As a new batch of interview notifications are going out shortly, what are some misconceptions about the program you’d like to dispel to new potential JETs?
Of course, as the saying goes: ESID – but what do you think are common misconceptions about the application process or the job itself?
17 comments
When it comes to the application process; if you make one mistake it’s all over. In my case I forgot to tick a box and the consulate just sent me a email requesting I redo the page and send it to them via express post. Very easily fixed (this was after the application deadline).
Interview wise; there’s enough information regarding the questions to expect what at least 60% of the interview will be. I think the thing most people need to practice is a mock class (I definitely should have).
That all being said no one is really sure exactly what they looking for in the interview, but putting your best foot forward is all you need to do.
I heard tons of horror stories about there always being one interviewer who was out to get you or was made to be purposefully mean to throw candidates off their game. I don’t doubt this happens, but I don’t feel like it’s as common as people make it out to be. My interviewers were very nice and most other JETs I talk to feel the same. I think everyone gets a question or two that is meant to throw people off to see what their reaction will be, but I haven’t heard of any interviewers being outright cruel.
Just present your best self. Relax as much as you can. Smile. Be honest and willing to laugh at yourself. Know your application and SOP. That’s about as much as you can do.
Otherwise, JET has absolutely been one giant ESID so far, so that’s rung true for me, haha.
That you can predict or work your application or essay to say the right key phrases to unlock the door. The only things I’ve seen that are common across JET is that they want resilient and adaptable applicants. They seem fairly flexible on everything else. Just apply, put your best foot forward, and hope for the best.
Same goes for preferred location – sure, there’s some exceptions to this, but by and large, people get placed where a new ALT is required, not because of sister city status or anything UNLESS the hiring BOE has specifically requested it (and there’s no confirmation of this either)
A big one that I’ve watched be perpetuated over the last decade (especially from the ITIL days) is that if you’re not accepted it’s a huge defect in your character and you’re outright just not a good candidate.
It’s a job. There are only so many spots. You could be a fantastic candidate, but they can’t take everyone. You might have just been barely nudged out by a strong year of applicants. Or maybe you messed up big time. Without any official feedback from CLAIR, you’ll never know.
If you have any job hunting experience, you realise these rejections aren’t personal. The application process is so long and involved that it can feel like it takes on a part of your identity…. It’s just a job.
I’ve met some fantastic people on JET that applied for years and some people who barely can tie their own shoes that got in first try. It’s not perfect.
Shake it off – use it as a chance for some introspection and growth -and if you want to do JET, try again.
Another one is that once you leave orientation, no one knows what JET is or cares. You’re just another ALT here. The contacts are better than dispatch, but you shouldn’t expect anyone to know the difference.
The need to bring omiyage when you arrive
First, it doesn’t even make sense as that’s not what omiyage is
Honestly such a waste of time, money, and space and no idea how it got started. It kills me how I see the question asked every year. Needs to stop honestly.
That people who come are JET are normal. (Nearly) everyone is fucking weird.
For the SOP: Thinking you have to be overly creative and descriptive to sound more appealing. I read a decent amount of SOP drafts through the exchange thread and I came across this constantly, to the point where I was like *DJ Khaled voice* “Another One.” The SOP is similar in nature to a coverletter and is essentially a persuasive essay. It should be clear and concise. It shouldn’t read like it’s been ran through a text spinner.
Even beyond ESID, the “program” doesn’t exist. There is no real standardization. So, flexibility is key. My BoE does things differently than the next town over. Just come to terms with it.
ESID actually means “Every Situation Is Disorganized.”
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That it’s “unlikely” you’ll be asked to do a mock lesson. I hear it’s more common than is said…I had one…luckily I came prepared
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I had the misconception that JET was bad for your career and I’d never be able to find a job after… but I just got my dream engineering job today after being done with JET for four months!!!
Did JET after doing engineering and ended up staying for five years because I absolutely LOVED my school, my co-ALTs, JTEs, kids, and location.
People say JET is kind of stale time in regards to your time and career- this I do agree with- there’s a lot of down time which can easily turn to net surfing and skill degradation. However, living abroad and seeing the world was incredibly important to me, and this plus helping my kiddos at school was what made it worth it. That and I don’t really care about a career, sure, I’ll work, but it’s not my passion.
But At WORST, JET was a neutral on my resume. If anything, I was able to market it as an excellent way to prove that I/we all can adapt and thrive in an incredibly new and dynamic work environment. I also marketed JET as project management experience and managing 5 projects (i.e. class and curriculum planning) all at once. ( My school was special in that it had multiple ALTs and also about 5-8 types of classes the ALTs taught, many of which the ALTs were solely responsible for )
After coming back after 5 years, I traveled the world for a month, came home for a week and applied for my dream engineering job, returned back to Japan for two months, interviewed all while in Japan on vacation. I got the job with no question about why I deviated from my engineering field and if anything people find the JET experience INCREDIBLY interesting- it adds to your toolset of skills and life experience.
I know lots of JETs out now who are worried about their future! I sure did! I worried the entire time! Just know it will all work out, and that you can market any job or skill you have and JET doesn’t necessarily look bad on a resume!!!
Doesn’t hurt to practice skills during the downtown in JET tho ( i.e. Japanese, coding JavaScript etc)
TLDR: don’t be scared to do JET if you really want to do it but are afraid it’ll detract from your career. You can always go back to a career, but JET is special and also once(ish)-in a lifetime 🙂
You’re not going to change anything.
I’m a former Chiba JET, and I’ll add that my BoE was filled with the most chill people I’ve ever met in Japan. Completely lived up to the relaxed attitude of farmer and fisherman community easy going people. I had a blast in my neck of the woods there. It really holds true that ESID is a real thing on JET as every other JET in my surrounding area had hard ass old rigid ways of doing things.
I hope you’re enjoying your time there, and I’d be happy to share some cool places to go from my placement city if you PM me.
That everything isn’t covered for you when you get to Japan. Yes they cover the plane ride, but that’s the only thing that’s guaranteed. People expect to be given free or very cheap housing that’s already furnished and have everything passed from their predecessor when this is rarely the case. Many come cover then struggle to afford rent and furniture in the beginning. It’s important to remind people that JET is a job like any other and there are expenses associated with relocating for a job, and if you cannot afford that you need to think about it before going on the programme.
Every placement has you working at ten different schools, and the majority of your time will be teaching/assisting teaching English.
My placement, a small town of 4-5 JETs, has 1 of us at each school of 125 kids or less. 3 Elementary and 2 Junior High. The ES JETs spend more time in non English lessons than English ones.
My school also allowed me to run a class weekly with year 1s and 2s respectively, setting up the curriculum, to then be used going forward in following years. Here’s too R5! I’m learning a lot, but it’s a lot of trail and error.