Job Discussion Forums

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Hello
I'm a 21 year old Canadian female with only three years of a university degree (as in, I am degree-less) who is planning on going to Japan in September for a year.
I'm not going over there because I want to be a teacher. I'm going with the intentions of experiencing Japan. I've found what seems to be the only job in all of Japan that doesn't require a full university degree.
the "flexi" position at NOVA.

I've read a lot about the company.
from both the good and bad reviews, it really doesn't seem like that bad a job to me. I mean, if I was going over there with the impression that I was going to be teaching adoring japanese kids english through creative games and activities, then yeah i could see myself being disappointed. But it seems about on par with the jobs I've had here at home.

I'm just a little concerned about the whole thing because I can't find any reviews of the position.
Do any of you know someone who has done this? It seems the exact same as all the other positions with less hours and no need for a degree.

thank you for your time and advice in advance Smile

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

It is, as you say, exactly like the full-time postition with fewer hours and a lower wage. I don't know why it is called a "flexi" position. The wording makes it sound like you have a greater choice about when and where you teach, but the truth is that the company can use you in a more flexible way. If they need you to teach in a different school they will send you there whenever they want.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

You need to get a visa, and NOVA will not give you one with your qualifications. Get a working holiday visa and you're set.

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

wangtesol · Joined: 24 May 2005 Posts: 280

For getting the Working Hokiday Visa that is available to Canadians, you just apply and get it basically (if under 30 years old). You do not need a job in hand.

For Nova though, it is easier for them if you do all the work and get the visa, then they don't have to. See?

And if you have a working holiday visa and are female (you don't need a degree), you can take your pick of the jobs in Japan. Most Nova-type jobs can only keep their female employees for a few months until they find something better and move on.

The "flexi" position just sounds like some recruiter talk out of Nova Group Canada. Never heard this term before.

Did they tell you about "shakai hoken" (the national medicare plan in Japan) or are they still trying to sell their financially unknown health insurance, JMA? Their previous financial backer, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank abandonned them last fall when they found out Nova had been lying to them all these years that their teachers were enrolled in shakai hoken.

Now, Nova has a bad reputation with the banks and their stock has fallen 50% or so in the last year.

You can get much better jobs by just chceking the job board here and having a work visa in hand. Don't sign anything with Nova Group Canada. They misrepresent the job. Flat out. (and they are desperate) Tell your friends too.

The Working Holiday Visa is fantastic. Americans cannot get this. Take advantage of it. You have a lot of power being female and having this visa!

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Most jobs advertise 'degree only' as only with a degree can they sponser you for a work visa. In practice many (smaller) companies drop this requirement if they need someone urgently and you are already here on a WHV. They just don't tell their students that.

Signing with Nova does guarantee that you will start work straight away but you can probably find something better. You will certainly be hard put to find anything worse (unless you apply to Shane...)

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

Personally I think it is difficult to get a job in Japan without making arrangements and I wouldn't go to to Japan believing that you are in a strong position.

If you want to believe in Wangtesol then that is fine.

But you should realize he is a bully and he considers anyone who disagrees with anything he says to be a rat (a scab).

I can't stand this behaviour and I think bullies like him do the EFL profession a diservice.

If you want to join a union that too is fine. PM me if you have any trouble.

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

oh another question I have, is how easy is it for me, if I get over there and can't find a job elsewhere, to just walk into a NOVA and be like "hey... hire me."

do they accept people like that?
Judging from some of the stories, they're pretty desperate. I can deal with that in the end, beggars can't be choosers.

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

beavotron · Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

All I'm saying is that jobs on a working holiday visa are quite scarce. If Wangtesol says you should just go out there and flaunt your opportunities you may be disappointed.

I don't like NOVA but they are your best bet if you have no degree.

If anyone wants to contradict that then they are welcome. But don't let yourself be used as some kind of pawn.

NOVA is not so bad for your situation. In fact, you will probably enjoy it.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

angrysoba · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 446 Location: Kansai, Japan

stillnosheep:

I think you have to rephrase your convoluted sentences before they make sense.