Job Discussion Forums

[locagrl814]

Hi, I have an interview/ orientation scheduled next week with NOVA in New York City. Can someone please tell me what questions they ask during the interview? Are they tough when it comes to interviewing applicants?

[Shonai Ben]

Be prepared to answer this question:

Why do you want to go to Japan?

Good luck on the interview.

[nakanoalien2]

I did my interview in NY too. I think it was on Lexington and 50th? I remember thinking they had a building or office in Manhattan and that was a good sign. Then I entered the bldg. and nobody had heard of Nova, but...they were there. They rented the place for X time period for recruiting, I guess.

Anyway, it could even be the same recruiters so here's what to expect:

-Sit in a room for an information session. They'll tell you the truth but enhance the hell out of the good side. Like they play up all the culture you'll soak in and not say much about how you always work on national holidays and aren't allowed to fraternize with students.

-Wait for interview with everyone. I think there was a lunch break in between. I remember a bunch of people with no real work experience all kind of nervous an posturing. Like trying pose as being "international" when their big intl experience was a semester abroad in London. Then there were the 1 or 2 oddballs that were a little older and obviously running away from something and giving us way too much info about their personal lives (yeah, I was a chemical engineer for the past 15 years, but got a divorce and felt a change was needed, yada yada). Scary.

-The interview lasted 30 minutes. They asked me why I was interested in Japan, and how I thought I would adjust to the culture. Asked if I knew anything about Japan or had read books and why Japan, not China. Then they asked me to decribe the difference between:

I play golf -and-
I am playing golf

I think they asked me a slightly harder question related to grammar and how to teach it. I bombed and then they told me that they would teach me how to deal with various grammar points anyway in Japan.

Good luck. I have to say the interview was fairly easy but prepare anyway. Look professional too. There were people there without suits - geez! For all the garbage, I have to say that it was fun working there for a year.

[locagrl814]

Thanks guys for your advice.

I'm just curious how an interview could last soooo long! They told me that the interview lasts about 45 minutes. What can they possibly ask in 45 minutes??? I'm thinking they have all sorts of questions about grammar.

I heard funny jokes help (of course without being impolite). What do you think?

[BenJ]

45 minutes is pretty standard for interview length for any interview - most interviews I went to in Australia for local jobs were 1.5 hours. Basically asking you about you, having a chat and assessing your reaction to different situations can easily eat up the time.