Job Discussion Forums

[Kleetus]

My girlfriend and I have accepted positions to start with Nova in August. (no clue where yet...) I'm starting to accept the fact that Nova is really ripping us off by charging us each a full amount of rent on a one bedroom apartment, though I've read it's pretty impossible to find a place on your own (especially in the first year). What other bills can we expect to pay beyond the rent...?

-internet? (I'm assuming high-speed is available almost anywhere these days)

-gym membership?

-cell phone?

Also, what's the deal with Nova paying for transportation, how does the reimbursment process work?

I understand that prices are going to be different everywhere, but if someone could help me out with some averages, that would be great. I'm pretty sure that we'll be placed in Osaka, Yokohama or Fukuoka, based on what they told us at the interview.

Thanks

[ejectseat]

I'm in the same boat, going solo and starting in July. I'm probably going to hold off on getting a phone for as long as possible, and going computerless as well.

Gym memberships look like their going to be pretty expensive based off of what was said in the "karate lessons" thread.

Cell phones? NOVA is going to try to push their contract deal phone company on you. There will be a bunch of people at the airport trying to get you to buy one also, avoid them. Wait till you get there, and find out from some co-workers. You and your girl are going to be able to get a "family" plan, and will save some lootcakes...

I'm curious about the NOVA transport reimbursement deal too. I believe I read on here that they pay for a month at a time, and you have so limited rides.

[PAULH]

[Glenski]

[canuck]

I've had friends work at NOVA.

You pay for your apartment, but don't have to worry about the utilities etc. Often you are with roommates. You avoid the setup costs, but pay a little more rent or the same as if you were on your own, but have a couple extra bodies in the house.

For example, you might share a three bedroom place, each paying 60,000 yen. However, for the same size place, three people might only have to pay 110,00 a month etc. The positive side is that you can give a months notice at anytime and leave. They take the rent at the end of the month, and if you rent on your own, you have to pay at the beginning of the month. This is quite a hit when/if you move out, making it more difficult financially, which is why many people end of staying in their apartments for a while. My suggestion is to blast the aircon non stop during the summer because it's free...and it's hot and humid around Japan.

NOVA has a deal with the phone companies and get a cut signing you up. It's the same with the airplane tickets. Basically, they try to make money on everything. The bonus is that they try to make it easy. NOVA will not pay for your phone bills.

Transportation is paid by your employer. This is at the end of the month typically. The way the train system works is that you pay per ride. Once you leave the ticket gates, your ticket is gone. However, you can buy a monthly pass, and use the trains on the route you by. However, your company will only pay for the route from you house to your work location.

Remember, you also get paid at the end of the month, once a month. So, depending on when you arrive, you work for a month or more (depending on when the pay period cut off is) and get paid the following month. It could be 2.5 months before you see any money. This is why NOVA also offers loans to people.

All this information was available if you used the search fuction too. There is a lot of information on NOVA. Good luck guys....and I'd start looking for another job as soon as you're comfortable here.

[ejectseat]

TWO AND A HALF MONTHS BEFORE THE 1ST CHECK! holy hell. Should be interesting...

[PAULH]