NOVA seems to have fast-tracked me after the interview. So things are moving a bit faster than i Anticipated. Looking for a bit of advice and input.

Yesterday I interviewed for NOVA. My understanding is that they’re one of the less reputable dispatch companies, and advertise the most due to demand from turn-over. Despite this I figured I’d apply to them first since they had the fastest and easiest process.

Interview went well. I’m aware of how desirable I am as an applicant. White male, professional appearance, educated with work experience in care services and teaching, and I’m rather extroverted and charismatic.

Still, I expected a bit more time between the interview and offer. I’ve sent in my passport and they’re going to offer placements.

My plan is to spend the first year learning the language, networking, perhaps pursuing a teaching certificate or Masters through online classes.

Anyone have any advice or input? Am I planning properly? Should I hold out for better offers from somewhat more reputable companies?

Edit: It would seem I’ve insulted some of you simply by existing.

Edit 2: It would seem I have come to the wrong place seeking conversation. I was unaware of the presence of self-loathing and hatefulness. This experience has been unrewarding. The difference it seems, between us here, is that I like who I am and feel that discussing it freely shouldn’t be an issue. If being happy with who you are is an insult, you should reflect on how you feel about yourself.

29 comments
  1. If you’re so desirable, why not apply with the more “reputable” companies first, then save the fastest/easiest option for last?

  2. > Yesterday I interviewed for NOVA. My understanding is that they’re one of the less reputable *dispatch companies*

    For starters, NOVA is not a dispatch company, it’s an eikawa company.

    > White male, professional appearance, *educated* with work experience in care services and teaching

    You’re talking about doing a Master’s program, indicating you only have a Bachelor’s degree. You realize that every applicant is required to have a Bachelor’s, right? You’re just as “educated” as everyone else. Every single applicant interviewed by NOVA has a Bachelor’s.

    As far as the Master’s program goes, if you’re an early riser you might be okay because most eikawa companies bring you into work around noon. If you wait until night time (after work) you may not have the brainpower left to do good work.

    Also

    > White male, professional appearance, educated with work experience in care services and teaching, and I’m rather extroverted *and charismatic.*

    At least on the internet, no, you aren’t lmao. In fact, you seem quite uninformed; you don’t even know that you’ve just been hired by an eikawa and not a dispatch company lol.

  3. I just got an offer from them too. I’ve watched numerous YouTube videos and checked out other Reddit forums.

    I’m also looking for advice.

  4. You have a pulse and you’re willing to work for them. Fresh meat for NOVA, which is circling the drain.

  5. For Eikaiwa or ALTing? You said dispatch so ALT? They’re all a much of a muchness kinda thing. If you’re desperate to get in country maybe just go with them. See the placement then decide.

    Do you have enough saved to pay for an online Master’s? You won’t be earning much.

    Otherwise – I think you sound delightful. It’s barely 6:30 am on a Saturday in Tokyo. Altogether too snarky for this time of day. They’re probably just projecting.

  6. Hi! I think your personality is a nice to have in a JHS setting (ALT). I’d suggest to go to dispatch instead since you’ll have more time to study and adjust. But the pay can be a challenge.

    Though if you are already desperate in coming over, then take the offer.

  7. Well I left NOVA about two months ago…personally the work schedule and style was beginning to wear me down. Just try to think and be honest with yourself what kind of work style will work for you.

    Also, I think you need to be aware of the tone of your second paragraph. Are you highlighting the horrible bias of an interview going well because you are a “white male”? Or are you happily boasting that your race puts you at a desirable advantage?

  8. FYI your question is the eikaiwa equivalent of asking if its better to work for McDonald’s or Wendy’s. You are making a lot of assumptions about if and why you might be an “ideal candidate”, and either way don’t seem to realize that it is hardly the humble brag you think it is.

  9. My advice is to Run or to plan your running now. Take the employee contract if you do decide to choose hell.

  10. NOVA has a terrible reputation, but is tolerable in the short term if you A: have other options and know you can leave anytime, and B: are aware of what you’re getting into.

    If you treat it purely as a working holiday/year abroad type of situation, or know that it will only be an interim thing (i.e. you have something else lined up), it may be enjoyable. If you hope to use it as a platform for your career you may find it disappointing.

    Spending a year learning the language, networking and studying is a good goal, but keep in mind that a lot of young people come to Japan with that intention and end up putting off their studies (language or otherwise), find it difficult to build a network etc etc.

    My advice would be to have realistic expectations. If you want to experience living in a foreign country and travel a bit, I think NOVA provides a fairly easy path to do this (keep in mind that the wage is quite low so you would probably need to use a chunk of your savings as well for travelling). On the other hand, if you want to build a career in Japan that is sustainable in the long-term, it is much easier to gain more experience and pursue further studies in your home country before relocating. Also having a foundation in the language before you arrive will make your life much easier.

  11. It does stand out what you said.
    It’s Maybe a cultural thing. In the UK you would never get away with describing yourself that way. In Japan there’s more leeway, I dont think the Japanese are as modest as the Brits, or at least self effacing/self depreciating, despite modesty supposedly being a national characteristic here.
    Even if a British person is not actually that modest you would hide that.
    If you’re British I’m now gonna run and hide as I didn’t check.
    But, you know what? I don’t think it’s a bad trait. If you don’t blow your own trumpet, nobody else is going to.
    Also, after being a lifelong socialist, like most people who hit 40 I’ve turned conservative and now I’m like: if a person just is better, for natural reasons or because they’ve applied themselves, then they do deserve more of the pie.

  12. Lol at this comment section. OP, welcome to Japanese part of Reddit.

    More serious note.
    To be honest pursuing a masters and studying Japanese at the same time, your Japanese is not gonna be good enough to work in a Japanese speaking environment. Well, maybe, but my god that would require some serious dedication that at least I don’t have in me. I’m an old man tho.
    You can’t expect your Japanese to improve at work. They’ll ban you from speaking Japanese so just there is 8-9 hours of the day gone.

    Edit: Also, whilst Nova is one of the most hated workplaces in Japan, some people do like it. Not that I actually met one but they’re out there. Who knows, you might like it.

  13. NOVA, “i’ll spend the first year learning the language and networking”, obnoxious, self-absorbed…well would you look at that, annoying gaijin bingo.

  14. NOVA is bottom of the barrel. I would avoid them at all costs. You said you applied to ALTIA Central. I worked both at an eikaiwa (Amity) and with ALTIA. Though the pay wasn’t as good, the experience was infinitely better at ALTIA.

    Working at the eikaiwa, I taught up to 37 lessons a week AND I had lessons ranging from Pre-K to adults making the lesson planning almost unmanageable at times. You’re left completely drained to the point of not being able to really enjoy the country at all.

    ALTIA doesn’t pay as well, but the CEO has heart, and the supervisors are actually quite supportive. You also get to work in an actual school with the kids, and your workload won’t kill you + you’ll get a richer cultural experience imho.

    Keep in mind that different people have different experiences, and there can be both good and bad stories depending on the situation, but OVERALL (if you talk to people that have done both ALT at a school through a program like JET or ALTIA vs an eikaiwa) ALT is the better path.

    Plus, if you go with a program like ALTIA you get school holidays off which will allow you more time to travel/enjoy Japan.

    I would HIGHLY suggest you start learning Japanese right now if you plan to go within the year though. Learn hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji as well as some basic phrases.

  15. Such salty comments Jesus Christ.

    OP, hope everything works out for you.
    No advice to give as I’ve only teached part time back in my student days but wanted to let you know I didn’t think you wrote anything to warrant this type of response.

  16. I’ll just summarize what others have said: Don’t expect much if anything working for them. Not money, not support, nothing.

    The second you are in country with a visa, start applying to other positions in country with other companies far more reputable. Its a lot easier to get work in Japan if you are already in country. As long as the new company agrress to continue sponsoring your visa, you should be good.

    Look up Board of Education hiring. You can put in your own application to work as a English teacher with schools. This way you’ll avoid the dispatchers and get the full pay instead of 1/2 to 2/3rds working with a dispatcher. also, check sites like gaijin pot and jobs in japan for jobs open to foreigners living in country.

    this is a foot in the door, but do not expect it to be anything else.

  17. Hey OP my strongest advice is to try and learn some basic Japanese BEFORE you get here. The reason is, many ppl think that they will be able to/plan to learn Japanese while living here, but work life balance, stress, and general life gets in the way. Then, depending on where they are placed, they have difficulty getting around, interacting with the coworkers, community, and making friends. This leads to crippling social isolation which causes severe depression. I’ve seen this happen and there are tons of stories on working on Japan type subs of OPs talking about this. This can be compounded by NOVA potentially mistreating you, since they’re not a well recieved company. Be careful and good luck OP.

  18. Look, you can never know until you try. Make a choice. If it sucked, make another choice. Keep doing this until you’re happy.

  19. I used to work there! When I quit, they were making teachers pay the school when they wanted take vacation! Just a word of advice from a former employee!

  20. I worked at NOVA in Osaka, mostly in their flagship school.

    It’s not that bad. I know most of the higher ups.

    I worked with them between 2019-2020, I actually banked decent money and was able to get a lot of Saturdays and Sundays off by doing cover.

    I also learned a lot about teaching and I mean a lot.

    I think NOVA is the best starting position to be in for a newbie in Japan. But dont stick with them for too long.

  21. Desirable😂😂 dude you have a pulse . Easiest company to get hired for.

  22. My advice would be to put a lot of effort in learning Japanese. I learned a lot of Japanese from ALTing which helped me a lot to reach N2 level (going to do N1 this winter) and I still struggle with the language sometimes. Eikaiwa puts you into an English bubble, you are usually not allowed to speak Japanese at work, so it’s going to be harder for you. You need to go out of your way to get learning materials, get a Japanese friend group, maybe a tutor too, or just sign up for a language school.

  23. A good number of snarky, rude unhelpful comments: very typical for this forum.

    Nova extended you that offer because, as you said, they’re pretty eager to hire charismatic, professional-looking white men, as that’s the image they’re desperately trying to project. Their usual applicants range from weeaboos desperate to be in animeland to new grads looking for an adventure abroad for a year to drink and chase girls, most of whom struggle with social skills and lack the ability to really adapt to the culture.

    Articulate and self-aware, you’re a rare gem for them.

    Just be aware that Nova has the worst reputation of all the big language schools for a reason. As you’ve noted, their contract system exploits newcomers who don’t know that its terns and conditions are far below the standard for a Japanese company.

    One thing no one has mentioned, however, is that even after leaving Nova, your working conditions aren’t likely to improve that much. Most eikaiwa are just like Nova: no pay raises, the very least amount of vacation allowed by law, far too many lessons each day, bad work hours, and overly expensive apartment contracts that fine you if you want to move out early.

    The only way to get a half-decent ESL job in Japan is to get an MA and find direct-hire work at a school or university. Both of these require Japanese language skills, real teaching experience (which language schools do NOT provide), your own visa, and with university, several publications.

    Without that, you’ll be stuck in language school hell making minimum wage surrounded by people who are too lazy and/or who just don’t care enough to get a real teaching job – not a great career prospect for someone who has ambitions to be a member of a professional community.

    If I were you, I would not come here without the MA, and I’d get substantial teaching experience beforehand, as well as Japanese language skills, and apply at internationals schools and/or universities, depending on what kind of teaching you’re interested in.

    But seeing as most people are too impatient and want to get here as soon as they possibly can, I’ll also give this advice: don’t work for a language school. Become an ALT instead, and work your ass off to get your MA from your first year here. Experience as an ALT better prepares you to work in the school system, and by the time you get the MA you’ll know the ropes and will be able to start climbing the ladder up and out of ALT dispatch work.

    However, do keep your professional goals in mind: most ALTs lose all ambition (or never had any) and never get out of dispatch. They wind up in the same situation as the language school teachers, and make bare minimum wage while doing zero professional development.

    Good luck!

  24. I’ve worked for NOVA. It’s pretty terrible, but the key things to keep in mind:

    1) The company hold the lease for your apartment. If you quit or get fired they expect you out, ASAP. They literally told me I needed to be out on my last day of work.

    2) Your hours vary wildly depending on where you work and who you work with. I lived in the country, so I’d end up with an 8 hour work day.

    3) It’s ridiculously competitive. Your coworkers snipe your lessons. If you don’t teach a lesson, you have to do busy work, or you won’t get paid.

    Best bet is to try to get a position near Tokyo. There’s constantly job openings in Tokyo.

  25. I thought I wanted to live in Japan and teach here after visiting. I’m in Japan now working for Interac. I don’t like it very much. The job is easy, the pay is very bad, and all I can do is think about being back home. You might love it. Just be careful and have enough money that you can leave whenever you want. Part of my problem is I have money and could leave at any time, but I kind of want to finish out my year.

  26. How dare you not being depressed for trying to teach English in Japan! Jesus! Get a life!

  27. You have to be doing a bit. There is a difference between being “happy with who you are” and what you’re dishing out. Classifying oneself as charismatic is among the least charismatic things one can do. The lack of self awareness is baffling.

Leave a Reply
You May Also Like