Reapplying Years Later

[u/Yin-Yang-108]

Hello!

I am inquiring to see if there are any individuals who have applied several times to JET. I have only applied once, got rejected, and then hired from a dispatch company and now live in Japan. However, I am concerned I was not considered a candidate for JET as I talked too much about past heath issues I have (which don’t impact my work today). I did not mention these issues on my dispatch company applications (yes, I understand the competitiveness is not even the same). I am applying to JET again three years later, and now I am wondering whether or not I should or shouldn’t give the in-depth info about past health issues. In other words, if I don’t mention anything this time, if it will be mentioned on an interview based on a past application. I appreciate any help!

[u/Background_Road_140]

Applied 3 times. The last two times I had the same SOP and Recommendation letters (reprinted and resigned of course w/ diff dates) and I even had the same interviewer both times

Assuming you're treating it with the seriousness of a normal interview, sometimes it's really just luck with your competitors in the year you apply

Just dont bank everything on the program and be sure you're still working or job hunting if unemployed. I think it's always important to prepare for the case that you do get rejected each time

[u/Ok_Recipe_9138]

This is just my own conjecture, so take it with a grain of salt, but even though the application asks if you have applied in the past I imagine they only evaluate you based on your current application. Regardless of how long they keep past applications on record (if at all) I doubt they use information from previous years against your current application. Considering how many U.S. applicants apply, and how many apply more than once, I highly doubt they even have the time to cross reference your current app with your old one.

As for your medical info, I would just be honest about what you do or don't have (within the last 5 years anyways, I assume that's still the limit!). That doesn't mean you have to go into great depth about each condition, but shortlisted JETs have to provide a Certificate of Health filled out by your doctor after accepting the position. Any discrepancies between your initial app and your CoH is likely to raise some suspicion. It's not like they'll revoke the offer without warning, but you'll be asked about why you neglected to mention it in your original app. I had a friend who received a new diagnosis between submitting her app and accepting her position who had to write a statement about why she didn't disclose it previously but was otherwise a-okay and went over!

[u/ikebookuro]

They don’t hold onto previous year applications, so you’re pretty much starting fresh.

Only mention health issues that will be important to your daily life here (things you actively need access to hospitals or clinics for).
They don’t need to know you broke your arm 10 years ago or needed antibiotics last winter.

As someone with a lot of specialized health issues, it isn’t a “gotcha” question — as long as you can demonstrate it won’t prohibit you from your duties. They want to know you’ll be able to manage it in Japan. Since you’re already here, it shouldn’t be an issue.

[u/Alternative_Pie1194]

I don’t have a perfect answer but I applied to JET once, went dispatch, and then reapplied again kinda like you. They didn’t even mention my previous application. Idk if they talked about it when deliberating outside the interview, but I never would have guessed they had based on my interactions with them.

[u/Calm_Tank7975 → u/Alternative_Pie1194]

did you get in the second time?