The Interview Outfit

Nothing is more stressful than choosing clothes, especially for women. I am going to do a brief post on my opinions and thoughts on what to wear and talk a little about what I have chosen.

As Barney Stinson would say, "Suit up!" Really, suit up. If you aren't suiting up, dress conservatively and respectably. For men, you want nice slacks, a good button-down, a tie, and a tailored jacket. I always think that you want to look like you have a bit of style. Maybe go for a colored shirt or a nicely patterned (not scary patterned) tie. But, don't get yourself all nervous and uncomfortable just because you feel you need a suit jacket and a tie and to be crazy formal. This interview is about showing who you are as a professional; if this means that you need to wear your leather jacket (that is well tailored and looks great on you) then do. Just don't look like a schmuck. Wear shine-able shoes, maybe pick something that makes a statement. My brother wears fantastic wing tips done all in black, so they are understated but still worth noting.

Women, I still suggest suiting up. It gets more difficult because society puts so much emphasis on our first impression, but this also means we get a little more fun without having to worry quite as much about stepping out of the box. I live in the US, so in JET, I will be representing the US. I think that this gives me the definite advantage that I should dress like a professional of my country. (No offense to other countries, I just don't know what people wear in your professional communities, so I don't want to pretend I do). Women get to wear color; in fact, a complete lack of color can end up showing that you don't care about your appearance. A nice white button-down shirt is fantastic, as long as it is nice. But, I would be an advocate for picking a pop of color for your shirt, something that makes you look good and feel confident. For skirts and pants, I would pick something that has a bit of modernity to it. I am going with a skirt that has a little pleated detail on the sides, but not so much to be really eye-catching or out there. I am also a huge fan of wide leg pants (as long as the proportions work on your body type). I think that a little bit of detail on the bottoms goes a long way. Lastly, I highly recommend some sort of jacket or cardigan. Layering generally conveys a sense of professionalism and I don't really know why. A great suit jacket goes a long way in enhancing your silhouette (or evening it out if you are like me and have a disproportionately small waist compared to my bust and stomach T_T). Also, a suit jacket is important because, while in JET, you will have to wear a suit at least once or twice, so it's good to show off that you are prepared and understand that Japan's schools have truly formal events. The other option for women is a cardigan, which can be a lot of fun. This can allow for a bit of pattern, or an embroidered detail or two, or something that really pops, as long as it looks professional.

I feel like I have gone on forever, so I am going to shut up now, by summarizing for another few hundred words. This advice all comes from my experience interviewing, opinions of my family and friends, and some reading up on stuff on ITIL and Official. People have gotten in with all sorts of outfits, so really pick something you are comfortable in. The only big thing is (note that I already said this a million times) "professional." If you couldn't wear it while working for JET on a day-to-day basis, then you 100% cannot interview in it. You could wear a suit every day if you wanted (though from what I've seen, you probably won't need to in most places), but you probably won't be wearing your ripped jeans and team t-shirts. So, be professional, express yourself in a reasonable fashion, and be comfortable.

Now, I promised to state what I am planning to wear, so I will. I tried finding links for pics on Macy's website, but apparently my outfit doesn't exist online. I bought a black suit, that has a well-tailored suit jacket and a skirt to the knees that has a little pleating detail at the hem on the sides. For my top, I bought a patterned shirt that has a pleated collar and a fairly bright blue base-color. I can't say exactly what I am doing for shoes (I am torn at the moment) or accessories (I don't know that I will wear any) at the moment because I just don't know. But, I will try to compile some more thoughts on hair, shoes, accessories for a later post. Also, I apologize because I haven't really talked much about actual interview strategies because I am not really the person that stresses over the contents of the interview, but I'll try to get to that too.

Statement of Purpose

So, the SoP is a big point of argument amongst the masses. Some of us are very dry and professional. Some of us are more casual and conversational. People get in with all sorts of SoPs, but I thought I might share mine. This was my final draft of my SoP (please nobody steal it, that would be bad) for this year. I am not going to post my SoP from last year since I didn't get an interview, but if someone really wants to see it, feel free to message me and I am happy to share if you want to compare my two statements.

Again DO NOT STEAL THIS it is not good enough to steal, so just don't. Plagiarism isn't cool.

In a Kyoto crepe shop during March 2008, I had my nose buried in my first manga in Japanese. A man’s voice called out, “Are you reading that?” I paused and turned around to see a Japanese man smiling at me. I smiled back and managed an awkward “Watashi wa Amerika-jin desu.” We chatted in English as I told him that I only knew hiragana, but was trying to learn Japanese. The man’s smile grew as I explained; he was as excited to understand my interest in his culture, as I was to learn about his culture. Years later, I am surprised to remember this exchange more vividly than most of the other experiences I had in Japan.

I discovered Japan as a child through Pokémon and other children’s anime and manga. As I grew older, my interests expanded as I learned more of the history of traditional Japanese clothes, food, and music. My knowledge of Japanese culture is mostly self-taught, but I have been chasing better understanding for years, which is a large part of why I wish to travel to and live in Japan. I have joined the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group that studies and recreates medieval society from around the world, where I have had the chance to increase my own knowledge and the knowledge of those I meet, in classes I have attended and classes I have taught.

I decided to be a teacher when I was in preschool and began my interest in the JET Program while I was still in elementary school. I began by teaching my peers to tie shoes, tutored other students when I was older, and edited papers and songs for friends. The classes that I enjoyed the most had a constant exchange of ideas through workshops or roundtable discussions. My interest in working on the JET Program helped me take a special interest in my course focused on adolescent literacy, as we focused in on how to teach English to non-speakers and low-level speakers. Once I began working, I learned quickly and started training other new employees on the cash register, in customer service, folding, and displays. The employees I trained frequently received positive customer comments and lasted longer in the job than other new employees.

To complete my Education program, I was required to take four courses and an internship. For my internship, I created a Writing Center at Triton Regional High School. The experience was unforgettable. I found my strengths as a teacher: I worked hard to know the students and address them in ways that suited them best, and I was happy to take all the time required to answer every question and complete every assignment.  In my position, I worked one school day a week, when students could get help one-on-one. I also made sure to be available via email. I spent hours reading papers, writing comments, editing grammar, and learning the best ways I could teach the students to be better writers. It was the most fulfilling job I had ever performed, reaffirming that teaching is the profession I wish to pursue. By the end of the semester, I had helped students improve their writing abilities and their re-writing abilities. And, I had learned to be a better teacher with the help of those experiences and those students.

With each education course I took, my passion for teaching expanded. I found new ways to interest students, new ways to incorporate my interests in my teaching, and new ways to understand students. A part of this was getting my TESOL certification, where I learned new techniques that I look forward to using in teaching English as a second language. My experiences will help me to work alongside the Japanese English teachers. Through JET, I can share my culture, help teach others English, and learn about another culture and education style. Participating in JET will allow me to build memories and better understanding for others, as well as myself, like I found in that Kyoto crepe shop. The more I expand my own experiences and knowledge, the better I will be as a teacher on the JET Program.

Receiving Notification of an Interview!

I received notification last night that I will be interviewing in Boston at the end of February! I am super excited and I guess this now means I have something to blog about again in relation to JET.

Honestly, I don't think that it is worth stressing too much over any interview. If you don't know yourself and your qualifications, then maybe you just aren't right for the job. That being said, some preparation and foresight is certainly worthwhile. I am going to get back into regularly studying Japanese (as best I can), as a start. I'm also hoping to buy a new interview suit, so that I can present myself well. Last, I am going to read up on a couple things for Japanese news.

In general, it is also good to review your SoP once maybe twice just before the actual interview. Hopefully, you actually know your own resume well enough to not need to read your application, but if it makes you more comfortable, definitely read through and remind yourself of what you had on there and maybe check what you have done since the application to be even better.

If I think of anything actually worthwhile for advice, I'll put that up here. But there is already a lot of information out there on interviewing in general and a lot on the JET Forums and ITIL Forums on JET interviews in particular.

SASE Received

I just wanted to post that I have received my SASE back, which means they have started through the apps received on the second to last day, possibly last day. So to people still stressing about not getting it back yet, they are still coming and they still aren't that important ^_^

For people stressing out, DON'T ^_^ Find something to do, find a hobby or practice your Japanese or watch Supernatural and talk to me about it. Just, do something, not stress. JET is a waiting game, there is still so much time left and you don't want to wear yourself out freaking out about this stuff.

Good luck everyone!

Waiting and Waiting and I Don't Really Have Anything to Say

So I see lots of people are receiving/have already long past received their SASEs, CONGRATS ^_^ That's awesome.

For anybody who has yet to receive their SASE, it isn't a big deal If you sent it in some fashion that gave you proof that it was signed for, then they have it. If you sent it USPS and have no proof, they probably still received it. Don't worry.

The SASE is literally nothing but a slip of paper with your name and ID number. Your ID number is also on your application. If you are one of the unfortunate people whose apps were weird and the number wasn't on the print out, you should be able to log into the app website and get your number from there (if memory serves me right). Getting your SASE back does not say that you did anything right other than put the SASE in the packet and they got your app. It doesn't say that you aren't disqualified because of a mistake, it doesn't say anything about your app. Just that the envelope with all your stuff made it to DC.

So please, no stress ^_^ It isn't a big deal. Keep your mind on other things, finals if you are in school, work, hobbies, whatever floats your boat. There is still SO much time before interviewees will even be announced, don't let the anxiety make the holiday season even more stressful!

People really need to stop stressing about the SASE it is no big deal, but whatever.... I have been enjoying Supernatural and looking for a job like crazy, but barely thinking about JET. I feel like I suck for basically never updating in a long time, but I had already gotten my advice out there early on and didn't have much left and once apps start, it's just a doing not a planning... Now it's waiting and waiting on the interview list and maybe once that comes out I will hunt for some interview advice...

Anyway, have a nice holiday season everyone ^_^ Don't stress too much!

Sorry For the Hiatus

Other than getting my JET stuff together and whatnot, there wasn't much to be said. That being said, I got my app done and mailed in. Now I just need to wait for my SASE.

JET Program 2013 Application is OUT

That is all.