Word's Formerly Secret Interview Advice

[coop52]

Really... if I were interviewing I would absolutely have them keeping tabs on the people and watching what they do. Hell, I used to do that when I was hiring at head office. Mind you Tory was just a snoopy person in general, but she was very good at telling me what people said when they left and came in which I wasn't aware of in the hiring room.

The ex-JET might not be reporting to them, but you can bet the Japanese receptionist is.

[Shincantsen]

The ex-JET might not be reporting to them, but you can bet the Japanese receptionist is.

Noooooope. I don't know what you guys think they would be reporting, anyway.

"Applicant one entered room and said a greeting to all currently occupying the room. Applicant one sat in a chair. Applicant one asked JETA volunteer where they were placed. Applicant one smiled. Applicant one was called for interview, left room."

Like I said, if someone is being really weird or jerky they'll pass it along, but they really don't care otherwise.

[Ozzy]

Thanks a ton for posting that.

[TweedPawn]

Smile smile smile! I can easily work myself up to having a chipper personality. Just give me a techno playlist. XD

[7906]

Word, superb advice as always

I think this should make the interview process a little less nerve wracking than it already is. I've got this scenario in my head that I'll probably embarrass myself the minute I enter the consulate doors

[therealwindycity]

Excellent advice, word! I just want to add one thing that helped me - I had a friend try asking me a few mock interview questions a couple days before. She pointed out that I had a tendency to ramble and go off-topic when answering questions. Like word said, it's better to take a moment to think about your answer so that you can phrase it clearly and concisely. If you have a friend who's willing, have them try asking you a few generic questions and tell you the impression they get from your responses.

[itsabird]

Excellent advice, word! I just want to add one thing that helped me - I had a friend try asking me a few mock interview questions a couple days before. She pointed out that I had a tendency to ramble and go off-topic when answering questions. Like word said, it's better to take a moment to think about your answer so that you can phrase it clearly and concisely. If you have a friend who's willing, have them try asking you a few generic questions and tell you the impression they get from your responses.

And if you're still in college, you can always check to see if your university has a mock interview service. I for one plan on utilizing the one my school offers if I get notified for an interview!

[Gizmotech]

Good lord, I would never use an interview service at school. They are usually staffed by students, who have a wealth of experience in successful interviews and techniques who can give you accurate and insightful advice. /sarcasm

[itsabird]

Good lord, I would never use an interview service at school. They are ****usually**** staffed by students, who have a wealth of experience in successful interviews and techniques who can give you accurate and insightful advice. /sarcasm

I guess JETs favorite expression for aspiring JETs can apply here as well : ESID. I'm not saying that you are by any means wrong, but there is the occasional business recruiter that does the mock interviews on campus, depending on how lucky you are.
The last service we were offered was being provided by a major communications company in our area.... But then again maybe that might have been because I'm/the people it was offered to are in the college of business.... Either way, I wouldn't rule it out completely. At the very least, it can't do you any harm, as it is the equivalent of asking a friend to ask you generic questions, except with the possibility of being slightly more useful depending on the person you get/request.

[Gizmotech]

Actually, my point was it can be very much be detrimental if you are practicing with someone who cannot provide you appropriate feedback. Especially if it reinforces poor response patterns. Either interview with a pro/vet (if you have that service available) or go it alone.

[par92186]

Awesome post word!

[Libellule]

Thanks for posting this word!

[Lianwen]

For ladies who would like to wear make-up to the interview, but don't know where to start, I highly suggest going to your local department store with a make-up counter and asking if the Clinique (if you don't wear make-up often or at all and don't want to chance a surprise allergic reaction, this is your best brand) girls can touch you up to be natural & interview appropriate. They're going to try and sell you on the products, but at worst, you come out with a new tube of 10$ lipgloss.

I went the morning of my interview before driving to the consulate, and it was the best and I came out of it with so many free full sized samples. If you have time, get your picture taken for the pass slip at CVS/Walgreens right after. My interview was scheduled early afternoon though...some of you may be SOL.

That, and if you're going to wear pantyhose, buy two pairs and fold one pair NIP in your bag.

[johnny]

Reading these posts makes me feel lucky to be a man. A good haircut and shave we're good to go. Worrying about make-up would drive me nuts.


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[AVN]

If you want to go without makeup. That's totally fine too. As long as you feel comfortable and confident. Make sure you look good, clean, but you don't have to look like a model.
If you don't wear makeup, ever, and you are comfortable that way don't worry about it.
If you want a bit of a confidence boost throw on some mascara and lip gloss.
If you always wear makeup, go for it, just don't go over the top, keep it day safe and professional. The more natural the better in most job interviews.

Also Lianwen is absolutely right about pantyhose, if you wear them bring extras!

[Immaneuel Kanter]

Hey, thanks much for the write up, man. Read it a week before the interview. Thought about it often the day of.

Unfortunately, no one with anime plushies were present at my interview. Everyone I saw wore a black suit, a tasteful tie, and were outgoing and cheerful. Even more, a woman my age came in who was already doing Japanese non-verbals subconsciously (hand over mouth when laughing at something I said, etc). Slayed me on the spot.

[5100]

Even more, a woman my age came in who was already doing Japanese non-verbals subconsciously (hand over mouth when laughing at something I said, etc). Slayed me on the spot.

People that have received etiquette lessons sometimes do that; it may have nothing to do with Japan.

[Immaneuel Kanter]

People that have received etiquette lessons sometimes do that; it may have nothing to do with Japan.

Definitely possible. I only doubt it because we had a conversation about growing up in towns close to each other where something like etiquette lessons are few and far between. That said, the more I think about how, to be honest, unnaturally precise her English was the more etiquette lessons or something along those lines seems to be probable.

[Murasaki Ookami]

I read it all and liked it, very informative and very helpful too. Thanks for the advice (^_^)

[daisychain]

Fantastic interview advice from everyone.. thanks so much! It definitely helps to have lots of realistic advice on what to do.

I think the advice about getting friends to read practice questions is fantastic - I actually did that with a friend who was applying to a different exchange programme and he kept saying things that were really vague or sounded arrogant but didn't mean to. By the time he went to his interview (and had been grilled by me and a friend about a week before!) he was well prepared.

It really helps to have someone tell you or see where you can get caught off guard.