Applying to JET - VLog #103 - The Interview - part 3

[brainsteww]

Hi, Jason! I have my interview at the end of this month. Are we allowed to use Japanese at all in the sample lesson?

[myargonauts]

@brainsteww I've heard that people are being asked to do a sample lesson less and less recently, but if you are asked to do one, I would stick with English, unless you're specifically asked to aim your lesson for elem school students and you're explaining words by using the Japanese counterpart.

[BreatheDeepSeekPeace]

Hi Jason! I made the first cut! My interview is on Valentine's Day (which will hopefully provide some entertaining conversation, and possible mini-lesson)! Again, just wanted to thank you for the videos. They really are a great resource for all of us trying to make this work and jam in practice time before the interview in between classes and jobs. Gambarimasu!

[kakaze]

i've read the self into thing though is meant to be 5 minutes...i'm just not 5 minutes worth of interesting! eek...

[xshiny]

Have you heard if they've ever asked someone other types of demonstrations (like an actual grammar demo)?

[myargonauts]

I don't think they would ask that, altho the UK JETs have to take a grammar test. You mostly get asked to do mock lessons about holidays, your country, or other fun topics

[shandy744]

Was an ex jet on the London interviews. Your advice is really spot on! in London the senior people were very big on the person's clarity and talking speed and how someone deals with not knowing something - rambling on about Haruki Murakami changing their lives went down like a lead balloon. Biggest mistake brits make is treating it like a university interview, your videos really are brilliant at showing what JET is looking for. Am recommending all your stuff to any potentials!

[myargonauts]

excellent! thanks for the comment! It's good to know that I'm on the mark, at least some of the time. :)

[NinjasFlexablewang]

how bad does it look if they ask u a question that u dont know the answer to?

[myargonauts]

like any interview, it's the way you handle a question you don't have an answer for that is more important - showing an ability to adapt or admit you don't know but with an interesting segue into something you do know about is just as good. Most of the questions are going to be about YOU, so you should have an answer. :)

[imdaman765]

Are you told about the holiday or that you have to do the introduction ahead of time? Or is it just something that kind of comes up on the spot?

[myargonauts]

it varies from interview location to int location, so you don't know ahead of time. A big part of being an effective ALT is being able to think on the go, so it's a good test of your abilities

[Regalia31]

I wanted to drop you a line to say that these videos have been very informative. I had my interview in Boston. My interview was very relaxing and not even half as bad as I dreaded. They asked me some odd questions like how I would answer a student if they asked if I was married or not. No factual questions. The only flub I think I did was when I was called upon for the interview, the person that got me introduced herself to me in japanese and I responded in english.

[BSI85]

Thanks so much fo posting these videos..very helpful!! i have my interview in Toronto Canada on the 18th...very nervous but i think your comments are really encourging. i will for sure post my experience to help others!

[Naelok]

I'm a fresh college graduate from Canada and have my interview this Wednesday. Thanks so much for your advice. I'm still a bit of a nervous wreck (I'm probably a bit on the introverted side of the scale, though I'm not shy), but this has been very helpful.

[finlaystewart]

Thanks for these excellent vids. Had my interview today in Edinburgh, UK. Not sure how well it went; mine was closer to 15 min than 20, which really isn't a long time. The interviewers were reasonably friendly - they didn't try any dirty tricks to catch me out. No demo lesson for me.

[eMac330P]

I can't thank you enough for the "vlogs" you've made about JET. You've really put me at ease about a lot of the things I was getting worked up about in regards to this whole application process. I feel a lot more confident going into the interview armed with the knowledge in these vids. If I get the interview I'll let you know how it goes!

[xTheBrandoShowx]

good video Jason, thanks for giving a heads up on what to expect..i never really thought there would be a demo u have to teach in the interview...i'd probably do christmas, i could compare it to other countries like Japan where its really cold, whereas in Australia here its really hot..altho my JET interview wouldnt be until like 2013..lol..havent even started Uni yet

[RoCoLaNe]

I'm from Jamaica and my interview is on Feb. 10, not so nervous but i know that'll change as the date draws nigh. Thanks for sharing about the lesson demo...wasn't focusing on that aspect.

[JeanOfmArc]

I had a friend who did his interview in Montreal, and he told me that during his interview they asked him to say who the Japanese Prime Minister was and to name 3 famous Japanese people. So for any Canadians applying out there, it'll be good to know some things!

The interview dates in Canada are:

Toronto: Feb 17-19

Calgary: Feb 17-20, 23-24

Ottawa: Feb 19-20

Montreal: Feb 24-25

Winnipeg: Feb 25-27

(I couldn't find the Vancouver dates)

Thanks for the helpful videos!

[voggvogg]

Good advice! If you're applying, just take this thing seriously, but don't drive yourself crazy. JET is great! Come join us!

[stringtofate]

Really great series. It's about time we have a formal series about interviews. Great stuff, thanks a lot.

[sirkibs]

Just wanted to say thanks for this vlog series, I'm currently trying to prep for my interview in Edinburgh next Monday, pretty nervous to be honest! I'm from Northern Ireland and I've gone through the UK application process so I hope to be able to give you some pointers come next tuesday regarding the UK interview, maybe I'll even figure out how to vlog myself and post a video response to help out any other applicants.

Anyways, ta very much for all your effort it's greatly appreciated

Matt

[markdc2]

Hey, thanks for making this, cool vids!

I have Questions!

The letters of reference.. can I get two different ones from the same university as I don't want a reference from my current employer! [I would be quitting that job to go japan lol]

Do you work at one school? or do you have to travel to many schools?

Why not Tokyo! though, I would be happy with Kyoto!. I would probably put Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima as my three preferences!

I'm from Ireland, and I will be applying in for next year!

[Slapmeimhappy]

Yes!!!!

I got my interview confirmation letter this morning : )

17th February at 10am is when my interview is.

Im so happy!!!!!

I am located in New Zealand by the way.

Good luck to all those still waiting : )

[myargonauts]

good news! Hope all goes well!

-Jason

[WhiteMatrix2006]

I had no idea about the demo class thing. I did not know that they asked you to do something like that. When I do apply, and I got to the interview and asked to do that, I would've been in shock. LOL! I'm sure many other people feel the same way and are probably very thankful for this video especially. =)

-Billy-

[vitrichenko0961]

Hi! I'm from Singapore and I'm waiting in nerve-wrecking anticipation for the results of the initial screening.

Hope I get the interview! Or rather go all the way and get into the JET programme!

Your videos are great! Very relevant and informative.

[myargonauts]

thanks for watching and good luck!

[Hoonta]

Thanks for the interview series!

Last year I also chose the 4th of July to talk about.

If I get an interview and I'm asked to do the same thing I'll definitely take the talking to little kid approach.

[jessman1999]

This has nothing to do with the interview process, but once you are selected as a JET and are in Japan, do you have to contact your countries embassy to let them know you are now in that country?

[myargonauts]

It's suggested you do so, in case of something like an earthquake and they would be able to help get in contact with your family.

[Slapmeimhappy]

Thanks for the videos! They are extremely helpful! By the way I am in New Zealand but have yet to recieve confirmation of an interview but they emailed and said that those chosen would find out at the end of January.

Iv'e been learning Korean at moment as well since my Japanese is quite good.

I'll let you know when I got a confirmation though for an interview : )

[myargonauts]

Cool - thanks for the info!

[ichiban109]

hey so whats the most amount of years they let you stay a jet?

[myargonauts]

5 years is the maximum

[MessagesFromEarth]

Your birthday is July 6th?! That's my wedding anniversary! Awesome!

[GotToDance]

For my interview (UK) there were 2 interviewers (one Japanese + an ex-JET). There were lots of questions on UK culture but not much on Japan. How would you deal with a very rural placement, how will JET fit into your future career plans,what will you do if you are only used as a human tape recorder? I had to introduce myself in Japanese as I'm having lessons atm. As far as I know noone at the London interviews has been asked to do a demo lesson at all. Thanks again for the great vids Jason x

[myargonauts]

Excellent! Thanks for the info & good luck!

[GotToDance]

Haha I'm so relieved to hear you say you totally second-guessed yourself over the following weeks! I had my interview on thurs (in the UK) and at first I felt it went fairly well but now I can only cringe thinking what I should of said! Nevermind!

[Senoska]

I've heard of people being asked questions related to spelling. I'm not sure if that's particularly true, but needless to say I would fail that interview rather hard. I know it's kind of silly; going into an English teaching job and being scared of a spelling question. I'm not a horrible speller but under that type of pressure I'm not sure I could handle that, lol. Here's to hoping no questions like that pop up! Keep up the good work, Jason.

[emergencyincas]

Hoy, I seldom interview well. Thanks for the videos, as usual!

[lleverfreell]

Jason, watching these videos really help to ease my nerves about the interview (that is, if I get an interview). Thank you!

[J9xluvsxy00]

"what do you barbeque in Japan?"

-fish.

yeah, my father would put fish in the menu when everybody else was anticipating sausages and steak -.-

[myargonauts]

very true - but never on my bbq. :)

[afronathan]

These vids are really helpful

I think the video might be out of sync though, never the less a good vid again

[myargonauts]

yeah - it sucks that it goes out of sync. They always look fine on my laptop as I play them thru, but after I upload the end few minutes seem to go out of sync. Sorry.

[winDragon79]

4th of July is the first holiday I'd think of as well...or thanksgiving, but thats kind of hard to explain simply.

[basch2020]

Would you explain rememberence day or anything related to the WW's or is that a sensitive subject in Japan?

[myargonauts]

well - you're supposed to be talking to elementary kids, so picking something very visual and interesting for them would be a better choice.

[rodgerswan]

4th of july oh jason haha. This video was really helpful! Thanks so much for these, and I'll let you know if I get an interview notification soon....

[bighungrysteve]

Worth noting that I didn't get asked for a demo lesson or any questions as to my teaching experience/suitability to teach - I got asked for a self introduction in Japanese, and that was it as far as that kind of thing goes. I'm guessing that's rather unusual, as I thought it was weird that that entire area was kind of skipped over.