CIR Application Tips || JET Program

Are you applying for the CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) position??
Here are my tips for CIR applications, (as a CIR who checked the box to be considered for the ALT position).
Like I mentioned, feel free to drop any additional questions in the comments, I will try to answer to the best of my ability, but PLEASEplspls also make sure you have done your research before asking.
5:10 Main Focus
7:00 Letter of Recommendations
13:38 Work/Volunteer Experience
18:05 Statement of Purpose focus
Resources I found useful:
Tofugu JET Program series www.tofugu.com...
CIR blog shinpaideshou....
CIR Forum (there's a bunch of info here if you search) cirhomepage.boa...
Jakub's video • How to Pass the JET Pr...
____________________________
Hi, my name is Angelica, and I'm working in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture in Japan as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) on the JET Program.
Join in on the fun!
INSTAGRAM
@angelica.wng || / angelica.wng
MORE ON THE JET PROGRAM
non-U.S. || jetprogramme.or...
U.S. || jetprogramusa....

[@anna3742]

Thank you so much for this🥺I am still a senior in high school but I am very interested in this position and this video helped a lot!

[@theonewhoasked3062]

What were the process involving the cir application and interview ? How many months did you take to become a cir

[@Fatihkilic075]

You come of as so smart and reasonable!

[@OfficialLeeDoris]

Awesome tips and tricks 👍🏻

[@angelicawng]

Doris W thanks for watching!! ☺️

[@Anthony-wk7cn]

0:39 I feel you on that! but you'd be surprised how much more a personal opinion might mean to someone, at least that's what I've learned from this process haha.

[@angelicawng]

Anthony in Akita that’s so true haha I guess we have to stop doubting ourselves ☺️

[@JustinJapan]

Great advice

[@ll1000]

Wonderful video Angelica! I’ve got one question though.... how many kangis are you fluent at? And what Japanese level do you have (N3, N2, N1)? With what level do you think I could apply for CIR?

[@angelicawng]

Walter White thanks for the comment! My situation is a bit different, perhaps, because I studied Chinese and I can read & understand quite a lot of kanji (although not necessarily know how to say the words in Japanese)! However, I passed the JLPT N2 before going into the CIR position. I think that’s also the minimum level that they suggest, although it’s not required.

[@destroyer7712]

It's been over a year since you've uploaded this but I have a question regarding the interview itself. What kind of questions do they ask / have you do? Specifically for the Japanese portion of the interview. I'm expecting to pass N1 this December so I have confidence in my comprehension for the most part but I assume you'll have to speak and such. My next question is how good would you say your speech was at the time?

[@angelicawng]

For the Japanese portion, they mainly asked me questions based on the short passage that they had me read aloud in Japanese... it was more of a Japanese reading comprehension Q&A to see if I understood and could articulate my thoughts regarding the written passage. My speech was not great at that time and I had limited vocab, I hadn't spoken Japanese for 2 years at that point but I could convey my general thoughts well enough. I feel like if you have N1, it should be more than enough since I'm assuming you'd have a better grasp of the grammar and vocab even when speaking :)

[@destroyer7712]

@@angelicawngThank you for the reply! I had the interview around 2 weeks ago and I think it went well! Waiting for results which come out in April it seems

[@uglyluffy7815]

@@destroyer7712 How'd it go?

[@destroyer7712]

@@uglyluffy7815 I was not selected :( I did pass n1 tho

[@uglyluffy7815]

@@destroyer7712 Shii. Keep trying. Eventually, you're bound to be accepted. Trust the process

[@isc6155]

great informative video! just wanted to know, how hard were the Japanese questions that they asked during the interview?

[@angelicawng]

Hi! Thanks for the comment. I hear that the CIR Japanese interview portion really varies among the consulates, but mine mainly consisted of reading a passage out loud and answering verbal questions about the reading. I would say that you should be prepared for reading, listening, and speaking in general for CIRs.

[@isc6155]

@@angelicawng thank you!

[@JinRawX]

Thanks for sharing! What's your day-to-day job like and how much Japanese do you use?

[@angelicawng]

JinRawX thanks for commenting! CIR duties vary so much according to placement, but I’m mainly in the office for a majority of the time. Occasionally we have international events on the weekends that I help out with & plan, or if a foreign delegation visits the city, I’m asked to interpret, and also the occasional written translation work if another department requests for it. Otherwise, I also do school visits, English courses for adults at night which require lesson planning... sister city project coordination, etc. but not on a super regular basis. Every day is a bit different, so it really depends on the needs of your placement and also the season (there are super slow seasons for me too 😵)! As for Japanese, I’m using it the entire day, from talking to coworkers and sitting in on meetings... it’s hard at first but something you’ll get used to 👍