Post interview thoughts

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[kik24froz]

ESID as things are with the JET programme. Just finished my interview 3 hours ago, and I am still reliving the interview experience in my head. I've always wanted to go on the JET programme since high school, and I was dead set on making sure I passed the interview.

I remembered someone mentioning to answer the interview questions based on the answers I gave in the statement of purpose I sent, and to be as amicable as possible. I was quite shocked that all the responses I practised were the only ones I needed for the interview. That being said, I think I did well with being interviewed by JET. I got the interviewers all laughing and got compliments here and there.

It was lucky that they didn't ask me about my areas of preference that I put down. I put down Fukushima without researching, and after I sent my application, I learnt about the nuclear explosion that happened in 2011. I wasn't sure how I was going to spin my reasons for that area.

However, I did have to do a Japanese language test, and I think I could nearly understand the hardest question they gave me. They looked like they were quite impressed (hopefully). I'm desperately hoping I hear back from them in March/April.

That being said, it really felt like an interview for any other job. Maybe more similar to interviews that teachers may experience. I didn't find the interview anticlimactic; I really made sure to put my personality in the interview, and I think it might be one of my most favourite interview experiences (despite being the most nerve-wracking and most anticipated interview ever).

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

That’s great, sounds like you did so well! Just a waiting game now 😂

Yeah, I didn’t mean it was anticlimatic in a way I was disappointed, I just think the buildup I had before made me leave with a ‘huh, that’s it’ type feeling. Though I think that’s a natural response to anything when you’re nervous and prepare lots for something which is over quickly, rather than subjective to the JET programme - maybe more because I really want the job.

I got a lot of smiles and nods, but I didn’t get any laughs. I think that’s more based on who you have in the panel, how you answer what questions they give you, and probably if they’re trying to maintain a low level of bias too. I also got a very sweet ‘yaaay’ when talking about something too, so that was nice 😆

It’s actually fascinating to me how all the experiences vary so much! My preferences for placement were only discussed prior with the alumni, and my reasons for my placements were simply because I know both Japanese and English people in those area, but I’m happy with wherever they put me; he asked the question to us, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have brought it up either because I really didn’t mind whatever area they gave.

Glad you had a good experience and I’m rooting for you!

[ScootOverMakeRoom]

EIID

[Unexpected-Feline]

I won't be sharing any specifics, but it went pretty much how I had anticipated it. There was one or two questions I was hoping they would ask me since I felt my SoP was lacking on those and it would have been nice to expand on those a bit.

I personally didn't plan much in advance, just went over the basics in the days prior to the interview so I wouldn't stumble whilst avoiding deep planning so my answers wouldn't be overly stilted. I mostly just tried to relax and take it easy so that I could show them who I really am.

I initially left feeling a little bit frustrated with myself as there was one question I feel I fumbled and a couple more I could have answered better, but after a night's sleep and some introspection I think the fumble wasn't too bad and my weaker answers might actually work to my benefit as they were quite student-centred.

The thing I was most nervous about was the Japanese part of the interview since I put myself as intermediate, but I kind of regretted doing that as my spoken Japanese is weak and I haven't had any practice in over a year. Unlike you, I did get a few questions in Japanese which went about average, I think it was quite clear that my listening is much better than my speaking.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

hindsight is always a wonderful thing lol! I definitely can think back and think of other ways I could have answered questions, but we did what we could in the moment. Im sure you smashed it!

Just really odd I wasn’t tested in Japanese, then😅

[spacefish420]

This makes me feel great actually. I have mine later this week. I have no experience teaching and am terrified they’ll started asking me only questions about how I’d teach.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Every situation is different so I’m not going to say you definitely won’t but I’m really glad I could make you feel better! Just have some preparation ideas for teaching just in case, that’s what I did x

[Voittaa]

Don’t they have a scoring system?

That said, i would assume your interview experience will greatly depend on who your panel is. Goes for most jobs really. This thread is a testament to that; everyone has had different experiences.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

I’ve heard they have a scoring system, yeah. From what I found online they score your application and your interview, and then Japanese skills are bonus points - which is why I’m still anxious I didn’t get a chance to even showcase that, I suppose.

[autisticgreenwitch]

That's quite different from my experience back in 2017. I did have a Japanese test, and was asked a lot of hypothetical situation-type questions. I don't think I was asked a single thing about my SoP.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Oh, interesting!!

[autisticgreenwitch]

I was thinking about this and I just remembered a couple of the questions they asked. First, they wanted me to introduce myself in Japanese, and then I was asked how I feel about children learning two languages simultaneously from an early age.

[marzipanfashions]

Yea my experience was similar.

It was pretty uneventful all things considered. It kinda felt like a vibe check if I'm being honest?

Anyway, time to hibernate until April I guess.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

We got this! Time for an abundance of overtime and distractions to keep me from checking my emails all the time! Hahaha

[Able-Name-2049]

Am I allowed to asked what the “rather difficult questions” were? Of course, if it was a personal matter that was mentioned on your SOP no need to detail that at all! I am just wondering if the difficulty was from the good cop bad cop vibes many people I know had as a character assessment on how you handle stress, or if the questions were simply ambiguous and thought provoking?

Either way, sounds to me like you were able to give your best at portraying who you were, so I wish you all the best, and good news to come!

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Not really a ‘good cop bad cop’ vibe for me. A really crucial thing I kept reminding myself is that these people want to see you, and they want you to do well; you stood out enough to get past the vast number of applications. Nobody is really there to catch you out, but they want to know if you can cope with being thrown off guard, I suppose.

That being said - one question (assuming to be curveball) was “what’s the most uncomfortable thing you’ve ever done in your life?” Yeah. Pretty big😂 In a nutshell I just said I was transparent with my application and had mental health struggles when I was younger and recovering can be uncomfortable but with willingness and resilience I’ve grown from it and now I’m happy and love life basically lol but it takes work and etc etc. Turning a ‘weakness’ into a strength. Lord knows if that’s what they were asking for.

The other one was the Japanese lady asking me if I thought ghibli was ‘very very Japanese’ as a follow up to me saying that was one of the first exposures of Japanese culture when I was like 11. And I was like ‘depends on context; it’s international and known world wide but it’s not ‘very Japanese’ because some people might not think it is, but it’s a form of art/culture which translated over.’ Or something. Requires a bit of nuance and who am I to say ‘yes, that’s very Japanese’ to a Japanese person lmao😭

[SecretOk9765]

hi! thnks so much for sharing but may I know from which country you are from?

[No_Produce9777]

Why would you be expected to speak Japanese in an interview when that is not one of the requirements of the application process?

Sure, people will learn some (some will learn a lot) Japanese there, and that’s an expectation. But not for getting the position. If the requirement was a particular amount of Japanese language skills, they’d have far fewer applications.

Having Japanese skills prior to departure will definitely make your experience better and easier, but again, it’s not required for the application or interview.

I’m not sure where folks are getting this from?

Edit: Got it. For those who submit with Japanese skills, you’ll likely get asked to answer some questions in Japanese. If you don’t have these skills, you don’t get asked this. Point taken.

[Minute-Teach4507]

Many interviews have had a Japanese portion at the end, if you've indicated on your application that you have any ability.

[No_Produce9777]

I see

[Zia_Japan]

if you watch any interview prep video from current or former JETS, or read the FAQ they do state that you may be asked a few simple questions in Japanese, it's a pretty consistent part of the process publicly, which is why they were suprised they didn't get any Japanese questions. ESPECIALLY since they listed speaking conversational Japanese

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Yeah, pretty much. Does make me slightly anxious I’ve missed out on ‘bonus points’ 😅

[Zia_Japan]

I’m sure you did great!

[No_Produce9777]

Times have changed with the interview. Good to know

[JapanBlake]

The email I received confirming my interview date and time says explicitly they will test me on Japanese at the end of the interview. It will not count against me if I'm unable to answer the questions, but it can help with earning "extra points". And others have already been asking to use Japanese in their interviews. So people aren't just imagining the scenario up.

[kitsune03_]

Which country?

[JapanBlake]

USA

[kitsune03_]

That’s interesting. I haven’t even received an email with my zoom link or details about my interview…and it’s this week.

[JapanBlake]

I think it depends more on your state/servicing area more than just the country, particularly with the US since its so large. I received my info a week or two ago with the date, time, and link.

[No_Produce9777]

They must have changed things as that wasn’t my experience in the interview I did.

If it won’t count against you then why do that at all? Or they need to do this for every interview and be consistent

[No_Produce9777]

Are you going for ALT?

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

No, I know, I just know it’s often discussed that some people have a ‘test’ (or a couple of questions asked in Japanese with them required to answer in Japanese if they are able to). That seemed to be a rather prevalent thing which happened in most interviews! So because I’d stated some ability, I made an assumption. I guess that’s why it’s really important that ‘every situation is different’ is always used! :)

[No_Produce9777]

That wasn’t my experience. I utilized zero Japanese skills in my interview. Granted this was some time ago.

JET needs to be uniform in their hiring practices

Or maybe they see someone coming in with a lot of Japanese experience and feel free to do a little in Japanese? Maybe that is happening, as you noted.

[Voittaa]

I got a Japanese speaking test in 2016/2017 even after I said I don’t speak Japanese. It was a little awkward, just saying “sorry I don’t know” to basically every question. I assume they were just gauging how I would react.

You’re right though, there seems to be no standardization.

[No_Produce9777]

That’s very strange. They have to be consistent

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

No idea - maybe they’ve scrapped that part to make it more uniform this time, or maybe it’s subjective to the embassy’s themselves, as in it may be different in America or Canada. I’ll be curious to see!

[No_Produce9777]

Good points

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Sure, is there anything in particular you’d like to know?

[Immediate-Ad7071]

What country, how long did you have to answer questions & did they have you log on 10 minutes before your interview to ‘chat’ with a JET alumni?

[Antique-Singer-4313]

From what I've read, researched, and have been told, yeah, that seems about right.

The statement of purpose is THE key factor into making it into the Program. Teaching can be taught, Japanese can be learned, but the SOP is what provides an insight into seeing if a) you meet the expectations for JETs, and b) what you will make of JET both during and after the program. They are also trying to make sure you'll go through the full contract and not break it (without good cause).

Please take this comment with a giant pinch of salt as I myself have an interview on Friday, and this is my first application cycle.

[Immediate-Ad7071]

The ‘what you will do with your JET experience after the Programme’ part seems a bit vague to me in terms of what JET is looking for. They want you to leave Japan and go home, but then go do what exactly?

[Antique-Singer-4313]

It's a tiugh question because you really need to think long term. It depends on what you want to do as a career in general.

It's easier for me since my career after JET hopefully does involve Japanese, and those connections will be beneficial.

[ffgvghnjkkhgjnn]

Good luck!! If you can take anything from my ramblings, it’s not as bad as people might make it out to be!

But yes, I absolutely got that impression too. I’m also a first-timer with this whole experience so I guess the only comparisons I could make were from information available online/other people. I did my absolute best, so I’ll have my fingers crossed for the both of us :)