Facing an interview panel can be kind of nerve-wracking, but so can sitting on the other side of the desk! Last month members of the Toronto JET Alumni Association spent a few days with the staff of the Japanese Consulate conducting interviews for the 2011 JET Programme.
I couldn’t help but think about my own interview experience back in 2003. I had a wonderful team of interviewers including a super-genki former JET whose enthusiasm really made me excited and helped me to forget my nervousness. I decided that would be my goal as the alumna on the panel here in Toronto. (However, I did decide not to make anyone stand up and sing the way I had to!) All in all, everything was as well planned and smoothly run as we would expect from our Japanese co-workers so my anxiety was misplaced.
For me the best part was the opportunity to give back to the JET Programme and to contribute a little to its continuing success. And with that in mind, I am already planning how I can help out with the pre-departure orientation to support those exceptional interviewees who made such a good impression last week that they are chosen to go.
JETAA is looking for more alumni to help out with PDOT so if you want to contribute and give a little back to the programme that has given us so much, get in touch with Kaki Narh, Conference Organizer at jetaatoronto.shigoto@gmail.com