The job advertisement itself will typically tell you a reasonable amount of information about the position; namely, whether the position is full- or part-time, the possible length of stay, and how many classes you will teach. If you have further questions, such as those suggested by Aldwinkle (1999), ask the contact person for the position. It is best to settle all questions pertaining to the conditions of employment before you apply, since you will be better able to assess whether you want to apply. Moreover, during an interview, asking questions you could or should have researched beforehand, such as whether the university is national, public, or private, can put you in an unfavorable light. Once you have found a job for which you plan to apply, you should visit the university's and department's websites to check for: (1) staff information pages to determine what academic area (or areas) predominates, and (2) the age and type of university, which can indicate the university's staying power as well as the conditions of employment. Most universities offer such information online, typically in Japanese and sometimes in English as well. If your interests match those of most of the staff, your application has a slightly better chance of success. Other information concerning existing staff members' credentials (to form an impression of how you stand in comparison), nationalities (some institutions reputedly prefer specific nationalities or balances thereof), and so on can likewise be obtained to help the applicant at least attempt to read the tea leaves.