Job Discussion Forums

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on this forum for about two years but have only just got around to joining. I'm 26, Australian, have degree, will travel Very Happy

I've just applied to interview with AEON in London at the end of October and although I know there's been quite a lot written about AEON interviews in general I was hoping someone might be able to help out with some specifics.

According to the website "The interview and selection process takes at least two consecutive or separate days", as the interviewing is only scheduled for a week is it most likely that they will be on consecutive days?

If I am invited back for the second day how long does the personal interview take? Will I need to put aside two full days?

Where in London do they usually hold the interviews?

Ok, I'll leave it at that for now, hope someone can help me,

PT

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Initial, and personal interviews are normally held in Central London Hotels. Applicants travelling from outside of London get priority for early slots in follow-up interviews. Personal interview takes about 40 mins. Put aside two full days.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

From memory they had an all day session on a Saturday followed by one on one interviews spread out over the Monday and Tuesday although they tried to give you a choice of time slots - and I think the out of town people got Sunday options. It was at a west London hotel somewhere near Gloucster Road I think.

There have been a lot of posts about advice for these interviews - it might pay to brush up on some simple grammar (tenses especially), dres smart and make sure your 5 minute demo is interactive and you look like you are enjoying it.

Good luck

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Thanks! If they do use the weekend then that would be perfect and I'll have no further worries, if not then I'll just have to deal with it!

I have to come over from Paris and if it does end up including a weekday then would like to be back in time for work on the second day, may be possible if the interview is only 40 minutes and I get first pick at the AM ones.

Don't worry I have already read the other interview threads multiple times, every little helps as they say! Was planning to wear a suit both days and my grammar is pretty good, after 8 years of French lessons I should be! Wink

Do they give more information about what exactly is required when they invite you for your interview (hasn't happened yet but I can't see any reason why they wouldn't...I hope Shocked

)?

PT

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

I think you will have to　prepare a 5 minute teaching demo (where the other candidates act as the students) and tell the interviewer what level your lesson is for. I suspect, as has been said in earlier posts, they are mainly looking for someone whi is keen and gets the students to speak.

The second interview will include a 15 minute demonstration on a teaching point they give with a page copied from an AEON textbook (I think I had present perfect .v. present perfect continous for example) and you get 8 minutes preparation time.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Yup, wear suit both days and worry ye not!

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

I have just been invited to the Aeon session in London. It is on Sunday 23rd October, with interviews on the Monday and Tuesday. The interviews are being held at a hotel near Gloucester Road tube station.

See you there then!?!

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

That you will! I just checked my email and there was my invite. I'm glad that day one is on a Sunday but I wish the whole thing was over the weekend, trying not to inconvenience my current employer too much, still maybe I can arrange to be done by midday or something if I am invited back for the personal interview.

PT

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

As I recall the personal interviews started on the Monday morning, and preference fror early interview slots was given to those who had travelled the farthest to interview.

You may be in luck.

Temujin · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Osaka

I'm just putting together my AEON application, so hopefully I'll also get invited. How long after your application did you receive a response?

Also, out of interest, how have other people tackled their CV's? I'm not sure whether to go for the stripped down Japanese style CV or a modified version of my regular CV. Do I try to sell my degree, training and work experience or just state it? I'm just not sure what sort of audience I should be aiming my CV at, since AEON is a Japanese company but the people reading my CV may well not be.

Any volunteers to take a look at my CV? I'd really appreciate it, since I'm getting quite nervous about my first application.

Sorry to ask all this, I know you probably don't want to help the competition.

Good luck, hope to see you in London.

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

pm me your CV.

And drop the competition paranoia...

There are zig-thousand posters on these forums and very few of them will be one of the 60 people trying out for 30 or so places at the next Aeon London interviews. WE are all on the same side. It's the bloody employers who are the enemy. Very Happy

Big up to Mike Mascarina and the rest of the superb Aeon New York Office London interview crew. Huge respect to Alex all at Aeon West Japan. A special shout out to the Aeon Kochi massive. Much respect to the Lufthansa Frankfurt-Kansai International cabin staff. My mother. My father. Thich Nhat Hanh. (You know who you all are).

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

You forgot to thank the producer and God!!! Wink

So I thought I had everything organised to spend that whole week in England as it's half term here but unfortunately it just didn't work out. So I'll be on Eurostar at 6pm on the 24th but I emailed AEON and they seem very willing to play ball so I don't see myself having any problems. Temujin and Dipso, maybe we should arrange to meet up outside so we can offer moral support to each other! As for being in competition, pah! Of course if you gets jobs and I don't I retain the right to retract that comment and hate you both. Razz

PT

Temujin · Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 90 Location: Osaka

I got invited to the interview yesterday Very Happy

Thanks a lot to stillnosheep for all the advice.

Dipso · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Posts: 194 Location: England

Shall we carry rolled up copies of the EFL Gazette? Razz

Perpetual Traveller · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 651 Location: In the Kak, Japan

Did no one teach you guys the secret handshake yet? Shocked

No, what we need is a secret password! Something like 'I hear Kyoto is nice this time of year' to which you respond 'PAULH says it is so, and so it must be'...or maybe we should all wear a red carnation in our lapel...or...let's play guess who always wanted to be a secret agent... Laughing

But seriously, how about we meet up at 10.50 in front of the hotel (to the right of the front doors when facing the hotel) or, if it's raining, inside the foyer to the left of the reception desk. What say you both?

PT