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Post by 83tsu on Jan 24, 2018 14:11:31 GMT 9
Since no new board has been created for 2018 applicants, I'll just post here as well. I am also worried about that. For me, the Japanese portion will likely be the determining factor. From what I've seen, my Japanese may be waaaaay underqualified, but I guess we'll find out in the interview... It's been so long since I've spoken proper Japanese that I'm worried about that as well. I've just been practicing reading articles for the past few weeks, and I guess I'll just ramp up that from here on out? I'd maybe suggest trying to find some language exchange partners over Skype or LINE to practice your speaking with if you're rusty. I hadn't spoken a lick of Japanese for about 2.5 years before applying for JET, and honestly hadn't spoken much before then either. I remember I あのぅ'd so egregiously at the beginning that, during our first session, one of my partners actually told me I should try to avoid saying it so much. I know you probably only have a couple of weeks before the interview, but I think it's well worth it to just get used to making the sounds again and letting your mouth run. You'll sound more confident and fluent even if what comes out is utter nonsense, like with me.  The site I used to find partners has shut down, unfortunately, but I'm sure there's others out there. Sorry for the late response! Thank you for the advice  I went ahead and starting bothering my Japanese hulemdos, so I've been getting in some speaking practice that way. Ahahahaha I'm pretty sure I'll end up on the nonsense side of things. I speak very fluent Japanese nonsense when I'm flustered, which I'm sure I will be in the interview... |
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Post by 83tsu on Jan 24, 2018 14:15:38 GMT 9
disco Aside from the questions I got about the article I read, my Japanese portion of the interview also included a few questions about how I would represent my home culture and specifically how do I plan to do that. I'm from the US (Texas) so I talked about southern food and wanting to do a cooking class. This was something I had mentioned in my essay as well, so you might practice discussing points of your essay in Japanese. Another Texas here too! I also talked about wanting to do a cooking class in my SOP hahaha. Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure I can at least broadly discuss my essay points in Japanese as well. |
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Post by Dee on Jan 24, 2018 15:39:23 GMT 9
disco Aside from the questions I got about the article I read, my Japanese portion of the interview also included a few questions about how I would represent my home culture and specifically how do I plan to do that. I'm from the US (Texas) so I talked about southern food and wanting to do a cooking class. This was something I had mentioned in my essay as well, so you might practice discussing points of your essay in Japanese. Another Texas here too! I also talked about wanting to do a cooking class in my SOP hahaha. Thanks for the advice! I'll make sure I can at least broadly discuss my essay points in Japanese as well. Yay, fellow Texan! Good luck at the Houston Consulate. My interviewers were all really nice, so here's hoping you get nice interviewers too |
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Post by 江戸っ子Hakujin on Jan 24, 2018 16:39:57 GMT 9
The Texas 面接官 are really nice
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ChuhaidialysisGUEST
Guest
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Post by ChuhaidialysisGUEST on Jan 25, 2018 3:17:15 GMT 9
Thankfully brexit is a topic I'm used to talking about in Japanese, so hopefully they do ask me so I can kill some time talking about it instead of them asking me more obscure questions.
My main concern is they'll ask me something simple like "What's your biggest weakness?" and I'll go blank haha
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Mumblesnore
Dead Stargod 
’Tis the season (for Eggnog)
Posts: 16,154 
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by Mumblesnore on Jan 25, 2018 9:11:12 GMT 9
THEY ASKED ME THAT!
I was shook.
I think I said something about taking too much on at once hue, which is one of those "weakness that is actually a strength" answers that sound disingenuous but it's the first thing that came to mind.
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Post by Hokuto on Jan 25, 2018 10:15:57 GMT 9
Oh mumbles noooooooo
but actually anyone job hunting should 100% have an answer prepared for that question, and one that isn't "oh i work too hard" or "i'm too much of a perfectionist." it should be an actual weakness (but not something like "i have a hard time being on time" that would make them worry you won't show up for work) that you have, and you should have some anecdotes to show why it's a weakness, but how you are working to correct it.
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Mumblesnore
Dead Stargod
’Tis the season (for Eggnog)
Posts: 16,154
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by Mumblesnore on Jan 25, 2018 10:19:03 GMT 9
I really do take too much on at once though and it's a problem hue
I don't know how to say "no"
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Post by Hokuto on Jan 25, 2018 10:25:41 GMT 9
I really do take too much on at once though and it's a problem hue I don't know how to say "no" hmm i still think that if you can't illustrate exactly why it's a legit problem and what you're doing to try and correct it, it will sound like a cop-out |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 25, 2018 11:44:11 GMT 9
In that same vein, they may also ask you how you deal with people you have trouble with. It's hard not to say you get along with everyone.
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Post by 83tsu on Jan 25, 2018 18:25:16 GMT 9
In that same vein, they may also ask you how you deal with people you have trouble with. It's hard not to say you get along with everyone. Actually, I had a question about that--it's a common question in interviews, but I didn't know if I should change my answer when considering working in Japan. In US interviews, I've normally said "If it's a minor problem, I try to work it out with the coworker personally, and if that doesn't work and the problem becomes serious, then I take it to a superior." But in Japan, are you expected to take it to a superior first? (I'm guessing in reality the answer is often just GAMAN your way through it, if my experience is accurate hue) |
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disco
Tried natto; not a fan
押忍 ！
Posts: 88
CIR Experience: 2nd year
Location: Okayama
Gender (Pronouns): he/him/his
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Post by disco on Jan 28, 2018 2:03:43 GMT 9
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your advice on the Japanese section. I forgot to check this board again before the interview (hue), but I did practice all the standard questions with my Japanese buddy and that helped a lot. Probably more with the English section, honestly; helped me organize my answers better.
My Japanese section was so short... it was just an article about 高齢者ホームシェア, some of the kanji had furigana (including 高齢), and the questions were very simple (testing comprehension of the story, questions about merits/demerits). Wondering if anyone else's was like this?
I'm really confident about how my interview turned out. My panel seemed pleased with my answers and I had them smiling and laughing a lot. Preparedness really paid off! Thanks again everyone, and good luck!
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Marimoooo
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 26
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
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Post by Marimoooo on Jan 28, 2018 6:30:06 GMT 9
My Japanese section was so short... it was just an article about 高齢者ホームシェア, some of the kanji had furigana (including 高齢), and the questions were very simple (testing comprehension of the story, questions about merits/demerits). Wondering if anyone else's was like this? I had my interview on Friday and I think we had the same, or a similar article! Mine was on 異世代ホームシェア and I basically got asked the same questions. Blanked a little bit on one Japanese question (just couldn't think of the answer content-wise fast enough), but otherwise I felt like my interview went well too! I talked so much that in the end they were like "We don't have much time to answer questions, please ask one really quickly". Good luck to you too! ^_^ |
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Post by Leilo on Jan 28, 2018 8:10:05 GMT 9
お疲れ様 on your interviews disco and Marimoooo! It's interesting that you two got the same (basically?) articles. I wonder if you interviewed at the same location? |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 28, 2018 18:19:19 GMT 9
I think there's a chance that the same articles are used pretty much everywhere in the world, but I'm not sure. 83tsu, your username is awesome. I don't actually know the answer to your question, though. I think you should be honest, but maybe give both answers to show that you know that it's also a possibility. |
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Marimoooo
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 26
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
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Post by Marimoooo on Jan 28, 2018 19:27:22 GMT 9
Thank you Leilo! I don't think disco and I are from the same place. I interviewed at Auckland, New Zealand, and disco appears to be from Bridgetown, which I'm pretty sure is not in New Zealand! So yeah, maybe the similar articles are used pretty much everywhere. |
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Post by 83tsu on Jan 29, 2018 8:29:36 GMT 9
Aya Raincoat Thanks! I'll go with that disco and Marimoooo Congrats on finishing the interview! Best of luck on surviving the wait for the results
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Post by banana1522 on Jan 31, 2018 9:07:50 GMT 9
Hi everyone,
Getting interviewed on Friday in London for a CIR role (eeek) and I have a question. I've been reading newspapers, swatting up on Brexit in Japanese and thinking about what I'd say if asked about weaknesses/strengths but I'm curious as to how much general/news based knowledge they expect you to have. Was anyone here asked if there was any particular news in Japan they'd read about that interested them and to discuss it, for instance?
I feel like I might be overprepping on a couple of topics in the hope I might be able to swing the discussion in that direction. I'm still reading up on a broad number of topics, but I don't want to spread myself thin and be able to give only a basic answer to everything.. So far I'm rather hedging my bets on two or three topics that seem important, researching them quite in depth and praying to Zeus that I get to talk about those. Does anyone think that's a bad idea?
Any thoughts?
Good luck all and arigatou!!
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Mumblesnore
Dead Stargod
’Tis the season (for Eggnog)
Posts: 16,154
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by Mumblesnore on Jan 31, 2018 9:27:32 GMT 9
Hi everyone, Getting interviewed on Friday in London for a CIR role (eeek) and I have a question. I've been reading newspapers, swatting up on Brexit in Japanese and thinking about what I'd say if asked about weaknesses/strengths but I'm curious as to how much general/news based knowledge they expect you to have. Was anyone here asked if there was any particular news in Japan they'd read about that interested them and to discuss it, for instance? I feel like I might be overprepping on a couple of topics in the hope I might be able to swing the discussion in that direction. I'm still reading up on a broad number of topics, but I don't want to spread myself thin and be able to give only a basic answer to everything.. So far I'm rather hedging my bets on two or three topics that seem important, researching them quite in depth and praying to Zeus that I get to talk about those. Does anyone think that's a bad idea? Any thoughts? Good luck all and arigatou!! I was interviewed in the US and not the UK so this might not be helpful to you, but I WAS in fact asked to talk about and give my opinion on a current events topic in Japan, but they let me pick my own topic (I talked about the debate at the time of changing the 卍 symbol on Japanese maps to something else so as not to confuse foreign visitors). They didn't ask, for example, "So what are your opinions on the 2017 snap election and the creation of the Kibou-no-Tou party?" or anything specific that would have put me on the spot. I think your current preparation strategy sounds perfectly fine. You're interviewing to be a CIR, not a foreign policy expert, and I think in the interview they mainly just want to make sure you're someone who won't go crazy and quit the program after two weeks hue. I'm sure you'll do fine, and if not there's always next year. Good luck! :) |
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haru11
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 39 
CIR Experience: 2nd year
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Post by haru11 on Jan 31, 2018 9:47:44 GMT 9
Hi everyone, Getting interviewed on Friday in London for a CIR role (eeek) and I have a question. I've been reading newspapers, swatting up on Brexit in Japanese and thinking about what I'd say if asked about weaknesses/strengths but I'm curious as to how much general/news based knowledge they expect you to have. Was anyone here asked if there was any particular news in Japan they'd read about that interested them and to discuss it, for instance? I feel like I might be overprepping on a couple of topics in the hope I might be able to swing the discussion in that direction. I'm still reading up on a broad number of topics, but I don't want to spread myself thin and be able to give only a basic answer to everything.. So far I'm rather hedging my bets on two or three topics that seem important, researching them quite in depth and praying to Zeus that I get to talk about those. Does anyone think that's a bad idea? Any thoughts? Good luck all and arigatou!! I intereviewed in London last year and they didn't ask me anything speific on current affairs! I did get asked to compare Japanese and British politics and common points about other parts of society though. But in those instances it was up to me to provide what I wanted to talk about, and then they prompted me to explain what role I could play in regards to said points whilst in Japan as a CIR. Regardless if you do or not though, your preparation technique sounds fine! |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 31, 2018 10:06:35 GMT 9
My understanding is that, at least in Canada, they have a list of questions and they just pick from them. I was asked the news question only during my first interview (they had had record snow and I talked about helping people shovel snow). In my opinion, it's good to prepare one article to talk about, and it doesn't have to be serious.
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Post by banana1522 on Jan 31, 2018 21:11:22 GMT 9
Thanks very much guys! I feel like I'm making a bigger deal of it in my head than it will turn out to be in the room. Never a bad thing to prepare thoroughly though. |
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ChuhaidialysisGUEST
Guest
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Post by ChuhaidialysisGUEST on Feb 1, 2018 0:48:40 GMT 9
THEY ASKED ME THAT! I was shook. I think I said something about taking too much on at once hue, which is one of those "weakness that is actually a strength" answers that sound disingenuous but it's the first thing that came to mind. My old weakness used to be that I'm unorganized but I've sort of rectified that now, I'm super organized! haha Plus I think that saying I'm unorganized will be an immediate red cross. So I'm going to be honest and tell them that sometimes I have trouble giving my opinion directly because I worry about hurting people's feelings. But follow it up with "But I'm trying to remind myself that sometimes it's for the good of the project that I'm considerate while also giving my honest opinion on things." I'm also getting interviewed in London tomorrow, good luck to us both Banana! Let's do this thing! |
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Post by Leilo on Feb 1, 2018 4:42:12 GMT 9
I feel like my interview went pretty well! Hard to say how I think it will turn out. (Maybe..alternate zone? Hahah.)
I wanted to thank all of you again for your advice, it helped hugely!
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ChuhaidialysisGUEST
Guest
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Post by ChuhaidialysisGUEST on Feb 1, 2018 5:04:32 GMT 9
Well done! Breathe a sigh of relief and treat yourself! You've earned it!
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Post by 83tsu on Feb 1, 2018 5:33:40 GMT 9
Leilo Congrats on finishing your interview!! I'm sure you did better than you think (that's how it always seems to work out) Good luck ChuhaidialysisGUEST!! Come back and let us know how you think you did. I think your weakness of not always being as direct as you should be sounds like a good one--it's both a problem AND something you can easily work on improving. My interview isn't until Monday, so I think I can squeeze in a few more panic attacks before then, hue.
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Post by Ham on Feb 1, 2018 8:48:51 GMT 9
Leilo I remember the last question they asked me in my interview after I finished the JP portion was, "So, what would you do if you were offered an ALT position instead?" and I was like o_0 But I got through. So, uh, moral of the story is you probably did better than you thought?(!)
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Feb 1, 2018 9:12:31 GMT 9
Haha, that's a real question they ask pretty often, though, especially if you checked that box.
By the way, I can't remember if I said this before, but if you DID check the ALT-ok box, you may have to do a mock lesson.
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Post by 83tsu on Feb 1, 2018 11:49:28 GMT 9
Ham Aya RaincoatActually, on my application, I ended up not checking the alternate ALT box. Did I shoot myself in the foot on that one? I'm guessing in the interview I could mention that I changed my mind and do want to be considered for an ALT position, but to be honest, I'm not sure that I want to be an ALT. It's not like I have anything against teaching, but after hearing the horror stories of human tape recorders, I wanted to reduce the likelihood of my ending up in that sort of position. Has anyone else here not marked the ALT box? If so, what was your experience with that in the interview?
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Mumblesnore
Dead Stargod
’Tis the season (for Eggnog)
Posts: 16,154
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by Mumblesnore on Feb 1, 2018 11:51:48 GMT 9
Nurkiras didn't mark the ALT box....and he got glorified ALT CIR position :( The world is a cruel place.
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I went ahead and starting bothering my Japanese hulemdos, so I've been getting in some speaking practice that way.
