A few questions about employment in Japan.

[Edwin.N]

Hi there.

I'm 23, I have B.A. and I'm graduating this May with a B.Ed. I have been interested in teaching in Japan for quite some time (years actually), but despite my interest I've hardly made an effort to learn about different programs, and the ones that I have - I've managed to learn about after applications were due. I have been caught up in interning, subbing, attending classes... before I knew it I've already missed quite a few chances.

I do have an interview at the end of March with Nova (and yes, that's one company I've read up about, here and elsewhere ;). I've heard a few accounts where Nova tends to not hire "overqualified" applicants since in some cases they're offered better positions from other companies while in Japan. I don't think I've ever been overqualified for anything in my life, but in this case it seems that I could be.

I'm wondering two things. One, are there any programs that I could apply for that could land me (NPI) in Japan by Fall of '05? Perhaps ones that do require a B.Ed?

Secondly, exactly how long does it take to hear back from NOVA whether or not you're hired? I've heard it can be a matter of days or months, but in my situation I honestly can't just sit around waiting all summer since - if that fails - I'm seriously, seriously screwed for the Fall.

Thanks.

[GaijinPunch]

Hmm... I can't comment directly on your questions, but I can offer another option that you'll need to act on immediately (AFAIK). Thought of getting a working holiday visa in Canada and just going and finding work? It's relatively easy w/ that visa. I understand it takes some 4 months or so to get approved. You'll need to take a few grand in cash as a cushion in case there's some slow-going. There are plenty of Canooks there that do that.

[PopCulturePooka]

NOVA got back to me in a fortnight!

By 'overqualified' it usually means someone who NOVA could percieve as a boat rocker. Someone who says they are interested in Japanese Employment rights for example would never ever get hired.

[Edwin.N]

Wow, so people get a WH Visa and just... move to Japan and look for a job? The mere thought of that scares me to death but I'll look around and see what kind of motions these Canooks take to pull these kinds of things off. Sounds interesting.

And thanks for the clarification, to be honest I've been intentionally confusing people with the term fortnight in subtle contexts for years, I find it amusing.

[akeenan]

If you have the cash "jump in the deep end" get a working holiday visa and come over. Its fairly easy to get interviews but most require you to be in the country.

[GaijinPunch]

Yeah -- what akeenan said. You need to dig around to get specifics, but count on about 80,000 yen a month (to be safe) for renting a crappy room in a gaijin house, plus a month or so deposit. I spend a lot of money so made sure I had about 150,000+ yen a month to blow, but if you don't mind student-living you can definitely do it cheaper.

Yeah, it seems risky, but believe me... you'll be fine. Unless you have problems stringing English sentence together.

Note: Monday's Japan Times is your guide to finding a teaching job.

[Edwin.N]

Interesting. So you're saying there are much better jobs for teaching, but you've gotta be in the country in order to find them? Is the reason why NOVA and such are so popular because of their accessibility for those who aren't in Japan?

I'm just curious if it's worth it - is it that much better to get a job that way than having the extra security of already knowing you've got one?

[Maciamo]

I've heard a few accounts where Nova tends to not hire "overqualified" applicants since in some cases they're offered better positions from other companies while in Japan.

Isn't the minimum 4-year university degree requirment of NOVA already an overqualification ? :p Frankly that isn't necessary to just have a discussion in English with some Japanese learners (especially that a degree in maths is as good as one in English for NOVA, and they don't care about real teacher training qualifications such as CELTA or TESOL).

The degree is just for the visa. If you already have a visa, most language schools will recruit just any decent native speaker. If you need a visa, register with NOVA, then if you don't like it, find another job and keep the visa. Many people do that and that's why NOVA is always recruiting.

[Brooker]

Many companies won't hire people who are already in Japan (not sure why). But the smaller companies will. Nova is probably one of the fastest companies for getting you to Japan. I was off to Japan about three or four months after I first contacted Nova and I don't think it gets much faster than that (unless you go to Japan without a job lined up).

Check out the article in my sig for more info.

[Edwin.N]

I've already read your article Brooker, it's very interesting.

What exactly are the consequences for breaking that year contract with NOVA? Can you negotiate terms or are you stuck with some sort of legal obligation?

[GaijinPunch]

As an employee, you have a LOT of rights in Japan that you don't have elsewhere. Getting fired in japan as a full time worker is great. Anyways, they can't really do anything, and they for sure won't try to revoke your visa. It's worse for them, as they get shamed into the old "why did you hire someone that didnt' stay with you."

I think the reason why some schools only hire outside of Japan is they have the leverege of getting people cheap. 300,000 yen a month, or whatever laughable salary Nova pays sounds good until you get to Japan and realize that hour for hour you're making half the normal rate.

[Brooker]

What exactly are the consequences for breaking that year contract with NOVA? Can you negotiate terms or are you stuck with some sort of legal obligation?

There is no consequence. I signed up for a second contract and then broke it three months later. I think the only consequence is that Nova might not hire you again, but most people probably wouldn't care about that. And once you have a visa, it can't be taken away from you by the company who gave it to you.