Nurkiras
Dead Stargod 
Nawty Bard
ycdn
Posts: 8,401 
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Post by Nurkiras on Feb 1, 2018 11:55:48 GMT 9
Don't do it unless you want to be an ALT hue. I didn't check it and was adamant I would decline anything but an offer to be a CIR...
...and here I am rock me like a hurricane having just had two classes today and one yesterday. You may get a lot of teaching anyway so don't do anything to encourage it unless you really want to teach.
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Marimoooo
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 26
CIR Experience: Incoming CIR
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Post by Marimoooo on Feb 1, 2018 13:01:47 GMT 9
83tsu I didn't check the ALT box! Didn't really get asked about it, they kind of just confirmed that I knew that the CIR role sometimes involves teaching and I'm happy with doing that. I have a few years of teaching experience so I don't think they were too concerned about me hating teaching or anything, and also I think I talked so much that we were majorly running out of time and the interview panel ended up "confirming" a lot of things with me instead of asking me haha.
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Post by Sheepy on Feb 1, 2018 13:37:26 GMT 9
I marked the ALT box, became an Alternate CIR, then upgraded and now work as a BOE CIR.
I do both CIR and ALT job duties, as well as some PA-related stuff. :')
You really can end up with any mix of the different positions as a CIR, given that whether or not you actually check the ALT box has no relation to whether or not you will be doing ALT-related work. hue
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Post by Dee on Feb 1, 2018 13:37:40 GMT 9
I did check the ALT box, and when asked if I would be ok with an ALT position I just said that I know that CIRs also teach English but that as my current skills and experience (translation/interpretation) would be put to better use as a CIR... or something like that.
That being said, my CIR position is half CIR/half ALT. |
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Post by Sheepy on Feb 1, 2018 13:41:01 GMT 9
Don't do it unless you want to be an ALT hue. I didn't check it and was adamant I would decline anything but an offer to be a CIR... ...and here I am rock me like a hurricane having just had two classes today and one yesterday. You may get a lot of teaching anyway so don't do anything to encourage it unless you really want to teach. such a good songgood ol' JET |
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Post by Sparkles on Feb 1, 2018 13:51:33 GMT 9
I checked the box, as did one of my hulemdos/同級生 from my university, and we both interviewed for CIR at the same consulate. We were both asked if we would be fine with either position and we were. I got shortlisted as a CIR, hulemdo got shortlisted as an ALT. It was kinda strange but hey. Miscreative iirc you ticked the ALT box too but ended up being an upgraded alternate CIR...?? tl;dr I don't really think it matters too much at the end of the day but if you're truly ok with being an ALT you might as well check the box (especially if your top priority is going to/getting a job in Japan rather than specific job content). I honestly think I would've been happy as an ALT (I love teaching and 90% of my prior work experience was in education), but in hindsight I'm glad I'm a CIR. (But the "would've been happy as an ALT" point still stands.) |
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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 13:54:37 GMT 9
I ticked the box and they asked me one ALT question--If you are hired as an ALT what grades would you like to teach and why?--before moving on to all CIR stuff.
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Post by Miscreative on Feb 1, 2018 13:56:19 GMT 9
I checked the box, as did one of my hulemdos/同級生 from my university, and we both interviewed for CIR at the same consulate. We were both asked if we would be fine with either position and we were. I got shortlisted as a CIR, hulemdo got shortlisted as an ALT. It was kinda strange but hey. Miscreative iirc you ticked the ALT box too but ended up being an upgraded alternate CIR...?? tl;dr I don't really think it matters too much at the end of the day but if you're truly ok with being an ALT you might as well check the box (especially if your top priority is going to/getting a job in Japan rather than specific job content). I honestly think I would've been happy as an ALT (I love teaching and 90% of my prior work experience was in education), but in hindsight I'm glad I'm a CIR. (But the "would've been happy as an ALT" point still stands.) yea, i got waitlisted as a CIR (obvs they told me i was waitlisted but i dont know if they told me as what exactly) and got called up in time to join group C (and too late to join my original group) the bolded was me. my top priority was getting here but i am sososososo glad i am a cir. i honestly dont know if i would have liked being an ALT but.. you never know. especially since my placement has nothing to do with teaching other than the one off presentations i do in japanese about culture and america i honestly think i was waitlisted because i was late to my interview... it all worked out since i have the best placement ever but yea
that wait was awful
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Feb 1, 2018 14:20:48 GMT 9
Checking that box only means that, if there are no CIR positions left but they have ALT ones that aren't being taken, then you may be called for the ALT position. I was my first year applying. In Canada, there are usually fewer than 10 CIR positions each year, so I guess it's a way of getting here if that's your main goal. It wasn't mine, so I ended up refusing the ALT position (and regretting before finally being upgraded).
If you don't want the ALT position, then prepare an answer for why not.... One that's not that you don't want to teach, because then they'll just tell you that you might, hue.
(I just came back from teaching a culture class, so I missed a full page before commenting! Sorry about redundancy.)
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Post by 江戸っ子Hakujin on Feb 1, 2018 15:42:44 GMT 9
That, or if you fail the Japanese portion they might suggest you to be an ALT
I did check it off but really emphasized I wanted to be a CIR... I honestly don't think I would have taken it if I had been offered an ALT position though, I just wanted to keep my options open...
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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 15:44:18 GMT 9
Yeah I was capital D Desperate to get to Japan, which is the only reason I ticked the ALT box hue
I think I would have accepted an ALT position if offered and then been miserable...
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Nurkiras
Dead Stargod
Nawty Bard
ycdn
Posts: 8,401
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Post by Nurkiras on Feb 1, 2018 15:49:28 GMT 9
I was desperate, too, but decided to just be stubborn/ gamble.
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Post by Cantamen on Feb 1, 2018 16:38:24 GMT 9
me 3, I checked off the box because Japan was my priority. Like mumbles, I would have unhappily GAMAN'd through an ALT job.
Very glad my job is 70% translation, though I was originally hoping for events. I don't know how much I would have liked that, after doing a few here.
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ChuhaidialysisGUEST
Guest
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Post by ChuhaidialysisGUEST on Feb 1, 2018 19:15:59 GMT 9
I checked to be safe. Outside the Japanese embassy now. Wish me luck!
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ChuhaidialysisGUEST
Guest
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Post by ChuhaidialysisGUEST on Feb 1, 2018 20:04:56 GMT 9
Didn't know I had to bring my passport and got turned away ahaha damn it I was so ready.
They said I can try again either Monday or late this afternoon if they can squeeze me in and I can manage to get my passport in time.
Maaan it sucks to suck
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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 21:00:39 GMT 9
Oh no!
Good luck and god speed!
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Post by Ham on Feb 2, 2018 10:06:25 GMT 9
I don't remember for sure, but I'm fairly certain I said I didn't want to be an ALT since a) What I really wanted was the CIR job experience; being in Japan would be a bonus and b) I already had a job in the states, so even if I didn't make the cut, (and, honestly, I assumed I wouldn't,) I wouldn't be completely up the creek. Which I think is why I was particularly wigged out when they asked me twice about becoming an ALT during my interview  |
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Post by 83tsu on Feb 2, 2018 12:49:33 GMT 9
Thank you all so much for the advice!! I think I'm going to bite the bullet and just hold onto my stance to leave ALT box unchecked. While I do really, really want to get back to Japan, I would like for it to be as a CIR and not as an ALT, which wouldn't really fit my current goals. Also, I hope everything turned out all right on your interview, Chuhaidialysis! Did everything work out?  |
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Post by chuhaidialysis on Feb 5, 2018 4:46:42 GMT 9
Sorry for the delay in updating everyone.
I managed to get my brother to bring my passport in and all the interviewers agreed to stay late in order to interview me!
I was really shocked that they were willing to do so. Everyone was so incredibly nice.
I apologized profusely when I entered the room for taking up so much of their time. I don't feel like the interview went all that well,
nothing went particularly badly but I didn't feel like I did a very good job, I was kind of thrown by the whole ordeal.
But however it turns out, I'm glad that I was at least able to apologize for all the commotion.
Best of luck with your interview tomorrow 83tsu! Just remember to bring your passport...
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Post by 83tsu on Feb 7, 2018 1:48:41 GMT 9
chuhaidialysis I'm really glad that it all turned out okay in the end! And I'm sure your interview went better than you think Like you said, the whole ordeal had probably just set your nerves on end. As for me, my interview didn't seem to go all that well. When I walked out, I felt better than I expected, but I keep looking back on it and seeing all the mistakes/fumbles/etc. I made. Ah, well. I'm doing my best not to dwell on it. Anyway, a huge thanks to everyone here who popped in to give advice!! It was all really useful, and I loved getting to speak with you guys
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Post by Leilo on Feb 7, 2018 4:26:55 GMT 9
83tsu Good job on finishing!! I'm sure yours went better than you thought as well I know what you mean though. I'm also putting it out of my mind, but especially afterwards I kept remembering and cringing at some of my answers hahah.
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Post by frooperyfroop on Feb 7, 2018 9:31:37 GMT 9
Congrats everyone on finishing your interviews! Wishing you all the best! And don't worry too much about how the interviews went, try not to think back too much on it. (I say this even though I definitely obsessed over it for way longer than is healthy. hue.) I walked out of my interview feeling certain I had bombed it, but well here I am! Lots of other JETs have said the same about themselves too. So fret not, there's still hope! |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Feb 7, 2018 10:23:29 GMT 9
Good job everyone!
Yeah, everyone does that, I think. If you're going to think about it, jote down your answer in case you need to use them in future interviews (JET or otherwise).
That being said though, the wait for those answers is long and brutal, so don't think too much about it and try a bunch of new things to take your mind off this.
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Post by ❄icepath❄ on Feb 7, 2018 13:12:51 GMT 9
Congrats everyone on finishing your interviews! Wishing you all the best! And don't worry too much about how the interviews went, try not to think back too much on it. (I say this even though I definitely obsessed over it for way longer than is healthy. hue.) I walked out of my interview feeling certain I had bombed it, but well here I am! Lots of other JETs have said the same about themselves too. So fret not, there's still hope! Not a single CIR I've met has ever told me they felt confident about their Japanese section so yes in the same vein try to just live life normally ^^ |
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Post by chuhaidialysis on Feb 8, 2018 18:50:05 GMT 9
The best part of my interview was how hulemdoly the security guards outside the embassy were. In fact, how hulemdoly everyone was.
It really felt like everyone there was rooting for me (not to mention how accommodating/forgiving they were over my passport fiasco).
My work takes up most of my time so thankfully I don't have much time to reflect, but when I do I honestly just feel grateful they even gave me a chance. (The ex-CIR I got to talk to also did a great job of answering my many questions).
One of the questions they asked me I just had to call it quits, I told them honestly I don't know anything about this topic in either English or Japanese so I'm unsure.
So what's everybody up to between now and when results come out? I work as a men's fashion and lifestyle specialist so usually I'm just making content for social media, designing outfits, giving feedback on new designs, and helping people dress better. It's honestly not something I ever saw myself doing but applied for the job on a whim. Really enjoy what I do though.
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Post by Hokuto on Feb 9, 2018 9:31:08 GMT 9
The best part of my interview was how hulemdoly the security guards outside the embassy were. In fact, how hulemdoly everyone was. It really felt like everyone there was rooting for me (not to mention how accommodating/forgiving they were over my passport fiasco). My work takes up most of my time so thankfully I don't have much time to reflect, but when I do I honestly just feel grateful they even gave me a chance. (The ex-CIR I got to talk to also did a great job of answering my many questions). One of the questions they asked me I just had to call it quits, I told them honestly I don't know anything about this topic in either English or Japanese so I'm unsure. So what's everybody up to between now and when results come out? I work as a men's fashion and lifestyle specialist so usually I'm just making content for social media, designing outfits, giving feedback on new designs, and helping people dress better. It's honestly not something I ever saw myself doing but applied for the job on a whim. Really enjoy what I do though. pls make me more fashionable |
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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 9, 2018 10:51:13 GMT 9
The best part of my interview was how hulemdoly the security guards outside the embassy were. In fact, how hulemdoly everyone was. It really felt like everyone there was rooting for me (not to mention how accommodating/forgiving they were over my passport fiasco). My work takes up most of my time so thankfully I don't have much time to reflect, but when I do I honestly just feel grateful they even gave me a chance. (The ex-CIR I got to talk to also did a great job of answering my many questions). One of the questions they asked me I just had to call it quits, I told them honestly I don't know anything about this topic in either English or Japanese so I'm unsure. So what's everybody up to between now and when results come out? I work as a men's fashion and lifestyle specialist so usually I'm just making content for social media, designing outfits, giving feedback on new designs, and helping people dress better. It's honestly not something I ever saw myself doing but applied for the job on a whim. Really enjoy what I do though. Zamn you do you but your current job sounds amazing :o Do you mind me asking why you want to make the change to be a CIR? I wish I could be more 紳士 but I live in the inaka and there are no clothing stores here and I'm too lazy and poor to travel long distances just for shopping ;~; |
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Post by Hokuto on Feb 9, 2018 11:19:03 GMT 9
The best part of my interview was how hulemdoly the security guards outside the embassy were. In fact, how hulemdoly everyone was. It really felt like everyone there was rooting for me (not to mention how accommodating/forgiving they were over my passport fiasco). My work takes up most of my time so thankfully I don't have much time to reflect, but when I do I honestly just feel grateful they even gave me a chance. (The ex-CIR I got to talk to also did a great job of answering my many questions). One of the questions they asked me I just had to call it quits, I told them honestly I don't know anything about this topic in either English or Japanese so I'm unsure. So what's everybody up to between now and when results come out? I work as a men's fashion and lifestyle specialist so usually I'm just making content for social media, designing outfits, giving feedback on new designs, and helping people dress better. It's honestly not something I ever saw myself doing but applied for the job on a whim. Really enjoy what I do though. Zamn you do you but your current job sounds amazing  Do you mind me asking why you want to make the change to be a CIR? I wish I could be more 紳士 but I live in the inaka and there are no clothing stores here and I'm too lazy and poor to travel long distances just for shopping ;~; DOUKAM |
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Post by Sheepy on Feb 9, 2018 14:31:28 GMT 9
fashun iz lyfe
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Post by chuhaidialysis on Feb 10, 2018 4:40:42 GMT 9
The best part of my interview was how hulemdoly the security guards outside the embassy were. In fact, how hulemdoly everyone was. It really felt like everyone there was rooting for me (not to mention how accommodating/forgiving they were over my passport fiasco). My work takes up most of my time so thankfully I don't have much time to reflect, but when I do I honestly just feel grateful they even gave me a chance. (The ex-CIR I got to talk to also did a great job of answering my many questions). One of the questions they asked me I just had to call it quits, I told them honestly I don't know anything about this topic in either English or Japanese so I'm unsure. So what's everybody up to between now and when results come out? I work as a men's fashion and lifestyle specialist so usually I'm just making content for social media, designing outfits, giving feedback on new designs, and helping people dress better. It's honestly not something I ever saw myself doing but applied for the job on a whim. Really enjoy what I do though. Zamn you do you but your current job sounds amazing Do you mind me asking why you want to make the change to be a CIR? I wish I could be more 紳士 but I live in the inaka and there are no clothing stores here and I'm too lazy and poor to travel long distances just for shopping ;~; Hokuto, can't improve on perfect, sorry. But if you ever want advice, feel free to shoot me a message haha Well I do enjoy my current job but it's not the direction I have planned for myself and was something that I got into on a whim. I want to be a CIR for a load of reasons, but the main one is because my main long term goal is to become a research coordinator for international research projects involving Japan and the UK (particularly dementia research). But I like living in Japan, enjoy and have done translation work in the past, want to improve my Japanese further, and like the look of the CIR role in general. Yeah inaka is tricky, you can still dress well but harder to get your hands on clothes. |
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Do you mind me asking why you want to make the change to be a CIR?