Thursday, 15 January 2004

Pretty good interiew...

Well I was up at the fun time of 5:30am this morning in preparation for my interview in the city at 8am (they recommend getting there 10 minutes earlier, apparently they assign interviews for after the session depending on what order your arrive).

Got the 6:50am bus to Wynyard station (which luckily leaves from just across the road before 9am) and then got a train to Museum Station. The Marriott Hotel was only a short walk from there (a special thanks to Pam for the help with the road maps last night. Would have taken me a while to get there just walking from Wynyard Station.

Anyway, after being directed to the elevator and level 2 (functions level) I met a guy and a gal both heading to the same session. (Didn't catch thier names unfortunately). When we got to the desk on level 2 I started to freak out as the guy was asked for his passport photo (I sent one with my application form in the mail and didn't think they'd need another one!) I asked the girl and she was more looked worried and then laughed a little. I thought it was pretty funny to (nothing you can do but laugh in these situations anyway, right?) until the man asked the guy for his CV (I sent mine with my application form as well! I didn't know they needed another copy!). At this stage I was thinking I had completely ruined my chances before the information session had even started. You can imagine my expression when teh man asked for the guy's application form. Eventually he was asked for his certificates originals. At least I had those on me. That was afterall ALL that the information letter that I had been sent had told me to bring.

The guy was then directed to the seminar room. The girl went though the exact same motions as the guy and then it was my turn.

As I approached the desk I started to appologise for not having my photo, application form and CV. The man simply laughed as he asked my name and found my file with all my papers in tact. I was told everything's in order and to proceed to the room. Guess I had done the right thing afterall.

The information seminar was pretty basic really. Anyone who's been to uni will know about basic information seminars. The info they presented was the same as that on the Nova website though we did find out that Japan isn't as expensive as it's generally said to be. In fact only 20-30% of our pay will go towards rent (which includes electricity and other bills). The guy next to me was going to Japan through Nova and has said he had a great time (which is why he's doing it again I guess) so everyone within 3 chairs of him in all directions asked him as many questions as we could whenever given the opportunity.

When the session finished (10:30am) we were given our interview times. Mine was only a few hours away at 1:25pm. Meanwhile a girl from Wollongong who arrived 15mins late had to hand around the city until 4:30pm!

During this gap I went to a Boost Juice that I had seen on my way to the Marriott this morning, for an energiser boosted juice. I love that I found this place. The only other one I've seen is in the Imperial Archade in Pitt St Mall.

I also headed over to Kings Comics and bought the latest Tomb Raider and read it in Hyde Park. Much better than last issue still needing something. This book needs to find a direction soon and to start to explain where all the supporting characters have disapeared to.

Eventually I headed back to the hotel for my interview. Got there at 1:15pm and chatted with two guys who had just finished their interview and another guy who was waiting for his. After a few minutes the girl that I had met that morning came out of the elevator. She was having her interview as well. Just then, Stephen Farley (one of the presenters) called us both in for our interviews. I was with him, the girl at the other side of the room with the other presenter.

The interview started with a few basic questions such as if I had any questions about the seminar, then it progressed onto the presentation of my original certificates (HSC, Fine Art Dimploma, Child Care Certificate, etc). Next followed 20 questions to which I had to reply with 1 - 3 word answers (harder than it sounds). Questions ranged from "Why I want to teach in Japan" to "Describe one conflict you have had with a flatmate" (by the way they have only uni-sex share accomodation!!!). After the 20 questions we went back over them and I was allowed to elaborate on my answers.

Next up was a teaching exercise where I had to read a paragraph to the instructor, point out some words he may have trouble with (if he was one of my Japanese students) and describe the definition of "dictate". For some reason my brain wasn't working and I rambled on about how it means to speak proudly like a royal family member or "dictator". I don't know what I was thinking but I quickly corrected myself and joked "I do speak English I promise!" which got some laughter on both ends.

We finished up with some question time where I asked "How'd I do?". I didn't really expect an answer but I got a "very well, but I need to contact your referees before anything's confirmed. You should find out within seven days".

Here's hoping!