How to Apply as an ALT in Japan
Done your research and ready to get a job teaching English in Japan? It’s time to get in touch with us and apply as an ALT!
If you haven’t already, you may want to find out what qualifications are required to teach English in Japan.
What is Interac’s application process?
“Interac’s application process was smooth and efficient. Their onboarding was also easy to understand and comprehensive, so it wasn’t difficult for me to transition from software engineering to teaching.” – Jon Kiefer Sta, ALT at Interac
You can quickly and easily apply to become an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in Japan with Interac online. Just click the “Apply Now” button and it will direct you to our online application system. Read on for tips on our ALT application process.
We do not accept applications by email. If you mail us your resume/CV it will not be read or considered an application.
How to submit your application to us
1. The first step to applying to become an ALT in Japan is to complete our registration form with your personal details.
2. Make sure you complete each field correctly. Once complete, click on “confirm and submit.” Your initial details are now registered in our system.
3. You will not immediately receive a confirmation mail from our system, but do not worry! There’s no need to make a duplicate application if you have seen the final success message. Our recruiters will review your application and get in touch with you if you are successful.
4. We recommend having your complete resume and cover letter ready, as well as having all of your relevant information on hand before starting your application. The typical time to complete an application on our form should be 20-30 minutes at the most.
“The number one thing you can do that will help speed up your application as a domestic applicant is to keep in touch with your recruiter directly, and follow their instructions quickly and completely. Sometimes candidates miss emails or do not follow instructions to complete certain tasks that are essential to getting a position, and do not follow up with their recruiter. Be proactive, keep in communication with your recruiter, and complete the requested tasks.” – Interac
How to Write a Great Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your chance to show us who you are and why you want this opportunity. More than listing your achievements, it should give us a sense of your motivation and how you’ll succeed in the classroom.
Here are the essentials:
1. Show Your Motivation
The most important part of your cover letter is explaining why you want to teach in Japan. Go beyond general interest – tell us what specifically draws you here. Whether it’s the culture, the education system, or a personal connection, a clear and genuine reason shows us your commitment.
2. “Why Teaching, Why Kids?”
Working as an ALT means engaging with children every day and supporting their growth. Be sure to explain why you want to work with kids. Maybe you’ve tutored, coached, volunteered, or just love mentoring. Even if most of your experience is with adults, show us how you’ll bring passion and energy to the classroom.
3. Highlight Your Soft Skills
Beyond qualifications, we look for people who can adapt, communicate, and thrive in new situations. Share examples of your teamwork, flexibility, patience, or cultural awareness. These qualities are what help you succeed both in the classroom and in life in Japan.
4. Set Realistic Expectations
Life in Japan is exciting and rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Acknowledging this shows maturity and preparation. We don’t expect you to know everything, but showing in your letter that you have spent time considering these challenges and how you are preparing to adapt and learn reassures us that you’ll approach the experience with the right mindset.
5. Keep It Professional and Clear
Write in a professional and polished way. Check your grammar, spelling, keep your points focused, and avoid being too vague. A well-structured cover letter not only highlights your strengths, it also shows us your effort and communication skills – both of which are crucial for teaching.
Interac hiring process timeline
Our recruiting process for ALTs in Japan is comprehensive and has been developed and improved over a number of years.
The recruitment process for being hired as an ALT begins when you submit your online application. Once received, it is routed to and eventually reviewed by the recruiter who takes care of your area, or to Interac’s Head Office in Tokyo.
If you are successful, a recruiter will contact you regarding the next step in Interac’s application process. If you do not pass this stage, you will be notified by email. During peak seasons, due to the volume of applications, it may take us some weeks to completely assess your application. Your patience and cooperation would be appreciated.
If you pass the resume screening, the next step is a short phone interview. A recruiter will email you to set up a time to talk. Please respond to any follow-up emails promptly.
If, after a number of attempts, we have difficulty contacting you or our messages are not responded to, we will close your application to teach English in Japan. If you do not pass the phone interview, you will be notified by email.
If you pass the phone interview, you will be invited to an online one-to-one interview. You’ll also be asked to submit digital versions of important documents and other application materials, including a demo lesson video.
Your interviewer will share all the information you need about what to submit, as well as how to submit it. You must submit all the required documents before your application can be sent to the Interac head office for final review.
Have a look at our dedicated blog on tips for interviewing for an ALT position in Japan to find out more.
After all of your required documentation has been received and checked by your interviewer, managers at Interac’s regional companies will assess your application, documentation, and recorded demonstration and decide whether to give a written offer of employment.
You will receive a written offer of employment from Interac’s head office in Tokyo. This offer of employment will include the region of Japan where you’ll be living and working, in addition to the month that you’ll be expected to arrive in Japan.
You will decide whether to accept the opportunity or not. Depending on the time of year, there may be a large amount of time between the online interview and the written offer being sent. Your patience and cooperation would be appreciated.
If you accept the offer of employment, your interviewer will provide instructions on what physical documents are required for the Certificate of Eligibility and visa process.
Depending on the time of year, you may be asked to send these documents to your interviewer, or the head office in Tokyo. Check with your interviewer before sending documents to ensure you have everything needed and that you’re sending it to the right place.
Approximately 4 to 6 months before your arrival, you’ll receive further instructions about the remaining steps for your Certificate of Eligibility application. The Certificate of Eligibility will be applied for several months in advance of your arrival, to balance both the processing time required, along with not issuing it too early that it would expire before arrival.
Initial orientation and training are likely to be held near the airport you arrive at or close to your branch, starting very soon after your arrival in Japan.
Training and orientation will run over several full days, covering topics not just limited to teaching, but also about working in Japanese schools and life in Japan in general. After initial training, staff at your Interac branch will be arranging to help you move into your new town/city and apartment.
Still wondering how to apply to become an ALT in Japan? Get in touch and we’ll talk through the process, or check below:
When to apply as an ALT in Japan
When’s the best time to apply to be an ALT? Interac accepts applications from outside Japan all year round.
But, when you leave things to later in the season, the number of positions is likely to go down quickly. For example:
● Beginning of January (12 weeks to go): 10% of positions are filled
● End of January (10 weeks to go): 30% of positions are filled
● Mid-February (8 weeks to go): 50% of positions are filled
● Beginning of February (6 weeks to go): 70% of positions are filled, and the cutoff to make a visa change application to get an Instructor visa is closed
● End of February (4 weeks to go): 90% of positions are filled, you’d have to give notice to your current employer at this time to give them a 1-month notice
● Mid-March (2 weeks to go): 99% of positions are filled, and most positions available at this time are likely to start after Golden Week
In general, Interac annually recruits from outside Japan during two seasons: spring and fall. These seasons coincide with the Japanese school year, which begins in April, and the end of the extended summer vacation which ends in late August.
Want to get a better idea of the Japanese year? Read our blog about national and public holidays in Japan.
Spring Recruits
Should apply by late October
Spring is by far the larger of the two recruiting seasons. Applications for this recruiting season are generally accepted from people residing outside of Japan between May and December of each year.
Fall Recruits
Should apply by early May
The fall intake is the smaller of the two recruiting seasons. Applications for this recruiting season are generally accepted from people residing outside of Japan between January and April of each year.
Helpful articles for applicants
