Irish JET Applicants 2012

[Loerian]

Hi Guys,
my names Emma, I'm a first year applicant and a final year undergrad in Maynooth got my interview letter in the post this week so hopefully will meet some of you guys up there best of luck to everyone

[bigwig]

what are you guys gonna prepare for the interview? i have been reading online its good to know about japanese current events and pop culture, the interviews are meant to be quite tough, hopefully wont be too bad!

[Loerian]

um well i was thinking to do some background on current affairs over there , read up some more on the jet organization and japanese education systems, i was also thinking of revising my personal statement and application forms and just practice organizing my thoughts along those lines so i don't stumble over myself in the interview cause a lot of people say the interview is really tough. hope that helps, anyone else have any ideas of how to prepare?

[Cochiece]

It`s good to prepare as much as possible, but from what I`ve heard about the interviews in other countries, the Irish ones seem quite easy. I had mine last year and it lasted less than 15 minutes.

I only got asked personal question like `Why do you want to go`, `How would you react in this situation.`, `If someone said/offered/did something, what would you do` etc. I got no questions about current affairs or anything else, even though I`d learnt everything I could!

I had no Japanese either and that wasn`t an issue.

Show a genuine interest/enthusiasm in going to Japan and be open to new ideas, lifestyles, situations and you should be fine!

[Fargo]

Does anyone know if Irish applicants have to take an english grammer and spelling test at the interview ?

[rozzer]

Didn't hear of it-heard from two former Irish JETs.

[brainsteww]

What's the craic lads? I was the one to start this thread's predecessor last year.

Anyway, might as well introduce myself. My name is Paul Colclough and I'm an ALT in Kōbe city. Like Druidland, whom I know well enough, (how's Gunma treating you?) I was an Alternate last year, for all of six days, before I was upgraded.

If you have any questions about the interview, or anything else,let me know and I'll get right on them when I can.

Best of luck.

How is Kobe? That was my first choice! I am American (Irish too, but applied through America) but thought I'd lurk this thread ^^

[druidland]

Hi all!

Greetings from Gunma! As regards the interviews congrats to all to got through this year! If you didn't no worries there's always next or... interac, the westcorp for example that can give better pay and holidays than the JET in some cases.

At them: the #1 things is love for Japan. That even if your in the middle of nowhere with 6am commutes and little social life you'll still find some way to enjoy the experience and finish the length of your contract.
Go into there with the vision of yourself in Japan firmly in place. No that it isn't a party, but a job first and foremost yet one you can enjoy. That is to say research isn't a harm but you need your head fully set on to what you want to do before going over, as it is a big commitment.

Do PM me with any Qs you may have!

[Sairus]

Just want to wish everyone good luck in their interviews tomorrow!
I'll be at the hotel for a few hours before my interview, so don't be shy if you see a guy with a black shirt and goatee milling around!

[RoBot]

Hi All!

Hope everyones interviews went ok! Does anyone know how many panels there were?

[Sairus]

There were seven rooms for the interviews, so I assume there were panels in each of them.

My interview went pretty good. Totally tripped all over myself when a really specific question on how to explain the difference between the subject and object of a sentence came out of nowhere, but after all my humming and hawing I think I salvaged a semi sensical answer :/
Were someone to ask me that at any other time I could easily give an answer. In the middle of an interview that was entirely "why do you like Japan?" up till that point my brain had a total meltdown. Good times!

It was also fairly lucky that I showed up to the venue two hours before my scheduled time slot. The letter I was sent out had the wrong time and I had to go in an hour earlier than previously advised!

[rozzer]

I initially thought it was brutal, but looking back I did OK I think.

Asked me a good few questions in Japanese, despite me saying I only spoke a few phrases. Managed to stumble out a tiny self introduction, my tongue was so dry I couldn't speak for a moment.

Asked for a number of specifics- what would I do with a bad teacher, ideas, teaching kids etc.

First question was "what do you know about the JET program" which I wasn't really prepared for- kept thinking, obviously I know about it if I'm applying!

Glad it's over, just wishing, hoping & praying now! Hope it went well for everyone!

[RoBot]

I thought I did ok, but the more I though about it the worse I think I did!! I arrived just on time and was called in 10 mins before my allotted time. I didn't get asked anything really hard except when they started grilling me about whats sports I'm involved in- eh none?

[Deveire]

I was a little over half an hour early so they bumped me up into an empty slot (someone cancelled?) and I was out of the hotel before my original interview time rolled around! I did get to sit down for 5 mins and have a nervous chat with a lad from Kerry in the waiting area outside the main JET room, but otherwise I didn't get a chance to meet anyone. Maybe in July...

Although now I keep flip-flopping between the surety that was the worst interview of my life (rambling, incoherent, no eye contact, panic!) and the thought that it probably wasn't as bad as I think...

Best of luck to everyone anyway! There's nothing more we can do to affect the outcome, so just cross your fingers and try to be patient. April will roll around in no time.

[rozzer]

Same, was there about 35 minutes early just to be sure, they came and got me, glad I went early, think it would have looked bad if I didn't. They didn't seem to know that I wasn't due in, just said I'm ready whenever they are.

I wasn't in any way eloquent, but the answers I gave were ok, if a little meandering. Hopefully they'll see that! Glad it's over, the relief I feel! Just praying now, hopefully they'll be kind.

Read somewhere online, we basically have it in the bag, the interviews just a formality to check we're not total weirdos. Don't know if it's true, but just going to believe it for now!