Job Discussion Forums

[melirae]

Hi all!

This is my first post, so please go easy on me!

I am interviewing with NOVA in April. I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could help me with. And before the comment is posted, I have read through the Japan forum extensively, as well as the Newbie forum AND performed a search and could not find the answers. If they are there, they are well hidden!

1. For the group or personal interview, does NOVA typically ask you to simulate a lesson?

2. How long do they take to respond after the interview?

3. Does the person in the US who interviews you have any sort of leverage when it comes to your placement in Japan- ie, if I suck up to recruiters here, will it help me get my first choice there?

Sorry to seem like a sell out on that last one, but if I'm spending a year there, I would like to have one of my top 3 choices!

Thanks!!
MK

[april]

1. You won't have to give a demo lesson, no. Not like I had to with other recruitment companies where either the recruiter or other interviewee's (did I just invent a new word??) pretended to be the students! But they will ask you to read aloud a paragraph from one of their books and ask you many questions related to teaching. For example, how would you explain the word 'dictaphone'? What type of grammar is the focus of this sentence? What would you do if your student was very shy and didn't say anything? How would you teach a lesson where your students are a high school student, a business man, and housewife? But even if their interview technique has changed and you do have to give a demo lesson, it's no big deal. Just show lots and lots of personality and use hand gestures.

2. I heard back from them the very next day with a letter in the mail saying I was successful (fast hey!). But 3 friends of mine, who interviewed with them only a couple of months ago, waited just over 2 weeks. I think 2 weeks is the usual time, judging by what I have read in these forums.

3. I'm not sure...I doubt it...but it couldn't hurt to suck-up could it! What happens is at the interview they will discuss location preference and you can tell them where you want to go and why. I think all the recruiter does is write that in a file which is then sent over to Japan. As long as your top 3 locations aren't Okinawa, Hokkaido or Kyoto, you should get at least one of the 3.

[quai]

remeber that Nova now do an exam as part of their testing. So brush up a bit on your grammar a little.

Also in the one on one interview they will be asking you to explain words etc to see how you handle that - also the usual questions about how you deal with stress and the likes.

[melirae]

Thanks for the advice! I actaully moved my interview to next week, so I'll have to start studying.

Is the grammer test written or verbal? Any details on the length or a couple of example type questions would be appreciated!