Job Discussion Forums

[kanjizai]

I am going to be interviewing at for a NOVA postion soon. I would like some advice on what is the best location to work at, how to negotiate the best salary, and how to make the most out of my experince. By best location I mean one that has a good admin. staff and the cost of living is lower than that in Tokyo. About the salary, I noticed that their are ranges of begining salaries and I would like the highet, of course, and I wanted to know what they needed to hear to get it. And finally how have you made the best of your time at NOVA. Your response is appreciated.

[GFunK]

I had a NOVA experience today, and I will state now that I haven't done my homework.
But
they said they can interview me in 6 weeks time and place me about 6 weeks after that. I said "why, actually NOVA CHICK, I plan on being in japan just after the New Year wah, wah,...guffaw,guffaw" She says to GFunK " you can't get a job there unless you got a visa and sponsership and only we can get it for you....guaranteed"
Like I said I don't know my stuff, but how come all me mates just cruise to Japan and get cool jobs without any visa and stuff (don't sweat it, they are degreed up, they're on our side, keep out the vermin, solidarity, etc). But it seems if you get there, your school will sort you.
Sorry this is old hats for you old cats, but it pissed me off i.e. you won't get a job in japan without us!!!!

[april]

As far as negotiating salary - you can't. Nova has posted a salary range on their website because people who work the late shift get paid more. As do people with an education degree or other credentials.

Places that are cheaper than Tokyo to live - anywhere that isn't Tokyo! But then your salary will decrease so it all works out the same anyway.

[Celeste]

Gfunk-

The thing is that finding a job in Japan can take a bit of time. After you have secured a job, you can expect to wait 4-6 weeks for your first paycheck (employees get paid once a month here, and some companies pay late - despicable practice!). If you have little cash to begin with, you may find this to be an impossible situation. (Oh, housing is hard to get here, too!) For people without deep pockets, coming to Japan without NOVA or the JET programme or Westgate or some other such agency, it is a dicey proposition. If you come to Japan just after the new year, you may be able to secure a job for the new school year that starts in April. I would suggest the end February or the beginning of March, but perhaps others would have more to say on that.

Good luck.

[GFunK]

Cheers for the info Celeste
I have enough cash to hold out for a few months, and a place I can crash in Fukuoka, but , yeah I don't wanna blow all my hard earned savings.
I'm thinking of negotiating a 6 month stint in Busan so I can sift across and tee it all up properly instead of the devil may care attitude.
I bet Japan is a very bad place to be broke!!!

[Canuk girl]

kanjizai,
as April said, the Nova salary is all about professional teaching credentials , what shifts you will work, and where you will be working.
For example if you are full time and are willing to work the late shift (1-9) than you'd make a bit more (not much), and if you do overtime, they tell you you'll make a heap too, but the overtime that they might sell you on doesn't exist anymore.. just to let you know in advance. You actually don't even know exactly how much you will be making until your pen is wetted to sign on the dotted line IN JAPAN, since salary is by location and you don't even know that location until two weeks before you leave your home country.

[shmooj]

Hey... is the title of this thread a trick question

[Glenski]

[GFunK]

Yes I understand that Glenski, and you are bang on!
They went there with their lifesavings rented an apartment and started knocking on doors. 2 have left there now so maybe the market has changed. 1 was in Chiba, had no teaching experience and landed a job actually running the school, just by being in the right place at the right time. The 1 that is left, has advised me that jobs are thin on the ground in Fukuoka, and would be risky to assume I'd get a job.
I' m just a little weary of dropping 5 grand US to be able to go job hunting there. Although I loved my time in Korea, I think I would get a bit depressed staring down another year there. There is not much of a 'wow factor' left for me there. I haven't been to Japan so the cultural experience would see me through the tough times etc. Descisions..........
I do have a contact that said he would employ me in January, unfortunately his father has taken very ill and he is out of the country for the foreseeable future.

[Glenski]