Job Discussion Forums

[XMizer]

I got rejected by Jet and Nova, I really want to go to Japan. I have an AEON and GEOS interview later. ECC didn't respond to my online application.

Since I got rejected by Nova, my chances of succeeding the interview at AEON is probably slim.

I'm in Canada....anybody got some suggestions on how I can get to Japan now? I really want to go for at least a year.

[azarashi sushi]

[poof]

My very first job interview - with GEOS, and I failed. I thought I couldn't possibly be a suitable candidate to go to Japan and should give up the dream. But after applying to another company, I was taken on immediately.

I think you need to think really carefully about why it may have been that NOVA rejected you. Were you too cocky? Did you not smile enough? Did you wear a nice suit and polished shoes with neat hair? Did you express unrealistic ideas about your expectations of Japan? Do you have any teaching experience? Have you ever tried to learn a few phrases of Japanese to show that you have more interest in Japan?

For GEOS, I reckon they wanted more of an entertainer approach to the demo lesson that we had to give as part of the interview. I was too rigid with my demo. I've learnt from that and have moved on.

If your interview skills are generally sound, I would approach other companies with confidence, and try to forget about the NOVA rejection. Don't even mention NOVA in the next interviews.

There are plenty of jobs going, and overall, I'd say you'd have to be a very dislikeable person appearance and personality wise to fail to get any job in Japan at all.

[poof]

The above 'beep' was c-o-c-k-ee

[XMizer]

I don't think I have good interview skills. I get nervous and kinda stutter. I always dress very professional in the interview. I practiced but it never turns out as practiced. I couldn't even smile as much as I wanted to. In fact, I was perhaps the most professional looking out of the bunch.

I did express interest in Japan but not too much.

[azarashi sushi]

Hmmm... not smiling and stuttering could have done it. Well, at least you know what your weak points are... Now you just have to work on them. Don't give up!

[Temujin]

I interviewed with Aeon, got rejected, and am now out here with Nova. I felt a bit distraught after the rejection just as I imagine you are, but I'm sure it just took me two interviews to get my performance right. Do a lot of research - I knew every question they were going to ask me in the Nova interview and every answer. Use the search function on this site - you can find everything you could want to know.

Don't worry too much - you're bound to feel bad after a rejection but you don't need to read too much into it.

The Aeon interview is a bit more elaborate than the short Nova interview so be prepared.

[sidjameson]

I failed the NOVA and GEOS interview. I managed to get a job with a small school. Even though I say it myself I have done rather well here and anybody that has seen me teach has always been very positive. Don't give up.

[jc1977]

At my AEON interview, there were people in my group literally shaking while they did their sample lesson. Some had wavering voices, akin to stuttering. But the next day, I saw a few of them back for second interviews.

Why? Because they fought through it and showed confidence. Even though they were obviously nervous, they knew to keep a brave smile on and continue with the lesson.

I'm sure you'll do fine this time around now that you know what to expect. Glue that smile to your face if necessary; they're nuts about the ole sh*t-eating grin.

[angiestar]

i was rejected by aeon. you've probably read this advice elsewhere on the board, but here's my two cents: if i could do it over again i would have spent a lot more time preparing my demo lesson. practice what you're going to say so it feels natural at the interview (you might even practice giving your lesson in front of a friend or two). be enthusiastic. smile. look eager. the content of the lesson is important, but the tone is what matters most.

i had an interview with interac last week and my demo lesson went so much better than the one i did for aeon.

[lalalateda]

[Tottori-Dood]

I got the first job I applied too - AEON.

TIPS:
Shave, wear a suit, get a haircut, speak clearly, make eye contact, show any interest in japanese culture (eg: say you like Kendo and want to learn (ie: lie)), shake your recruiter's hand when you meet him, ask questions about the recruiters presentation (even if you already know the answer)...... etc etc....

They are not hard jobs to get as long as you realize that you are selling yourself to a company that wants to sell your image to get clients. Anyone here in Canada can speak english, not everyone can attract clients.

You may think that it is BS or not very PC for them to hire based on looks, (and not to say its a big factor but it is one none the less), but remember you are not applying for a job in Canada you are going to Japan.

With respect to the lesson plan - I prep'd mine for 1 hour the night before. Suffice it to say, my lesson plan was nothing special BUT the way I presented it and the fact that I made eye contact with the recruiters while presenting got me the job.

You are not applying to an accounting position where you can hide in an office; As a consiquence you have to be able to present and sell yourself.

Hopefully I didn't sound harsh - its not my intention. Don't give up and good luck. Remember you are selling yourself to them. If you can look professional in Japan you can be professional. All things being equal, appearance is the factor that will push you over the wall.

[Chris21]

Sometimes it's hard to predict why the bosses at the big conversation schools make the choices they do. I once applied to ECC and didn't get it (assuming I would), and then got a job at a smaller school that was much, much better and had more applicants (I assumed I wouldn't get that one).

I would just make sure that you've got all of the basics covered... well-dressed (suit and tie), bring copies of documentation to the interview (resume, transcript, passport, etc), be clean shaven, eager, confident, and professional. I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the NOVA rejection, it might have been for any number of inexplicable reasons.

I did hiring for a while at a smaller eikaiwa school, and the things that caused red flags were slouching in the chair, not elaborating upon answers, the feeling that the applicant was more interested in experiencing Japan than the job, and views that went against common teaching practices (I prefered hiring blank slate candidates).

Just try again and don't get caught up trying to do too much in the interview.

[PAULH]

Info on getting hired at NOVA

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=31813&start=0

[senza_vavoom]