Job Discussion Forums

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

Hi all, I've been lurking on these forums for a while now and I've read a whole lot, most of which has been helpful but I still have a couple of questions if anyone can help. I have an interview in a couple of days with NOVA at their chicago office and I was wondering if anyone that has recently been through this, especially anyone that went through the chicago office, could give me a detailed account of what I might expect.
thanks a lot

MindlessFudge · Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 40

BrianL, I went through the interview process at NOVA's Boston office, but their hiring practices will be the same no matter which office you go to.

Most of the day will be spent in an information session. They'll tell you about NOVA, how they think they're beter than everyone else (which of course every company will tell you), and a lot about what living in Japan is like. A quesiton-answer period will accompany this, so be prepared with any questions you may have.

They have a peculiar way of conducting their personal interviews. For everyone's interview they start out saying that you will be asked a series of questions and that you must respond immediately and in three words or less or else they will skip the question. Afterwards they go over the questions and the responses you gave. I don't remember all of the questions, but some of them are as follows:

How would your best friend describe you?

How do you respond to criticism?

How do you handle stress?

There's a wealth of other questions they ask. They are strict about responding quickly and in three words or less.

They are also interested in how you handle customers and any experience you'd had dealing directly with customers. They might ask you about how you've handled unsatisfied customers and what not.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Best of luck to you.

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

thanks for the info. I have some more questions. In the event that i get hired by NOVA what is the procedure? do they offer me a contract there and then at the conclusion of the interview? and if so, do i have to accept it then or do they give time to make a decision?

nicyvesweet · Joined: 21 Dec 2004 Posts: 90

I interviewed at the Chicago office back in October... I got an offer 3 weeks after I interviewed. I recieved a letter and a packet describing the job and explaining the contract. I had to fill out a Visa application. I got hired for the Media Center so I knew right away where I was being placed, but if you get a branch office, I think it'll be different. You have like another 2 weeks to give a response about the position.

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

thanks for the info. what about dress for the interview? they told me business attire, does that mean they want a suit or just shirt/tie/jacket type thing? would a suit be overkill?

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

I wore a suit and got the job. Should be going in March this year.

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

I was invited to interview with NOVA but I was informed that they are only offering 29 hours a week as opposed to 35 hours. The NOVA guy says that I would be making 20-30000 less than what is posted on the NOVA website. He said he would know the exact number next week. Has anyone heard about this decrease in hours and pay? Are other companies in Japan doing better?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

ok, again, thanks for answering the question, i do have a couple of suits, i was just not wanting to walk in to an interview wearing one and feel overdressed or anything. also, when NOVA contacted me about an interview they didn't say anything about less pay/hours does anyone else know anything about this?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Brian,

I can't answer your questions about lower pay, but I would certainly question the NOVA people about why they offer less than their advertised rates on the web site. Just be professional about it.

As to suits, you should look at the NOVA site itself and see what people are wearing. Other sites offer similar pictures. Some employers allow you to get by with a dress shirt, tie and nice slacks, but I think you should be prepared. Some employers are quite strict about wearing suits to the point of telling you that only certain colors are demanded! You might be asked to attend some event that really requires a suit for good etiquette. Funeral. Wedding. Office function. Whatever. You may also find yourself in Japan looking for another job and wanting to look presentable for THAT interview.

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

thanks for all the help, i'm sorry if i sound like a complete moron with all these questions, but i've been reading these forums for a few weeks and haven't seen everything addressed that i would like to know

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Brian,
You don't sound like a moron. Just someone new to this.

If you have specific questions, you might find what you are looking for by doing a search on this site first. See the search function at the top of the page. It may take a while to weed out what you want from the posts that come up in the results, but lots of info is here. And, there is always the FAQs at the top of the forum page of posts.

Don't worry about posting if you can't find something.

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

Hey Brian,
Yeah I asked the guy at NOVA about only offering 29 hours and I asked him if those hours correspond to the pay rate advertised. He said no and told me that the pay rate advertised is for 35 hours. He told me that NOVA is in the process of adjusting the advertised pay rates. A word of caution, I had to ask about this and this information was not given to me voluntarily

BrianL · Joined: 30 Dec 2004 Posts: 10

tbiehl2000, when and where did you interview, if i may ask?

tbiehl2000 · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 87

I haven't interviewed yet. I was offered an interview in Boston. If I'm not mistaken the website is indicating a 29 hr work week. My point is that the pay advertised is for a 35 hour work week. Just ask them and I'm sure they'll tell you that. 29 hours and a little less pay may be a better deal. Who's to say?