I’ve heard some people say you basically have to be overqualified just to be looked at, while others say you’re basically fine if you meet all the application criteria and aren’t an idiot or asshole
I’ve heard the acceptance rate is about 30%, so it obviously is pretty competitive. The way they choose people seems kind of random though.
You basically have to look at the stats for your consulate for a given year. For example, Los Angeles, California, USA had about 15,000 applicants. of the 15,000, 4000 made it to interview. of the 4,000, 1000 were chosen. maybe. (for my year)
Competitive in the sense that there’s a lot of people trying for it. In term of having to be overqualified, whoever told you that is lying. A large portion of JETs are by definition, just qualified with a degree and being a native speaker. Many JETs have 0 experience in education at all and make it through. The difficulty is making yourself stand out in the mounds of applications of others who may or may not, be in the same boat as you are.
I don’t think it’s super strict as far as qualifications, but the interview is important. Also you have to fill out all the paperwork correctly and make sure you follow directions (wear the right clothes to your interview etc). Following directions to the T is important in Japan. Your interview will largely depend on where you interview – smaller interview locations seem way more relaxed than bigger ones that are doing tons of back to back interviews. But could also be the interviewers themselves.
Depends on your country, but it’s much less competitive than a lot of other jobs on indeed which get 50 applicants but only 1 person getting the job.
Somewhat.
2021 was especially competitive because of the backlog of JETs from 2020 who were not able to go.
Although, you would not have to worry about this now.
I do not think qualifications are very competitive, as you do not need to know Japanese or even be familiar with the country/culture to be accepted.
The application process is purposely frustrating to weed out slackers and idiots who otherwise would have made it through the interview stage. Although, many still prevail.
I would not worry to much about the application process, just give it your best shot.
Its kind of a crapshoot. I hear a lot about how hard it is to get in, but when I was a JET I couldnt’t believe how many social mouthbreathers, weebs, man-children, were mixed in with astute scholars, Harvard grads, and genuinely amazing people. Its a colorful patchwork.
Your qualifications don’t matter really. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree and an interesting statement of purpose, you’ll get an interview.
It’s maybe competitive in the sense that there are so many people who apply every year. Not so much competitive in the sense that people are qualified to teach. Most of us have no teaching experience or teaching related degrees.
So long as you arent some sort of cave dweller or socially inept weeb then you should be fine. Its definitely not as competitive as they say. Do the application correctly, dont talk about anime the whole way through your essay or interview. Half of the process is making sure you wont get to japan and then leave a week later/ a month later
They still accept many “idiots” and “assholes” into JET haha.
Your application IS important but your acceptance really depends on the interview. I’d say confidence in yourself (not to be confused with arrogance) is the most important quality. If you break easily under pressure, and find it hard to recover quickly, they may fear how you’ll fare in a new country, and in unpredictable work and life situations.
Many super/“over” qualified people don’t get in, and many people get accepted as their first ever job. So many things factor in, but it’s up to you and your interviewers. If you believe in you, they might as well, and you’ll have a better shot. However, no matter what all those YouTube videos say, there is no guaranteed formula to make you get shortlisted on your first try. If you do, be happy of course, but don’t think that what you did was necessarily better than the person who got alternate. Sometimes, it’s a numbers game and people who would have been shortlisted get alternate because of space and the estimated people who will turn down the position.
Anyway, whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. Improve whatever skills you need/want to, be secure in who you are, and just do your best and see what happens.
I had a teaching license, a masters degree, and had taught English in Korea at a private school for a year before applying to JET. I aced my interview and everyone was laughing during my demo lesson. I said I knew 0-100 words in Japanese. In the language test portion of the interview which they give you if you indicate any amount of Japanese proficiency, I’m pretty sure I said that I eat cats. I was accepted.
You don’t have to beat me. Most applicants are kids fresh out of school. Just demonstrate you can work with kids or youths and that you are a stable and self reliant person. Almost anyone can learn to do the job, so what they’re really looking for are people who won’t quit and run home in the middle of a contract year.
You don’t need teaching experience…they are looking for people that can adapt and are enthusiastic. I have my degree in biology, worked in food industry, I got in…it’s not about having credentials and having taught. If it was it would be clearly stated as “needs experience teaching X amount of years with appropriate certifications/degrees)”
Just apply and see what happens
I’ve tried to get in the last two years, and in my experience you can have a good interview, great credentials, and excellent references, yet it still feels like they throw darts at the wall at names to determine who gets in and who doesn’t.
To give you reference: I tutored a guy in college who would have outright failed our Japanese language classes without me guiding him through the entire semester on my own time. I have a TEFL degree, volunteer experience in both Japan and America teaching English as a foreign language, and perfect grades.
All he has are subpar grades, and a Japanese girlfriend who lives in Nagasaki from when he was abroad for a bit.
Yet he got in first try, I am still on the waiting list.
If it were simply a backlog of Covid-related delays, I’d understand, but it truly feels like there’s a gigantic level of bias in play at some point within the application period.
And for the record, the dude is still my friend and I’m happy he got in to pursue the same dream we both share, but there is an incredible amount of luck involved that I don’t think people on this subreddit acknowledge enough.
I’m overqualified but strongly suspect I got in on the back of making the best of a weird interview and being a little older (31) so I probably fit the bill for some spots they get fewer applicants for.
10% of it is can you fill out the form without shitting your pants and the other 90% is a vibe check.
I think a lot of my successful application/interview was because I was very clear that I was in it for a good 2-3 years, that I’ve travelled before and wont flake out in the first 6 months and disappear. Teaching can be learnt
Well, consider that it’s competitive due to sheer volume of applicants, so being overqualified assists in being noticed. But on the basis of what they’re looking for, yeah, a walking talking non idiot with passable charisma that filled out the application without error.
It really appears to be all about the interview. I have a degree in Japanese, travel to Japan experience, TEFL cert, classroom student teaching experience, EFL tutoring experience, at least just the N5 to show I was serious about Japanese, but just a middle of the road interview and was placed as an alternate candidate.
JET doesn’t release acceptance rate data, so at the end of the day it’s just speculation. What I’ve heard anecdotally is that about 50% of people get an interview and of that 50% get accepted. So about 25% acceptance rate overall.
I think the key is that JET cares about your story and how JET will play into your life trajectory, not just your qualifications. The big thing is that they want people who will come to Japan for a few years, then return to their home country and go on to do exciting things (and hopefully promote bilateral relations with Japan while doing so).
So if you’re extremely well qualified, but the story you tell in your SOP and interview is “I’ve tailor made my resume for JET. JET is my life goal. Once I become an ALT in Japan, my life will be complete,” JET’s not gonna be super interested. Whereas someone who doesn’t have as much experience but says “Here’s the experience I have. While it might be non-traditional, I think it’ll help in Japan via X. When I return home I plan to use my experience in Japan to do Y,” will have a much more competitive application.
I suppose it really just depends on the volume of applicants, which can vary per country. High volume would mean a more competitive selection process. But that’s probably just to get your application considered. Actual selection process from there? My theory is a *gachapon* machine.
Personally, I think the JET criteria is more unconventional than people expect, which feeds the perception it is highly competitive. No, your teaching credentials won’t get you particularly far on their own. They aren’t even close to a deal breaker.
JET wants to identify genuine desire and passion within their candidates. In truth, anyone with a college degree is capable of the job…at least the teaching English component. But its your enthusiasm and intentions that likely carry you to the shortlist. Your SoP is the ideal time to demonstrate this enthusiasm and to outline your plan while on JET and thereafter.
If you can keep level headed in the interview, and find a good balance between professionalism and authenticity, you have good odds at getting in.
The application is just half the battle, after all. You can be a great writer, but lack the ability to keep level-headed under pressure. You will see the word adaptability desired in a lot of their online materials for a reason.
To put it simply, this isn’t Harvard. It’s not a conventional path that most sane people would willingly take and therefore the application and interview process aren’t either. In the grand scheme of things, JET is pretty niche, even if the program does get a few thousand applications every year.
Just be genuine, timely, and resourceful. If you can manage these three things, your odds at getting accepted are probably higher than the gossip suggests. This is all speculatory, of course. I have no idea what the panelists are thinking. But given that I got in with no teaching background, there is probably truth in here somewhere.
It’s not about anything in particular. There are more qualified people than are needed and Japan is super lottery when there is not enough to go around.
Those of us already here and in the system have very little say in where we are placed and that includes administration. I’ve all but been privy to the administration in charge of high school, usually a different branch than elementary and middle school, and essentially they decided between three for a set of schools by lottery.
I’m so confused. If a candidate told me he was looking past jet, that candidate might be a risk to jump ship to a job offer early into teaching. That’s not good for the program or me.
Administration at your own college can also royally screw up your information and you’d never even know.
Alot of you are plenty capable of being in this kind of program. Demistify it. There’s not enough space for everyone. That’s it. That’s all.
Honestly it could be both, some of the dumbest people I know applied and made it in (thankfully they all can fed their mind and didn’t, I can’t imagine the damage they’d actually do in Japan)
It may vary depending on which position you apply for, given that CIRs must demonstrate strong enough Japanese proficiency to get their position. However, the short answer is no, it is not nearly as competitive or uninviting as some make it out to be.
For my position, I have heard numerous stories of former workers in Tokyo, professional interpreters and translators get rejected for this job. They have years of work experience, but they didn’t get in. While I had some translation and interpretation experience before arriving in Japan, it was not nearly as much as theirs.
All in all, JET seems to look for a certain personality more than a set of qualifications. While they don’t always succeed at choosing them (I have multiple horror stories to tell about former JETs), they are looking for someone who can interact with others and have an open mind about trying new things while successfully doing their job. If you have those qualities, then I don’t see why you can’t get in the JET Program. Good luck.
Just lie on your resume. They’ll never know. BS your way through the interview and you’re good!
​
Signed,
Former JET B-)
Former JET
>I’ve heard some people say you basically have to be overqualified just to be looked at
The people who say that are either 1. misinformed, or straight up lying or 2. consider themselves overqualified and didn’t get accepted.
>while others say you’re basically fine if you meet all the application criteria and aren’t ~~an idiot or asshole~~
I met plenty of idiots and assholes who were accepted over the course of my five years on JET. It’s the former rather than the latter. As long as you submit everything on time and how they ask you to do it, then everyone has a (reasonable) chance to get in.
It’s pretty random tbh. I applied a few years ago and got alternative. I had a strong application and good references but perhaps didn’t impress so much in the interview somehow. 5 years on I’m teaching at a good university in another country, so I don’t think your qualifications matter too much
It’s not competitive. 25% of people get in, and I imagine 50% of people are blatant weirdos.
On JET, the contrast between the intelligent and thoughtful people, and the absolute turds, is severe.
Current jet. I’m not just an idiot! My mom tells me I’m *special*!
A 25% success rate is less competitive than basically every other job
But as some others have mentioned, the criteria being so opaque makes it feel competitive, because a lot of people that that bust ass trying to get in don’t and never know why.
My friend has a master’s in linguistics and already speaks 3 languages, he got in last year after three tries and he’s having a good time but on the other side of things the majority of the other jets around him are just normal old post-college kids, some of which seem like exactly the kind of weeb everyone tells you not to be if you want to get in.
I have teaching experience with kids, no major health problems, solid references, and an SOP that multiple current jets and one former jet reviewer said was perfect. I didn’t get in twice, not even an interview. Then I shared my SOP with a couple people who speak English as a second language and got a wildly different response. I haven’t tried again yet but it’s just such an opaque process with so many things that can go wrong it can feel like an obstacle course to some or a walk in the park to someone who just happens to naturally fit what they’re looking for.
I have no experience and a pretty irrelevant degree, and I got shortlisted this year. Lots of people said the same, lots of people had a bucketload of experience and got rejected. I guess they’re looking for the right sort of personality over relevant qualifications. At the end of the day it’s an assistant teaching job, you’re not meant to take charge and have the level of knowledge of the Japanese teacher.
It‘a worth a shot whatever you’ve got.
As others have mentioned I think it’s all down to the interview.
According to what other people have said to me I’m a good candidate on paper. However, I completely messed up my interview and so was made an alternate.
As long as you write a good application (i.e. have clear reasons of why you want to do the programme and don’t waste half of the word count writing about how much you love anime) you will most likely get an interview. If you don’t mess up in the interview then you’re most likely in 🙂
As far as I’ve heard, your chance of getting in heavily depend on your consulate/location, as well as the level of competition of the qualified applicants in your area.
Well they let me in, so it must not be haha
This is just from my own experience + some research for an article on Japan’s soft power initiatives (of which JET is an important part):
Counter-intuitively, it is very possible to be rejected specifically because you’re over-qualified.
N1 Japanese level? Teacher’s college/teaching certification? They (largely) don’t want people who aren’t going to bring enough of an international angle (ie Joe Weeb with native level Japanese), or those who might be set in their ways from teaching domestically.
To that end, the thing to keep in mind is that the Japanese translation of JET is something like ‘youth cultural exchange program’. Teaching and English are parts of that, but a big component is basically introducing Japanese kids to the notion that foreigners exist in a fairly controlled setting.
It’s not uncommon to hear from Japanese adults working in international jobs/NGOs/etc… that their interest in foreign language/culture boils down to ‘I had a nice ALT in junior high school’.
Semi-related: another aspect of the program (and I heard this directly from Japan’s ambassador to Canada when he gave a speech at my university) is that they specifically want future government/business-types to come, spend a pleasant year or three, and return home with fond memories of Japan that will translate to favourable policy down the road
I can’t remember which politician said it here, but he joked that he hoped one day a former JET would become president.
(And holy crap, even when I *knew* they were doing it, I still fell for that hard post-JET)
The important part in the above being “return home”.
So basically, if you have:
a) Mr. N1 who runs a rakugo club at his university
b) Johnny Weeb who plans to max out his time on JET for the full five years and live in Japan FO-E-BA
c) Someone with an Ed.D and lofty thoughts on pedagogy and whatnot, or
d) An inoffensive goober with a history degree and friendly personality
(d) is getting shortlisted over the other three more often than not.
It’s not an exact science (and God knows some real weirdos get hired), but that’s about how it shakes out overall
Edit: In my case: I had an interview first with ECC and wasn’t offered a position, but then had the JET interview and was shortlisted first try.
35 comments
I’ve heard the acceptance rate is about 30%, so it obviously is pretty competitive. The way they choose people seems kind of random though.
You basically have to look at the stats for your consulate for a given year. For example, Los Angeles, California, USA had about 15,000 applicants. of the 15,000, 4000 made it to interview. of the 4,000, 1000 were chosen. maybe. (for my year)
Competitive in the sense that there’s a lot of people trying for it. In term of having to be overqualified, whoever told you that is lying. A large portion of JETs are by definition, just qualified with a degree and being a native speaker. Many JETs have 0 experience in education at all and make it through. The difficulty is making yourself stand out in the mounds of applications of others who may or may not, be in the same boat as you are.
I don’t think it’s super strict as far as qualifications, but the interview is important. Also you have to fill out all the paperwork correctly and make sure you follow directions (wear the right clothes to your interview etc). Following directions to the T is important in Japan. Your interview will largely depend on where you interview – smaller interview locations seem way more relaxed than bigger ones that are doing tons of back to back interviews. But could also be the interviewers themselves.
Depends on your country, but it’s much less competitive than a lot of other jobs on indeed which get 50 applicants but only 1 person getting the job.
Somewhat.
2021 was especially competitive because of the backlog of JETs from 2020 who were not able to go.
Although, you would not have to worry about this now.
I do not think qualifications are very competitive, as you do not need to know Japanese or even be familiar with the country/culture to be accepted.
The application process is purposely frustrating to weed out slackers and idiots who otherwise would have made it through the interview stage. Although, many still prevail.
I would not worry to much about the application process, just give it your best shot.
Its kind of a crapshoot. I hear a lot about how hard it is to get in, but when I was a JET I couldnt’t believe how many social mouthbreathers, weebs, man-children, were mixed in with astute scholars, Harvard grads, and genuinely amazing people. Its a colorful patchwork.
Your qualifications don’t matter really. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree and an interesting statement of purpose, you’ll get an interview.
It’s maybe competitive in the sense that there are so many people who apply every year. Not so much competitive in the sense that people are qualified to teach. Most of us have no teaching experience or teaching related degrees.
So long as you arent some sort of cave dweller or socially inept weeb then you should be fine. Its definitely not as competitive as they say. Do the application correctly, dont talk about anime the whole way through your essay or interview. Half of the process is making sure you wont get to japan and then leave a week later/ a month later
They still accept many “idiots” and “assholes” into JET haha.
Your application IS important but your acceptance really depends on the interview. I’d say confidence in yourself (not to be confused with arrogance) is the most important quality. If you break easily under pressure, and find it hard to recover quickly, they may fear how you’ll fare in a new country, and in unpredictable work and life situations.
Many super/“over” qualified people don’t get in, and many people get accepted as their first ever job. So many things factor in, but it’s up to you and your interviewers. If you believe in you, they might as well, and you’ll have a better shot. However, no matter what all those YouTube videos say, there is no guaranteed formula to make you get shortlisted on your first try. If you do, be happy of course, but don’t think that what you did was necessarily better than the person who got alternate. Sometimes, it’s a numbers game and people who would have been shortlisted get alternate because of space and the estimated people who will turn down the position.
Anyway, whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. Improve whatever skills you need/want to, be secure in who you are, and just do your best and see what happens.
I had a teaching license, a masters degree, and had taught English in Korea at a private school for a year before applying to JET. I aced my interview and everyone was laughing during my demo lesson. I said I knew 0-100 words in Japanese. In the language test portion of the interview which they give you if you indicate any amount of Japanese proficiency, I’m pretty sure I said that I eat cats. I was accepted.
You don’t have to beat me. Most applicants are kids fresh out of school. Just demonstrate you can work with kids or youths and that you are a stable and self reliant person. Almost anyone can learn to do the job, so what they’re really looking for are people who won’t quit and run home in the middle of a contract year.
You don’t need teaching experience…they are looking for people that can adapt and are enthusiastic. I have my degree in biology, worked in food industry, I got in…it’s not about having credentials and having taught. If it was it would be clearly stated as “needs experience teaching X amount of years with appropriate certifications/degrees)”
Just apply and see what happens
I’ve tried to get in the last two years, and in my experience you can have a good interview, great credentials, and excellent references, yet it still feels like they throw darts at the wall at names to determine who gets in and who doesn’t.
To give you reference: I tutored a guy in college who would have outright failed our Japanese language classes without me guiding him through the entire semester on my own time. I have a TEFL degree, volunteer experience in both Japan and America teaching English as a foreign language, and perfect grades.
All he has are subpar grades, and a Japanese girlfriend who lives in Nagasaki from when he was abroad for a bit.
Yet he got in first try, I am still on the waiting list.
If it were simply a backlog of Covid-related delays, I’d understand, but it truly feels like there’s a gigantic level of bias in play at some point within the application period.
And for the record, the dude is still my friend and I’m happy he got in to pursue the same dream we both share, but there is an incredible amount of luck involved that I don’t think people on this subreddit acknowledge enough.
I’m overqualified but strongly suspect I got in on the back of making the best of a weird interview and being a little older (31) so I probably fit the bill for some spots they get fewer applicants for.
10% of it is can you fill out the form without shitting your pants and the other 90% is a vibe check.
I think a lot of my successful application/interview was because I was very clear that I was in it for a good 2-3 years, that I’ve travelled before and wont flake out in the first 6 months and disappear. Teaching can be learnt
Well, consider that it’s competitive due to sheer volume of applicants, so being overqualified assists in being noticed. But on the basis of what they’re looking for, yeah, a walking talking non idiot with passable charisma that filled out the application without error.
It really appears to be all about the interview. I have a degree in Japanese, travel to Japan experience, TEFL cert, classroom student teaching experience, EFL tutoring experience, at least just the N5 to show I was serious about Japanese, but just a middle of the road interview and was placed as an alternate candidate.
JET doesn’t release acceptance rate data, so at the end of the day it’s just speculation. What I’ve heard anecdotally is that about 50% of people get an interview and of that 50% get accepted. So about 25% acceptance rate overall.
I think the key is that JET cares about your story and how JET will play into your life trajectory, not just your qualifications. The big thing is that they want people who will come to Japan for a few years, then return to their home country and go on to do exciting things (and hopefully promote bilateral relations with Japan while doing so).
So if you’re extremely well qualified, but the story you tell in your SOP and interview is “I’ve tailor made my resume for JET. JET is my life goal. Once I become an ALT in Japan, my life will be complete,” JET’s not gonna be super interested. Whereas someone who doesn’t have as much experience but says “Here’s the experience I have. While it might be non-traditional, I think it’ll help in Japan via X. When I return home I plan to use my experience in Japan to do Y,” will have a much more competitive application.
I suppose it really just depends on the volume of applicants, which can vary per country. High volume would mean a more competitive selection process. But that’s probably just to get your application considered. Actual selection process from there? My theory is a *gachapon* machine.
Personally, I think the JET criteria is more unconventional than people expect, which feeds the perception it is highly competitive. No, your teaching credentials won’t get you particularly far on their own. They aren’t even close to a deal breaker.
JET wants to identify genuine desire and passion within their candidates. In truth, anyone with a college degree is capable of the job…at least the teaching English component. But its your enthusiasm and intentions that likely carry you to the shortlist. Your SoP is the ideal time to demonstrate this enthusiasm and to outline your plan while on JET and thereafter.
If you can keep level headed in the interview, and find a good balance between professionalism and authenticity, you have good odds at getting in.
The application is just half the battle, after all. You can be a great writer, but lack the ability to keep level-headed under pressure. You will see the word adaptability desired in a lot of their online materials for a reason.
To put it simply, this isn’t Harvard. It’s not a conventional path that most sane people would willingly take and therefore the application and interview process aren’t either. In the grand scheme of things, JET is pretty niche, even if the program does get a few thousand applications every year.
Just be genuine, timely, and resourceful. If you can manage these three things, your odds at getting accepted are probably higher than the gossip suggests. This is all speculatory, of course. I have no idea what the panelists are thinking. But given that I got in with no teaching background, there is probably truth in here somewhere.
It’s not about anything in particular.
There are more qualified people than are needed and Japan is super lottery when there is not enough to go around.
Those of us already here and in the system have very little say in where we are placed and that includes administration. I’ve all but been privy to the administration in charge of high school, usually a different branch than elementary and middle school, and essentially they decided between three for a set of schools by lottery.
I’m so confused. If a candidate told me he was looking past jet, that candidate might be a risk to jump ship to a job offer early into teaching. That’s not good for the program or me.
Administration at your own college can also royally screw up your information and you’d never even know.
Alot of you are plenty capable of being in this kind of program. Demistify it. There’s not enough space for everyone. That’s it. That’s all.
Honestly it could be both, some of the dumbest people I know applied and made it in (thankfully they all can fed their mind and didn’t, I can’t imagine the damage they’d actually do in Japan)
It may vary depending on which position you apply for, given that CIRs must demonstrate strong enough Japanese proficiency to get their position. However, the short answer is no, it is not nearly as competitive or uninviting as some make it out to be.
For my position, I have heard numerous stories of former workers in Tokyo, professional interpreters and translators get rejected for this job. They have years of work experience, but they didn’t get in. While I had some translation and interpretation experience before arriving in Japan, it was not nearly as much as theirs.
All in all, JET seems to look for a certain personality more than a set of qualifications. While they don’t always succeed at choosing them (I have multiple horror stories to tell about former JETs), they are looking for someone who can interact with others and have an open mind about trying new things while successfully doing their job. If you have those qualities, then I don’t see why you can’t get in the JET Program. Good luck.
Just lie on your resume. They’ll never know. BS your way through the interview and you’re good!
​
Signed,
Former JET B-)
Former JET
>I’ve heard some people say you basically have to be overqualified just to be looked at
The people who say that are either 1. misinformed, or straight up lying or 2. consider themselves overqualified and didn’t get accepted.
>while others say you’re basically fine if you meet all the application criteria and aren’t ~~an idiot or asshole~~
I met plenty of idiots and assholes who were accepted over the course of my five years on JET. It’s the former rather than the latter. As long as you submit everything on time and how they ask you to do it, then everyone has a (reasonable) chance to get in.
It’s pretty random tbh. I applied a few years ago and got alternative. I had a strong application and good references but perhaps didn’t impress so much in the interview somehow. 5 years on I’m teaching at a good university in another country, so I don’t think your qualifications matter too much
It’s not competitive. 25% of people get in, and I imagine 50% of people are blatant weirdos.
On JET, the contrast between the intelligent and thoughtful people, and the absolute turds, is severe.
Current jet. I’m not just an idiot! My mom tells me I’m *special*!
A 25% success rate is less competitive than basically every other job
But as some others have mentioned, the criteria being so opaque makes it feel competitive, because a lot of people that that bust ass trying to get in don’t and never know why.
My friend has a master’s in linguistics and already speaks 3 languages, he got in last year after three tries and he’s having a good time but on the other side of things the majority of the other jets around him are just normal old post-college kids, some of which seem like exactly the kind of weeb everyone tells you not to be if you want to get in.
I have teaching experience with kids, no major health problems, solid references, and an SOP that multiple current jets and one former jet reviewer said was perfect. I didn’t get in twice, not even an interview. Then I shared my SOP with a couple people who speak English as a second language and got a wildly different response. I haven’t tried again yet but it’s just such an opaque process with so many things that can go wrong it can feel like an obstacle course to some or a walk in the park to someone who just happens to naturally fit what they’re looking for.
I have no experience and a pretty irrelevant degree, and I got shortlisted this year. Lots of people said the same, lots of people had a bucketload of experience and got rejected.
I guess they’re looking for the right sort of personality over relevant qualifications. At the end of the day it’s an assistant teaching job, you’re not meant to take charge and have the level of knowledge of the Japanese teacher.
It‘a worth a shot whatever you’ve got.
As others have mentioned I think it’s all down to the interview.
According to what other people have said to me I’m a good candidate on paper. However, I completely messed up my interview and so was made an alternate.
As long as you write a good application (i.e. have clear reasons of why you want to do the programme and don’t waste half of the word count writing about how much you love anime) you will most likely get an interview. If you don’t mess up in the interview then you’re most likely in 🙂
As far as I’ve heard, your chance of getting in heavily depend on your consulate/location, as well as the level of competition of the qualified applicants in your area.
Well they let me in, so it must not be haha
This is just from my own experience + some research for an article on Japan’s soft power initiatives (of which JET is an important part):
Counter-intuitively, it is very possible to be rejected specifically because you’re over-qualified.
N1 Japanese level? Teacher’s college/teaching certification? They (largely) don’t want people who aren’t going to bring enough of an international angle (ie Joe Weeb with native level Japanese), or those who might be set in their ways from teaching domestically.
To that end, the thing to keep in mind is that the Japanese translation of JET is something like ‘youth cultural exchange program’. Teaching and English are parts of that, but a big component is basically introducing Japanese kids to the notion that foreigners exist in a fairly controlled setting.
It’s not uncommon to hear from Japanese adults working in international jobs/NGOs/etc… that their interest in foreign language/culture boils down to ‘I had a nice ALT in junior high school’.
Semi-related: another aspect of the program (and I heard this directly from Japan’s ambassador to Canada when he gave a speech at my university) is that they specifically want future government/business-types to come, spend a pleasant year or three, and return home with fond memories of Japan that will translate to favourable policy down the road
I can’t remember which politician said it here, but he joked that he hoped one day a former JET would become president.
(And holy crap, even when I *knew* they were doing it, I still fell for that hard post-JET)
The important part in the above being “return home”.
So basically, if you have:
a) Mr. N1 who runs a rakugo club at his university
b) Johnny Weeb who plans to max out his time on JET for the full five years and live in Japan FO-E-BA
c) Someone with an Ed.D and lofty thoughts on pedagogy and whatnot, or
d) An inoffensive goober with a history degree and friendly personality
(d) is getting shortlisted over the other three more often than not.
It’s not an exact science (and God knows some real weirdos get hired), but that’s about how it shakes out overall
Edit: In my case: I had an interview first with ECC and wasn’t offered a position, but then had the JET interview and was shortlisted first try.