Job Discussion Forums

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

i read this somewhere.. but correct me if i'm wrong..
if you get hired by nova... is it two weeks prior to your departure that they tell you where you'll be stationed???

if i'm wrong.... how soon do u know where you'll be stationed once u pass the interview process and they tell you.. you're HIRED!!?!?!???

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

is there anyone here.. or know anyone who was got placed in the countryside when they wrote a preference of being in the city??

i know u dont get a guarantee of what u want... but yeah..

I know u can request to transfer... but how often does that go through?

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

AFTER TWO days of my interview with Nova.. i JUST got a call from them saying "congratulations!"

WOoooooooo!! i guess i'll be leaving on a jet plane soon to japan! ^___^
thx everyone for the tips, advice and what nots...

I know what i'm gettin myself into.. and i'm ready to make the most of it!

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: ...

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

seastarr · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 76

If Nova's staff shortage is the same as it was when I left 4 months ago, and from talking to my friends there (most of whom have recently left or are in the process of leaving), it is, you should have no problem working overtime. There are no laws in Japan (well at least not that Nova enforces) regarding working hours in a day, or days in a row like we have in Canada. They are great about paying OT and I never had any problems receiving proper pay. One thing to keep in mind though if you are going on a Flexi-schedule is that you only get OT pay (125% pay) IF you work on your days off or over 8 lessons a day. Normal flexi- schedules are 5 lessons a day, usually in the evening from 5-9. So, if you decide or are asked to work 8 lessons vs. 5, you will be paid the normal rate for a lesson, not extra. If you work 9 lessons, the 9th lesson will be paid at 125%. If you work on your day off, all lessons will be paid at 125%. This was always an area of confusion among teachers. Working for Nova is not a bad gig, just make sure you have everything straight and you understand what you are getting into before you board the plane. Many don't and they are the ones who usually gripe and complain about Nova.

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

seastarr · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 76

it depends on your contract. I think we worked it out to about $16-20 canadian an hour( so around 1600-2000 yen), depending on how long you had been there and your shift allowances. When people paid other teachers to do their lessons, for whatever reason, 1600 yen was usually the amount paid.

philjapan · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

This is for you Canadians out there that had the interview with Nova;

Any idea when they're interviewing out west, Vancouver, or any website that shows there recruiting schedule for the rest '06?

Thanks

ShaggyZ · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 25 Location: Alberta

Calgary: November 29
Winnipeg: December 7

I got this from their website by clicking on the Toronto link and then going to the recruiting schedule.

I applied on Sunday hoping I'd make the November 29 interview (I live in Lethbridge) but haven't heard back from them yet.

bornslippy1981 · Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 271

LoTan,

One of my first roommates was placed in the countryside, and he had requested Osaka. He got the information for his Osaka apartment before departure, and upon arrival was given the keys and directions to his new apartment in the countryside.

Naturally, he was ticked off, and the first few weeks took a lot out of him. But, things got better for him. A few couples I worked with had requested Osaka or Kyoto, and were placed in the countryside. However, don't be discouraged if you are. It's easy to transfer, and the small towns have a nice charm to them.

I didn't have a preference, which might be why I was placed in the countryside. That said, in Tokyo I knew many people who didn't have a preference, and their first stop was Tokyo.

About the overtime, make sure you get copies of everything, and save them until you've been paid. It never happened to me where I had incorrect pay, but I knew some people who didn't get paid for overtime. The trainer at my branch dealt with all the overtime forms, and double checked everything at the end of the month. However, at other places it's the staff who deal with all of it, and can let things slip. Just be a little pushy that you need their seal on the form, and be sure to give a copy to your branch, and keep one for yourself.

This past summer I hammered the overtime from May-July, and was able to remit about 150,000 Yen each month. The availability of overtime is about the only thing I miss about Nova. That said, it wasn't too bad of a place to work, and I have few complaints. Just read these boards and other forums, and you'll know what to expect.

LoTan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 30

thx for the advice!

i really dont mind if i get a countryside... but if i do end up gettin one.. i just hope its near osaka.. or tokyo. an hr or so travel distance to it wouldn't be so bad. is that even possible? a countryside that's an hour away from those cities??

ahh.. we'll see what happens.. i'll know in a few months where i'll be located. ^__^

philjapan · Joined: 19 Nov 2006 Posts: 15

Any one here wait longer than 4 weeks for Nova to get back to them? I'm wondering whether or not I should just email my resume to their Toronto HQ, hmmm.....