[Sangetsu]

The application processes are rather rigorous, and everyone hiring now has become much more selective.

In my case the process began with a simple cover letter, resume, and photo. 3 weeks after these were sent in, I received an email from the school asking me if I would available for a telephone interview. During the interview, I spoke clearly, with enthusiasm and confidence. I was then invited to attend a personal interview (at my own expense).

The personal interview process was intensive, lasting 2 days. I was questioned about everything listed on my resume, and asked to go into detail about each particular. I was aware that they weren't really interested in the information, they were simply judging my speech and grammar. I spoke carefully, and not too quickly.

After the interviewing, I was asked to give a couple of demo lessons explaining simple points of grammar (such as the differences between "see", "look", and "watch"). After these were finished, I was given a 5 page grammar/vocabulary test.

Following all of this was a more intensive interview process. They wanted to be sure that I was stable enough to be able to work in Japan on my own for a year without freaking out.

After it was all over, I didn't think I had done very well. Looking back on everything, I was sure that I had made mistakes everywhere. I was preparing a couple more copies of my resume to mail out when the school called and offered me the position.

I had done better than I thought, less than 3% of the people who had applied for the positions were actually hired. After 6 months in Japan, a few of those who had been hired decided they didn't like living here, and returned home.

As for myself, I love living in Japan. I've received good reviews from my students, and more from their parents, and some have asked me personally to stay. I ended up renewing my contract for the next school year.

There can be any number of reasons why your friend was not selected. As for the "overqualified" angle, that's a possibility. Most schools in Japan do not want people who know too much about Japanese language and culture. You are supposed to bring your own language and culture to the classroom, the students already know how to speak Japanese. The only time when you need to speak Japanese at school is in the staff room, it is never to be spoken in the classroom.

Schools do not want to hire teachers who are coming to Japan to "escape" their home countries. Too many people who post here dream of coming to Japan because they think they dislike their own countries. Students in Japan are fascinated with the West, and they don't want to hear about how "bad" things are there. Students do not want to hear about racism, corrupt administrations, or illegal wars. Japan has problems enough of its own. The students are interested in the good things, and they'll enjoy the classes more if they are taught by someone who has a positive attitude about their home country.

As for the race angle, that doesn't cut it. There are people of all nationalities and races teaching English in Japan.