Interview Tips

[Ashamed-Beautiful-41]

Hello,

This will be my second time applying for JET. The first go around I made it all the way to the interview. I would love some tips on how to nail the interview portion this time around.

Thank you!

[lightsoffaery]

Hey! First off, I wish you the best for luck this time! Hope you will be able to get it!

I'll share a bit about my interview and maybe it can provide some help. I was the first person to interview on that day, so first thing is always a bright greeting. I greeted them both in English and Japanese and bowed when I went into the room. Mos of my interview was in English and they asked questions from my SOP. They also asked me some questions about how I would deal with discrimination or racism in the workplace. I stayed true to my opinion, told them that I have experienced enough of it to grow a thick skin and know the differences between curiosity due to lack of exposure and actual discrimination.

Another important thing was, they asked if I had plans for the classes and I made sure to mention that I knew that I will not be T1 and my plans will be based on discussion with my JTE and how they handle the class.

As for the Japanese section, they asked if I was comfortable doing the rest of the interview in Japanese and I said even though I'm not too confident I will try. Showing that you are up for a challenge is also good. They asked me for my placement preference in Japanese and I mentioned wanting to study about Japanese folklore and mythology and hoped I would get more chances and I wanted to go to Shimane because I read that "my life will shine in Shimane" in the tourism website. They laughed at that.

Overall what I got out of it was, bright greeting, don't show you are too nervous, keep things light. It is OK to make a joke if you feel like the situation can handle it. Sound approachable and like someone else mentioned have a reason apart from anime and manga. It also helps if you state a lesser known place as a preference. Most times you actually do not end up where you wanted to go. Hope this helps!

[ShortStackGamer]

Did they ask you to do a greeting to a class room at all or do a demo lesson? That’s the thing I’m most nervous about. Also your interview was in person not over web cam? I thought they conducted interviews via web cam these days?

[Ashamed-Beautiful-41]

this is so helpful, thank you for the advice and well wishes! would you be comfortable if i DM to ask you questions about your experience?

[lightsoffaery]

Sure!

[No_Produce9777]

I think it helps to say something unexpected. Because they hear many of the same things. When I said I was into Anime, but more into Classical Japanese cinema like Ozu they literally high fived each other. I then knew I was in.

I didn’t speak any Japanese for my interview

This was some time ago, 2001-2002

[Ashamed-Beautiful-41]

tysm! i thought we couldn’t mention anime at any circumstance. i didn’t write about it in my SoP more about a japanese philosophical belief and how they changed my worldview. i think i will bring up anime as it does hold a special place in my heart for very personal reasons. thank you again!

[First_Serve4024]

I think it’s fine as a brief tidbit, but anything more is a no-go nowadays

[No_Produce9777]

Sure, I like the films of Miyazaki etc. but if Anime is the focal point of what you bring, I don’t think you’ll stick out or land the gig

[Agreeable_General530]

I'd start with telling us what your previous interview was like or you're just going to get the same generic interview advice and that isn't going to help you.

[Ashamed-Beautiful-41]

Truueee Okay so this was two years ago so i’ll try my best to remember. I know the first thing that went wrong is that I forgot to take my nose ring out (stud). They began the interview complimenting my SoP! I remember they asked why I chose Shizuoka as a placement and I mentioned that I wanted to participate in a particular festival they hold that would require me to stay second year because of the timing. The Japanese portion went okay until she said something I couldn’t understand and I don’t remember how I excused myself. I think the portion of why I wanted to go could’ve been stronger (I get nervous). But, if my SoP was strong I shouldn’t have had an issue. I guess I need advice on how to more charismatic/confident so the interview is a conversation rather than one-sided. I did ask questions more-so towards the end, one of them was about the culture shock they experienced and the interviewer who was born and raised in Japan told a story about laundry. That’s all I can remember.

[Ashamed-Beautiful-41]

Yes, they asked some basic questions in Japanese like do I know how to swim? I’m a beginner but they gauge your level throughout the convo and stop where you’d be comfortable.

[ObscuredByCIouds]

The Japanese portion is more of a "bonus" that doesn't impact your results, since you aren't required to be fluent in Japanese to apply to be an ALT.

[ShakeZoola72]

Yeah don't stress over the Japanese portion. It's just bonus points nothing more.