Australian JETs 2012

[Kain of the Wired]

You need to wear suits. You are interviewing to work in Japan so Japanese workplace customs apply.

[Patryn]

hahahaha. Tokyo wasn't so bad in the suits. xD The place was airconditioned, after all.

Also, I recommend you review what you wrote on your application and not just your SOP. This includes your Japanese ability, prefecture preference, short essay, teaching experience, work experience, training and hobbies and stuff.
You will most likely be asked about the things you have written on ur app as it's the only thing they have to go off.
Don't get thrown off if they switch to Japanese. Just say you don't understand or respond as best you can. Japanese is NOT a requirement for JET.


The cynical side of me thinks that they might just be checking if you lied on your application with some of their questions, but hopefully not. hahaha.

Also, one of the interviewers fell asleep for part of my interview, but I still got in. xD Kinda funny actually, but yeah, have fun and get there a bit earlier.

For Melbournians, you should know by now that you shouldn't rely on PT too much! There's a nice lobby on the ground floor where you can rest and relax in air conditioned comfort if you don't want to sit inside the interview location. Assuming it's the same place as last year, anyways. ^^

[Kuro Usagi]

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!

No worries - will report back on what happens!

Now to just prepare... *scary*

[Damien_ShimanePA]

hahahaha. Tokyo wasn't so bad in the suits. xD The place was airconditioned, after all.

Tokyo was terrible for me, even with the air-conditioning. I think that was the shock of coming from Melbourne winter into Japanese summer for the first time.

Also, I recommend you review what you wrote on your application and not just your SOP. This includes your Japanese ability, prefecture preference, short essay, teaching experience, work experience, training and hobbies and stuff.
You will most likely be asked about the things you have written on ur app as it's the only thing they have to go off.

Yes, I remember getting asked about my work history and 'extra-curricular' activities (like Japanese club, volunteering, etc). They asked me to sing since I put down that I did musicals in high-schools, but I explained (in Japanese) that I wasn't very good and mostly had speaking roles. I offered to sing anyway, but they said it was ok, haha. They also asked what I could cook and would I be willing to do cooking events (CIR interview), since I put down cooking as one of my hobbies.

For Melbournians, you should know by now that you shouldn't rely on PT too much! There's a nice lobby on the ground floor where you can rest and relax in air conditioned comfort if you don't want to sit inside the interview location. Assuming it's the same place as last year, anyways. ^^

Yes! Avoid public transport as best you can, especially trains. Leave as early as possible - I had a few dramas and if I hadn't left an hour earlier than I absolutely had to to be there on time, I would never have made it.

Also, for Melbournians, if you've not been to the consulate for a few years, the location has changed (assuming that's were interviews are this year). I didn't realise that until I got into the CBD and had to haul my butt to get to where the new location is. It was stupid, but I saw consulate on the letter and just went to where I assumed it was.

Also, wear a suit, even though it'll be hot! It's good practice for if you get in and you'll need at least one here, anyway.

Good luck!

[ns9]

So i got my letter in the mail today with the date and time of my interview, too bad it says it's in Sydney, and i'm in Victoria...

[Patryn]

hahahaha. Sounds like someone will be making a call to an consulate or two. xD
If it's their mistake, you're prolly fine. Just need to contact them.
But if there was a section on the form where it asked you which consulate was closer and you wrote Sydney... they might be nice, but they might not be.

[ns9]

Yes all is good now. It was definitely a mistake on their behalf and the lady at the consulate was very nice. So i will be interviewing in Melbourne, just have to call them tomorrow to find out when

[nicklar]

I'm from Adelaide but interviewed in Melbourne. I got off from the overnight bus on Spencer Street and was walking to the consulate when I found a whole lot of cash just sitting on the footpath - about $30. The road to the Japanese consulate was lined with money! I took that as a good sign and aced the interview

[hydroflames]

good luck guys!
i tried to imagine what it would be like to be on the other side of the fence, giving advice for others when i got placed in japan but i never could.
it feels weird to think a year ago, i was a nervous fool waiting for my interview.
dont be too worried, i thought i stuffed mine up pretty bad and still got short-listed!
just be yourself and show how much you want it!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

The trouble with suits in Tokyo is that you're stuck in the same one for three days.

Hydro and I took off in the same group (Hi dude, hope you're enjoying Akita as much as I'm loving my little corner of Osaka!), and yeah: the biggest thing they look for is outgoing, genki, and adaptable. So if you're all nervous it's understandable but it counts against you more than if you're all serious about it and edgy accordingly.
Which probably explains why I only got in on the time I didn't really care if I got in or not, as opposed to the previous one where I was stressed as.

[Tetsamo]

The trouble with suits in Tokyo is that you're stuck in the same one for three days.

Hydro and I took off in the same group (Hi dude, hope you're enjoying Akita as much as I'm loving my little corner of Osaka!), and yeah: the biggest thing they look for is outgoing, genki, and adaptable. So if you're all nervous it's understandable but it counts against you more than if you're all serious about it and edgy accordingly.
Which probably explains why I only got in on the time I didn't really care if I got in or not, as opposed to the previous one where I was stressed as.

So, suits and maybe some jeans as well. Then you can do the ever so awesome 'Jeans with suit jacket' trick. Couple that with a pair of white sneakers and howdy doody! Er, so for the orientation, do you have to dress for work or can it be a bit more casual like?

Your interview sounds a bit like me when I went for my driver's license...
So, relaxant recomended for the interview hey? Hmm, if its hot, a quick stop at the pub might be in order beforehand.


*Please note, Tetsamo does not endorse drunken-interview-attending, do so at your own risk. This has been a public service announcement. Spoken by Tetsamo*

[nicklar]

No 'Cool Biz' dress standard?

[Tetsamo]

Eeep! I just thought of something, do we have to have the health check/xray/police clearence for the interview? Blast I am at work and it's got me a bit concerned now.

[EricaHartmann]

Can't believe I'm saying this again but just wear suits. None of this maybe I can wear jeans bull****.

Also as hard as it may be, calm down during the interview. When they ask you a question, take a moment to think about the question and your answer before opening your mouth. Obviously don't stare out into space for 30 seconds but avoid verbal diarrhea.

[btlef0]

Eeep! I just thought of something, do we have to have the health check/xray/police clearence for the interview? Blast I am at work and it's got me a bit concerned now.

I re-read the notice I received from the Japanese Embassy, and the only item it explicitly states to bring is the Interview Voucher. Other than that I am unaware of a need for the other items you have mentioned.