JET Program

[kurage]

So I've decided to apply for JET, and I imagine that there must be a few posters here who have participated in the program in the past. Any advice? Do's and don'ts during the application process?

[ayumu]

Are you applying for CIR or ALT? Assuming you're going for ALT, any teaching experience you have (including tutoring) is a big bonus. Also, you obviously have interest in the Japanese culture, which is good (though I wouldn't play up the anime thing a whole lot). If you haven't studied the language at all, at least express a desire to do so.

This isn't necessarily JET-specific advice (maybe more like common sense), but: have someone you trust read over your application and (especially) your essay. Stupid mistakes and typos aren't going to do you any good.

[kurage]

Originally Posted by ayumu-chan

Are you applying for CIR or ALT? Assuming you're going for ALT, any teaching experience you have (including tutoring) is a big bonus. Also, you obviously have interest in the Japanese culture, which is good (though I wouldn't play up the anime thing a whole lot). If you haven't studied the language at all, at least express a desire to do so.

This isn't necessarily JET-specific advice (maybe more like common sense), but: have someone you trust read over your application and (especially) your essay. Stupid mistakes and typos aren't going to do you any good.

Thanks, I indeed am applying for the ALT position. I've heard that being a fluent speaker in Japanese will actually count against you because the selection committee is looking for people who will experience a certain degree of "culture shock"...not sure how much of that is true.

I definitely plan on having someone check over my application and my essay.

[ayumu]

Originally Posted by kurage

I've heard that being a fluent speaker in Japanese will actually count against you because the selection committee is looking for people who will experience a certain degree of "culture shock"...not sure how much of that is true.

I knew several ALTs with pretty good Japanese skills, so I kinda doubt that's true. But I have heard that if your Japanese is really good you're more likely to be sent to the middle of nowhere, where hardly anyone speaks English.

[Orihara_Kaoru]

Do NOT, under any circumstances, staple your application! (Seriously, though, collate and paperclip!)

I was on the JET Program as an ALT in Sapporo from 2005-2006. My advice: Follow the directions on the application exactly. Express a keen interest in Japan, learning Japanese, and experiencing Japanese culture. You may want to mention something about cultural exchange. Your two references should know you well, but also offer different perspectives on you (for example, one of my references was my Japanese professor and one was a teacher I was volunteering with). Like ayumu said, play up any teaching experience you may have. If you have a choice of consulates to send your application to (for example, if you live approx midway between to major cities with consulates), it doesn't hurt to choose the consulate that you think might have less competition.

Other than that, just keep your fingers crossed! To be honest with you, if you make it into the program you'll probably wonder how some of your colleagues managed to get in (and others will be super qualified). So the process seems kind of random (and you're bound to have variation with multiple screening teams all over the world).

Your amount of Japanese knowledge doesn't seem to make much difference. But maybe certain consulates value/de-value that skill. I knew JETs fluent in Japanese, semi-fluent, some with basic skills, and some with NO skills. A really broad range of abilities, anyway. Schools have different priorities, too. Some will forbid you to use Japanese, and some are REALLY REALLY glad that you have some Japanese knowledge (more to communicate with the Japanese English teachers than with the students).

Anyway, good luck, and feel free to ask more specific questions.

[kurage]

Originally Posted by Orihara Kaoru

Do NOT, under any circumstances, staple your application! (Seriously, though, collate and paperclip!)

I was on the JET Program as an ALT in Sapporo from 2005-2006. My advice: Follow the directions on the application exactly. Express a keen interest in Japan, learning Japanese, and experiencing Japanese culture. You may want to mention something about cultural exchange. Your two references should know you well, but also offer different perspectives on you (for example, one of my references was my Japanese professor and one was a teacher I was volunteering with). Like ayumu said, play up any teaching experience you may have. If you have a choice of consulates to send your application to (for example, if you live approx midway between to major cities with consulates), it doesn't hurt to choose the consulate that you think might have less competition.

Other than that, just keep your fingers crossed! To be honest with you, if you make it into the program you'll probably wonder how some of your colleagues managed to get in (and others will be super qualified). So the process seems kind of random (and you're bound to have variation with multiple screening teams all over the world).

Your amount of Japanese knowledge doesn't seem to make much difference. But maybe certain consulates value/de-value that skill. I knew JETs fluent in Japanese, semi-fluent, some with basic skills, and some with NO skills. A really broad range of abilities, anyway. Schools have different priorities, too. Some will forbid you to use Japanese, and some are REALLY REALLY glad that you have some Japanese knowledge (more to communicate with the Japanese English teachers than with the students).

Anyway, good luck, and feel free to ask more specific questions.

Lol. Gotcha, I'll be sure to use paperclips.

In case I get through the initial application stage, what kind of questions should I expect during the interview?

[Andrew Cunningham]

They were mostly interested in what I expected to get out of the program, why I was interested in Japan, and how I would present myself in the classroom.

[TiGrBaLm]

They'll pop out with some weird questions too and some interviewers like to try and get you off your game to see how you react. Just stay cool, smile and answer to the best of your ability.

Also, if you have any preference on where you'd like to be placed, make sure you have a SOLID reason to back it up. I remember putting Okinawa on my top 3 and they asked me why and I replied "umm...because its warm!" :crazy:

I thought I totally flunked my interview but I did manage to get in (not to Okinawa, sadly )

Gut Luck

[kurage]

Well, I landed an interview. It'll be coming up in a week and a half or so.

I've heard that the mood of the interview itself can vary immensely from case to case. Was there a sort of hostile vibe in the air for you guys? Or were the interviewers more on the cordial side? Also, what type of "trick" questions should I expect, if any?

[Andrew Cunningham]

With me, there were two Japanese interviewers, and one American. The Japanese interviewers were pretty opaque, and didn't give me any idea what they were thinking, so I sort of pitched it to the vibe I got off the American; maybe why I didn't get in.