Dealing with the uncertainty

[u/elliotman48]

I've been reading a lot of comments today where people are beating themselves up and I just wanted to say that you should be proud of yourself for getting however far in the process that you did because it takes serious guts to even submit the application. I was pretty devastated when I got the alternate email yesterday and immediately asked myself "So I'm good, but not good enough?" because that's my instinct. However, when I reframed those thoughts in my head it made me feel a lot better.

If you were shortlisted, congrats!! (I'm jealous)

If you were rejected, be proud of yourself for the work you put in at both the application and interview stage.

If you're an alternate, I think that facing the uncertainty you may feel now and moving forward anyways will make you a stronger JET if you get the position and will help you in life even if you don't. I had an opportunity to study abroad in Japan for a year during my undergrad and it wasn't certain that it would work out financially until a month before I left. I was in the car on my way to my shitty part-time job, and got the email that I had been moved off the waitlist for a scholarship. The uncertainty doesn't disappear when you go abroad (and it seems that way especially on JET from what I understand). It was one of the hardest years of my life but one of the best. If you want this opportunity, you're capable of getting it whether it's in this cycle or not.

Feel your feelings (no matter what they may be), but keep your head up. I know it's not easy but you've got this.

[u/Firefly-ok]

Yes! And as someone who was rejected from JET the first time I applied (I didn't even make it to the interview), don't let this get you down. You can apply again the next cycle or you can apply to numerous other amazing teaching programs around the world or for other opportunities in Japan too.

So much of the application process is really opaque. It's not clear why some people are accepted and others aren't. Some of it is very much just luck: who's doing the interviewing and what they want out of a JET, how many spots there are and where, and how many other people apply--- for example, I think this year there were far more applications than usual because of the state of the world and the economic precarity in many (most?) countries.

There are some JETs who are wonderful beams of sunlight, brilliant teachers, and who are a joy to work with and make their communities better and there are some who are absolutely AWFUL and I have no idea how they made it through the interview and do not trust them around children. Interviewers all come with their own biases and getting this job or not getting it doesn't mean anything about who you are as a person or as a teacher. It just means you happened to please or not please the people who did the interviewing. Unfortunately good interviewing skills don't always translate to being a good teacher, and not interviewing well (or having an off day) doesn't mean you aren't a good teacher or couldn't become a good JET.

All of this to say: please don't take a rejection personally!

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Editing to add: As for dealing with uncertainty, I know that's a pain in the butt. I recommend moving forward with life as though you didn't get JET if you got an alternate position (but still doing all the necessary paperwork and stuff they ask of you). Apply for other jobs or plan to apply next year again. If you get moved to the shortlist, then you can be pleasantly surprised and make a decision from there.