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Post by Aya Raincoat on May 13, 2023 3:08:41 GMT 9
Welcome!
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Post by hohoEMIsen on May 15, 2023 9:22:59 GMT 9
Lurking for quite a while here too but also a shortlisted CIR from Ireland! Nice to meet you all Looking forward to placements soon Congratulations!! Placements should be coming out very soon
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keikoutou
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by keikoutou on May 29, 2023 20:37:10 GMT 9
Hi everyone, Australian hoping to be a CIR here.
I applied last year, got to the interview phase, then got my rejection at the end of March. I had a decent amount of self-faith that I could make it as either a CIR or an ALT (I checked the box saying I was also open to the latter), so it hit me pretty hard (though perhaps it's arrogant to feel that way). I do intend to try again, though in the meantime I need to beat back thoughts about whether it was my performance or just fundamental qualities that might have been ironclad deal-breakers...
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Post by Dee on May 30, 2023 13:37:11 GMT 9
Hi everyone, Australian hoping to be a CIR here. I applied last year, got to the interview phase, then got my rejection at the end of March. I had a decent amount of self-faith that I could make it as either a CIR or an ALT (I checked the box saying I was also open to the latter), so it hit me pretty hard (though perhaps it's arrogant to feel that way). I do intend to try again, though in the meantime I need to beat back thoughts about whether it was my performance or just fundamental qualities that might have been ironclad deal-breakers... Hi and welcome to the forums! That really sucks that you weren't shortlisted your first try, but don't give up! There are lots of CIRs who interviewed more than once before getting the job. The CIR positions are more competitive than ALTs and the annual intake depends a lot on which spots are opening up for leaving CIRs. Hope you have better luck on your next try!
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keikoutou
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by keikoutou on May 30, 2023 19:15:54 GMT 9
Hi everyone, Australian hoping to be a CIR here. I applied last year, got to the interview phase, then got my rejection at the end of March. I had a decent amount of self-faith that I could make it as either a CIR or an ALT (I checked the box saying I was also open to the latter), so it hit me pretty hard (though perhaps it's arrogant to feel that way). I do intend to try again, though in the meantime I need to beat back thoughts about whether it was my performance or just fundamental qualities that might have been ironclad deal-breakers... Hi and welcome to the forums! That really sucks that you weren't shortlisted your first try, but don't give up! There are lots of CIRs who interviewed more than once before getting the job. The CIR positions are more competitive than ALTs and the annual intake depends a lot on which spots are opening up for leaving CIRs. Hope you have better luck on your next try! Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep trying. I've been taking some time to reflect on aspects of the interview which I believe definitely could have gone better. I fumbled the initial part of my comprehension of the written JP excerpt I was asked to read, though I think I recovered somewhat for the other answers. I also ran into a bit of an issue with asking my questions at the end -- a good chunk of what I had originally wanted to ask had more or less been answered indirectly over the course of the interview, which left me with just two...
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keikoutou
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by keikoutou on Jun 1, 2023 16:47:54 GMT 9
Apologies for double-posting; there's something I really wanted to ask regarding the interval between now and September (and January, for that matter, assuming I'm still able to make it to interviews next time). Namely, would anybody have any advice on how to approach that time?
I ask because the sheer amount of waiting, combined with both just how incredibly competitive JET is, and how getting shortlisted would naturally mean dropping (or putting on hold) whatever else I would otherwise be doing, makes (for example) starting a PhD or looking for full-time work kind of… awkward? With the former, I feel a bit uncertain about whether JET would see that as a 'valid' use of time, or whether it'd hurt my chances.
Overall, it complicates planning for the future a little when whatever one chooses to do is something one would simultaneously be really hoping to leave in less than a year's time.
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Post by Dee on Jun 2, 2023 8:46:40 GMT 9
Apologies for double-posting; there's something I really wanted to ask regarding the interval between now and September (and January, for that matter, assuming I'm still able to make it to interviews next time). Namely, would anybody have any advice on how to approach that time? I ask because the sheer amount of waiting, combined with both just how incredibly competitive JET is, and how getting shortlisted would naturally mean dropping (or putting on hold) whatever else I would otherwise be doing, makes (for example) starting a PhD or looking for full-time work kind of… awkward? With the former, I feel a bit uncertain about whether JET would see that as a 'valid' use of time, or whether it'd hurt my chances. Overall, it complicates planning for the future a little when whatever one chooses to do is something one would simultaneously be really hoping to leave in less than a year's time. My advice would be to plan as if you won't be doing JET, but make sure the option you choose would still be flexible. I probably wouldn't start a PhD unless you can take a break 1 year into the program, but looking for a full-time job is a good idea. You don't have to let future employers know that you intend to apply to JET and may be gone after 1 year. You still have a whole year of living in your home country, so you should do what's best for that in the mean time.
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jun 2, 2023 10:33:13 GMT 9
As someone who was waitlisted 4 times before getting an upgrade, I second what Dee said (except I did tell my employer when I was applying)
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keikoutou
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by keikoutou on Jun 2, 2023 16:02:59 GMT 9
This is great advice; thank you both very much! I've put the question of whether PhDs can be practically put on pause to a professor at the university I currently work for -- that way I can at least get a clearer idea of that option's viability. At present, I work a mix of casual academic jobs that includes teaching undergrads and some research assistant stuff.
Regarding end-of-interview questions, I found walking the middle ground between 'things I should already know, because they're mentioned in publicly-available materials' and 'things it might seem off for me to expect them to know' rather difficult. It also didn't seem beneficial to ask anything for which the answer would have most likely just been 'ESID', nor to ask questions pertaining to, say, neurodivergence (as neurodivergence = 'not normal' = at worst, inviting presumptions of being 'less suitable' than any candidate who isn't). Any suggestions for how I should be trying to approach this?
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Post by no yark shark on Jun 6, 2023 16:33:12 GMT 9
This is great advice; thank you both very much! I've put the question of whether PhDs can be practically put on pause to a professor at the university I currently work for -- that way I can at least get a clearer idea of that option's viability. At present, I work a mix of casual academic jobs that includes teaching undergrads and some research assistant stuff. Regarding end-of-interview questions, I found walking the middle ground between 'things I should already know, because they're mentioned in publicly-available materials' and 'things it might seem off for me to expect them to know' rather difficult. It also didn't seem beneficial to ask anything for which the answer would have most likely just been 'ESID', nor to ask questions pertaining to, say, neurodivergence (as neurodivergence = 'not normal' = at worst, inviting presumptions of being 'less suitable' than any candidate who isn't). Any suggestions for how I should be trying to approach this? tbh I don't think asking the right kinds of questions (or asking questions at all) at the end of the interview will make or break your acceptance. My interview was too long ago for me to remember for sure, but I think I may not have asked questions when I was shortlisted? Or I possibly asked one of my interviewers about his experience studying abroad at the same uni since it came up during the interview. also re: the earlier convo, I was also wait-listed the first time and short-listed my second time. After graduating, I got a job at a restaurant right away to save money while I figured out what to do next (originally I thought I might find another job in the US, or go to Japan another way), and ended up working there the full year until I left for JET. Even though it was just a part time job, I think it actually helped me interview better bc I was a lot more comfortable talking to strangers/putting on that hulemdoly customer service persona. Like the others said, I just recommend getting a job as if you aren't leaving, so that you can start saving for living expenses. Plus, in most cases work experience is probably more transferrable for JET than an academic degree.
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Post by hohoEMIsen on Jun 9, 2023 13:12:53 GMT 9
This is great advice; thank you both very much! I've put the question of whether PhDs can be practically put on pause to a professor at the university I currently work for -- that way I can at least get a clearer idea of that option's viability. At present, I work a mix of casual academic jobs that includes teaching undergrads and some research assistant stuff. Regarding end-of-interview questions, I found walking the middle ground between 'things I should already know, because they're mentioned in publicly-available materials' and 'things it might seem off for me to expect them to know' rather difficult. It also didn't seem beneficial to ask anything for which the answer would have most likely just been 'ESID', nor to ask questions pertaining to, say, neurodivergence (as neurodivergence = 'not normal' = at worst, inviting presumptions of being 'less suitable' than any candidate who isn't). Any suggestions for how I should be trying to approach this? tbh I don't think asking the right kinds of questions (or asking questions at all) at the end of the interview will make or break your acceptance. My interview was too long ago for me to remember for sure, but I think I may not have asked questions when I was shortlisted? Or I possibly asked one of my interviewers about his experience studying abroad at the same uni since it came up during the interview. also re: the earlier convo, I was also wait-listed the first time and short-listed my second time. After graduating, I got a job at a restaurant right away to save money while I figured out what to do next (originally I thought I might find another job in the US, or go to Japan another way), and ended up working there the full year until I left for JET. Even though it was just a part time job, I think it actually helped me interview better bc I was a lot more comfortable talking to strangers/putting on that hulemdoly customer service persona. Like the others said, I just recommend getting a job as if you aren't leaving, so that you can start saving for living expenses. Plus, in most cases work experience is probably more transferrable for JET than an academic degree. I second what no yark shark said. For my interview (albeit in Singapore), I was not asked if I had any questions, so I didn't ask any... My take on JET interviews is that on the whole, JET is probably looking for someone who seem like they would get along with everyone at their workplace, bring the outside world to Japan, be able to cope living in another country, and likely to not cause issues. (あくまでも自分の意見ですが!)
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keikoutou
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 7
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by keikoutou on Jun 10, 2023 20:51:33 GMT 9
tbh I don't think asking the right kinds of questions (or asking questions at all) at the end of the interview will make or break your acceptance. My interview was too long ago for me to remember for sure, but I think I may not have asked questions when I was shortlisted? Or I possibly asked one of my interviewers about his experience studying abroad at the same uni since it came up during the interview. also re: the earlier convo, I was also wait-listed the first time and short-listed my second time. After graduating, I got a job at a restaurant right away to save money while I figured out what to do next (originally I thought I might find another job in the US, or go to Japan another way), and ended up working there the full year until I left for JET. Even though it was just a part time job, I think it actually helped me interview better bc I was a lot more comfortable talking to strangers/putting on that hulemdoly customer service persona. Like the others said, I just recommend getting a job as if you aren't leaving, so that you can start saving for living expenses. Plus, in most cases work experience is probably more transferrable for JET than an academic degree. I second what no yark shark said. For my interview (albeit in Singapore), I was not asked if I had any questions, so I didn't ask any... My take on JET interviews is that on the whole, JET is probably looking for someone who seem like they would get along with everyone at their workplace, bring the outside world to Japan, be able to cope living in another country, and likely to not cause issues. (あくまでも自分の意見ですが!) Interesting! For my own part, I've been handling some undergraduate seminars for some university semesters for the past few years; it's involved a lot of learning how to be adaptive in how one communicates with people, including a lot of young adults whose first language isn't English. Prior to that, I was tutoring high school English students. My own timeline with regard to JET wound up being complicated by the pandemic. My intent was to apply pretty much as soon as I'd gotten my N2 certification, only for the JLPT to be cancelled entirely for two years in a row (and when it finally happened again the year after, it only had around 40 seats across my entire heckdarned state, so I didn't get in in time). 2019 was not a convenient year to graduate, other things that were happening around me aside... Incidentally, I heard back from that professor at my university, and pausing a PhD is entirely plausible. Meanwhile, someone else suggested to me that taking full-time work first and then stopping that to do a PhD could cause complications in returning to full-time work if employers perceive the PhD as a 'gap' in the record rather than a valid, occupied, active period.
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inevitablyintrovert
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 2
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
Location: Akita
Gender (Pronouns): she/her/hers
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Post by inevitablyintrovert on Jun 30, 2023 9:34:34 GMT 9
Hi, just got my results as an alternate (USA app) and just wondering what's the chance of being upgraded as a CIR? Update : I got upgraded this week 🥳🥳🥳, not sure when I’m leaving but I’m super excited and nervous about this position.
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nekocir
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 2
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
Location: Gifu
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by nekocir on Jul 1, 2023 5:14:08 GMT 9
Hi, just got my results as an alternate (USA app) and just wondering what's the chance of being upgraded as a CIR? Update : I got upgraded this week 🥳🥳🥳, not sure when I’m leaving but I’m super excited and nervous about this position. Congratulations! So glad you got the upgrade! Also an incoming CIR, thrilled to be going but equally nervous to be 'good enough' for the role. I'm banking on the idea that being there and immersed will develop me quickly to be the right fit.
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