Job Discussion Forums

pishygorbeh · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Nagoya, Japan

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I have an interview with NOVA this Friday, and among all the details right now I'm most concerned about placement. Have any of you found that your placement wishes were fullfilled with NOVA, or were you placed in a random city? Do you have any control over placement? Do they let you know where you'll be going right when you're accepted?

I really don't want to be placed somewhere small and random. I'm interested in living and working in big cities only at this point- Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto... does this seem like too much to ask for?

Thanks.

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

Tokyo has so many schools that you'd probably be assigned to Tokyo if you specifically requested it. It's probably the easiest place to be assigned.

If you opt to work at NOVA's Multimedia Center, you'll be 100% guaranteed a placement in Osaka simply because the MM Center is located in Osaka. The city itself is also large enough to probably guarantee you a regular branch placement there, although I can't say this with as much confidence as I could with guaranteeing a Tokyo branch placement.

If you request Okinawa, Hokkaido, or Kyoto, you will likely be sorely disappointed, as those are three of the most difficult areas to be assigned to.

Jazz1975 · Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 301 Location: Zama, Kanagawa

This is good to know. Thanks. I'll be applying to all of the Big 4 schools and want to be located in Tokyo or Osaka.

tokyo376 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 39 Location: Tokyo

You should have no problem getting assigned to Tokyo or Osaka. I would imagine Nova will breathe a sigh of relief when you tell them. They have so many schools in these 2 cities, it'll be easy for them to place you. I requested Tokyo and got it.

Temujin · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Osaka

I requested Tokyo, Fukuoka or Osaka in that order, and I got Fukuoka. You don't have to request a location at interview - you get the opportunity to do so when accepting the job. That way you can avoid appearing inflexible at the interview. Just tell them you'd be happy anywhere then request your preferred location afterwards.

pishygorbeh · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Nagoya, Japan

Thanks everyone, your information is really helpful. Very Happy

Also, what did any of you think about the NOVA program in Tokyo?
I imagine the living accomodations were loud and small but exciting. With such a hectic work week (40 hrs +) was the fast-paced life of Tokyo exciting or overwhelming? Also, why did you pick Tokyo?

I'm just trying to figure out if it's the right city for me.

Thanks again.

allyismycopilot · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Tsuyama-Shi

You know you can always start off in a less-hectic/loud/expensive area and once you get suited request a transfer to Tokyo if you think it's right for you.

Personally I can't stand Tokyo. I lived in Japan ten years and only visited twice. There is no way I could work there. Of course that is just me and there a plenty of people who love it there.

But it could be beneficial to start somewhere cheaper and a little more relaxed. You could visit Tokyo and see if it is for you and then try for that transfer.

Of course you could always do the opposite as well. But the opposite we be more expensive. lol.

The good thing is you would be in a situation where you wouldn't be stuck in a lease and all you need is 30 days notice to walk out of the Nova apartment:)

wintersweet · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 12:14 am Post subject:

Keep in mind that Tokyo is a lot more expensive than other places (except maybe Osaka). Some people working for big chains feel that they wind up living in a bubble of English speakers, English-speaking restaurants and doctors, etc. That aspect is a trade-off--security for insularity. If you want to learn Japanese, you'll have to work on it consciously. Tokyo was a bit overwhelming for me, nothing at all like a small big city (if you know what I mean) like San Francisco. Lots to do, though.

By the way, pishygorbeh, you don't happen to have a sister in an MATESOL program, do you? (Never mind if you don't.)

Good luck!

pishygorbeh · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Nagoya, Japan

Scott Denham · Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Utah, USA

You say Tokyo and Osaka are really expensive. What are some other cool cities that are in that second tier of priceyness? I've heard Fukoaka is cool. Of course I've heard Kyoto is cool, but that it's hard to get a job there.

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

Zzonkmiles · Joined: 05 Apr 2003 Posts: 309

tokyo376 · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 39 Location: Tokyo

Keep in mind that there is a good chance that Nova will put you in an apartment way out in the suburbs, so while you're excited now about the madness of Tokyo, you may end up in a sleepy community of minivans and swingsets. I didn't know of any co-workers who got an apartment right in the heart of the city. It took me 40 minutes to get into central Tokyo where I worked. I woke up every Saturday to the sounds of Little League baseball in the park across the street. Not the Mardi Gras I was expecting when they said I'd been posted in Tokyo. A year later, tired of commuting, I moved downtown.

Personally, I recommend Osaka (though I've only spent a week there). It's big and exciting like Tokyo, but in my opinion, in a better location. 30 minutes to Kyoto and Nara (2 great places for a stroll on your day off).

Good luck and enjoy.

OaklandZoo · Joined: 13 Jun 2005 Posts: 30

Tokyo is huge too, keep in mind. There are places (including where I work) that when you look at the place, you are like "this can't be the capital city of Japan". But Nova has schools in these places as well, so while you may be placed in Tokyo, but you could be placed at places like Machida and Mizuho and other places on far western border.

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

I've known people who its worked both ways for. They asked for Tokyo, they got Tokyo. They asked for Tokyo, they were stuck in the countryside.

I didn't ask for anyplace, and was quite happy with my placement. Since I didn't request anything, I had nothing to complain about.

I found the people who wanted the big city and didn't get it were miserable the first few months until they got settled. One person I knew got his living information about Osaka, only to arrive and be given train tickets to a city 4 hours away that few people had ever heard of.