Job Discussion Forums

[sudharsansn]

Hi,
There is going to be a group interview for AEON Schools (Japan) in Vancouver, this March. I am wondering if any of you have any information about this organization and if any of you are working for it. Their website, e-mail communications, etc look very professional. I am just posting this as a general inquiry to know if there is anything that I should be concerned about.


Please let me know if you have ANY information, even positive feedback.

Thanks

[The Dutchess]

Hi sudharsansn, good luck with your interview. As for information about AEON, there are a ton of threads about them here at Dave's. The search function is your friend:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=73377&highlight=aeon+interview
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=72308&highlight=aeon+interview
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=72003&highlight=aeon+interview
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=68567&highlight=aeon+interview
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=59987&highlight=aeon+interview
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=63847&highlight=aeon+interview

That was just the first page of the search results. Actual working conditions will vary depending on the branch that you end up working at. Unfortunately, there's no way to know what exactly it will be like until you're there. Some people get along great with their manager and co-workers and have an amazing time in Japan, others don't. Some of this is up to you and the attitude you bring with you to Japan. Be prepared to be flexible, keep an open mind, and realize that things don't always work the same way they do back home. Unfortunately, some of this is not up to you. It's kind of like a lottery in terms of how good you have it with your manager in some cases. That being said, I think even a less than ideal placement can be workable (if even for only 1 year) if you know how to maintain your objectivity.

For these reasons, it's difficult to gauge what your experience will be like based on the experiences of others. Keep in mind that often (but certainly not always), it's the unhappy people who we tend to hear from. Gladly, I can say that I've had a very positive experience here and have been working for AEON since November 2008 and I'll be here until at least November of this year. The main thing stopping me from renewing again is that this is not a career and I'm getting anxious to start the next phase of my life. The problem is that I'm very comfortable right now and don't have a definite plan yet for the future.

Whatever happens, I wish you luck. The above threads should be quite informative, especially the last couple which contain a compilation of many interview experiences with AEON.

[sudharsansn]

Thanks Dutchess

[Bobby McGee]

Here is a synopsis of my interview. Yours will probably be similar. Hope it helps!

AEON

I actually went to this interview with a fever, so I was probably not as enthusiastic as I could have been, but I got the offer nonetheless!
The interview took place in a hotel by the airport. There were, I think, 38 people in the group, and I was surprised to see that there were quite a few older people (40+). I was under the impression that eikaiwas want only the young and attractive, and this group was predominantly not fitting that bill, in either category. (I hate to sound so judgmental and shallow, but we are talking about a very image-conscious society here.)

During the information session the recruiters talk about the company, what the job entails, and all of the things a person attending should already know from their own research before going to the interview. (I was amazed at how many people knew little to nothing about the job or company before showing up. I even talked to a girl who said she wasn�t really sure if this was what she wanted to do. Then why are you here????!!!!?? You�d think with the Internet and everything people would do at least a TINY bit of reading up on a company before applying!)
You have to role play a bit with your fellow interviewees, watch a video, and look at samples of the books they use. The recruiters asked us to hold questions until the end, so bring a pad and paper to write down any you might have. They REALLY don�t want to answer questions during the session, so don�t bother raising your hand.

After the information session they gave everyone a time to show back up for the demos, which were held in smaller groups. Luckily, mine was much later in the day so I went upstairs to my room and took a nap before my turn.
There were about 10 people in my demo group. Everyone did their five minutes, which was timed. In my opinion, it is better to over prepare. There were some people who went up there and did their lesson, but ran out of things to say/do before the five minutes was up. It looked painful. BE PREPARED! Games seemed to go over well, but I was really the only one who played one. One guy taught directions (left, right, stop, go) and then had one �student� direct another across the room. Not really a game for all.
Many people had worksheets and things, but what they perhaps failed to realize is that we were told that the lesson was supposed to be geared toward VERY beginners, and that this is a CONVERSATIONAL English class. Most of the handouts were on complex grammar rules, and it�s not as if the J students would be able to read them. Just keep it simple and high energy.

Then came the dramatic handing-out-of-the-envelopes. We were told not to open them around others, so I have no idea how many people got the 2nd interview. I did, and was scheduled for the next day, probably because I had flown in.

The next day, feeling a little better, I went to interview #2. I actually beat the recruiter to the assigned room (keeping in mind the Japanese �on time is early� thing), and saw another guy from the group waiting for the other recruiter. (I forgot to mention- there were two, an American guy and a Japanese/British girl) My interview was fairly painless, just general questions about my experiences, why I want to go to Japan, and what you�d expect. Then I was given a page out of a text and 10 minutes to prepare to teach a 5 or so minute lesson. You�re supposed to treat the recruiter like a student, and she left while I was preparing and came back in with all the mannerisms of her �character,� who she told me about before the lesson. Use the character�s name, smile, greet him/her, and ask her how she is, etc. before you start the lesson. But don�t make small talk the whole time.
My target was �She used to�.� �Now she�.� You can use visual aids you prepare during that 10 minutes, (if you bring stuff with you) pantomime, etc. Get your student to interact with you, ask questions, and give lots of praise. DONE!

Then I got back on a plane, flew home (probably contaminating everyone on it- sorry!) and went to bed, dying. Got an offer about 2 weeks later. Yay! Heading out in May.

Good luck!

[Bobby McGee]

p.s. There is also an AEON group on Facebook, were you can talk to potential, former and current employees.

[Fina1]

Also was hired by AEON and going to be starting very shortly.

The poster above me described the interview process very well, but I would like to state a few more things and reinforce a few others as well.

1.) Find out as much about the company as you can before hand. Don't show up without prior knowledge.
Yes, they will give you an overview of the company at the group interview but it is no excuse not to do your research.
This applies to any job offer, not just AEON. It can make or break the interview.

2.) Be happy and enthusiastic. Don't show up tired. Don't look bored, even if you feel bored. They're looking for energetic and enthusiastic people. Keep in mind you will be teaching all day 5 days a week. You need energy.

3.) Business professional attire. AEON will tell you this and there is NO REASON not to be dressed professional for the interview. You will need to wear a suit every day when going to class, but you will be able to remove the jacket once the class begins. You represent the company.
Every article of clothing you wear should look professional. Don't think your coat or belt will not matter if it isn't professional enough. Whatever you walk into that room wearing should be neat and PRESSED.
You wouldn't believe the number of people who showed up at my group interview with wrinkled clothes and unpolished shoes.

4.) Come prepared. Prepare everything they ask you ahead of time and make it look as neat and professional as possible. Reread everything you plan on turning in and practice your lesson plan ahead of time. Several times. Time yourself.
Remember, conversational English. Try to facilitate 80% student talking time and 20% teacher time. Be clear what your lesson is supposed to accomplish.

5.) Confidence. Even if you are nervous, don't let it show. In an actual classroom, students will pick up on it and it'll make them uneasy. Project confidence and your students will respond well.

6.) Arrive early to everything.

7.) If you get a personal interview: Be prepared to talk about any subject. Brush up on your grammar skills and terms. You may need to use them! I know I did.
Remember what they talked about at the informational meeting. At my personal interview I was asked questions about the company and asked if I remembered the answer.
For my interview, I was asked to demonstrate a lesson, and then the lesson was demonstrated back to me to see how an AEON teacher should give the lesson. I was then directed to give the lesson again after I saw the demonstration. I think I did a very good job. I think it was to see how quickly I could be trained and follow directions.

After that demonstration, I was asked to give yet another demonstration. This time, the interviewer was a young child and I had to teach them animal names and counting using the pages of a book.
It was very difficult and I was not at all prepared for it. I was really unsure of how I did.

At the informational meeting you'll be shown how a kids lesson typically looks. Remember this and this information if you are asked to demonstrate a kid's lesson later.
85% of AEON's schools do teach children as well as adults!!

Don't be afraid to act out different animals or make noises those animals would make. Make the lesson interesting for children. Remember, they have short attention spans and the interviewer will act like they do.


General thoughts about AEON and my interview:
The interview went pretty well and I was prepared for most of it except the kid's lesson. I spoke to someone via e-mail who had actually worked for AEON before, so I was very prepared.

The interviewers were very nice and explained everything to us. They answered my questions very well.

A lot of people at the interview were clearly unprepared. Don't be one of them (I can see you probably won't be because you already came here looking for information).

AEON has been extremely helpful in helping me plan my move to Japan. I've been in phone and e-mail contact with them several times and so far all of my documents and everything have arrived in a very timely fashion. They tell you what to send, where to send it, when it was received, when you should expect to receive something, etc. VERY helpful and organized.

If their branch schools are as organized and helpful as the interviewers then I think it's going to be great. So far they've been helpful and very nice and I don't have a single complaint or concern.

[Okayama Ben]

Just a few questions for Bobby McGee as I am one of those older people (40+) who I recently applied to the AEON Chicago office but received a reply from the New York office. There has been no follow-up since. So a few questions to help me decide whether to move on from AEON.

1. When did you first apply?

2. Did you give a date when you would be available and was it six months or less? I ask this because I gave them Aug 2010 as the earliest start?

3. How did they reply back to you and was it within a two week block?

2. It looks like your placement is right at the six-month mark, was this the standard for the other candidates?

3. Did they ever mention how many positions were open to the 38 folks and in what prefectures they would be placing folks?

4. Did any of the older folks make the second cut?

5. Were you ever asked where you wanted to be placed? I ask this because I am retiring to Okayama on a spousal visa and wonder if this kicked me into the reject pile right off the bat.

Thanks

[Fina1]

[Okayama Ben]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Sorry about the numbers it looks like the cut and paste mixed with the draft.

[Bobby McGee]

1. I believe I also first applied in October, and was interviewed in November.

2. When asked at the interview I said I would be available in Jan, but would be willing to wait, since I knew they didn't have anything that soon.

3. After the interview I got an email about a week later because they were having trouble getting ahold of one of my references. Here is one thing that can hold up the process: They WILL call references, so make sure all yours are aware. I brought in two reference letters, but they still called another person on my list. Eventually they reached the person and I got a call later that day, telling me I was being offered a position. This was about two weeks after the interview.

4. I believe 6 months is the standard, because immigration and that whole process takes about 3, plus they have to place everyone, which (I'm sure) takes a lot of work. They want to match you up with the most appropriate school based on the school's needs and yours, etc.

5. They didn't mention during the interview how many positions they had available at that particular time, just that they usually had about 600 foreign teachers. They have over 330 schools in five main districts, but they never mentioned where they had openings.

6. I have no idea who made the second cut because, as Final mentioned, they give you an envelope and instruct you NOT to open it around anyone else.

7. I was asked the same three things Final mentioned, and I also said I would like to be in or near a certain city because I had a friend there. They told me they had no positions in or around that city until May, and asked me if I would be willing to wait. I said yes, and will be heading out in May.

In my opinion I doubt a placement preference would get you kicked into a "reject pile." As I said, they considered what the schools are looking for AND what their potential employees are asking for. For example, schools that have a particular high number of students who are business people might prefer a teacher who has a background in that field, or at least some kind of business experience. Or maybe they already have a male foreign teacher so they want a female. It all depends on what they are looking for.
Good luck!

[Bobby McGee]

p.s. Final, where are you heading?

[Seibu]

[Okayama Ben]

Ummm...I listed the 3 years I was on JET in the same prefecture. Might be the reason. Thanks. I guess I will move on then

[LadyK]