The JET Interview for ALT

When I was preparing for the JET interview this week, I googled “JET program tips” and “JET interview” and was amazed at how many people have blogged with help in this interview process. One guy in Canada is a former participant/interviewer and even posted what they are looking for on the other side of the table. I feel like I should do my part and post my interview.

I interviewed in Chicago at 9:30 am, which is the first slot of the day. I was the second to arrive and was immediately greeted by a very tall American man, who checked me off the list and showed me to the coat rack. I found the bathroom and starred at myself nervously for a little while. It is important to be early to this interview (half hourish) because in Japan 15 min early is on time I’m told. I met two other interviewees when I went back to the waiting area who were watching the video they have set up. I heard it was important to watch the video because they may ask about it in the interview to make sure you were early. That didn’t happen to me though. I ended up chatting with the other interviewees and the reception guy more than watching the video. I also read that the greeters take notes on the applicants and give them to the panels later. It’s important to talk to them and make a good impression.

Like clockwork, at 9:30 on the dot, a man took me and the other 2 9:30 people into the room. The room was partitioned off into 3 panels. I took my seat across from 3 people – 1 former JET, 1 Japanese historian, and 1 man who works for the consulate I think. The JET shook my hand, the other two shook my hand and bowed greeting me in Japanese. I sat down and immediately they started asking me questions in Japanese! They were basic – like have I ever been to Japan? What kind of food do I like to eat? When did I study Japanese? Where? It completely threw me off because I had never heard anyone applying for the ALT job having to speak Japanese in the interview! I answered the questions calmly and ended up making everyone laugh when answering what kind of food do I like to eat with “gohan ga suki desu.” Translation: I like rice.

They switched to English at that point and said that was a new element they added to gauge where people’s Japanese is at. They said it was really good I was following all their questions. I put on my application that I had elementary levels of everything, so if you did that this your warning! I told them how rusty I am since it’s been 5 years since I’ve spoken Japanese to anyone! It actually was a good ice breaker and the rest of the interview was very relaxed.

They asked:

Motivation for the program:
Why do I want to go to Japan?
Why the JET program?
What do I find interesting about Japanese culture?
Do you have preference for location?
Do you have a backup plan if you don’t get in?

Situational questions:
Give a self introduction to a class.
If you had to give a lesson on a holiday 5 min from now, what would you do?
If a family member was really sick or dying while you were in Japan, what would you do?

Culture shock:
How would you deal with homesickness?
What is your greatest fear (about the program)?
What challanges did you face in NZ (insert study abroad country)?

Of course, do you have questions for us?

I won’t know if I got in for another month, but I feel pretty good about the interview. I think it does help to be relaxed and just be yourself. It seemed really fast and pretty painless. I know they try to break you somehow…I think that was the language questions for me.

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