could work for....but mate, there are so many better schools out there!

That being said, if you do come out to Japan with Nova, quitting immediately would be really unprofessional. You made an agreement - why not stick to it?

If you come out here and really don't like it, well, then you're entitled to leave, of course.

But don't make up your mind before arriving here. You may actually end up really liking your job

HontoBakari · Joined: 04 Aug 2004 Posts: 6

SEndrigo said:
I'll just end it with this - take the number of complaints about Nova, and measure that against the number of complaints about the other 3 big schools, and you'll see that there are far more complaints about Nova.

When one considers that Nova has round about 6000 foreign teachers compared to the other three's 500-800 each, it's quite obvious that the number of complaints about Nova is a factor of its size and not an indication of how much worse it is than the other big schools.

In any case, Womble, you may find that you quite like Nova and will be happy to stay on as long as possible. If you decide you hate it, there's nothing preventing you from moving on. There is NO end of year bonus as a previous post here indicated - never has been with Nova. So, you won't be losing any extra cash. I would just encourage you to give your 30 days notice and make sure you have your next job lined up before throwing in the towel.

I'd use the cliche "The grass is always greener" but you'll be hard pressed to find any grass in Japan. Lots of dirt and gravel. Just go and enjoy yourself. That's not the least bit hard to do.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

womble · Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2004 3:19 am Post subject:

I had wondered about the end of year bonus - had never heard of that before. can anyone tell me on average how many teachers there are per branch??
Thanks for the advice too... I think I had just read too many negative things about Nova and was wondering what the hell I was getting myself into.
Did anyone else have the trouble that I am having in terms of waiting, waiting, being told July, then Sep/ now maybe Jan/ feb??? I feel like I am being mucked around a little Mad

.
Thanks
Womble

Dorman · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Nova Scotia / Osaka

*** WARNING! Long winded boring post*** Shocked

Womble,

Maybe I can shed a bit of light on your waiting situation. I've now finished the whole waiting and endless paperwork process. I'll give you a quick timeline as best I can remember:

-interviewed in march. End of march/early April was advised they were offering me a position. They then sent a contract package giving all the details for documents and paperwork required (passport, passport photos, medical assessment, health insurance, the actual contract, etc). At this point they had advised departure in early august. I completed all the paperwork and got everything to them end of april/start of may.... except....
the government lost my passport application, which Nova advised this would delay my departure, even though I had it to them 1-2 days after the deadline. That was fine.

-waited roughly 7 weeks while processed the above documents, and sent a certificate of eligibility for my work visa. So between may-the end of july, they processed this stuff, but then requested I book my flight, finally a departure date!

-early august, the C.O.E. will be arriving, this now had to be approved at the nearest japanese consulate, who then in turn will issue the visa. So roughly a week or so after that, I sent nova a copy of my freshly issued visa.

-this past tuesday they finally contacted with living arrangements/addresses. I was hired for the M.M. Center, so I know where I will be working, my girlfriend will find out when we arrive I guess.

Whew, long winded! Womble, did they give you any reason for delaying your departures? I suppose it could be teacher demand, or documents holding you up perhaps? Look at it this way, use this time to save up $$ so you can live somewhat comfortable for the first month and not have to take that Nova pay advance.

I can relate to the feeling of being mucked around, the way the whole process is handled leaves a bit to be desired. Everything is done last minute, and it seems like they intentionally don't tell you things, leaving you in the dark. I've been waiting since March, and I leave in less than 2 weeks for Osaka, if you have any questions give the recruiting office a call. I was handled through the Toronto Canada office, and they were pretty good at addressing my concerns.

Lastly, in terms of bad reputation, there will be aspects of any job you like, and some you loathe. I just spent the past 14 months working for a huge American corporation. I enjoyed the job itself for the most part, but the "red tape" made alot of situations really frustrating. Then again, when you employ a large amount of people policies are needed otherwise the system is abused. Well.... I've ranted on long enough, I see working for Nova being like anything else: it is what you make of it, you just need to have the right expectations.

Cheers,

Brad.

The G-stringed Avenger · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hey there! I'm currently in my 6th month at Nova in Shin Koshigaya (about 40 mins from the centre of Tokyo) and I'm liking it here! Sure there are some "issues" but nothing that's made me want to quit! We have a great time in the staffroom (about 17 teachers but only around 8 on at a time and have become great friends with most of the regular students.

The only real problems I have is with some of the female Japanese staff. They have a habit of losing files and informing us of a lesson AFTER it's started. But really... we've just learnt to laugh at it. The job is EASY, the pay is good (though you will make more if you live in a non-Nova appartemnet, as they charge about 40000 Yen above the normal rent rate). I'm saving almost 800 Australian dollars a month and still seeing the country and making friends!

I am keeping a blog at http://www.BradStephenson.com about my Japanese experience if you want more random info.

Hondo 2.0 · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 69 Location: Canada

I think Brad hit the nail on the head when he wrote that you need to have the right expectations. If you go to work for Nova expecting that it's going to be awful, then you're going to have an awful time. If you decide in advance that Nova is the worst company to work for, then you're going to feel bad about working for them. To quote Quigon Jin, "You're focus defines your reality."

"Yes," there are better jobs out there. However, better jobs are harder to come by. Think of Nova as an entry-level job. After awhile, you'll become comfortable living and working in Japan. You'll make some connections, and you'll find a better job.

You're going to Japan. Think about all the things you're going to see and do. It's going to be an amazing experience. Don't worry about finding a job with 10% less work or 10% more money. It isn't going to have a profound effect on your experience in Japan.

womble · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:01 am Post subject: Encouragement

Thanks everyone for their encouraging words - I feel so much better and am not freaking out as much! I think it is all about attitude!!

I am not sure why Nova said that it would take so long - I think due to lack of positions - and then they kept sending back my Resume Visa form saying if was filled in wrong even though I had filled it in just as they had told me to and then finally once I had it right they sent it back saying it needed to be in Black pen and not blue!!! Why hadn't they told me that in the first place I ask you!!

Anyway... again thanks everyone for their info and words.
Womble

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN