Hello,
I am considering job offers from both Gaba and Nova.
I realize that their reputations are dogshit.
I also understand that Nova is the parent company of Gaba.
However, I find myself in a situation where I have several pending applications with other companies that could potentially offer better opportunities. The issue at hand is that Gaba and Nova have requested my decision within the week.
1. From the perspective of a first-time English teacher in Japan, which of the two companies would be more advantageous? I’ve gleaned from my research that I can expect a similar income level from both. Gaba’s scheduling flexibility appeals to me, making it slightly more attractive than Nova. I’d appreciate any insights or experiences you might have to share about this.
2. I am curious about the ramifications of accepting an offer, initiating the visa application process, and then being presented with a more appealing job opportunity. Would it be straightforward to withdraw the initial visa application and start a new one with a different company? Or could this potentially complicate matters with the embassy and the visa application process?
Thank you in advance for your advice and insights!
EDIT: I see that only one COE can be issued at a time. If it is the case that a better job offer (same industry) comes up prior to my departure, can I just tell the new employer that I will not require visa sponsorship? Or do I HAVE to receive a COE from the company i’ll be working for?
5 comments
NOVA. NOVA actually pays a salary. GABA pays by lesson, so if no one books tour lesson, you don’t get paid even though you showed up to teach lessons from 10am-6pm. With NOVA, they give you other tasks to do if no lessons booked.
Your work visa is issued by the Japanese government. So long as the job falls within the category of your visa you can quit NOVA or GABA to switch careers any time you want. They have no control over that despite what they might try to tell you. You could quit day one if you grab a better offer.
NOVA, and all the little companies they’ve bought up, aren’t just some evil entity. They’re business. They offer the easiest fastest recruitment process for a quick visa and job placement. Their turnover is high due to predatory business practices and terrible pay/benefits. But the job is good enough compared to other options that if teaching abroad is your passion you can easily make the best of it.
Don’t get stuck working for years at NOVA.
Once you’re a Japanese resident with a work visa you’ll find it much easier to apply for better jobs. Use NOVA as a stepping stone, a quick stepping stone if possible, to find a more reputable company to work with.
Don’t take the NOVA apartment. Use Gajinpot or other sources to secure your own accommodations after you get the job offer. You’ll be overcharged and locked into a bad contract with the provided apartment.
Unpopular opinion, it’s perfectly ok to work for NOVA for a bit while you figure out your life in Japan. The only mistake would be committing to them. They’re a company with zero loyalty towards foreign teachers. Very much a “dime a dozen” mentality. So just make sure you don’t get complacent and stop job hunting. Always be networking and updating your resume to try and land a better gig.
Nova is now the parent company of Gaba now. So, you can work for both of them down the line. Of course, others have shared more important details, so choose wisely for starters.
Nova, as an employee. GABA only offers independent contractor agreements, which is basically a scam.
Not the answer you’re looking for, but in all honesty, neither of them.
I worked for GABA from November 2019 to May 2022. It was a great experience, I made good money, had fun, and GABA even paid instructors during the pandemic closure.
Despite that, after the NOVA acquisition everything that made GABA stand out from other schools is gone.
The best feature in my opinion was the presence of counselors. These were the Japanese staff that guided clients throughout their stay. They’d speak to them at length, of course, hoping to have a renewal when the time came, but also playing an important role recommending instructors, which leads to repeated Blue bookings (instructor chosen by the client). Repeat “customers” was the key to success here, too.
Counselors are mostly gone, and bookings, especially for new instructors, are ridiculously low. I was making 300k within a month, new instructors are making 50k – 100k.
The environment and schedule freedom is also great, although before NOVA you could walk to your Instructor Support Leader and ask to close unbooked lesson slots at any time, and now you have to email them. If they’re not there, well, you could call their superior in another unit, so it’s all done to make it as inconvenient as possible.
Nova is another thing altogether, group lessons, lower prices, more of a fast food solution.
I would wholeheartedly urge you to find a job elsewhere, perhaps an ALT. Think smaller cities. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.