I applied online. I interviewed at JET Program (Chicago, IL) in Feb 2013
Interview
I literally just had my interview today and while it may be a risk to post this so soon both on a personal level and a karma level, I want to share everything while it is all fresh in my mind. So I would like to start by saying that I believe what most people to have said on this review page to be quite accurate. You can expect to be shown a brief video on what the JET program is like for current JETers in different parts of Japan in different professional roles. How much you see or how many times you see it will be based on how early you show up, but I honestly found it to be useful. You can expect to get most of the questions listed by others here as well as on other website lists that come up with a general "Jet Interview Questions" search. I believe it will be a pleasant experience with just a few attempts to trip you up to evaluate how you deal with challenging situations. I want to say that is what my panel of interviewers was doing and, for the most part, that is true. However, there was one that took this too far in my opinion; to the level of being inappropriate/offensive/unprofessional. I will list his specific questions below as my "unexpected questions" Again, this could have simply been him testing me, but it was hard to read and so I can't say for sure whether the interview went well despite my thinking I answered well. ( I also can't say yet if I got an offer or not, but I'll mention that if it's possible to update this response).
After this experience I would say that the best thing to do would be to run through the sample questions and think about how to answer the questions in a way that shows your interest to teach and not just your interest in Japan. I would also say to prepare for one interviewer to not only be "bad cop" but "bad cop on his worst day." I think if you're more prepared for the worse and not just expecting 3 friendly types, you'll be better off than not.
Despite this experience, I am trying to stay positive and hopeful that my answers to those difficult questions served to prove that I can deal with stressful situations and stay friendly with anyone. I hope that I am offered a position and if I am, I will definitely accept.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
You will have a hard time as a woman in Japan, but you specifically would probably have an even harder time as a black woman. Explain to me how you would deal with this, especially if a student were to ask you, for example, why all black people deal drugs and kill people.
I'm very confused that you would ask someone that you have only known for 3 months to write you a recommendation letter. They obviously wouldn't know you very well so I would be interested in hearing why you wouldn't have chosen someone else.
Smooth. Interviewers were kind. Asked questions about why I wanted to join, asked me some questions in Japanese, asked about ways I could contribute as an ALT, and that was that.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What methods do you plan to use to get students interested in English outside of the classroom?
Panels consist of three to four members, stay calm and remember what you wrote in your SOP, you will do fine! Just be professional and polite. Don't worry about the Japanese portion, it does not effect your acceptance.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you teach a lesson about animals to elementary schoolers?
Quite straightforward- questions came by no surprise. Just have to know yourself well and show enthusiasm for both Japan and Teaching. It lasted around 20 minutes and was conducted by both an alumnus, as well as someone from CLAIR.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you engage students' interest in English?