Interviews are conducted at a Consulate's Office. Mine was in Chicago. I had to take time off from school to make the trip, and book a flight and hotel room. I wasn't sure of my chances, so I was hoping that I wasn't throwing my money away. I applied for both the ALT and CIR positions, since I was familiar with Japanese going into the interview process. I was so nervous though, that just about everything I said came out all jumbled and I felt like I couldn't even think in English. But I made a good enough impression because I smiled a lot and managed to pull off a few jokes with my interviewers despite my nerves. The CIR interview is conducted entirely in Japanese, followed by a brief reading test. That was what killed me. The reading samples are aimed at JLPT levels 1 or 2, and again, my nerves didn't help me there. You are timed as you read through it, then you must read it aloud to the person examining you. Next they will ask you a series of questions about what you read and you must answer in Japanese and give reasons for your answers. The take a deep breathe and relax. Although I was not offered the CIR position, I was offered a position as an ALT. I think that my attitude in the interview, helped me make a positive impression. Sure, I tripped up a few times in my speaking and reading, but I kept smiling, and keeping the atmosphere positive. ALTs need to maintain a certain energy in the classroom. If you are able to demonstrate an ability to stay energetic, and positive in stressful situations, you stand a good chance of landing the job.
