Interviewing The Application Process

The Abridged JET Interview Guide

Updated on

Passing the JET interview takes dedication on your part. Once notified of receiving an interview, practice every day. If you are looking for more interview preparation advice and practice materials, consider picking up the ALT User Guide ebook.
If my guide still isn’t enough, please sign up for the Interview Prep Service.

Preparing for Your 2024 Interview

You should practice daily, even just a little, to build the confidence and skills needed to pass the interview.
You can try my 15-minute Mock Interview on YouTube for practice, along with over 100 asked questions to experience the real thing!

Dress Well, Be Courteous, and Have Working Technology

Look Professional! Don’t look like rubbish, whether your interview is online or in person.
Greet in English! Speak in Japanese when asked or spoken to. Be courteous to your audience. (CIRs are another situation since they interview mostly in Japanese.)
If online make sure your Webcam and Computer work! Have a quiet place to interview with a stable connection and clean background, free of distractions.

Know Your Application and SoP

Be 99% knowledgeable about your submitted application.
Know your school experiences, your relevant skills, your past and current job(s), your health questionnaire, and don’t forget your Statement of Purpose.

Review this information once, every day until your interview!
You only need to be knowledgeable about it, if and when it comes up.

Know Your Statement of Purpose Well

Know your SoP inside and out. Review it every single day! This is the bread and butter of your interview!

You should be able to sum it up in one sentence or talk about it all day.

The ex-JET(s), consulate member(s), and local Japanese community member(s) interviewing you will have a copy of it outlined for them. They will have read it before interviewing you.

Tips:

Highlight the most important parts/sections you would like to elaborate on.
Memorize your writing because it will help with the next section

Know General Questions & Answers

Think about the most 100 asked questions and practice answering some of them. Answering these questions should come as second nature to you.

You should be able to answer them in a reasonable time frame (2-3 minutes).

  • Why do you want to become a JET?
  • What will you bring to the program?
  • How are you a unique applicant?
  • What skills or talents will you bring to the program?
  • How will you benefit from the program?
  • How will the program benefit you?
  • What will you do after JET?
    • Exercise your spirit and happiness about them!

Tips:

Write out your answers and practice reading them aloud (you should have answered some in your SoP)!
Outline them and give yourself a general idea of your answer(s)!
Build confidence and practice with a friend, another applicant, or with my Mock Interview!

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE… The more you practice, the easier the interview will be, and the more confidence you’ll have.

Flex Your Flexibility

One ability you should be outspoken about is your flexibility, adaptability, and dependability. All ALTs are masters of improvising when asked to do something on a whim You can master this by practicing interview questions beforehand –  Over 100 JET Interview Questions.

Think about all the JET stories you’ve read and heard about from former JETs about teaching in classes and living in Japan. JETs show a great amount of willingness to try anything (to please others).

You should be able to prove you are a flexible human being from past experiences and during the interview. You should be able to show that you can answer a series of difficult questions without giving in!

For example (a barrage of questions from the panel):

Panel Guest 1: “How would you explain your culture and customs to children who do not understand any English in elementary school?”

(Also, let’s assume you speak ZERO Japanese, and it’s your first day at school.)

You: “Since I don’t know Japanese, I would present my culture and customs through a PowerPoint slide with videos, music, and pictures.”
Panel Guest 2: “On second thought, your elementary school doesn’t have a projector or PC in any classrooms. This is quite common in Japan.”

You: “In that case, I would prepare pictures printed out beforehand to show to the children that I brought from home.”
Panel Guest 3: “But let’s say you forgot your photos at home, or they are too small for the kids to see in a classroom of 35+ students.”

You: “Well, even if I don’t have pictures, I am OK at drawing. I will draw pictures on the chalkboard to explain where I am from and have the JTE help me.”

Can you see the flexibility, adaptability, and dependability? You’re showing your willingness to do anything to talk to the students about yourself. Nothing can stop you, not even all these bizarre scenarios.

JET is all about showing off what you can do or will try to do. If you buckle at the first question, it shows you’re not good at critical thinking and solving problems. (I’ve had to explain to classes of elementary kids about where I am from with just a blackboard; anything is possible.)

Demo Lesson/ Teaching

Since the interview will most likely be online, it may be difficult to do a video lesson; however, do not rule out having to perform a demo lesson. Your lesson should be flexible and quick. It should be something you can do on a whim without needing much preparation.

Saga AJET and Akita AJET provide useful resources and links for teaching basic lessons that ALTs use.
Most AJET sites provide invaluable resources for teaching in Japan.

Tips:

Prepare a demo lesson you can perform online or in person (test it out with a friend). Have a lesson that is accessible to all grade levels (the more flexible, the better). Google: English lessons for Japanese classes

Using Japanese During the Interview

Do not use Japanese you don’t know. Stay within your level and what you are capable of. You’ll have some time in the interview to use Japanese. You might not even have to talk in Japanese at all!

Tips:

Only use Japanese when it is asked or communicated to you.
Practice the Japanese you need to know, for example, a self-introduction.

Asking Question(s)

Ask a burning question you have about the program. Try not to ask a question that you can find the answer to easily online.

It could be a prepared question(s) or something you find out during the interview that you want to ask.

Examples:

  • What can you expect from BOEs about school placement?
  • What are some ways I can involve myself in the local community?
  • What were your JTEs like?
  • What is something you recommend trying in Japan?
  • What is something you were not prepared for once you set foot in Japan?
  • What was your favorite food or place in Japan?
  • What is one useful item you wish you had when went on JET?
  • How did you interact/connect with students at school?
  • How did you communicate with limited Japanese?
  • Was there something you regret not doing on JET or while in Japan?

Tips:

Even if your question is simple or repetitive, it gives you the chance to be in control (avoid questions about salary, medication, and/or information you can find through their website. Avoid sensitive topics).

You are 99% likely to have an ex-JET or two on the interview panel, and they will gladly answer any questions you have. You may be able to ask some personal questions depending on how open your audience is. I remember some awkward conversations at my consulate that went over well.

Closing Out the Interview

Thank everyone for their time, whether the interview goes well or badly. Let them know that you appreciate them taking their time out for the occasion.

If you are still looking for extra help, be sure to check out the Mock Interview Session and the 100 asked most questions

Relax, it’s over! Nothing else to do but wait! Nothing will change the outcome. You either passed, failed, or made it to the Alternate List.

Sam

Over 7 years of living in Japan, it was my second home. It's a fantastic and magical place with a unique culture that is different from anything else.