A day or 2 before the interview I watched some NHK news and they were talking about Kira Kira names and how it was messing with the family registry system. They asked me what news I knew about Japan and I me tinned that. The Japanese gentlemen nearly gasped audibly and they all seemed insanely impressed I knew what it was. So watch Japanese news earnestly and you will probably have something decent to say.
i had an ALT and some professors on my
panel. i kept it professional but lighthearted, and got some chuckles throughout my questions and mock lesson. when I asked the ALT about their favorite lesson and how they integrated their arts background, they ad hoc asked a similar question back about what I would do. i didnt have a "prepared" answer, but was able to enthusiastically give examples of what id like to do across age groups and language levels and speak a bit about my teaching approach. the professor who was near silent the whole interview said, "I really love that." felt good to feel like i made a good impression on each panelist!
At this point I can't remember anything other than us pretending they were little kids and I was teaching them Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the way to a museum. I don't know how they felt about that, but I wasn't shy to sit there and be theatrical and expressive over the virtual interview while doing it. As far as I was convinced they were eight year olds for that moment in time!
Aside from that, when it came time to ask them questions, I asked two:
- What do you personally look for in a candidate for this position?
- How has your day been?
I think the latter surprised them and they smiled.
They asked me what I would do if certain situations came up in the classroom (I said something and the main teacher said that was wrong even though I thought it was right, kids being unreceptive to learning, etc.) and I responded based on the research I had done prior. Especially having no classroom education background I think they were checking to see how I would handle a classroom environment and what I’d do in more challenging scenarios. I thankfully had done research and talked to friends that were currently classroom teachers so I was prepared. They seemed really impressed when I came up with the answers so quickly!
When I mentioned my interest in Japanese history, one of the panelists pressed me pretty hard for detailed information about what specifically I had studied and why. I think my detailed answer and staying cool under pressure definitely loosened up the rest of the interview.
I don’t know if how I feel about it was how my panel felt as well, but what stuck out to me was when I received what felt like it was supposed to be a “gotcha curve ball” about commuting and working in heat, high humidity, and rainy weather—a sort of, “you talk a lot about adaptability but how does it hold up to a serious example”—and I told my panel about the time I was 16 in Fukuoka and got caught up on the wrong train with no phone during a typhoon and had to walk 30 mins home in horizontal rains. I had some punch line about how it was the most hydrated my skin has ever felt. They LOL’ed.
I think my background as someone that moved around a LOT helped me a great deal during my interview. I had been to Japan for a few weeks prior to JET and during my interview I was asked about how it went and I explained that since I had never lived in one place for more than a few years I found I was able to get my bearings pretty much immediately. Adaptability was a huge part of my interview as it is one of my best attributes in regards to moving to different cities or countries.
I remember cracking up during my interview because my interviewers threw me consistently questions that weren’t on the “100 questions you’ll be asked during your interview” list, like I think total they asked me ONE of those questions. The one that had me AND everyone else laughing was “would you say you are more a bird or a fish” even the interviewer was laughing as she asked it. I remember laughing a little and taking it well and going “well I haha I’ve never thought about that before in my life. I think I would, sorry this is such a unique question, I think I’d see myself potentially more as a bird. Lots of possibility for flight and travel, big wingspan.” I left the interview MORTIFIED by my answer but they thought it was funny I guess
I think what practically won the interview was when I got asked about some contract work I did in a remote First Nations reserve. I got to talk about having to haul my own water, lacking good Internet and TV, interacting with people who have dealt with cultural genocide and the ramifications of that, trying to communicate with Elders who could only speak Cree, etc. Obviously, this is rather specific. However, I think it showed I could be dropped in the middle of nowhere and adapt.
Also, I think being able to crack a joke and not take yourself so seriously will help immensely. Obviously don't force it. Just go with the flow and see what happens. For example, I was asked to do a mock lesson on Canadian animals and after miming some animals, one of the "students" began copying me and I got to joke around with that and it ended up with me just laughing. Remember, a lot of ALTs end up working with kids so the job will call for some playfulness.
They told me that many JETs just end up being human tape recorders, and asked if I'd be able to handle that day in and day out. I said "Well as any of my friends will tell you, I love the sound of my own voice". Got a pretty big laugh from everyone and I kinda felt like the gig was mine to lose from that point onward.
When I did my fake introduction to students, I said "the state I'm from is *Ohio*, which sounds a lot like *おはよう*" and I think they liked that one because it got some little laughs. I only did it because the last time I was in Japan and introduced myself, people would ALWAYS say that when I said I was from Ohio.
My answer to the standard “what was a time you had a difficulty with a student in the classroom and how did you overcome it” sort of question went over well.
One of them laughed at a comment I made about my local public transit.
Everyone was smiling or chuckling when I related my least favorite experience from a prior visit to Japan.
I had a pretty affable panel.
For me it was a random question lol they asked what the one piece of investment advice (my field of work) I would give to someone and I mentioned a quote I liked. They seemed to be a little happier after idk maybe I was overthinking.
They want to see willingness to be out of your comfort zone and to see what you can offer. You’re not there to show off your manga collection after all, you’re there to work. I had experience teaching and had a good lesson plan, but they also threw me a curveball asking what I’d do if offered the mic at a karaoke workshop party. I said I’d have a drink to steel my nerves and do a Springsteen number. I come across as quiet and unassuming, so I guess I surprised them, judging by the approving nods and smiles. I would do that, but my advice, if they ask something like this, they’ll never know if you wouldn’t. A little white lie might help this part of the interview. Be truthful with the rest though.
This was repeated at my send off
Interviewer: So if you are selected, where would you like to go?
Me: I want to go to an area where I would be the only American in a 50 mile area.
Long Silence
Interviewer: Son… you got balls. Really big balls for saying that.
Me: (Best Tony Montana Impression) All I have in this world is my balls and my word, and I won’t break ‘em for no one.
They still say this at the Japanese Consulate in Houston.
I mentioned it ages ago on another forum but I overheard the two Japanese interviewers talk where they’ll go for lunch etc.
Me going: Hi, I’m hungry.
Yep lol definitely one way to break the ice haha and they had a good giggle. However, after the interview I did have second thoughts about starting off with a Dad joke haha.
Yeah I agree with others usually by JH3, SHS English tends to be more on the serious side. I always do my best to make learning fun or at least relatable, but at the same time there’s gonna be the odd week or two where it needs to be boring, depending on the classes maturity level. Australia doesn’t tend to do mock lesson plans as they wanted to know more about my experiences and how would I relate to explaining cultural differences.
I also got asked if I was able to teach art making classes as I majored in fine arts and if I would be okay being put in a specialised school. I said put me where I’m needed, I’m open to new experiences.
The ex-ALT really liked when I could immediately adapt the mock lesson plan they'd asked me to give to elementary kids into a high school plan. Seems like that's a fairly common test from these comments!
One of my interviewers asked me to give a brief mock lesson on a holiday and for some reason, Juneteenth was the first that came to mind. As expected, I backed myself into a corner while talking about the holiday bc the next question was to explain the transatlantic slave trade to them while they pretended to be elementary schoolers. I did so without hesitation and I could see their faces instantly go from cold to impressed. The interview felt much more relaxed after that and felt more conversational.
In addition to this, I studied abroad in Japan for a year just prior and I was asked questions about my direct experience living, attending school, and interning there. The biggest takeaway from this is to know your SOP well and be prepared to explain how you’ll adapt to living in Japan. Advice I was told prior to this process is that your initial application and SOP should explain why you want to go to Japan and why JET. Cultural exchange is one of the most important factors. If you get to the interview stage, this is where you explain how you’ll adapt and adjust to living in Japan once you get there. With that in mind, your SOP is probably more important than your interview right now as it’s a major key to even getting an interview.
You're so right! I have started a draft of what subtopics I would like to think about in regards to the main topics of the SOP. This was something that sprung to thought as I was thinkinging of adaptability being among the many other topics to break down a bit.
Like others, I had a recent enough japanese language background which gave me bonus points.
Even without it, I had some teaching experience.
Even without that, I had a clear goal and interest in the exchange part of JET.
They want to know all about what exchange you’re going to bring to Japan. They’re not interested in your teaching experience if you have any or not. Jet is about exchange. What will you do to show your culture and your background beyond the classroom. Within the local community and with parents not just students
My interviewers did a slight good cop/bad cop routine, and because I had just graduated from a Japanese language degree the bad cop decided to do half the interview in Japanese trying to press me on why I was going for ALT and not CIR - I explained that I was interested in a longer term teaching career (which I was at the time) and I think I managed to convince them that I was there with an honest interest in the job and it wasn’t just a “I need to go to Japan and I don’t care how I do it” thing.
For my own answers/experience: In my SOP I wrote mostly about cultural exchange experiences I have had, including teaching English in Cambodia for a month+, a 3 month homestay with 6 different rural Japanese family, and then being the secretary of a Japanese culture club in university. During my 30 minute interview, 70% was them just asking me about my homestays, and me talking about my adaptability and being open to any new experience I could get, and what I learned from it. It was almost fun (as fun as an interview can get at least) and felt like a conversation.
They asked me stereotypical questions like "how would you feel if you were placed in the deep inaka" to which I responded, "yes, please do". They laughed and seemed happily surprised at that!
One of my last questions was "what 3 media (books/movies/shows) would you want to show your students to teach them about and represent your culture?". I 100% blanked, mentioned one book and then thought for so long that they were like "let's just move on". I thought I botched the entire thing. Turns out I still made it.
My Japanese portion was great for about two questions, I messed up on the third, stopped, looked confused, laughed, corrected myself, and everyone laughed with me and seemed to enjoy my reaction/answer (being able to reflect on and not be flustered by my mistake). The 4th question was me staring blankly until I said "I don't understand AT ALL" and they were like "okay cool".
My point is, is that you never know what way your interview will go, and the only way to really have any sort of "control" is based off of your SOP. Not all bad answers mean you won't get in. Not all great answers mean you WILL get in. Be yourself, and be honest.
There are so many variables: your attitude, how you respond, how you handle your nerves (I straight up said at the beginning of my interview "wow, I'm so nervous but so excited!" - this really seemed to set an open and honest mood as well as calm me down a bit)... and the stage is set by your SOP. If they are interviewing you, that means you stood out in your SOP, so now all you have to do is continue to channel your SOP into your answers.
Keeping your advice in mind! My top media without much thought would be into the spider man into the spider verse movie & Adventure Time. I think these two speak heavily of embracing diversity and individualism which I think is a major part of my Southern Californian culture. It's deeper than that, but I think that would be a good start. What do you think?
that’s good! although tbh i think anything flies, again i said one book (which was To Kill a Mockingbird and my reason was “we studied it in high school”, i know. lame.) and they seemed to not care in the least. so any answer is probably better than mine 😂
My interviewers had a strong good cop-bad cop routine, but I had them laughing by the end of the interview. I think what a lot of people don’t realize and let truly sink in…is that high school is the oldest group of kids you’ll potentially have. The higher up in school, the more ‘serious’ the English education becomes. I’m not saying don’t take it seriously, but a huge part of my job as a primarily elementary ALT…is to be entertaining on the fly. In my interview I was relaxed and told them things about my prior experiences abroad with humor (I had a lot of let’s say interesting experiences as a non-Asian POC who had worked in Korea and China before). I portrayed myself as someone who, while I may take the job and cultural exchange seriously, I’m not afraid to laugh at myself and situations that others may potentially feel offended by. I honestly left my interview knowing I’d made it.
One of the people that was interviewing me knew me from a recent Kendo tournament. We had fought each other in the second or third round. Spent a few precious minutes of the interview talking passionately about Kendo before one of the other judges stepped in and had us move on. Leaving the interview I thought I shot myself in the foot getting carried away on the Kendo topic but it all worked out in the end. I think a genuine interest in Japanese culture beyond anime and manga is what got me admitted.
It was my persistence.
In some answer it came up that I had applied years before, didn’t get the job, sought teaching experience, and applied again.
That really made the Japanese interviewer happy.
For the most part JET is a culteral exchange first and foremost. think of examples of how youve enganged with foreign ideas and cultures and adapted to situations of uncomfortability and difficulty. For me, I had expirience living is a totally foriegn country and was able to learn and adapt to a new environment.
They also want to know how you can make the mood. JET is looking for people who can connect well with children, teachers, and the community at large. Think of examples of how you done your best to be relatable and build connections with a new community. for me I was ableto lean on volunteer work involving building relationships with struggle communities and provide assistance for their needs.
THe Jet program is sort of looking for competant teachers, but more so, they are looking for cultural embassadors who can connect well will people and react decently well to difficult situations with a good attitude.
At the time I was TA-ing for a professor’s first year Japanese class, and they asked me to run them through the lesson plan I had been making for that weeks class. One of the panelists didn’t know Japanese, but the others seemed impressed
I told them that I took a Japanese history class in college and they asked me who was my favorite historical figure and why. I answered it was Oda Nobunaga and I liked him because he (basically) united Japan and incorporated western weapons (rifles) into his military tactics. One of the Japanese panelists was from the same town as oda nobunaga. I think that earned me a lot of points.
I also told them I was taking Japanese language classes and they asked me some questions in Japanese and I answered all of them. My Japanese was still very beginner at the time.
When asked about my placement picks (I picked Tokyo and Kyoto) I told them that I wouldn’t care where they put me and that I just wanted to get into JET and work in Japan.
All these answers I think worked greatly in my favor.
To be honest, both of my interviewers were completely stone faced the entire way through. At one point the Japanese lady of the two did stop typing for a moment and watch me answer one of the questions. She had been typing continuously up until that point.
Can I remember what the question was? Nope. Can I remember how I answered it? Also nope. Haha!
I was asked, in Japanese, what I did on the weekend. I pointed out the window, and explained that I was kayaking in the river outside. The interviewer got up to have a look and commented that it looked a bit brown. I agreed with them and said that it was a bit muddy but a good time. I believe this was an unusual response to an unusual question probably designed to test out my Japanese speaking skills.
A day or 2 before the interview I watched some NHK news and they were talking about Kira Kira names and how it was messing with the family registry system. They asked me what news I knew about Japan and I me tinned that. The Japanese gentlemen nearly gasped audibly and they all seemed insanely impressed I knew what it was. So watch Japanese news earnestly and you will probably have something decent to say.
i had an ALT and some professors on my panel. i kept it professional but lighthearted, and got some chuckles throughout my questions and mock lesson. when I asked the ALT about their favorite lesson and how they integrated their arts background, they ad hoc asked a similar question back about what I would do. i didnt have a "prepared" answer, but was able to enthusiastically give examples of what id like to do across age groups and language levels and speak a bit about my teaching approach. the professor who was near silent the whole interview said, "I really love that." felt good to feel like i made a good impression on each panelist!
At this point I can't remember anything other than us pretending they were little kids and I was teaching them Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the way to a museum. I don't know how they felt about that, but I wasn't shy to sit there and be theatrical and expressive over the virtual interview while doing it. As far as I was convinced they were eight year olds for that moment in time! Aside from that, when it came time to ask them questions, I asked two: - What do you personally look for in a candidate for this position? - How has your day been? I think the latter surprised them and they smiled.
They asked me what I would do if certain situations came up in the classroom (I said something and the main teacher said that was wrong even though I thought it was right, kids being unreceptive to learning, etc.) and I responded based on the research I had done prior. Especially having no classroom education background I think they were checking to see how I would handle a classroom environment and what I’d do in more challenging scenarios. I thankfully had done research and talked to friends that were currently classroom teachers so I was prepared. They seemed really impressed when I came up with the answers so quickly!
When I mentioned my interest in Japanese history, one of the panelists pressed me pretty hard for detailed information about what specifically I had studied and why. I think my detailed answer and staying cool under pressure definitely loosened up the rest of the interview.
I don’t know if how I feel about it was how my panel felt as well, but what stuck out to me was when I received what felt like it was supposed to be a “gotcha curve ball” about commuting and working in heat, high humidity, and rainy weather—a sort of, “you talk a lot about adaptability but how does it hold up to a serious example”—and I told my panel about the time I was 16 in Fukuoka and got caught up on the wrong train with no phone during a typhoon and had to walk 30 mins home in horizontal rains. I had some punch line about how it was the most hydrated my skin has ever felt. They LOL’ed.
I think my background as someone that moved around a LOT helped me a great deal during my interview. I had been to Japan for a few weeks prior to JET and during my interview I was asked about how it went and I explained that since I had never lived in one place for more than a few years I found I was able to get my bearings pretty much immediately. Adaptability was a huge part of my interview as it is one of my best attributes in regards to moving to different cities or countries. I remember cracking up during my interview because my interviewers threw me consistently questions that weren’t on the “100 questions you’ll be asked during your interview” list, like I think total they asked me ONE of those questions. The one that had me AND everyone else laughing was “would you say you are more a bird or a fish” even the interviewer was laughing as she asked it. I remember laughing a little and taking it well and going “well I haha I’ve never thought about that before in my life. I think I would, sorry this is such a unique question, I think I’d see myself potentially more as a bird. Lots of possibility for flight and travel, big wingspan.” I left the interview MORTIFIED by my answer but they thought it was funny I guess
I think what practically won the interview was when I got asked about some contract work I did in a remote First Nations reserve. I got to talk about having to haul my own water, lacking good Internet and TV, interacting with people who have dealt with cultural genocide and the ramifications of that, trying to communicate with Elders who could only speak Cree, etc. Obviously, this is rather specific. However, I think it showed I could be dropped in the middle of nowhere and adapt. Also, I think being able to crack a joke and not take yourself so seriously will help immensely. Obviously don't force it. Just go with the flow and see what happens. For example, I was asked to do a mock lesson on Canadian animals and after miming some animals, one of the "students" began copying me and I got to joke around with that and it ended up with me just laughing. Remember, a lot of ALTs end up working with kids so the job will call for some playfulness.
They told me that many JETs just end up being human tape recorders, and asked if I'd be able to handle that day in and day out. I said "Well as any of my friends will tell you, I love the sound of my own voice". Got a pretty big laugh from everyone and I kinda felt like the gig was mine to lose from that point onward.
When I did my fake introduction to students, I said "the state I'm from is *Ohio*, which sounds a lot like *おはよう*" and I think they liked that one because it got some little laughs. I only did it because the last time I was in Japan and introduced myself, people would ALWAYS say that when I said I was from Ohio.
My answer to the standard “what was a time you had a difficulty with a student in the classroom and how did you overcome it” sort of question went over well. One of them laughed at a comment I made about my local public transit. Everyone was smiling or chuckling when I related my least favorite experience from a prior visit to Japan. I had a pretty affable panel.
For me it was a random question lol they asked what the one piece of investment advice (my field of work) I would give to someone and I mentioned a quote I liked. They seemed to be a little happier after idk maybe I was overthinking.
They want to see willingness to be out of your comfort zone and to see what you can offer. You’re not there to show off your manga collection after all, you’re there to work. I had experience teaching and had a good lesson plan, but they also threw me a curveball asking what I’d do if offered the mic at a karaoke workshop party. I said I’d have a drink to steel my nerves and do a Springsteen number. I come across as quiet and unassuming, so I guess I surprised them, judging by the approving nods and smiles. I would do that, but my advice, if they ask something like this, they’ll never know if you wouldn’t. A little white lie might help this part of the interview. Be truthful with the rest though.
This was repeated at my send off Interviewer: So if you are selected, where would you like to go? Me: I want to go to an area where I would be the only American in a 50 mile area. Long Silence Interviewer: Son… you got balls. Really big balls for saying that. Me: (Best Tony Montana Impression) All I have in this world is my balls and my word, and I won’t break ‘em for no one. They still say this at the Japanese Consulate in Houston.
This is probably the cringiest thing I've read in quite a bit
I mentioned it ages ago on another forum but I overheard the two Japanese interviewers talk where they’ll go for lunch etc. Me going: Hi, I’m hungry. Yep lol definitely one way to break the ice haha and they had a good giggle. However, after the interview I did have second thoughts about starting off with a Dad joke haha. Yeah I agree with others usually by JH3, SHS English tends to be more on the serious side. I always do my best to make learning fun or at least relatable, but at the same time there’s gonna be the odd week or two where it needs to be boring, depending on the classes maturity level. Australia doesn’t tend to do mock lesson plans as they wanted to know more about my experiences and how would I relate to explaining cultural differences. I also got asked if I was able to teach art making classes as I majored in fine arts and if I would be okay being put in a specialised school. I said put me where I’m needed, I’m open to new experiences.
The ex-ALT really liked when I could immediately adapt the mock lesson plan they'd asked me to give to elementary kids into a high school plan. Seems like that's a fairly common test from these comments!
One of my interviewers asked me to give a brief mock lesson on a holiday and for some reason, Juneteenth was the first that came to mind. As expected, I backed myself into a corner while talking about the holiday bc the next question was to explain the transatlantic slave trade to them while they pretended to be elementary schoolers. I did so without hesitation and I could see their faces instantly go from cold to impressed. The interview felt much more relaxed after that and felt more conversational. In addition to this, I studied abroad in Japan for a year just prior and I was asked questions about my direct experience living, attending school, and interning there. The biggest takeaway from this is to know your SOP well and be prepared to explain how you’ll adapt to living in Japan. Advice I was told prior to this process is that your initial application and SOP should explain why you want to go to Japan and why JET. Cultural exchange is one of the most important factors. If you get to the interview stage, this is where you explain how you’ll adapt and adjust to living in Japan once you get there. With that in mind, your SOP is probably more important than your interview right now as it’s a major key to even getting an interview.
You're so right! I have started a draft of what subtopics I would like to think about in regards to the main topics of the SOP. This was something that sprung to thought as I was thinkinging of adaptability being among the many other topics to break down a bit.
Like others, I had a recent enough japanese language background which gave me bonus points. Even without it, I had some teaching experience. Even without that, I had a clear goal and interest in the exchange part of JET.
They want to know all about what exchange you’re going to bring to Japan. They’re not interested in your teaching experience if you have any or not. Jet is about exchange. What will you do to show your culture and your background beyond the classroom. Within the local community and with parents not just students
My interviewers did a slight good cop/bad cop routine, and because I had just graduated from a Japanese language degree the bad cop decided to do half the interview in Japanese trying to press me on why I was going for ALT and not CIR - I explained that I was interested in a longer term teaching career (which I was at the time) and I think I managed to convince them that I was there with an honest interest in the job and it wasn’t just a “I need to go to Japan and I don’t care how I do it” thing.
For my own answers/experience: In my SOP I wrote mostly about cultural exchange experiences I have had, including teaching English in Cambodia for a month+, a 3 month homestay with 6 different rural Japanese family, and then being the secretary of a Japanese culture club in university. During my 30 minute interview, 70% was them just asking me about my homestays, and me talking about my adaptability and being open to any new experience I could get, and what I learned from it. It was almost fun (as fun as an interview can get at least) and felt like a conversation. They asked me stereotypical questions like "how would you feel if you were placed in the deep inaka" to which I responded, "yes, please do". They laughed and seemed happily surprised at that! One of my last questions was "what 3 media (books/movies/shows) would you want to show your students to teach them about and represent your culture?". I 100% blanked, mentioned one book and then thought for so long that they were like "let's just move on". I thought I botched the entire thing. Turns out I still made it. My Japanese portion was great for about two questions, I messed up on the third, stopped, looked confused, laughed, corrected myself, and everyone laughed with me and seemed to enjoy my reaction/answer (being able to reflect on and not be flustered by my mistake). The 4th question was me staring blankly until I said "I don't understand AT ALL" and they were like "okay cool". My point is, is that you never know what way your interview will go, and the only way to really have any sort of "control" is based off of your SOP. Not all bad answers mean you won't get in. Not all great answers mean you WILL get in. Be yourself, and be honest. There are so many variables: your attitude, how you respond, how you handle your nerves (I straight up said at the beginning of my interview "wow, I'm so nervous but so excited!" - this really seemed to set an open and honest mood as well as calm me down a bit)... and the stage is set by your SOP. If they are interviewing you, that means you stood out in your SOP, so now all you have to do is continue to channel your SOP into your answers.
Keeping your advice in mind! My top media without much thought would be into the spider man into the spider verse movie & Adventure Time. I think these two speak heavily of embracing diversity and individualism which I think is a major part of my Southern Californian culture. It's deeper than that, but I think that would be a good start. What do you think?
that’s good! although tbh i think anything flies, again i said one book (which was To Kill a Mockingbird and my reason was “we studied it in high school”, i know. lame.) and they seemed to not care in the least. so any answer is probably better than mine 😂
My interviewers had a strong good cop-bad cop routine, but I had them laughing by the end of the interview. I think what a lot of people don’t realize and let truly sink in…is that high school is the oldest group of kids you’ll potentially have. The higher up in school, the more ‘serious’ the English education becomes. I’m not saying don’t take it seriously, but a huge part of my job as a primarily elementary ALT…is to be entertaining on the fly. In my interview I was relaxed and told them things about my prior experiences abroad with humor (I had a lot of let’s say interesting experiences as a non-Asian POC who had worked in Korea and China before). I portrayed myself as someone who, while I may take the job and cultural exchange seriously, I’m not afraid to laugh at myself and situations that others may potentially feel offended by. I honestly left my interview knowing I’d made it.
One of the people that was interviewing me knew me from a recent Kendo tournament. We had fought each other in the second or third round. Spent a few precious minutes of the interview talking passionately about Kendo before one of the other judges stepped in and had us move on. Leaving the interview I thought I shot myself in the foot getting carried away on the Kendo topic but it all worked out in the end. I think a genuine interest in Japanese culture beyond anime and manga is what got me admitted.
I made a long winded Marie Kondo joke that got a few laughs from the panel.
It was my persistence. In some answer it came up that I had applied years before, didn’t get the job, sought teaching experience, and applied again. That really made the Japanese interviewer happy.
For the most part JET is a culteral exchange first and foremost. think of examples of how youve enganged with foreign ideas and cultures and adapted to situations of uncomfortability and difficulty. For me, I had expirience living is a totally foriegn country and was able to learn and adapt to a new environment. They also want to know how you can make the mood. JET is looking for people who can connect well with children, teachers, and the community at large. Think of examples of how you done your best to be relatable and build connections with a new community. for me I was ableto lean on volunteer work involving building relationships with struggle communities and provide assistance for their needs. THe Jet program is sort of looking for competant teachers, but more so, they are looking for cultural embassadors who can connect well will people and react decently well to difficult situations with a good attitude.
At the time I was TA-ing for a professor’s first year Japanese class, and they asked me to run them through the lesson plan I had been making for that weeks class. One of the panelists didn’t know Japanese, but the others seemed impressed
I told them that I took a Japanese history class in college and they asked me who was my favorite historical figure and why. I answered it was Oda Nobunaga and I liked him because he (basically) united Japan and incorporated western weapons (rifles) into his military tactics. One of the Japanese panelists was from the same town as oda nobunaga. I think that earned me a lot of points. I also told them I was taking Japanese language classes and they asked me some questions in Japanese and I answered all of them. My Japanese was still very beginner at the time. When asked about my placement picks (I picked Tokyo and Kyoto) I told them that I wouldn’t care where they put me and that I just wanted to get into JET and work in Japan. All these answers I think worked greatly in my favor.
To be honest, both of my interviewers were completely stone faced the entire way through. At one point the Japanese lady of the two did stop typing for a moment and watch me answer one of the questions. She had been typing continuously up until that point. Can I remember what the question was? Nope. Can I remember how I answered it? Also nope. Haha!
I was asked, in Japanese, what I did on the weekend. I pointed out the window, and explained that I was kayaking in the river outside. The interviewer got up to have a look and commented that it looked a bit brown. I agreed with them and said that it was a bit muddy but a good time. I believe this was an unusual response to an unusual question probably designed to test out my Japanese speaking skills.