Job Discussion Forums

[Mamasita516]

Okay, at first I considered it necessary preparation, but I wonder now if I am hurting myself by reading all these message boards (well, this and gaijin pot).

I am, litterally, freaking out about everything. My demo (this is freaking me out the most), the grammer test/teaching terms (ECC), the interview, and NOW, the attire. I planned on wearing a black skirt suit (since I figured women in pant suits are not all the rage in Japan) with a purple button down blouse, but now I am worried that the black might be bad (I've read black is only for funerals) and the purple might be too flashy. Also I am worried that it is a bad thing to know too much about the country, not that I know that much. I lived there for a few years as a child and I watch a lot of Japanese movies, but that hardly qualifies me as a pro. On that note, I am also worried it is a bad thing to know too little.

Someone, please help me out. Calm me down. Set me straight. Whatever! Just stop the headache! My interview is in eight days and I am really close to pulling myself away from the boards because they are not helping me like I thought they were originally!

[Glenski]

Jitters are normal. Accept that before anything.

1. A black skirt is ok. Got that from a few Japanese people. If you can wear a light blue blouse or a white one, it would be better. Don't know if your purple one is bright or dark or neon in tint, but try to wear something pretty conservative. Men and women wear black suits all the time here.

2. The exam. You probably can't do anything at this moment to improve your chances of passing (70%, I think), so don't fret it. Have you read other threads which describe what's on it?

3. The demo. Realize a few things. Your "students" will probably be adults acting as students. You should engage them in as lively a manner as possible but give them tons of opportunity to talk. Prep for it will probably involve being given the same topic as the other interview candidates and 10-30 minutes to prepare your presentations. At my ECC Junior interview, we all sat together with picture cards and brainstormed (yes, together!!) what was best to do. It probably will last only 5 minutes just so they can see your manner and general teaching ability with the age level and topic at hand. They realize that real case situations will involve more prep time and better materials and a knowledge of the kids.

4. Knowledge of the country. I seriously doubt that your childhood TV memories will affect their judgment. Moreover, a LITTLE knowledge is good, in my opinion, because places like ECC want greenhorns but they also want to feel secure that their teachers won't suffer from too much culture shock and bail out the moment they set foot in Narita airport. This HAS been known to happen.

Best of luck.

[moot point]

calm down. ECC and others are in desperate need for teachers. If you appear to be a slightly less than average person with a slightly less than average knowledge of English and how to teach it you'll be more than welcome to come and work for them.

By the way, don't fret over your attire. A black skirt suit with white blouse is standard for interviews and fresh female recruits here in Japan.

BTW, you may want to be careful about your spelling of words like "liTTerally" and "grammER", though.

[JimDunlop2]

First of all, take a deep breath & relax... No, really... Thousands of others in your shoes are thinking the same thing and have the same concerns....

Where is your interview? If it's in your home country, I wouldn't worry too much about your attire conforming to Japanese standards too much. If you like pant suits, wear one. Black is not only for funerals -- there is a specific dress code for funerals and black is just part of the get-up. However, in any country I don't think I'd recommend black as a top choice for an interview -- especially if you're going to be teaching children. I'm a man, but for me -- I'd wear a grey suit with my blue tie (that has camels on it). I can't visualize what a purple down blouse looks like... But the only thing that comes to my mind, is be careful that the black and purple combination doesn't make you look like a gothling from Dracula's castle... Use common sense and you be the judge. Be yourself, and just dress the same for this interview as you would for any other professional job back home.

Most people are not expected to be Japanophiles or experts on the country. They won't expect you to be. They ARE looking for an interest in the country you'll be living in, however. If you were to lay it out to them straight, exactly the way you just did in your post, it would be perfectly fine. As for knowing too much -- I don't think they will be focusing on that too much. If anything, they want to ensure that you won't just speak in Japanese to the students when you should be speaking English. My situation is different. I interviewed directly with the school board, IN Japan. For that, they wanted and even expected me to have conversational Japanese under my belt. But I suspect that this being ECC, you will not be subject to that.

I dunno if any of this helps, but good luck in any event... When I'm stressed out, I usually go catch a movie at the theatre and follow it up with some beers and pizza at the local. Makes me feel a lot better.

[Mamasita516]

[Mamasita516]

[Mamasita516]

[Big John Stud]

Mamasita516 wrote:

Okay, at first I considered it necessary preparation, but I wonder now if I am hurting myself by reading all these message boards (well, this and gaijin pot). I am, litterally, freaking out about everything. My demo (this is freaking me out the most), the grammer test/teaching terms (ECC), the interview, and NOW, the attire. I planned on wearing a black skirt suit (since I figured women in pant suits are not all the rage in Japan) with a purple button down blouse, but now I am worried that the black might be bad (I've read black is only for funerals) and the purple might be too flashy. Also I am worried that it is a bad thing to know too much about the country, not that I know that much. I lived there for a few years as a child and I watch a lot of Japanese movies, but that hardly qualifies me as a pro. On that note, I am also worried it is a bad thing to know too little. Someone, please help me out. Calm me down. Set me straight. Whatever! Just stop the headache! My interview is in eight days and I am really close to pulling myself away from the boards because they are not helping me like I thought they were originally!

Just be yourself and honest. Black is okay, specially during the winter.
Knowing about Japan, again be honest and don't assume anything. You will do okay. If not just try again. There are many companies and schools out here.

[Sadken]

Seriously, you are going to get this job, get out here and then laugh long and hard (in the not too distant future) about how stressed you were about the whole thing.

[Mamasita516]

Big John & Sadken (as well as everyone else), you guys are so sweet!

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Sody]

I should give credit to someone else who posted this but my best advice to you is to keep your mouth shut during most of the interview and have as little interaction with the interviewer as possible. Definitely be friendly and talkative to the other interviewees but don't talk to the interviewers if possible. I really hope you understand what I mean, I don't mean be standoffish (sp?). Just take a minimalist approach to everything.

Oh and about knowledge. No need to tell them about everything you know about Japan. It also helps a lot if you have experience living abroad, they like that but only if you can back it up with something interesting to tell them. They have heard all the stories you can think of so try and be honest otherwise you will only be hurting yourself.

If you are friendly looking they will most likely hire you. This is Japan remember. Appearances mean a lot. I have seen a lot of people not get hired for their looks, if you don't believe me ask anyone who has worked in Japan and they will understand what I am saying. You will be teaching kids, they don't want people who look ugly or mean. If you are some bald man who doesn't smile you have zero chance, if you play the interested and friendly gaijin you should get hired for sure. Oh and for clothing wear whatever you feel most comfy in and don't worry whether it is right or wrong. As long as you look presentable you will do fine. You want to be wearing something you are at ease in, so you will act and feel your best.

I interviewed with this company before, trust me it is not hard to get a job with them. They are very nice and professional and although I wasn't interested in the job the company is very nice. They will be supportive, just make sure you respond in kind by being professional and you will do fine. BOL to you.

Sody

[Mamasita516]

[Sody]

Mamasita,

You will be in a group interview remember. There may be more than one interviewer but there will definitely be a few others like yourself trying to get hired. I simply meant, don't take up everyone's time trying to figure out how to do your demo and bugging the interviewers with insignificant questions. Constantly delaying the entire process will really annoy the interviewers more than anything. There are many other ways of showing interest besides asking questions.

There was a guy during our interview who wouldn't stop talking about how much he wanted to go to Japan and he wanted all sorts of rumors he heard on the Internet to be verified as either true or false or he wasn't gonna go to Japan. Be professional and you will do fine. Here are a few examples of questions you shouldn't ask:

"If I get sick and need to take a few days off, will that be ok?" They will give you a manual outlining all of this during the interview, just check this and you will have all your answers.

"If a relative back home gets very ill and I need to go back home and take care of them for a few days, will I be paid for my time off?" Manual.

"If I don't have enough money after the initial loan, can I get more money? I'm not sure I have enough money for the initial costs..."

"If I find an apartment before I leave for Japan can I cancel my apartment?"

"Can I teach privates during my spare class time?" - Ya someone actually asked this, can you believe it?

A few of those are obviously inappropriate but some of them are actually pretty valid. My main point is that if you in any way show them that you will be trouble then they will think twice about hiring you. The questions you ask during ANY interview will tell them a lot about you as a person. Show them that you are a good problem free employee and you won't have any problems. No company in the world wants to hire a troublesome employee but this is even more important for hiring someone to go overseas. They have to be more picky. If you need more clarification let me know. Don't be nervous, I am sure you will do fine. Let us know how it turns out. Even if by some crazy chance you don't get a job offer, there are better jobs out there trust me. BOL.

Sody

[Mamasita516]

LOL - understand, thank you much for that advice!

[PAULH]