DC

[uriebaz]

Hey everyone!

I was wondering, has anyone here interviewed at the DC Embassy? What's the success rate here (of people getting hired)? What's it like? What kind of personal questions do they ask?

Thanks

Comments

[brentwinsatlife]

I interviewed in 2007. I was an alternate who got upgraded and ended up going to Hokkaido. The biggest thing I remember from the interview is that I wasn't prepared to do a demo lesson, which they asked me to do. I don't know anything about numbers.

[uriebaz]

Ah, a demo lesson. Did you have teaching experience? I don't so i was wondering how that might effect my interview. A big reason for me doing jet was so i could garner some teaching experience. How as Hokkaido? I chose it as a preference.

[brentwinsatlife]

No teaching experience, although I had done some tutoring and done other volunteer work with kids. I'm getting my masters in education now so I'm sticking with the education thing--JET is a great way to try it out before committing. Hokkaido was great for the most part, although the 6-month-long winters were too much for me.

[chigusairo]

I interviewed in 2008. I was a CIR, so I'm not sure of the success numbers since there are a lot more ALTs than CIRs. Success rate was something I hungered to know at the time, but nothing definitive I can say. At the time I was a little intimidated by interviewing at the embassy, but I don't think the experience is all that different from the other sites (3 interviewers; including an alum, an embassy rep, etc.). DC staff are excellent and friendly. The most important thing for me was to emphasize what I can bring to the program and how I thought I would fit in.

On a blog I contribute to a current ALT wrote about her DC interview in this post: http://shinpaideshou.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/jet-application-the-sequel-the-interview-strikes-back/

Good luck!

[uriebaz]

Thanks. The blog entry was really interesting. : )

[asenseofwonder]

I interviewed there in 2009 (I am still in Japan now).
It was fine, 3 people, they all asked really basic questions, I did not have to do a sample lesson, and I was short-listed (first pick).

[uriebaz]

Did you have any teaching experience?