JET Program Teachers Assistant Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – Don't mess up the application- even having papers in the wrong order or one item unsigned is an automatic application disqualification.

When you go to the interview, be perky and energetic and focus on "grassroots internationalization", AKA just being a ridiculously happy person about sharing culture and language with people. Come with a few examples of how you'd like to do this.

Don't worry about touting certifications or Japanese knowledge- you're here to assist teachers and 0 Japanese knowledge is expected (albeit make your Japanese level KNOWN, as it might affect your placement).

Don't answer negatively about anything. But that's interviewing 101.

Negotiation Details – No negotiation, it's 100% set in stone by the governments. Can't negotiate anything whatsoever. Take it or leave it opportunity.

Interview Details – Got called for the interview in DC. Walked in to the embassy about 20 minutes early. There was a waiting room with a previous JET teacher and a video about the JET experience. The woman I talked to was very nice and personable, willing to answer any question. Then I was led to an interview room with three interviewers. Two women who had done JET, one Japanese man who worked for the embassy. Basic question - why JET, what skills do you have that would help you, talk about when you've taught children, challenges you faced (I did volunteering with teaching kids music). Lots of questions based on my resume/application/personal statement. Also had to do a brief section in Japanese (because I speak it) talking to the Japanese man and then reading a selection and answering questions in Japanese about it.

Interview Details – You submit an application, wait 3 months, if you are accepted you get an interview with 3 usually former JETS. Dress well and have a lot of energy. You find out if you get the job about 6 weeks later. Then 8 weeks after that you find out where you are placed.

Negotiation Details – There was none.

Interview Details – Had to fill out an initial application that was quite basic and factual (must include a photo). If you were deemed an acceptable applicant you are invited to interview at a major city. I was in NYC. It is important to remember that this is a job interview. Many treated it like it was an internship or the like. For example (true story): a girl who applied at the same time with me sent a photo when her hair was blue. At the interview she had it covered but they asked her to show her hair (still blue). Then she went on to say she was interested in ninjutsu and other anime type things. Needless to say, she didn't make it. Take it seriously, it's a job interview as serious as any other.

Negotiation Details – Not possible. You accept fully or you are dropped.

Interview Details – Interviews are conducted at a Consulate's Office. Mine was in Chicago. I had to take time off from school to make the trip, and book a flight and hotel room. I wasn't sure of my chances, so I was hoping that I wasn't throwing my money away. I applied for both the ALT and CIR positions, since I was familiar with Japanese going into the interview process. I was so nervous though, that just about everything I said came out all jumbled and I felt like I couldn't even think in English. But I made a good enough impression because I smiled a lot and managed to pull off a few jokes with my interviewers despite my nerves. The CIR interview is conducted entirely in Japanese, followed by a brief reading test. That was what killed me. The reading samples are aimed at JLPT levels 1 or 2, and again, my nerves didn't help me there. You are timed as you read through it, then you must read it aloud to the person examining you. Next they will ask you a series of questions about what you read and you must answer in Japanese and give reasons for your answers. The take a deep breathe and relax. Although I was not offered the CIR position, I was offered a position as an ALT. I think that my attitude in the interview, helped me make a positive impression. Sure, I tripped up a few times in my speaking and reading, but I kept smiling, and keeping the atmosphere positive. ALTs need to maintain a certain energy in the classroom. If you are able to demonstrate an ability to stay energetic, and positive in stressful situations, you stand a good chance of landing the job.

Interview Details – I literally just had my interview today and while it may be a risk to post this so soon both on a personal level and a karma level, I want to share everything while it is all fresh in my mind. So I would like to start by saying that I believe what most people to have said on this review page to be quite accurate. You can expect to be shown a brief video on what the JET program is like for current JETers in different parts of Japan in different professional roles. How much you see or how many times you see it will be based on how early you show up, but I honestly found it to be useful. You can expect to get most of the questions listed by others here as well as on other website lists that come up with a general "Jet Interview Questions" search. I believe it will be a pleasant experience with just a few attempts to trip you up to evaluate how you deal with challenging situations. I want to say that is what my panel of interviewers was doing and, for the most part, that is true. However, there was one that took this too far in my opinion; to the level of being inappropriate/offensive/unprofessional. I will list his specific questions below as my "unexpected questions" Again, this could have simply been him testing me, but it was hard to read and so I can't say for sure whether the interview went well despite my thinking I answered well. ( I also can't say yet if I got an offer or not, but I'll mention that if it's possible to update this response).

After this experience I would say that the best thing to do would be to run through the sample questions and think about how to answer the questions in a way that shows your interest to teach and not just your interest in Japan. I would also say to prepare for one interviewer to not only be "bad cop" but "bad cop on his worst day." I think if you're more prepared for the worse and not just expecting 3 friendly types, you'll be better off than not.

Despite this experience, I am trying to stay positive and hopeful that my answers to those difficult questions served to prove that I can deal with stressful situations and stay friendly with anyone. I hope that I am offered a position and if I am, I will definitely accept.

Interview Details – A panel of three (a former ALT and two Japanese) posed a series of questions relating to the contents of my formal application. When I walked in there was no indication of where I was supposed to sit, which was awkward. I was expecting either bowing or hand-shaking, but received neither. The interview began in Japanese, and though I was quickly caught off guard by the speed of the language, I did my best not to blink. I had listed an award, so they asked how that came about. They asked about my interest in the program as well as my professional goals. A few questions in, the conversation shifted to English. Overall, it was a pretty quick and straightforward process.

Negotiation Details – There was no negotiation process.

Interview Details – -The application and hiring process for JET takes around 7-8 months in total.
-First round of written applications are due in November (requires personal statement outlining reasons why you want to live and work in Japan, a resume, and two letters of recommendation)
-Received notification that I had made it to the interview stage in January and the interview was in February.

-The interview was roughly 30 minutes long and with a panel of three interviewers
-Most of the questions were straight forward (questions that you would expect in any interview). That being said, they may try to "rattle your cage" to see how you react in a stressful situation. In my interview one of the interviewers played the "bad cop" and asked the tougher questions and grilled me more than the other two interviewers on the panel. Just try not to let the cage rattling phase you and remain upbeat and positive.

-I finally received notification that I had been put on the "short list" for placement in March and received information about the city where I had been placed two or three weeks after that

Negotiation Details – No negotiation. JET contracts are set from the beginning.

Interview Details – Interview was fairly straight forward. There were three interviewers, a Japanese staff member of the consulate, a recent JET alumni, and an academic Japanese speaker. Questions were mostly about how I would handle different situations, such as resolving conflict with coworkers, dealing with an uninterested or otherwise difficult class, or how I would handle culture shock. At the end of the interview the consulate worker tested my Japanese language skill by asking me to give a brief self introduction followed up with questions about myself.