Of Mice and Men

Now for the most harrowing part of the entire JET application process (what, you thought you were done?): the interview. Now that JET has assessed how you look on paper, they want to see you in person (assuming that you passed the initial screening). Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare.

The Interview:

• You will need a suit. No ifs ands or buts. If you don't show the interviewers you are dead serious about the JET Program, they will notice immediately. There are even instances where some interviewers were highly offended (or acted offended) and demanded to know if the interviewee was serious about the JET Program and why they are not wearing a suit. Keep in mind that you are interviewing for a job. They don't want slobs representing Americans (or wherever your country of origin happens to be) in Japan. Because, hey, we're not all slobs.

• Shake the interviewers' hands when you enter the room for the first time and again when you leave. This gives them a great first impression. You can show them your professionalism and appreciation for their time in two simple gestures. If you make a bee-line for your chair, the first impression that you've made is that you're timid and can't be bothered to be friendly to the people about to spend the next twenty to thirty minutes with you. Don't be a jerk.

• Brush up on your Japanese current events. I was not asked any questions about Japan, but knowing, for example, who the prime minister and emperor are, can display your interest in Japan to the panel. And plenty of consulates will ask you simple trivia about Japan. Be ready for anything.

• Again, have good reasons for why you chose you placement requests. I was asked this in my interview, and I'm very, very glad that I had answers. My placement requests were Nara, Kanazawa, and Gifu. Nara, I said, intrigued me because it was in an area where women in the Heian period took their pilgrimages, and I would like to visit those historical locations. Kanazawa for the historical architecture and museums. I said I would like to visit ninja-dera because the layout intrigued me. Gifu has a 700 year-old sword making history. When I said this, one of my interviewers laughed at me and said all of Japan has a long sword history. I laughed as well and agreed with her. If you ever have the chance to show your humility, DO SO. If you're a hothead, be a ninja turtle, not an English teacher.

• On that note, here is a very important tip: the interviewers' main goal is to test your temper. NEVER argue with an interviewer. Smile, laugh, or nod happily when appropriate. If you blow your lid, you blow your chances at being accepted. If your pride comes before your professionalism, you will not survive in Japan. (Hell, you won't even get there if you're an asshole in the interview. Thank you for weeding yourself out.) This goes triple if you're applying to be a CIR. Business etiquette is critical.

At times, your interviewer will ask you questions to trip you up. It is not uncommon for a panelist to act like a complete dick. (Luckily I didn't have any of those.) They can be very brutal, telling you that you just want to go to Japan to jerk around, etc. If you get the impression that an interviewer is going out of his or her way to make you hate them, keep your cool. They're not just an asshole; they're trying to get a rise out of you. Roll with the punches and show them that you are unfazeable! (That, for the record, is a made up word.) If you play it cool, they'll see that you won't cause trouble while on their program. This, of course, is what they want. In short: don't be a ruffian. (At least until you get to Japan, you devil, you.)

• WHY JET?: This is the mother of all questions (besides maybe, do you have a criminal record?). The good thing about this question is that you can totally lie and they'll never know. But really, you should be applying for this job for the right reasons. Anyway, sorting your moral obligations is not my job. If you're a douche who wants to go to Japan through the JET Program for the wrong reasons, you are just as welcome to benefit from my tips. Just know, sir or madam, that you royally suck.

So why JET? This is a question you're going to want to think a lot about. You're not running for Miss America here. You don't have to give them a Nobel Peace Prize answer. Tell them the truth. What got you interested in JET? The most important thing to remember here is that your interviewers want to see that you'll contribute yourself fully to the schools you teach at and to the Japanese community you will be living in. For my answer, I told them straight up that what interested me in JET was its mission statement. (Interviewers are now: ?O_O? Tell us more, Aiden Vail!) As you've read in my long term plans section, I'm interested in localization in video games. I extended this into the field of creating my own educational games that would help people internationalize and learn foreign languages easier. (Okay, this isn't my number one goal in life, but it sounds really unique, right?) I told them that JET and I had the same mission statement: to promote cultural exchange and support internationalization. And I do believe this. I wasn't just sucking up-- honest! Your goal here is to relate JET to who you are as much as possible. Make yourself inseparable from JET, and they will remember you when it comes time to pick the finalists!

• This is kind of a specific issue, but I was asked if being part Japanese would hinder my experience in Japan. For example, would I feel a lot of pressure if people expected me to speak a lot of Japanese since I am part Japanese? I turned this question in my favor and said that JET is about internationalization and cultural awareness. I am 100% American and am ready to share that with the Japanese community. I said I think a large part about being a JET is breaking stereotypes: that Americans can't use chopsticks, that all of us own guns, etc. I said it would be fun to get to know real Japanese people and maybe help them form a positive image of Americans whether I'm part Japanese or not. (Question PWNED!)

• Another goal of the interviewers is to find out how homesick you're going to get. While it is completely normal to experience homesickness, JET does not want you to freak out when you get to Japan and discover you can't live without Olive Garden and Chef Boyardee. Oh, and your family, too. Be prepared to be asked how you'll handle homesickness. I told them that I'll bring pictures of friends and family, but in general, I'm a very relaxed person who loves the adventure of a new place. I said to combat homesickness, I would make Japan a home away from home-- be active in the community and participate in a lot of the afterschool functions with the students. Make sure you emphasize how much you're looking forward to the afterschool activities. It shows that you're already thinking about becoming involved and that you're enthusiastic about projecting a positive image of your home country in Japanese society.

• What clubs would you like to start at your school(s)? Would you join any pre-existing clubs?: The answer for the first one lies in what your own hobbies or interests are. If you're bringing your guitar to Japan, maybe you could start a guitar club. I said I liked to crochet, so maybe if any students were interested in making their own stuffed animals, blankets, etc., that would be really fun! As far as pre-existing clubs, YES I would love to join them! (Are you getting the enthusiasm here? Don't run out of it.) I told them that I liked to read, sing, cook, hike... and doing them with other people just made it better. I said joining a choir would be incredibly interesting because I could learn some songs in Japanese and feel more a part of the community. Even if you have no intention of ever joining an afterschool activity, let the interviewers know that you're not completely shutting out the idea of participating. Things won't go well for you if they see you're already biased and leaning toward being antisocial.

• If you're a female, they might ask you some situational questions: what if the principal is drunk and hits on you, grabs your butt, etc. I'll tell you what the answer isn't... it is not SPRAY THE MACE AND RUN LIKE HELL! Think of the most mature solution you possibly can that does not involve any kind of ostentatious confrontation. That is the right answer. Of course, JET doesn't expect you to tolerate being molested by your superiors. If you really have a problem at one of your schools, you can always call CLAIR or your BOE, and someone will help you resolve the issue or be relocated to avoid the problem all-together. If your principal is drunk though, remember that the Japanese do not hold their alcohol well and try to resolve the issue without causing a fuss.

A question you may be asked, if you have a significant other, is: how will you cope being so far away from them? My answer to this would be (I was not asked it) that my boyfriend has known since we met that my goal has always been to go to Japan. If I am accepted into the JET Program, I am confident enough in our relationship that the distance would not affect me in any negative way or prevent me from doing my duties as an ALT. Besides, I've woken up to his ugly mug for 3 years; I can do without for a little while! I'd throw that little joke in there because that's my personality, and I'm sure my panelists would have enjoyed it as well. If you're not comfortable making jokes, you're under no obligation to. I just find that it makes it easier for the interviewer to make a connection to you and therefore remember you better. For the record, my boyfriend is very cute.

• The interviewers will be looking for your level of adaptability. They do this by asking you to do an impromptu English lesson and asking you uncomfortable questions, but sometimes they will simply ask you outright: what if you're placed in Hokkaido where it is extremely cold? What if you're placed in Okinawa where you'll sweat off every pound of water weight in your body? My answer to these questions was that I've lived in both climates and found them both not only tolerable but also enjoyable. Every place is what you make of it. You determine your experiences. Let the panel know that you are up to any challenge and will make the most out of wherever CLAIR decides to place you.

• The impromptu teaching lesson: You have a real opportunity to shine here. I believe I already wrote that when they asked me to do a quick lesson, I hopped out of my chair and enthusiastically made my way to the whiteboard. Even if you're not an experienced teacher, you can get into JET. I have little to no teaching experience, but I showed the interviewers that I'm up to the challenge and will remain positive throughout. For my lesson, I decided to go with the pluperfect tense. I stumped all of the interviewers but assured them that with proper planning, I could make the concept quite easy to understand. IN FACT, I have a lot of games in mind that would nicely facilitate learning in the classroom by keeping the children interested and continually occupied. I demonstrated a game to them complete with jumping around and rushing to the whiteboard to write down an answer. Be as active as possible in your interview! Your cheeriness will rub off on them, and they'll remember you in a positive light!

• Final tip: You are in Japan as an ASSISTANT language teacher. Although it is not unheard of that a teacher could completely dump all of his/her responsibilities on you, if they are in the classroom, you must defer to them. They are the sensei, you are the grasshopper. I was asked, immediately after my enthusiastic English lesson, what if my teacher was not open to my method of teaching and didn't want the students playing any of the games I had prepared? Without missing a beat, I said that that would be completely okay. I recognize my role as an assistant language teacher and would aid the sensei in whatever ways I could. If I thought one of my lessons would be particularly helpful, I would respectfully request that we use my lesson. But if the sensei was absolutely opposed to it, I wouldn't mind. My job is to help them in the classroom, not take it over.

This ended up being a lot longer than I thought, but I think I covered the vast majority of questions I was asked. The most important things I can tell you are to be enthusiastic and keep your cool if you are asked some difficult questions. Remember to stay focused on what YOU can do for JET and what you will contribute during your time there. Don’t forget to be excited! Show the interviewers who you really are.

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.

My post titles may get more and more irrelevant from this point on.

Anyway, I'd like to add some specific, important tips to complement my first post:


The Application

• Have good reasons for your placement requests; your interviewers will want to know your motivations for living there. For example, I requested Nara because I took a class on The Tale of Genji and was interested in living in an area surrounded by temples I could visit. I also told them that I was unconcerned about where I was actually placed in Japan, as long as I got to go. Make sure your interviewers know you're interested in Japan as a whole. If it sounds like your attitude is "Tokyo or bust," you most likely won't be getting in.

• The "Prior Experience" page, in my opinion, is where you can really set yourself apart from the other applicants. If you have teaching experience, your interviewers will see that before you applied for JET, you were already interested in teaching. If you don't have any official experience, it's time to grasp at straws. Have you ever tutored ANYONE in school? Think back as far as high school even. Any way you can fill up those boxes with relevant information, the better. Personally, I never intended on becoming a teacher. My only official teaching experience was a year as a teacher's assistant in high school. STILL, that is better than nothing.

• Other Teaching or Tutoring: I also mentioned that I unofficially tutored my classmates in English and Spanish when I was in the Spanish Honor Society. If you're leaving a lot blank on this page, don't worry. JET isn't necessarily looking for seasoned teachers. They're looking for multi-faceted individuals who will represent their respective country in a positive light no matter the situation. Remember: if you are chosen as a JET, you may go to a small village where many people have had limited interaction with a foreigner, or no interaction for that matter. How you act (and react) will mold their impressions of everyone from your country. It's a lot of responsibility.

• International / Intercultural Experience section: Extremely important. The whole point of JET is to promote internationalization (a key word for your statement of purpose). Show them you care about different cultures. And this doesn't only apply for ethnic or racial cultures! This can also be any subcultures you happen to be interested in. For example, I took a literature class a few semesters ago that involved a lot of underground movements such as beatnik and burgeoning homosexual subcultures, among others. Don't forget about subcultures. They are specific interests that you can expand upon in your interview to show the depth of your interest in various fields! Just like any job application, don't forget to relate everything you have done to aspects you can contribute to the JET Program. Have you organized extracurricular activities? Worked with kids? Don't forget that the homeless are a subculture. If you've ever participated in a soup kitchen, you've had experience with another culture. Make it work to your advantage.

• The last section on this page is "Long Term Plans." I see no harm in posting what I wrote in my application. Remember, it's all about cultural exchange and internationalization.

"My future profession concerns creating educational video games that help younger generations build interest in foreign languages earlier in life so that 1) foreign language acquisition will be easier overall and 2) children will be exposed to and immersed in foreign cultures to which they may not have otherwise had access. My aim is to create culturally aware children (and adults) who will perpetuate the knowledge to their children. Through my career, I hope to encourage popular media to embrace intercultural exchange and display positive attitudes toward foreign languages and cultures."

I hope this blog was helpful! My next one will be about the actual interview process. If anyone has any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask here on the blog or e-mail me at TanukiSunrise@gmail.com!

To JET or Not to JET...

If you're on the fence about applying for the JET Program this fall, maybe I can help answer some of your questions, alleviate fears, or hey, even confirm some of them. If you know for sure you are applying to JET and nothing short of death could possibly stop you, maybe my blog will supply you with helpful tips for the application process and excitement during those four months you're basically chewing your fingers off waiting to hear if you've passed the interview process.

Don't underestimate the application process. It is competitive, and if you're like me, you will second guess everything you have ever done in your entire life every day until you get your final acceptance letter. Applying to JET, for me, was really stressful because I was in my final year of my undergrad at UF and had to juggle a lot of projects, a job, and not-so-spare time. The application itself is of decent length. JET wants to know what you like to do, what activities you've been involved in, what placement you're looking for if you make it to Japan, and if you are of sound mind. Basically, they want to make sure you look good on paper. If you do, congratulations! You have won half the battle! Errr... sort of.

Before you fill out the application, ask yourself if you are ready to live in Japan (most likely by yourself if you are unmarried/unburdened by children like I) for an entire year. Remember: you have NO control over where you are placed. If you aren't ready for the coldest winters in Hokkaido or the hottest summers in Okinawa, maybe you should consider visiting Japan before you apply for JET. I was asked about this in my interview-- how would I feel if I were placed in a prefecture with an extreme climate? I gave them an honest answer, full of confidence: I was born in Washington State. I am no stranger to chipping ice off of the car in the morning or having to trudge up the hill to my house because the road is too slick for the car to drive up. In fact, I told the interviewers, "I MISS that weather." (This got me some very shocked and wide-eyed panelists.) On the flip side, I have lived in Florida for over ten years now. I've adjusted to the heat and the bugs. Okinawa ain't got nothin' on us; Florida invented humidity! (That may or may not be verbatim.)

The point is that you need to convince the interviewers that you are flexible, that you aren't going to get your placement in Hokkaido and freak out that it's too far away from the places you want to vacation to and break your contract. (Speaking of breach of contract, if you do so, you'll be paying not only for your flight back home but also the flight that just flew your happy ass to Japan. So think hard about how your decisions could affect your bank account. Even if you decline the position before you go to Japan, if you wait too long, you could still be stuck with an airline cancellation fee.)

Back to the application. The part that you should be spending the majority of your waking hours on is the statement of purpose. I cannot stress how important it is, and any other blog you read or vlog you watch will tell you the same... hopefully. If not, back away slowly. My statement of purpose took me weeks to get "right." If you are satisfied after your first draft, you are still not done. That is why I recommend you begin the SoP as soon as possible. If you can squeeze out the entire thing in one night, great. Leave it alone for a day and then come back to it. You'll be amazed at how much you'll change. The SoP is two double-spaced pages long with one inch margins on all sides. No exceptions.

If you are an English major like I was, this is probably going to kill you. Two pages seem like a whole lot until you're hardly done explaining how you saved quadriplegic orphans in Africa when you've run out of room to write things that are actually relevant to your prospective job as an ALT. Suddenly, you have to decide if your humanitarian story is more important than talking about those academic awards you won or that community project you led. (Hint: the community project wins.) Maybe you wanted to talk about your career goals more. JET knows the two-page limit is tricky. They want to make sure you are able to effectively condense important information without losing content.

My best advice is to write it, leave it alone, come back to it, write your second draft, have at least two people read AND critique it (I'm talking solid critiques, not "Yeah, oh, this is good. You're definitely getting in." If you're in college, chances are you know an English major or at least someone with decent writing skills), absorb their input, and write another draft. Yes, I said DRAFT. I told you this thing is important. Do you want to go to Japan? Then write this statement of purpose as if you've just heard Jigsaw say he wants to "play a little game." Okay, it's not life and death, but it's pretty up there. Once I'm physically in Japan, I'll think about posting my statement on this blog. I know how frustrating it can be to get a paper off the ground. Thankfully, there are some benevolent souls on the intertubes who have posted their SoPs for the public to plagiarize. It's just a matter of beating the crap out of Google 'til it gives you what you want!

Also on the application is a self-evaluation of your Japanese abilities. If you are advanced, put advanced. If you have never spoken a word of Japanese besides "sushi," that is completely okay. A little weird, but still okay. Keep in mind, they will most likely ask you to speak in Japanese in your interview if you say you have Japanese ability. I put intermediate for mine, was asked a question in Japanese, KNEW what the question was, but completely froze when I tried to answer it. I thought my chances of becoming an ALT were over then and there. That's when interview tip numero uno comes into play: your best assets are your confidence and your SMILE!

In a predominantly English interview, any sudden foreign language can trip up a non-native speaker. Your interviewer is trying to gauge how resourceful you are and if you fold under pressure. I thought about what I wanted to say for a moment, felt my brain turn to absolute slosh, looked at my questioner with a big smile and apologized that I couldn't come up with an answer. Luckily, I was given another chance when they asked me if I could at least introduce myself in Japanese. I looked at them as if to say, "Sir and madams, bind me, gag me, and cut out my tongue, I will give you the best damn Japanese introduction you have ever heard." And then I followed through. (Without the follow-through, I probably would have been screwed. I'm really intermediate, I swear!) It just goes to show you that one choke-up is not the end of the world. Your interviewers have a job to do, but they're all human (I think). They have all been in an interview before and know how stressful it can be. They aren't there to make you feel like a bug. They are there to make sure you are strong enough to survive in a foreign country. Really, they're doing you a favor.

Honestly, at times I felt like an absolute clown in my interview. And, to an extent, if you're not feeling just a little embarrassed for smiling/laughing too much, you're probably not smiling/laughing enough. You don't have to pretend to be cool in your interview. If you are totally geeked about teaching English in Japan, let the interviewers see that! Don't cosplay to your interview or anything, but DO bring your enthusiasm! When they asked me to do an impromptu lesson, I jumped out of my chair and pretty much skipped toward the white board (try to envision this semi-less retarded than it sounds). If they see energy and enthusiasm, your chances of going to Japan increase dramatically. You could be placed in an elementary school (or several) that requires you to be high-energy all day in order to keep the kids entertained enough so that they will pay attention to the lesson. Don't think you'll just be teaching one class a day or in just one school for that matter. If you can't imagine yourself being at a school from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and even later if you stay for afterschool activities) every day while simultaneously commuting to other schools with classes for which you are responsible, JET may not be for you.

This isn't to say your time in Japan will be miserable. I can't actually comment on that yet since I haven't shipped out yet, but that part will come in due time. As for most things in life, JET will probably be what you make of it. As this post has seemed to sprout arms and devour the internet, I shall sever it now before it does some real damage. I hope this was somewhat helpful. I'll finish up talking about the interview in another post. A, uh, shorter post. ^_^v

(Should I have a clever sign-off? Those things are rarely really clever. Once I get to Japan, I'll have a daily picture or something.)