Job Discussion Forums

the yellow brick road · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

How difficult is it to get a CIR position?

About me:

My Japanese level is around JLPT2 (I will be taking the exam this December). My speaking is not very great but I am great at reading, writing etc. I am currently trying to refresh my Japanese.

I have a Japanese 'intensive language program completion' certificate from tokyo university of foreign studies.

I lived in Japan for a year.

I worked abroad in Korea, and I have done academic research in China for a month.

I have a BA in east asian studies with a concentration in Japanese (minor in Japanese as well).

I will be 23 years old when I apply (will turn 23 next month).

::

Do I stand a decent chance? What is the application process and the interview process like? What exactly are they looking for (truthfully)?

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

Good place to check out is the CIR Homepage.

I can't say for sure that you'd be accepted as a CIR since anyone's selection depends on a lot of variables, but JLPT2, studying and living in Japan, your undergrad major, and teaching experience definitely will be looked at favorably.

The application process will be the same as the one for ALTs except that you check "CIR" on your application. Then if you go to the interview stage, you would go for a CIR interview. Some consulates will even shortlist you as an ALT if you aren't successful in the CIR interview.

BTW, I am a current Miyagi Prefectural CIR. If you ever want more info, feel free to PM me.

the yellow brick road · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

I am reading the CIR handbook, but any experiences you would like to share would be great. Let me know what you think about your job and what your responsabilities are like.

Do you think the job is 'fruitful' in an experience sense? My goal is to be involved with more political and government agencies in the future and i have been gearing myself toward that (experience, language, certification wise).

So that is why I want to know how you feel about your job and duties. Do you feel you learn a lot? Is your experience enabling you to talk to many people and develop a bit of a network in the government offices?

Thanks a lot!

PS,

Anyone can reply here or PM me a response if you feel more comfortable that way

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

http://www.cirhomepage.org/

Here is the link to the home page. My boss just gave me something to do right now so I will go more in-depth later.

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

I have worked in the Miyagi Prefectural Office for almost a year now. I do a lot of proofreading of English translations as well as J-E translations. I have also done the occasional event planning through the Miyagi International Association.

The duties are going to vary from office to office. As they say in the JET Programme, ESID. As for offices that want you to stay x number of years, that will vary too. You could get very warm supervisors who would love you to stay as long as you can. Or you can get very incompetent managers who are doing everything they can to run you out of Japan (even attempting to prevent you from getting future employment here)

the yellow brick road · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

What are the chances of being placed in or close to tokyo? Do you know what month the interviews are in?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Well, let's see, last year 109 CIRs were hired from the USA (out a total of 384). That's down from 131 out of 512 in 2004.

No CIRs of any kind were placed in Tokyo prefecture. So, unless you were shooting for nearby Chiba, I'd say your chances were nil.
http://www.jetprogramme.org/documents/pubs/2008%20Pamphlet_e.pdf

Interviews are usually held in February, but you should confirm this by contacting JET or the embassy for your country.

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:03 am Post subject:

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

OP,

You could always ask for a Saitama placement as well. I would choose three choices spread throughout Japan that you may be interested in. My three choices were as follows: 1.) Sendai 2.) Gifu Prefecture 3.) Oita Prefecture. I played up the Sendai-Riverside, California sister city relationship as much as I could on my Statement of Purpose and during my interview. Although I can't say from a work point of view I made the right choice, I feel from a sister city point of view that I have.

If you are ever offered a position on JET, just remember to keep work expectations LOW. Also have a backup plan should your CO opt to not offer you a second contract. I am not at liberty to divulge everything right now but will be more than willing when my contract ends.

fat_chris · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 3198 Location: Beijing

the yellow brick road · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

Well, I would not mind Chiba, Saitama or another city close to Tokyo (within 1-2 hours). I plan to do some business in Tokyo and I have developed a network there already (because of my year in Tokyo gaigoku go daigaku).

I will pass the JLPT exam this december. How will the interview go? What kinds of questions do they ask you in Japanese?

I am really not interested in JET teaching positions because I am sure I could get a better deal (in Tokyo) by massivly applying to jobs. I don't want to end up in some rural town in Hokkaido with a population of 200 people.

The only upside to a JET teaching jobs would be if, if, I got a job that had such little work required as to give me time to work on my network and business. That is also a shot in the dark. I know the kind of CIR job I want is also a shot in the dark, but it at least appears to be a little more likely.

I would not mind staying in Japan for a number of years so long as I am not teaching every year. I have too many plans and goals that can't be brought to fruition by working 9 to 5 teaching. (no offense to any teachers out there.)

A teaching gig will at least get my feet back in Japan and if the teaching position is in Tokyo it would get me back to my network. (I was looking at a short contract position such as Westgate. I know they have a bad rep from what I have read, but at least it would get me in Japan on a short contract to find a better job). JET does have higher pay but the 1 year contract and possibility to get placed somewhere that is totally against what I need is overwhelming. It is very possible I would opt out of a bad placement. It's not because I am a bad person or because I ignore contracts, it's simply because I am very motivated and know what I need and want. I don't think it's a crime but I do guess JET will screw me over if I re-apply in the future for a CIR position.

The CIR position does still interest me. I see there are chances to get exactly what I need.

- I would not mind translating J-E or proof reading

What can I do to make myself more competitive for the position (CIR, and hopefully a more politcal position and/or liason or research type work)?

I find my resume and experiences to be quite good for my age. I am really curious as to others experiences and qualifications that have gotten into a CIR position. If you don't mind sharing, then pelase do Wink

I want to get an idea of where I stand and what I may be able to do to better myself.

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan

To FC,

I am coming to the end of my one-and-only-contract with JET. I would have happily signed another.

To TYBR,

If you can, any kind of J-E or E-J translation/interpretation experience will be beneficial. If you can get any kind of paid work with a Japanese company, that will also be a plus. Even volunteer work with a Japanese cultural organization helps.

OK, here is what I had going into my position with the JET Program:

5 years ESL teaching experience in Japan
3 years work experience overall at two Japanese electronics companies
1 year of Japanese teaching experience in the US
2 years of volunteer experience with the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana
Volunteered in various sister-city programs throughout southern California
JLPT 1

Keep in mind that I am way older than the average applicant. I was 37 when I came to Miyagi last year.

the yellow brick road · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 25

Will my young age (23) be benneficial? or will they look at it as I am too fresh? I know young works out well in many teaching jobs, but what about a CIR?

I had taken part in a tutoring program at tokyo gaikokugo daigaku (in which the Japanese tutor was paid by the school program, not by me). As part of that program I also had to teach him English. Will this be viewed as some experience or worth mention?

Should I mention my Japanese to English translation experience? I have translated stories by Natsume Souseki, Yukio Mishima, and some others. I have also done independent study under a professor in classical Japanese.. and had to translate a classical story.

Is this all worth mention? or is it too simple to even mention?

cvmurrieta · Joined: 10 Jul 2008 Posts: 209 Location: Sendai, Japan