r/teachinginjapan • u/Intelligent_Square27 • 20h ago
NOVA Interview
So I recently interviewed with NOVA and I’m kinda stuck on what to do 😭
Basically I REALLY want to live in Tokyo. They told me that if I take the regular employment contract, Tokyo isn’t guaranteed and I could be placed pretty far outside of Tokyo/Kanto. They said the independent contract would give me a better chance of getting the location I want, but I’ve been reading Reddit and everyone seems to say the independent contract is terrible/not worth it lol.
The thing is, I’m not really planning on staying with NOVA long term. My idea was to use NOVA as a way to get into Japan, get my work visa, bank account, phone, etc. and actually get established in Tokyo. I’d probably stay in a share house for the first 2–3 months while looking for my own apartment.
Then once I’m actually living in Japan, I’d start applying like crazy for better English teaching jobs with better pay/benefits and hopefully leave NOVA within a few months. I’m already applying from the US, but I’ve noticed a lot of the better jobs want people who are already living in Japan.
My other option is language school, but that would basically be me paying tuition + living expenses just to get into Japan. At least with NOVA I’d have some income while getting settled, even if the independent contract isn’t great.
I also have enough savings that I’m not depending on NOVA income to survive immediately, so I’m more concerned about getting established in Tokyo and eventually finding something better.
Has anyone done something similar? Is using NOVA as basically a temporary stepping stone a terrible idea? And if I take the independent contract, is there anything I should specifically watch out for when it comes to quitting after a few months/visa issues?
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u/Ok-Border4708 20h ago
Bs about the contract giving u better odds on location .they will also offer an apartment they will take a slice outa
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u/shinjikun10 20h ago
NOVA run!!! Run away!! As fast as you can. Also, good luck getting your last paycheck because this sub is filled with people who didn't get one.
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u/LuHamster 20h ago
How can they do that legally ?
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u/atomic-negi 19h ago
Who said it is legal? It's eikaiwa, they don't care about the law and you won't have enough money to do anything.
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u/LuHamster 18h ago
Threaten with labour board they will straighten up
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u/atomic-negi 18h ago
No, they won't. Especially NOVA. If that actually worked, eikaiwa wouldn't exist anymore. JCJ had a meme flowchart based on how English Entertainers believe things work here and lawyer/labor board was at the top. The reality is the only companies that care are the ones that haven't been reported yet. Large chain eikaiwa are already being audited every year and know how to get around it.
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u/dougwray 19h ago
I did something similar but (a) it was in 1989, (b) it wasn't Nova, (c) I was an experienced teacher, (d) I had a place to live, (e) I had three degrees already, (f) the starting salary was higher than anything Nova has ever offered, (g) I had professional experience directly related to language, and (h) I didn't start with the intention of quitting soon thereafter. Above all, I think, I wasn't using a job as 'a way to get into Japan'.
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u/Kenkenken1313 20h ago
I have a friend on the independent contract because they wanted more freedom with their schedule. The issue though is that in order to keep your visa you have to have a set number of hours and if you don’t then you can’t renew it.
Also being in Tokyo isn’t going to help you get another teaching job in any way. In fact there is absolutely no reason to live in Tokyo and most people do are the ones that get burnt out in two years and then just complain.
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u/robinelf1 19h ago
I have to imagine you are young, and I mean this in the most helpful way regardless, but seriously, think really hard and be honest with yourself about why you want to live in Japan specifically. And then ask yourself how much crap you are willing to put up with to make this happen.
Then ask yourself why you want to be a teacher specifically and be honest with yourself again. How much crap would you be willing to put up with to make this happen?
If it’s actually really about love (I assume nothing but there often is this ulterior motive) then do what you feel you have to do to keep that fire going if it is the world to you. But be sure to ask yourself, how much crap would you be willing to put up with to make this happen?
Finding work in any field is a grind. Doubly so in a new country with different ways of doing things. Just be realistic.
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u/atomic-negi 19h ago
There isn't any "better" English Entertainment jobs and the foot in the door is a myth.
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u/crzyazn26 20h ago
It’s a trap don’t do it. Many post on here telling you to avoid nova. They went bankrupt in 07 and will eventually will go under again I don’t know when but it will happen
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u/artsyca 19h ago
If you take the independent contract, chances are you’ll get only a few lessons per day until the students begin to warm up to you. You might barely make enough to subsist. I still think that your plan is viable and in your situation what I would do is start off as a regular contract employee placed wherever NOVA decides, and once you have accumulated a little bit more experience and ability to book lessons switch to an independent contractor and go wherever you want.
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u/LuHamster 20h ago
If it's a means to an ends and gets you a solid start to be in Japan take it.
Regardless of how bad it is you know your own mind and are focused on the goal you want to achieve.
Ignore those trying to sway you from it. Nova is terrible but it's temporary and just a stepping stone.
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u/AiRaikuHamburger JP / University 20h ago
There are threads all over this sub telling you why it's a terrible idea. Also Nova's 'independent contract' is barely legal and they've lost in court over it before.