Interview Questions

[Queequeg]

Don't dog your resume, It got you an interview right!

Best reminder/statement I've heard yet, thanks!

Also, some math for Americans entering the interviews looking for confidence:
Currently around 56% of ALTs are American. Both America and Japan are having harsh economic issues, and so many US ALTs may wish to stay, while Japanese schools may be wary of hiring. If we see an even reduction of ALT Jobs by 1/4, and a full half of current American JETs stay on, that might realistically reflect the amount of jobs we're competing for. Around 1575 people competing for 556 jobs is, compared to the American job market, some of the best odds you can hope to get. 1 out of every 2.8 interviewees might get a position! And that's both being conservative and not considering alternates! Even if 75% of US ALTs stay on, we're still looking at numbers better than the average interview for an American job. Also the odds are enough that everyone on this forum has a realistic chance of going together.

So when you think about it, getting the interview was the hard part, now just prove their decision right and we'll all be off.

[ayeoh]

Thanks everyone for the info! I don't know what I'd do without you all

[Mimmy]

Don't dog your resume, It got you an interview right!

Best reminder/statement I've heard yet, thanks!

Also, some math for Americans entering the interviews looking for confidence:
Currently around 56% of ALTs are American. Both America and Japan are having harsh economic issues, and so many US ALTs may wish to stay, while Japanese schools may be wary of hiring. If we see an even reduction of ALT Jobs by 1/4, and a full half of current American JETs stay on, that might realistically reflect the amount of jobs we're competing for. Around 1575 people competing for 556 jobs is, compared to the American job market, some of the best odds you can hope to get. 1 out of every 2.8 interviewees might get a position! And that's both being conservative and not considering alternates! Even if 75% of US ALTs stay on, we're still looking at numbers better than the average interview for an American job. Also the odds are enough that everyone on this forum has a realistic chance of going together.

So when you think about it, getting the interview was the hard part, now just prove their decision right and we'll all be off.

Your username may be from my least favorite book EVER, but I like your post

[brainsteww]

Don't dog your resume, It got you an interview right!

Best reminder/statement I've heard yet, thanks!

Also, some math for Americans entering the interviews looking for confidence:
Currently around 56% of ALTs are American. Both America and Japan are having harsh economic issues, and so many US ALTs may wish to stay, while Japanese schools may be wary of hiring. If we see an even reduction of ALT Jobs by 1/4, and a full half of current American JETs stay on, that might realistically reflect the amount of jobs we're competing for. Around 1575 people competing for 556 jobs is, compared to the American job market, some of the best odds you can hope to get. 1 out of every 2.8 interviewees might get a position! And that's both being conservative and not considering alternates! Even if 75% of US ALTs stay on, we're still looking at numbers better than the average interview for an American job. Also the odds are enough that everyone on this forum has a realistic chance of going together.

So when you think about it, getting the interview was the hard part, now just prove their decision right and we'll all be off.

Yes, but Japan and America have been having hard economic times for a while... and JETs can't stay forever. I think 2009 had a relatively big drop in shortlisters, but it's been 3 years now and it's difficult to stay for longer than that anyway.

[koko]

Thanks everyone! I was just a bit worried I would have to awkwardly throw in, "Hey, I know how to teach" into my interview.

[bananallanah]

Good luck everyone who got an interview.
I interviewed last week, it was nerve wracking but thanks to the forums and friends who had interviewed last year I was prepared enough. I had three panelists, they asked the usually questions and I was introduced quickly by the employee who escorted me to the interview room so I didn't have time to shake hands (I know that was a worry for some!). I had about 5 questions from each panelist, they were all standard questions, no current events or questions on the names of the 4 main island or the emperors name (even though I'd learnt all that on the odd chance it happened). I didn't have a grammar test or a mock lesson (I didn't interview in the UK or USA though) but they had 6 sentences on a piece of paper, I had to identify any that were incorrect and what the specific mistakes were. It wasn't hard, it wasn't designed to trip you up, I assume it was to weed out those who probably shouldn't be teaching English. In saying that I'm sure if you got one wrong they'd put it down to nerves.
I got all the usual chestnuts: why JET and where did you hear about JET? Dealing with isolation, dealing with your school, dealing with children.
Good luck to all of you still to have your interview! Hopefully the wait to hear back doesn't kill me!

[maichan]

Good luck everyone who got an interview.
I interviewed last week, it was nerve wracking but thanks to the forums and friends who had interviewed last year I was prepared enough. I had three panelists, they asked the usually questions and I was introduced quickly by the employee who escorted me to the interview room so I didn't have time to shake hands (I know that was a worry for some!). I had about 5 questions from each panelist, they were all standard questions, no current events or questions on the names of the 4 main island or the emperors name (even though I'd learnt all that on the odd chance it happened). I didn't have a grammar test or a mock lesson (I didn't interview in the UK or USA though) but they had 6 sentences on a piece of paper, I had to identify any that were incorrect and what the specific mistakes were. It wasn't hard, it wasn't designed to trip you up, I assume it was to weed out those who probably shouldn't be teaching English. In saying that I'm sure if you got one wrong they'd put it down to nerves.
I got all the usual chestnuts: why JET and where did you hear about JET? Dealing with isolation, dealing with your school, dealing with children.
Good luck to all of you still to have your interview! Hopefully the wait to hear back doesn't kill me!

Hey bananallanah
another New Zealand hopeful here, I'm interviewing in Auckland on Thursday morning and the nerves are getting the best of me!! Thanks for posting this up, I've been freaking out since I received the interview letter! >.<". I'm doing summer school and exams are 13th and 15th Feb, but I can't bring myself to study with JET interviews happening so soon after!!
I hope your interview went well and hopefully we'll get a chance to meet (in Japan?? ).

[bananallanah]

Hey bananallanah
another New Zealand hopeful here, I'm interviewing in Auckland on Thursday morning and the nerves are getting the best of me!! Thanks for posting this up, I've been freaking out since I received the interview letter! >.<". I'm doing summer school and exams are 13th and 15th Feb, but I can't bring myself to study with JET interviews happening so soon after!!
I hope your interview went well and hopefully we'll get a chance to meet (in Japan?? ).

Hey, nice to see another kiwi. I think you'll be fine, my interviewers were nice, it was professional but there wasn't a good cop/bad cop routine or anything like that so I hope Auckland interviews are much the same. I wouldn't over prepare, you'll stress yourself too much!!
Good luck! hopefully we'll meet at Auckland pre-departure dinner haha. Who knows, if there's more of us out there we might even have to start a 2012 NZ thread on this forum!

[moonlight_kit]

.

[bananallanah]

Another Kiwi here
my interview is on 15th Feb, Auckland..gonna be one of the unforgettable Valentine day for me~
if I am not in..can I still come to the Auckland pre-departure dinner? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!

Woah so many kiwis Definitely have to start a NZ thread- stand by!

[moonlight_kit]

.

[btlef0]

One major tip, don't second guess your answers to questions...it will make you turn into a nervous wreck...this happened midway through my interview, I suddenly second guessed one of my responses and suddenly my brain was going 1 million miles an hour.

Try to stay calm.

[bananallanah]

guys, just came back from JET interview (Auckland)

Oh how'd it go?
I revived the NZ participant thread too, if interested haha.

[stefaluff]

One major tip, don't second guess your answers to questions...it will make you turn into a nervous wreck...this happened midway through my interview, I suddenly second guessed one of my responses and suddenly my brain was going 1 million miles an hour.

Try to stay calm.

Just what I'm afraid of! Thanks for the tip! Deep breaths!

[Spencer]

you should wear a suit to the interview. Scruff would only be okay if it looks clean, neat and not scruffy