Job Discussion Forums

mintxleaf · Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 47

Hey guys & gals! I was wondering if there are any others who interviewed for Interac for the ALT position starting August 2009? Post here if you interviewed earlier in the phase and know your placement!

(BTW I just had my interview this month, so I've yet to find out if I got in. But I figured it's good to get this started early.)

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

I will be interviewing in Tokyo on Monday for a September placement.

Sorry that it doesn't answer your question. It will be interesting to see how different it is from JET.

Time for me to scour the web site and web for demo lesson ideas.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

Hi!
I have an Interac interview on the 27th... keep in touch with me Smile

Actually if you could be so kind as to have a look at my "interview advice" thread or to reply here (or PM me) - what kind of questions do they ask at the interview? What was it like? Any advice?? Smile

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

I doubt any of us will be placed in the same area. We'll have to wait and see. Well, we will at least see each other during the training session hopefully.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

Aye, but even if we're in different areas, the online support of other Interacs will be helpful!

seklarwia · Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

Being placed in different areas is cool too. That way you'll know people in different places when you want to travel around.

And once your set up, you can exchange mobile numbers and skype names. Sometimes just hearing a friendly voice or having someone to b*tch to whose actually in the same boat as you can help on those bad or lonely days. It can even ease some homesickness.

xenofire · Joined: 23 May 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Burlington, Ontario

i've been offered a job with em' but am still waiting on placement.

what interview session was everyone at?

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

Stark · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 35

I had my interview with them maybe a month or two ago and got offered a position. Still waiting on BoE confirmation reguarding my placement that they have in mind for me.

Don't be too concerned with the interview, I completely bombed the lesson demo, but I made up for it in group participation, and being pretty knowledgeable about Japan Eikawa goingons and just Japanese culture in general.

Interac from all the people I have delt with thus far seem to have a great group of people in their recruitment area. Of course thats their job really, but I had bad experiences with other Eikawa recruiters like Aeon and such.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

Mine was today... the seminar went on for so long that I don't think the recruiter had much time to ask us questions! She asked us all in the seminar "Why Japan?" and what cultural differences we thought we might face, but that was all. Then we scheduled our demo lessons! With some time to fill in the grammar test and personality test.
So, don't worry, you won't be asked loads of things like they apparently do with JET, it's pretty relaxed and most of their interview questions are done over the phone.

mintxleaf · Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 47

I guess the forum is still a little early, since it seems we're still at the interview & recruitment stage, so placements aren't out yet for the August 2009 starters. But I guess it's better to get started early and get to know a few folks before going to the training session, right?

I just had my interview earlier this month in California, and just found out I was offered a placement!! It'll be good to know other ALTs around Japan - I'm sure we'll miss speaking English. Plus if some people are up for it, it'd be cool to get together with folks during holidays &/or go explore Japan.

spidr245 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Posts: 60

mintxleaf · Joined: 11 May 2009 Posts: 47

Woops, my bad! I meant offer of employment (not placement)... see what happens when your brain gets too excited!?

I asked for Kansai area, (semi-)rural. Alot of people say they don't want to be placed in inaka, but I personally like it better than the big cities because I feel that's where you can see & enjoy the older, traditional aspects of Japan. Plus the people are very friendly in small towns. If you like the more modern, pop culture side, you'll probably enjoy Tokyo and other large cities.

gwynnie86 · Joined: 27 Apr 2009 Posts: 159

How exactly does it work then? Do they offer you employment first, and then at a later date actually offer you a specific placement?

Stark · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 35

Yeah, they will make an offer of employment, then the paperwork filling out commences. after you accept the offer, I would imagine they start working on finding something that is inline with what your preferences are.

However, that could take some time. One of my friends didn't learn where he was going until one week before he left. If they don't find you a school I believe you still go for training and you do work around in their Tokyo branch until they find something. I think that they put you up in a hotel while they try to find you something.