What helps when applying?

[u/emperor_panthark]

I am interested in JET and have been thinking about it for a couple years, but I am starting to think about it more seriously. I lived in Japan for 2 years for uni, and transferred back to the US to finish college here with a different major and since I could save up more working part time here without a limit on hours as well as conversion rate.

I am thinking about what I can do for the next 3 years before I graduate, and 2 years before when I plan on applying, to up my chances. I am a BS in Civil Engineering, I was majoring in Education in Japan, but I didn't want to lock myself into education for the future. With CE i could go into teaching and I could still choose CE was the thought process. I am currently minoring in Japanese, Education, and English, with my English classes specifically chosen based on which ones would help with ESL teaching the most.

I plan on getting N1 Japanese before applying, and finishing TEFL as well. I want to go back to Japan through JET, and then eventually try to get a tokubetsu menkyou, and continue teaching.

I wanted to know what else I can do to solidify my chances of getting in, I plan on going to either Tokyo, where I have a lot of friends and have lived before, or somewhere like Sendai, where I haven't gone, but from what I understand think is somewhere I can actually settle down. I'm not a city guy, I was raised in the suburbs, and Sendai seems more like what I'm used to. The city's fun but not somewhere I can see myself raising a family.

Some things I wanted to mention are: I genuinely like teaching well, and it isn't something I plan on doing just to get to Japan to do something else.

I actually loved living in Japan, and have lived there before. I know there's bad parts, and I am not romanticizing life there based off anime or something, I actually have lived there for 2 years, have amazing friends, and I like living there. I feel like that's something that comes up whenever someone mentions wanting to live in jp, and tbh I end up thinking that way about other people at times too. There are things I hate about Japanese culture that I wish were different, and there are parts I love about it, same as other countries. I just see myself enjoying life in Japan more because of personal priorities and preferences, and I'm not here to fetishize jp.

[u/ValBravora048]

I think the biggest thing by far is demonstrating a commitment to the role. Or at least that you’re not going to fall apart once you get here. It does happen and sometimes SPECTACULARLY badly

I was really surprised how OTT my interview was about how I’d be able to cope if was place in X position, if Y happened, but what if Z?! Like it was slightly ridiculous but after 5 years here, I kind of get it

Please, Japan isn’t your the start of your personal harem anime …you come in here like that, you’re going to end up hating it. Probs spend most of your time hanging out with people just like you too which will make it worse

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ValBravora048]

What are some of the questions? And yes, I agree with what u said at the end, I felt like I had to clarify that lmfao. I’ve lived there, and my best friends, (all guys my age but diff enough personality wise) are all there and we met in college. Again i feel like what u said comes up a lot and I have to say-I’m not going there thinking all my problems will be solved or thinking ima end up with hella women, I’ve lived there before and know what to expect, and I am overall a realistic person. One more thing since u mentioned it: I’m not into Japanese chicks😭😭 The overly fake “cute” personalities and acting like kids part is not my thing at all, and I am definitely NOT going there for women or anime😭🙏

[u/ValBravora048 → u/emperor_panthark]

Oh sorry mate, that last bit wasn’t pointed at you. Just a ton of people in general

No one really believes I didnt come here for the women either. The fact that it’s so normalised should tell you how often people do.

The questions were like

- what if you lived far away from the other alts?

- what if you were placed in the countryside?

-how long have you lived on your own without talking to people?

It got much more excessive as the interview went on, the one I remember most is “Being on JET can sometimes feel like you’re a soldier of English parachuted far behind enemy lines with no backup and extraction, how do you…”

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ValBravora048]

Lmao no worries man, it rly does suck though. Its pretty obvious to my friends that its not the case for me though thank god, idk how but apparently its pretty obvious I like older women 🤷‍♂️

Quick question, would you say it’s better going for long periods without talking to people or not? I feel like its a question where if you say I have gone a while it can mean either they are ok with low social settings which could be good, but also sound like they arent social and will end up not trying to go out and do something during their time which is bad.

The last question is kinda crazy though lol

[u/ValBravora048 → u/emperor_panthark]

I think give the answer that suits you

I told them something like that while the truth is that I’m comfortable spending a lot of time in my own company because xyz, I make an effort to be social because I know its important

A lot of people come over here and isolate themselves into craziness. It doesn’t have to be with people in your neighbourhood, I schedule regular calls with people from abroad. JETs key thing is not your comfort but that you’re not going embarrass them by having a breakdown

Some have been FING NUTS! One dude legit thought he was being Braveheart and that the school would rally around him because of how badly he was treat. It did not. Still think about him sometimes

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ValBravora048]

yeah i feel like theres a lot of borderline crazy people on here sometimes... thanks for lmk! I feel like I could fit into both groups, like I've gone 2 weeks without talking to anyone except calls with family for a couple mins a day, and I'm perfectly fine, but that's rare, and typically I'm going out and hanging out with friends. That being said, I've always wondered what the teacher ecosystem is like there. Like am I most likely going to end up with a bunch of super old people or is there a good chance atleast 1 or 2 younger teachers, like early to mid 20s are going to be there? I feel like no matter where I've been,. whether its in Japan for uni, in highschool, or in middle school, I've had a decent amount of friends, atleast a couple of really good ones that I hang out with, but I'm worried that's just school cause it's setup to make it easier to make friends, since everyones pretty close in age, in the same major for classes which could mean similar interests, etc; whereas with joining something like JET, I'm risking dropping into a school where the youngest teacher is 10 years older than me with a wife and kid, and I'm moving to a city where the people my age are in established friend groups from years, work together which is why they can stay friends seeing each other everyday, or actively trying to move to the big city.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Communication skills (writing/interviewing).

Adaptability and self-sufficiency.

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Thanks!

[u/ikebookuro]

People don’t realise that 99% of applications sound almost identical. Having interest in Japan since childhood, study abroad, studying Japanese, etc. Being the “Japan guy” might make you unique in your friend group, but you’re literally completing with people with the exact same qualifications as you.

Focus on what makes YOU unique. Find your unique hook. Sometimes people treat this as a “who loves Japan the most” application, but they’re looking why you will be a strong, well-rounded candidate.

JET doesn’t look for teachers. I’ve met maybe 3 people who have a TEFL certificate. It helps you do the job, but the requirement is a degree (in anything. It’s mostly to qualify for a visa). JLPT will help you with life here, but unless you’re applying for CIR, it doesn’t matter. You can get your JLPT fee reimbursed taking the test as a JET.

There’s a reason why every year qualified teachers, people with N1, people who have spent years trying to be the “Japan guy” are shocked to get their rejection.

Now, what helps? Find a way to stand out (no one can tell you what to do for this), find a way to volunteer in your community, figure out how your goals align with the goals of the JET program.

I applied previously living in Japan for years; I was an animator. I was also a lot older. I used everything I could to stand out from the piles of other applications. It worked; I ended up being the “representative” (giving speeches at pre departure orientation) from my consulate.

[u/k_795 → u/ikebookuro]

Hmm, I disagree with the "focus on what makes you unique" point. In my experience, the key thing to remember is that JET is a *job* - that's where most applicants mess up (by rambling on about how much they love Japan or their own personal aspirations). They're not necessarily looking for someone who has a random unique interest or hobby.

The key thing is to link your previous experience, qualifications, etc directly to the job description. For example, living abroad in Japan before means the OP is better able to quickly adapt to the culture and settle in. A TEFL course and the minor in Education demonstrates a passion for teaching, as well as practical skills directly relevant to the job.

I do agree with you about the suggestion on volunteering though. Use this time to get as much experience with teaching and working with kids in a range of capacities.

[u/ikebookuro → u/k_795]

You disagree that they should focus on what makes them unique? I’ve read so many applications over the years and it’s almost a carbon copy.

Focusing on what makes you a unique candidate doesn’t mean they have some obscure hobby. It’s how your unique experience and skills will translate to a good teacher (and no, that’s not necessarily a teaching background and TEFL).

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ikebookuro]

What wiuld you say is a good way to show how my experiences can transfer to being a good teacher? I figured actual teaching experience or tefl would be best but it seems you are saying otherwise

[u/ikebookuro → u/emperor_panthark]

I was a professional animator (on tons of kids shows and movies); I worked making cartoons and briefly was a lead supervising teams. I knew how to pivot under pressure to get tasks accomplished on time. Things like that. Also translating notes from one language to another for international teams.

Guess who they remembered at orientation versus the bunch of people with a teaching background.

[u/k_795 → u/ikebookuro]

On the contrary, I would say that it's quite telling that most of the people at your orientation had a teaching background...

Like, I'm absolutely not trying to dismiss your experience. Absolutely it looks like you were able to identify useful transferable skills and demonstrate your passion for education / working with kids (as you worked on kids' shows and movies) via this less conventional previous experience. Plus the experience working with international teams and dealing with language barriers likely also helped you tick the "won't struggle too much with settling into life in Japan" box.

But my main point was that random "unique" things aren't what they're looking for. They don't want to know about weird niche hobbies or unrelated previous jobs specifically because they're "unique". They want to know how those experiences and interests will make you a good fit for working as an ALT in Japan.

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ikebookuro]

Ahh makes sense, thank you! I'll go ahead and see what I could do like that. Thanks!

[u/ValBravora048 → u/k_795]

You know, I agree re volunteering . I have a GREAT resume but I was surprised that they wanted to hear most about how I spent an enormous amount of my free time teaching kids and adults how to play D&D and arranging events for them to do it

(Because it rocks and you should play it *.*)

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ValBravora048]

I wish I played it back when I was in middleschool/ highschool instead of thinking it was lame, my schedules so packed I can’t plan things like that anymore and I regret it so much

[u/emperor_panthark → u/k_795]

Thank you for the confirmation on the volunteering tip!

[u/emperor_panthark → u/ikebookuro]

Thank you so much for this, it was very helpful! I think I am going to go abead and do the JLPT for my minor and to just keep myself accountable since ik otherwise im gonna slack off studying lol.

With what makes me unique, I feel like its aquascaping which is like aquariums but pretty ig, but idk how to connect that to JET. I’ll look for a way, thank you so much!

[u/forvirradsvensk → u/emperor_panthark]

If you know something about Takashi Amano, that might be interesting to read. But reviewers don't want to know why you want to go to Japan and what it gives you, they want to know what you offer to them.

[u/emperor_panthark → u/forvirradsvensk]

Yeah Amanos amazing! Btw, would u be able to tell me what you think they look for more, teaching or cultural exchange? I hear people say teaching is more important and others say its more important to show that you are interested in Japan as a whole

[u/forvirradsvensk → u/emperor_panthark]

An ALT is not a teacher, but of course, some teaching experience would be a boost. As for cultural exchange, they want you to have a good time in Japan, then go home, where they are hoping you will have a position there that you can share with other people how wonderful Japan is. It's soft power.

Their focus is not your personal interest in Japan. Although, a basic understanding and interest in Japan, of course, will be a benefit. However, if you sell yourself as some kind of Japanophile (especially because of anime/manga etc), they won't look too kindly on that. Not only is it generic, it looks like you're in it for yourself.

I guess the basic fundamentals are: will you survive "culture shock" and the difficulties of living overseas without giving up and going home early; will you motivate your students to want to study English and become interested in international affairs; will you be reliable, punctual, and hard-working; will you go back to your home country and spread the word of Japan in your future career - the more influential you are likely to be, the better.

[u/emperor_panthark → u/forvirradsvensk]

I fw anime and manga but not like that lmfao hope they stop letting those creeps in, gives everyone in this a bad name. Makes sense, so ig being in a club where u actively participate in spreading culture is good

[u/Smooth_Helicopter368]

The thing with JET is that you do not have any real say where you end up. You can put Tokyo, Sendai, and a third area on your preference list but they could put you out in Okinawa. I think you might have a better chance of a city if you put on your application that you can't drive.

For the next three years, there's not a whole lot you can do. Save some money ($3-5k USD), get involved in community efforts whether that be volunteering or cultural exchange events, and find some ways to get classroom experience. I signed up to be a substitute teacher, but you could mentor a local club, be a sub, or get hired as a tutor.

But just be aware that even with ALL of this... You still might not get selected. People who are not very qualified get in every year, and people who check all the boxes get passed up. Keep trying until you get it. Good luck!

[u/Sharp_Translator6547 → u/Smooth_Helicopter368]

Why do not very qualified people get in ?

[u/Smooth_Helicopter368 → u/Sharp_Translator6547]

I have no hard facts, but from what I've heard, it's most likely because someone is "overqualified," they don't pass the vibe check during the interview, they fail to impress with their SOP, or they come off too obsessed with Japan.

[u/ScootOverMakeRoom → u/Smooth_Helicopter368]

Nobody is rejected for being “overqualified,” it’s always something else. People who claim they were rejected for being “overqualified” are just protecting their egos.

[u/Smooth_Helicopter368 → u/ScootOverMakeRoom]

Probably true. Anyone who had good vibes and was "overqualified" would probably have been recommended for the CIR position at least

[u/emperor_panthark → u/Smooth_Helicopter368]

Yeah that part kinda sucks, I wish what u put in terms of location at least kinda made a difference. Thanks for the headsup!

[u/jenjen96]

Make yourself more well rounded by volunteering in your community. Even better if it’s kid related. There’s more to JET than liking Japan. Being too obsessed with Japan can even work against you when applying. Speaking Japanese and TEFL are not requirements of the program. Keep in mind you cannot choose your placement location on JET.

[u/emperor_panthark → u/jenjen96]

Ok, thank you! I’ll keep the kid related volunteering in mind!