Interview Questions

[Loerian]

Hey guys in the wake of the arrival of interview letters this week I was hoping to start a forum on the topic of questions to help us newbie hopefuls like myself and return applicants as I have heard that the interviews can be quite tough. While browsing the forum i have seen many other people asking how to prepare and about questions and thought it would be handy to dedicate a topic to that. So if anyone has any examples of prior questions or interview experiences or newbie worries feel free to share and hopefully in doing this we can reduce stress levels worldwide

[Cochiece]

If a student slapped your ass, what would you do? Happened me today.

[stephanieh]

My piece of advice, be ready for the good cop, bad cop routine.

During my interview, the "bad cop" asked me, "If you want to go into teaching, why haven't you taken any education classes? What all do you think you can bring to this job without much prior experience?"

It really took me by surprise, but I suppose my answer was good enough. Later, when I told him I want to eventually get my masters, he said in a really snooty voice, "Why JET? WHY DONT YOU JUST GO TO GRAD SCHOOL NOW?"

He was really, really intimidating.

[Cliodhna]

My piece of advice, be ready for the good cop, bad cop routine.

During my interview, the "bad cop" asked me, "If you want to go into teaching, why haven't you taken any education classes? What all do you think you can bring to this job without much prior experience?"

It really took me by surprise, but I suppose my answer was good enough. Later, when I told him I want to eventually get my masters, he said in a really snooty voice, "Why JET? WHY DONT YOU JUST GO TO GRAD SCHOOL NOW?"

He was really, really intimidating.

I read one experience where someone said that one of the interviewers just about started yelling at them about why they requested a city location on their app, repeatedly, when really they didn't and it was pretty much in an effort to see if they'd stick to their story under pressure or something, haha.

Basically, I think we should try not to be intimidated without reacting aggressively, remembering that it's basically a game. Still, it's good to know what tactics might be used in an interview.

[Ertai87]

I got an interview last year (and basically submitted the exact same application again, so I got an interview again this year), and when I got to the interview there were 2 Japanese people and no ex-JETs there. I've been told there's usually an ex-JET (i.e. foreigner) in the room, but for me there wasn't. Here's basically how it went down:

They asked me a whole bunch of questions about my teaching experience. At the time I had a modicum of experience as a University-level course tutor. They asked me what I did in that role and so on. Then they grilled me on cross-culture stuff, how I would explain Canadian culture to Japanese students, and so on. I completely bombed that section, which is why I think I failed the interview. Then they noted I had my JLPT 3-kyuu (at the time; I got my N3 between when I submitted the application and when I got the interview) so they asked me some basic questions in Japanese (why do you like Japan, where do you want to go, things like that, except it was all in Japanese). Then they asked me to do a sample lesson on a topic they gave me. They gave me 1 minute to prep a 2-minute sample class on an elementary-school-level topic. At the time I thought I had something really inventive and engaging; turned out what I had was just overly complicated and didn't make sense.

Bottom lines:

1) Prep for culture-exchange questions. If you have a modicum of teaching experience, that's cool, but they really want to hear about how you will present a cultural exchange, so make sure you have that cold. If you have a secondary culture (e.g. "Chinese" in "Chinese-American"), it's cool to bring that up, but they'll mainly be interested in hearing about your primary culture (i.e. the country you're from) rather than your secondary culture.

2) You WILL be asked to do a sample lesson. You will get the topic 2 minutes before you are expected to do it, and it could quite literally be ANYTHING. Trying to prep in advance is a waste of time; instead, just remember KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The topic will likely be something very basic and they will want you to present it as if you were presenting to a grade 1 or 2 class. Don't get complicated.

3) The Japanese as a culture are notorious for having very good poker faces. If your interviewer is Japanese, you will not be able to read them. Don't take it personally, and don't think you failed just because they weren't ecstatic about your performance.

[Damien_ShimanePA]

I was interviewed at the Melbourne Consulate in Australia. I was asked questions like:

-Why is internationalization important?
-What is the JET Programme about?
-How will you handle home sickness?
-How will you handle being lonely in the middle of winter when you're cold ad it's snowing outside?
-How will you handle living on your own for the first time?
-Did you iron your own shirt this morning?
-Why did you chose to request those towns?
-Tell us about your Japanese learning history.
-What teaching experience do you have? (I was interviewing for a CIR role, but had ticked the box to be considered as an ALT.)

General Advice:
- Aim to arrive one hour to forty five minutes before your scheduled time. I ended up running five minutes late to the actual interview (there was unexpected traffic and my photo fell off my interview voucher and I had to go print a new one - long story) and it was stressful, but if I hadn't left an hour earlier than I absolutely had to, I never would have made it.
- Wear a formal business wear/suit. There's no excuse not to and you will probably need at least one in Japan.
- Know what's on your application. Re-read your SOP.
- Remember that while these people are interviewing you, you won't be working for them. You want to make a good impression, but don't get too stressed out.

[Ertai87]

-Why is internationalization important?
-What is the JET Programme about?

These are big ones. Make sure you have these 2 questions cold. And I mean COLD. If you mess up these 2 questions, you should probably find a new plan rather than going to JET.

One thing I forgot to mention: Get a good night's sleep, make sure you're well-hydrated. Just like an exam, if you can't say your answer properly, it doesn't matter how well you know it. You're being judged on what you say, not what you know. Keep calm, cool, collected, and if you need to take a minute before you answer, do it. The way you present is as important, if not more, than what you present.

[Jax]

**double post**

[Jax]

2) You WILL be asked to do a sample lesson. You will get the topic 2 minutes before you are expected to do it, and it could quite literally be ANYTHING. Trying to prep in advance is a waste of time; instead, just remember KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The topic will likely be something very basic and they will want you to present it as if you were presenting to a grade 1 or 2 class. Don't get complicated.

I don't know what country you're from, but I just want to say that (depending on where you interview) a sample lesson isn't a definite thing. Unless they just recently changed something?

If you have a secondary culture (e.g. "Chinese" in "Chinese-American"), it's cool to bring that up, but they'll mainly be interested in hearing about your primary culture (i.e. the country you're from) rather than your secondary culture.

Not necessarily! My interview panel was very interested in what I could teach about my heritage rather than what I could teach about America. I didn't bring it up. They specifically asked a couple questions about it.

Everyone going into the interview, my advice is to please be aware that interviews can vary greatly between countries and consulates and applicants. Just because someone on here posts about a certain experience doesn't mean it'll happen to you.

[OitaPA_Nicole]

Although I cannot remember many specifics from my interview from last year, one thing I remember clearly was that they focused a lot on my Japanese studies, and exchange experiences in Japan. In the past I have been on two 1year exchanges in different parts of Japan, and most of that time was spent living with Japanese host families. The interviewers asked me if there were any specifics aspects of Japanese culture that I struggled to grasp when I was first there, and how I overcame any problems.

Luckily a few things came to mind straight away, such as learning the different contexts/nuances of ‘hai’ in Japanese. Eg. hai- ‘yes you are allowed to do that’ and hai- ‘yes I understand what you are saying, but do not necessarily give you permission to do that!’ That was quite a doozy with my host family of the time, but things worked out in the end. I was able to give examples of how I overcame problems/miscommunications in the past, and how they actually helped me a lot in the long run.

This might just be relevant for people applying for the CIR position, but it could also be something asked of those applying for an ALT position. Be prepared to be asked about things that you have learned ‘the hard way’.

*Interestingly enough I was not asked anything about internationalization or the JET Programme.

[Scout2012]

So basically the types of things to expect from an interview are:

- Questions about your culture.
- Questions about your interest in Japan, and JET.
- Questions relating to what you wrote on your SOP.
- Questions meant to provoke you.
- Questions in Japanese.
- The possibility of a sample lesson.
- The good cop/bad cop routine.
- A self introduction. (Most likely in Japanese)

---MY QUESTIONS---
- Will they ask questions relating to Japan's history or politics?
I ask this because my Japanese language professor mentioned that it would be wise to research these topics before the interview.
- What is the approximate duration of an interview?
- How formal should your outfit be? Is wearing a non-traditional styled shirt, or tie frowned upon?
- Is facial hair (scruff) frowned upon?

[Terin317]

- How formal should your outfit be? Is wearing a non-traditional styled shirt, or tie frowned upon?

The word on the board is formal formal formal, but I think too many people are stressing over something as simple as interview clothes.

There were people at the info session that I went to that were very dressed up as if it was an interview. Several of them (guys) were in so called "non-traditional styled" outfits and all looked rather dapper: I saw nice vests, a thick knit sweater, and a corduroy sweater/jacket thing that I've never actually seen before. Despite the variety, they all looked very professional and were displaying what I would consider appropriate interview attire.... for America. Many people have stressed on here the importance of meeting Japanese standards, which seems to be business professional without any creativity or personal style.

Me? I don't own a suit (but I'd certainly go buy a few if I get accepted), so I'm just going slacks, shirt, and tie if I get an interview. I think you can look professional without diving to far into the deep end. Anyone else with me?

[number one]

So basically the types of things to expect from an interview are:

- Questions about your culture.
- Questions about your interest in Japan, and JET.
- Questions relating to what you wrote on your SOP.
- Questions meant to provoke you.
- Questions in Japanese.
- The possibility of a sample lesson.
- The good cop/bad cop routine.
- A self introduction. (Most likely in Japanese)

1-4: Yes
5: Only if you put in your application that you've studied it. I studied for several years (but it was years before the application) so I but beginner on everything. They asked me a few questions in Japanese, all of which I understood, but none of which I could answer. Ouch.
6: Yes, it's possible, but not for sure. I wasn't asked to do a sample lesson.
7: Maybe. The Japanese man on my interview panel (I assume he would count as the "bad cop") never looked up at me once the entire interview. He only asked me one question ("Do you like Akira Kurosawa films and which one?") because I had a few semesters of film studies.
8: Refer to #5. I didn't have one, but if you've written that you know some Japanese I'd definitely have something prepared.

---MY QUESTIONS---
- Will they ask questions relating to Japan's history or politics?
I ask this because my Japanese language professor mentioned that it would be wise to research these topics before the interview.
- What is the approximate duration of an interview?
- How formal should your outfit be? Is wearing a non-traditional styled shirt, or tie frowned upon?
- Is facial hair (scruff) frowned upon?

1. I've heard of it happening in the past, but they didn't ask me about it. I assume if you are a poli sci or international business major there's a greater chance you may be asked something like that.
2. Mine was probably less than 15 minutes.
3. You're interviewing for a job in Japan and having to prove yourself over several thousand other applicants. You shouldn't even need to ask this. Yes, wear a suit. Look professional and polished. I assume you actually care, so it would be to your benefit to look like you do.
4. Facial hair is ok for your interview. Just make sure it's neat looking. Some people opt to get rid of theirs as men don't commonly wear facial hair in Japan and it is highly unlikely that any of your (potential future) co-workers will.




The thing that tripped me up the most during my interview was at the end where they asked me if I had any questions for them. I spent so many months preparing for the interview and studying every little detail about JET and Japan that I didn't even think to prepare an answer for the most common question in the book! I lamely asked when the interview results would be announced (despite already knowing the general time frame).

The thing that bothers me the most is when people say, "I'm interested in Japanese culture!" That really doesn't say anything at all. Pick a particular aspect of Japanese culture that you like, study it, and be able to explain how it influenced you or why you like that particular aspect. Preferably in a way that ties in to your interest to go to Japan and future work as an ALT/"cultural ambassador".

I also believe that people interviewing for JET should express a strong interest in Japan in particular. A friend of mine interviewed but didn't put much time or research into JET itself so she ended up telling the panel that she'd be happy going, "anywhere in Asia because [she] really wants overseas teaching experience!" If you're happy going anywhere, you don't really look like you belong on JET as much as someone who can state solid reasons why they're interested in JET/Japan in particular above all other programs/countries. (Despite being a million times more qualified than me, she didn't make it).

[tracey86]

Bottom lines:

1) Prep for culture-exchange questions. If you have a modicum of teaching experience, that's cool, but they really want to hear about how you will present a cultural exchange, so make sure you have that cold. If you have a secondary culture (e.g. "Chinese" in "Chinese-American"), it's cool to bring that up, but they'll mainly be interested in hearing about your primary culture (i.e. the country you're from) rather than your secondary culture.

2) You WILL be asked to do a sample lesson. You will get the topic 2 minutes before you are expected to do it, and it could quite literally be ANYTHING. Trying to prep in advance is a waste of time; instead, just remember KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid. The topic will likely be something very basic and they will want you to present it as if you were presenting to a grade 1 or 2 class. Don't get complicated.

3) The Japanese as a culture are notorious for having very good poker faces. If your interviewer is Japanese, you will not be able to read them. Don't take it personally, and don't think you failed just because they weren't ecstatic about your performance.

1- very true, i expected a bit of a pop quiz on japan to be honest, but got lots of questions about how i would represent my culture instead. which suited me better, but i was annoyed at myself later for staying up the night before making sure i knew past japanese emperors and geographical stuff!

2- not true at all, unless this applies to a different country but it's not true for the uk. i don't know anyone who had to do one. i know it does happen to some people, but it seems that the majority don't get a sample lesson.

totally agree on 3! the japanese guy made me feel quite awkward and i couldn't read how the interview was going. he seemed to just stare through me whilst the ex-jet questioned me, then when it was his turn, he just asked the question, i responded but he never said anything back. one question was met with "i see," and looking down to the table- i was convinced he hated me but i got shortlisted.

[pandasan]

- I've heard of interviewees being asked to sing a song (I guess like a traditional one to the country you're applying from), so I'd suggest practicing just in case!
- Brush up on your politics and generally be aware of how your country is run. For example, I remember reading about a UK applicant who got asked how the Houses of Parliament work.
- If you have friends in Japan, they might grill you on whether you're just using the JET Programme as a free ticket to go visit them. Don't get offended and have an anwer prepared!
- I've also heard of American applicants being asked how they'd respond to being blamed for the Hiroshima/Nagasaki incidents, or how they'd respond if asked why they happened.