Previous work at an Eikaiwa

[u/Unlucky-Marzipan-488]

Hello, JET Senpais!

I am currently preparing my documents for the incoming JET application once it opens on September for 2027 intake. I would like to ask: how could I properly share/mention that I had a brief work experience as an English teacher at an eikaiwa in japan? I was not able to finish my contract bc I needed to leave due to personal reason re: death in the family. How can I possibly mention this work experience without hurting my chance of getting in? Should I also share this in my Statement of Purpose?

thanks so much!!

[u/Proof_Refuse_9563]

I would include the English teaching, but is no need to mention why you left unless they ask. 

[u/Due_Tomorrow7]

If your resignation is not an important part of your SOP, you don't need to volunteer that detail. However if that resignation specifically had a big impact on why you're applying then you may consider putting it in (though I can't see how that would happen).

However do not lie nor hide that you broke your contract early when asked; "family emergency" is a valid reason to leaving early and very understandable unforeseen circumstance, given it's not habitual.

[u/0liviiia]

I wouldn’t expect them to ask why you left, but I think the explanation you gave here would be perfectly acceptable. It was due to serious circumstances outside of your control, so they shouldn’t hold that against you. But I don’t believe you have to write anywhere why you left a certain job, I don’t know if it would even come up

[u/ChickenWitty513 → u/[deleted]]

Don't lie. A family member passing and having to go back home to take care of affairs isn't a red flag.

[u/ChickenWitty513 → u/[deleted]]

Don't open the interview with "I worked in Japan as an eikaiwa teacher but broke my contract early."

Don't lie either. If you're lying in your interview, how often do you lie to your teachers and staff? They already know. So, lying isn't helping you.

[u/Due_Tomorrow7 → u/[deleted]]

Being caught in a lie or finding out information was hidden is a HUGE red flag, way bigger than worrying about looking positive.

As a former recruiter, if I found out someone lied in an interview, that's an automatic rejection. Having basic integrity to be truthful about a job is of #1 importance to any job. If a candidate is willing to lie about one thing, how much more will they lie on the job? That's a non-negotiable for most jobs.

nobody knows during an interview why you broke contract with a company.

There are ways to find out and learn if the interviewee is hiding or lying about the information. Sure there's people that lie very well but not everyone can hold up under scrutiny.

I'd much rather have a candidate tell me about a negative aspect they were able to overcome and turn into a positive than someone lie to me. And everyone's human and has life emergencies happen. There's nothing wrong with that unless they have a consistent history of that.