Hi all,
So I’ve got an offer to work from NOVA – I took all your advice and I haven’t opted to stay in the NOVA provided apartment so I can look for something else as soon as I get to Japan possibly. But I also have an interview on Thursday for Aeon, this obviously looks like the more attractive offer due to the higher wage, cheap apartment they provide and idk just looks better – does anyone have any interview advice for Aeon, as at the NOVA interview I was a little bit blindsided by the role play part (mainly because he was speaking in a fake Japanese accent which put me off???) so I want to really tighten my interview skills if anyone has any advice.
Also with NOVA I suggested a start date of October but now I am thinking I want to push it back to November because I maybe want to spend a month in Japan as a tourist first and foremost (before the onslaught begins), so can I go to Japan on a tourist visa in October and then re-enter in November or is it best to tell NOVA my intentions of exploring for a month or so before starting in November? Thanks!
8 comments
They’re both pretty shit and will be highly stressful work.however, AEON offers a few things NOVA does not. AEON compensation is higher (and actually a salary, not paid by lesson), they will look after you more in coming to the country (in terms of helping you get set up), and they have set hours (12 til 9 weekdays and 10 to 7 Saturdays with a one hour break) so you always have Saturday and Sundays off. AEON is objectively better than NOVA. But don’t think I’m saying AEON is good. It’s still shit and they work will work you as hard as they’re allowed to plus a little more.
>he was speaking in a fake Japanese accent
WHAT.
I’ve had to suffer through some pretty stupid interviews, but faking an accent? *faceplam*
Go with Aeon, but don’t take their apartment, either. Every school that offers housing is making money by renting you their apartment at a higher price than people would normally pay.
But do keep in mind that the reason most people take those apartments is because of the difficulty with finding one on your own, and the expense of paying the deposit, key money, real estate fee, and first months’ rent.
You can find apartments that don’t charge as much up front, but it does take time – so keep that in mind.
I worked at Aeon long long ago.
It’s not great but it certainly wasn’t bad. If you are young and like to party, it can be fun.
But, as soon as you have a year or two under your belt, start looking to get out (sooner if you can by doing a higher degree online while working there). If you find you like teaching, get a master’s degree and find a better job. Aeon/NOVA are good to get your feet wet and have some fun, but they are not “careers” for the majority of their teachers.
That being said, if you like it, you could leverage a masters into a training spot or something in the head office.
I went into University teaching. Never looked back.
NOVA went bankrupt without telling its employees and many of them found out the day they went to the school and were locked out. A number were homeless afterwards. It was a while back, but still.
AEON by all appearances (along with ECC) is a much better run company in terms of stability. That alone should be a factor. Not the only factor by far, but I personally wouldn’t touch NOVA with a ten foot pole.
Make sure you wear a full suit for the Aeon online interview. Apparently they sometimes ask people to stand up to make sure you’re wearing pants (I’ve heard it a couple of times from different people).
Probably one creepy interviewer
punch in the face or a kick in the nuts?
Nova’s HR motto is:
You don’t have to be a asshole but it helps…
Be careful with pushing back the start date with NOVA. They gave me a list of start dates and I told them I need more time and they ghosted me.
Most likely a blessing in disguise but if you want to rely on it to get into Japan you may have to take the plunge.