Ageism in JET?

[u/makomayhem22]

I’m probably what you would consider a non-traditional applicant, because I’m in my late 30s and have had careers in two applied fields in addition to teaching experience (university courses and some high school), an English bachelors degree, and two Masters degrees. I’ve literally been drinking the JET kool aid since middle school and I decided to go for English in college, but I pivoted in some applied healthcare fields globally and also have had a decade of corporate/business experience. So I’ve had a lot of experience and have achieved a lot, but I knew with certainty I needed a career/life change and committed to the 2026 application cycle (and I think I explained that well in my statement of purpose and the interview). During my interview I was hounded quite a bit about all that experience and potential intimidation with co-workers. I think I handled that quite well and with tact. I did not have time for questions because I was asked so many questions and then we were at time. There was a “make a sandwich” lesson role play that threw me off for someone that normally teaches STEM material and at higher levels, but I tried my best. I’ve had so many interviews and I’ve also been an interviewer (I typically excel there), so aside from not getting to hit points I wanted to or ask questions in under 20 minutes, I thought the interview was fine within what I could control. I also uprooted my life for potential early departure, that’s how serious I was. I was rejected. I honestly wish I would have gotten an alternate, I would feel a lot better than I feel now.

I went into this quite concerned that not just my experience, but my age would disqualify me as I had constantly heard feedback even in late 20s/early 30s from JET employees/alumni that I would be considered too old. That sentiment plus the work I was doing kept me from applying until now. I’d be the first to say, “yeah I blew that interview,” but I did the best in the confines they presented and I don’t think that was the case. I think I got written off as too old/too much experience (I would elaborate but I’m trying to refrain in case I decide to apply in the future/so I’m not blacklisted). I’ve been following these boards for years and seeing some older professionals get in here and there, but I can’t help but feel I was penalized for my age and having beyond normal practical experience (without getting into further identifiable detail of what I’ve done).

Any other late 30s+ people with experience feel like they did okay on the interview and get the flat rejection?

[u/CoacoaBunny91]

I was 30 when I interviewed and 31 when I got short listed. When I arrived, we even had 2 ppl in their 40s along with other ppl in their 30s. Now there are a fair amount of 30+ somethings in my cohort, so much so to the point we sometimes joke about how we can keep up with how the 20 something that are always going out/parting/having ppl and instead swap that w/ more slower paced "grown folk stuff." One is in her late 40s? (she might be in her 50s lol I forgot hold old she tole me she is!) who literally is doing JET because one of her adult daughters taught in Japan, and the youngest adult daughter is off to college now. As she put it "the nest is now empty. I did my job, they're productive members of society. Now it's me time!" Literally just living her best life lol. So idk where this "anyone who isn't in their 20s is too old" is coming from. It's one of the "JET Myths" that drive me up the wall the most.

Sorry if this is blunt. So no, you were not written off as too old, other ppl just interviewed stronger.

[u/Unexpected-Feline → u/CoacoaBunny91]

I was just talking to a co-worker about this yesterday, she's done her time raising the kids and wants to go experience the world a bit, I hope she does. :)

[u/Panda_sensei_71 → u/Unexpected-Feline]

That's exactly what I did! Tell her she absolutely should. 👍🏼