I've been selected as a final candidate!! Got the email this afternoon that they would like to interview me in person when they are in Columbus!!!
And now...I just have to wait another month. However, there is plenty to do in that month! I'll have a huge amount of paperwork and such to fill out and submit, references to collect, calls to make with my recruiter to set things up, and a lesson plan to make. Going to be packed! I'm not as nervous for this last part, I'm far better in person than I am over the phone, so if I made it through that then I am sure to do fine later.
During this last section I'll be having a conversation with my recruiter in person, attending an information session, and giving a short presentation of a personal introduction (English and Japanese) as well as a demo-lesson. That last part will be video taped and sent to the Japan office where they make final selections.
I'm hoping that my preference for being within a 1 hr train ride from Tokyo will work out, but if not I will literally work anywhere they want me to. I just want to be back! My draw to Tokyo is based more on knowing a few people who live there and less on the city itself. Don't get me wrong, I loved Tokyo, but being able to maybe visit the only two people I know in the country would be a huge relief to any loneliness I'll encounter.
Ah I'm just so excited!! My mom and I have been celebrating all evening, calling friends and family to tell them the good news! Only my grandmother voiced some concern about my decision...she's wondering who will make the dressing and fudge during the holidays while I'm away!!!
I'll have plenty more to add later once I really sit down and look over the materials. I let myself spend this evening relaxing from all the anxiety and just skimmed the info in the email. Plus, now that I have hiragana and katakana under my belt, I'm even more prepared! (Nervousness made me focused on learning that incredibly fast)
So for now, じゃね！！
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
interac interview pt. 1
I just under an hour I have the first part of my interview with Interac. It's a phone interview, that supposedly isn't tough, but I'm still incredibly nervous and excited!
For a long time I've considered going into teaching, and have playing around with the idea of getting my masters so that I could teach. However, I ultimately decided that that wasn't for me, and settled into the idea of finding a different type of position. When I started more in depth research on Japan for my recent trip I began reading blogs and watching vlogs of people who have gone to Japan to teach english. And they DIDN'T need a teaching degree to do this! I instantly felt so drawn towards the opportunity to go abroad and teach, that I sent out an application. That application was more of a whim than anything, but the next day I got the call that they were interested in me.....that was sign #1.
After my whirlwind trip around Japan I was even more set on landing a teaching position. Having talked with a former english teacher from the company I am interviewing with (Interac), I knew I was qualified and had the right mindset. The company called me once I was back in the states to set up the first part of the interview, and now here I am!
This part is over the phone, they draw candidates from all over America, so this is the best way to weed out a few people. If I make it through this stage then I'll go on to the in person interviews. Most companies that hire teachers like this do their in person interviews in major cities (Chicago, New York, Toronto) so that they can have all of the interviewees come in at one time. However, they for some reason chose Columbus, OH as a city this year......that is sign #2.
I've been a complete mess of nerves and excitement all weekend waiting for this call! Haven't really eaten anything from the nerves! I'll post an update on this as soon as the call is over :) Wish me luck!!
For a long time I've considered going into teaching, and have playing around with the idea of getting my masters so that I could teach. However, I ultimately decided that that wasn't for me, and settled into the idea of finding a different type of position. When I started more in depth research on Japan for my recent trip I began reading blogs and watching vlogs of people who have gone to Japan to teach english. And they DIDN'T need a teaching degree to do this! I instantly felt so drawn towards the opportunity to go abroad and teach, that I sent out an application. That application was more of a whim than anything, but the next day I got the call that they were interested in me.....that was sign #1.
After my whirlwind trip around Japan I was even more set on landing a teaching position. Having talked with a former english teacher from the company I am interviewing with (Interac), I knew I was qualified and had the right mindset. The company called me once I was back in the states to set up the first part of the interview, and now here I am!
This part is over the phone, they draw candidates from all over America, so this is the best way to weed out a few people. If I make it through this stage then I'll go on to the in person interviews. Most companies that hire teachers like this do their in person interviews in major cities (Chicago, New York, Toronto) so that they can have all of the interviewees come in at one time. However, they for some reason chose Columbus, OH as a city this year......that is sign #2.
I've been a complete mess of nerves and excitement all weekend waiting for this call! Haven't really eaten anything from the nerves! I'll post an update on this as soon as the call is over :) Wish me luck!!
-- UPDATE --
Finished up my phone interview!! I think it went well, had all of the answers I could prepare for ready to go. The guy doing my interview seemed happy with my responses and went ahead and gave me the date and time for the big in person interview, but I won't know if I'm selected until later this week.
So......anywhere from 1-5 days to find that out. Now I have to wait. This will be torture, but so worth it!! I'm confident I made it to the next step :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)