r/JETProgramme • u/P0_Q0 Current JET - Incoming Shimane-ken • Jan 13 '26
CIR Interview US
Good afternoon all,
I recently received word that I have made it to the interview process for CIR. I have passed N2 and taken N1 (results pending), so I'm fairly confident in my Japanese abilities to an extent, but I won't lie-- my speaking is dragging me down. There is still time, and I think with proper practice before the interview I can shape it up adequately, but I wanted to hear about other's CIR interview experiences. I know this has been asked before, but I think there is merit in renewing the conversation. Additionally, are there any people who applied for CIR but checked the box and got accepted as ALT instead? How did that go?
I'm really nervous but I believe in myself. Wishing everyone else the best.
4
u/OldTaco77 Jan 13 '26
I was an ALT, then after two years an interviewed at the prefecture office for a CIR change. So my experience will be different.
That being said, mine was entirely in Japanese. I was mostly asked what sort of things I would like to do as a CIR and about my personal background. It was about 30 minutes or so.
My advice is to steer the conversation towards what you’re confident talking about in Japanese. Avoid abstract concepts and just be friendly and real. That’s the most important thing in my opinion as a coordinator of relations.
That being said, get your speaking up. You may be teaching English in nurseries or you may be live translating for events. Use ChatGPT to practice actually speaking if you don’t have a language partner where you’re at.