Australian JETs 2012

[melvincent]

Thought I would start up a new topic for Australian JETs seeing as the rest are relatively old. Have been a lurker for a little while now and it doesn't seem like there are many Australians active on the forum. So I am hoping that this will bring the rest of you out and we can use this for Australian specific questions and topics (most of the info on here, especially for interviews, is US or UK).

Any current (or ex) Aussie JETs out there who have any advice for the interviews? What kind of questions were you asked? What was the atmosphere like? Etc.

2012 applicants - Who has heard about interviews? I applied through the Brisbane Consulate and received notification of an interview last week, but no interview date yet. Has anyone received an interview date?

[ns9]

hey hey! another Australian here good idea making this thread, would be nice to see how many other aussies are on here/applied this year.
I also received a letter last week to say that i have an interview, but still waiting to hear when, hopefully this week.
I'm from victoria, interviewing in melbourne

[amb]

Heya,

I also got a letter last week for interview in Brisbane and yet to find out the exact date.

I haven't looked through the forum much yet but I am also pretty keen to know what kinds of questions people were asked at the interview and anything else that might help me prepare for it. Also, I am in the process of trying to pick out what to wear and not sure how formal to go. Didn't know if skirt suit would be best (with or without stockings?) or something else altogether? I assume it will be pretty hot in Brisbane on the day. So many things to consider! haha

Anyway, I will definitely let you know when I find out my date melvincent, we might even be on the same day

[Tetsamo]

Woo, been wondering about other Australianas out there, lurking the forum like crazy people.

I got an email letting me know the date of the interview, but no time yet. The date is important enough for me right so, day off work! Huzzah! Recieving that letter was an exciting time. Never wanted to open a letter.... and yet.... not open a letter at the same time :p

oh, I am in Perth btw.

[Kuro Usagi]

Hobart applicant here - I received my interview day/time on Wednesday! Date set for the 8th of Feb.

Hopefully others will get their interview information soon too ^_^

[btlef0]

Another Brisbane applicant here. Again, as with all of you, I received a confirmation for an interview but haven't received a time/date.

Ive decided to go with the safest bet of suit & tie, it seems like the most common clothing that other nations have been wearing to interviews...unless bringing an outwardly Australian culture by wearing an AFL jersey, boardies and thongs will help with explaining how you will show your culture while on the program haha...(that is a joke, I wouldn't be game to do that)

[Patryn]

There're a few aussies on this forum, you just have to find them. xD

Just wear what you'd wear to a normal job interview for a professional-type position. Overdressed is better than underdressed. If in doubt, go overdressed. This question comes up so often that it's almost annoying to answer.

Also, congrats on ppls with interviews! and have fun sweating in the heat! HAHAHAHAHA

[Tetsamo]

Also, congrats on ppls with interviews! and have fun sweating in the heat! HAHAHAHAHA

Now that's just EVIL!



Although I must admit, have never been so happy to see a 34 degree day after the 40s and 42 we had in the past couple of days.

Still waiting to find out my time yet. OOooooooh! I suppose I should go ver my SOP letter again. Probably go and read it and realise it's a horribly written piece that would make my previous lecturers cringe.

[hanabi_jane]

Hey there,
I'm also a JET hopeful from Australia. My interview is in Melbourne and I recieved the date and time for it in the mail last week. Still trying to figure out what to wear, but I am fairly sure I will wear a suit. First impressions are very important, so better over doing it than under doing it. Good luck everyone ~

Jane

[melvincent]

Great to see so many Australian applicants
I'm not wearing a suit as they make me look awful, but I am wearing smart/business clothes. I think if you have a suit, then by all means, do wear it - unless you are like me and it will make the interviewers cringe when they see you - but I don't think the suit is necessary in Aus. For guys, definitely a minimum of a tie with long sleeved shirt/long pants - but if you have a jacket as well you are only going to be helping yourself more than harming. Girls however, I think as long as you look professional and neat, you don't need to wear a suit. I think all the suit hype has come from the American/Canadian JETs because that is what is expected there...I don't think it is expected here - just a bonus for those who want to wear them. That's my opinion, obviously there are gonna be others out there who disagree sorry!

Am still waiting on the date and time for my interview - am off to run a school camp in the middle of nowhere for a week as of tomorrow, so hopefully we get at least a weeks notice or I won't have time to cover my classes, get my photo printed for interview, etc.

Good luck to those that have their interviews soon

[Tetsamo]

So Kuro Usagi has their interview on the 8th of Feb, mine's on the 16th.

Black Rabbit, report back when done

Anybody sooner? I suspect that with only a week away, Hobartians are probably going to be first.

GOOD LUCK!

[EricaHartmann]

Where has all talk about Australians not needing to wear suits come from? Everyone I saw at the interview had one and so did the successful applicants. Just wear one.

Also it must be a poorly fitted suit to look bad on you. Just get one tailored to fit you.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

There're a few aussies on this forum, you just have to find them. xD

Just wear what you'd wear to a normal job interview for a professional-type position. Overdressed is better than underdressed. If in doubt, go overdressed. This question comes up so often that it's almost annoying to answer.

Also, congrats on ppls with interviews! and have fun sweating in the heat! HAHAHAHAHA

Consider it practice for Tokyo Orientation...

[beanie]

Ah! Gald to see other Aussie/Melbourne JETs here!! xD

Probably best to suit up and good luck with the interviews! I'm researching and putting together my answers for so many potential questions!!

[btlef0]

15th of February in Brisbane for me...so two weeks away...tense stuff haha.