Hello everyone!
As a first-time JET ALT applicant, it has been days that I have been in an “overthinking” mode. I wonder if anyone of you here feels/felt the same way. I have been constantly checking my application requirements, such as the SOP, even though I have submitted it already in the past month.
One thing that was not helpful MAYBE was when a former colleague showed me her SOP (she did not know that I applied since I made my application as discreet as possible). She’s applying for the third time and my SOP is nowhere near the level of hers. I know I should not be comparing mine, but just how do I deal with this anxiety given the fact that the email notification will still be on January next year?
I apologize for the negativity here, but really. I need your insights and help.
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Thank you!
16 comments
Forget all about it. Move on as though your life is what it normally is.
This isn’t negative, don’t apologise, most of us have been there.
Don’t compare yourself to others, I know you know this as you already said it, but it’s worth saying again. The SOP isn’t everything, your SOP might appear less good, but you might be much better in interview, you might have better references, you might be focusing on your negative aspects and ignoring theirs. If they’re applying for the third time, there’s *something* that meant they didn’t get in the past two times, regardless of how good you think their application is. And that fact isn’t a reflection on you or how well your application is going to go. We don’t know fully what they’re looking for, so seeing theirs really has no effect how you should feel about yours.
How to stop overthinking? Do something else. Literally forget that JET exists, or at least try to. You’re done, you can’t change anything, so just carry on with whatever and let the rest of the application process surprise you. It’s difficult, but it’s the only thing to do.
I’m sure a lot of people will say this, but the best thing to do is forget about it. Last year I applied and *obsessed* over the process every step of the way just to get rejected in the first round. If I hadn’t been prudent enough to at least apply to a few jobs, who knows where I’d be now? JET is gonna be there next year, ALT positions are going to be there long after your eligibility for JET is gone, and Japan is definitely not sinking into the sea within our lifetimes. It’s gonna be alright.
By forgetting about it. Life goes on, other things to worry about, etc. Remember that your life isn’t over if you get rejected. There are other paths to Japan.
Honestly reward yourself. I’m sure you spent a lot of time preparing all the required paperwork and you should treat yourself to something.
> She’s applying for the third time and my SOP is nowhere near the level of hers.
Sounds like imposter syndrome. I wouldn’t worry about it. Licensed teachers get rejected from the program while fresh college grads get shortlisted. Heck even in Japan I feel in ways inferior to my pred who did this for ~6 years lol.
well she’s clearly applied twice, failed and not given up.
It’s not the end of the world, if you fail you can just apply next year and improve your SOP.
What if you don’t get in? The money you are saving up for moving can easily turn into funds for a vacation.
If you dont get in have some back up plans. For example, there are alternatives like AEON you can try. Or if your interested in working in Korea there is EPIK. You could look into other employment opportunities related to what you want to do for a short time and then apply again in case you get rejected.
Have back ups planned. Apply to other companies or similar programs, with the expectation that they won’t be as good as JET as far as working conditions and salary are concerned. I find that the ppl, who put all their eggs in the JET basket, are the ones who typically take the rejection the hardest. That and the ppl who just assumed they’ll get in because they are over qualified as far as experience teaching, certifications and Japanese proficiency.
Yeah like others may have already mentioned you kind of have to let or make yourself forget about it for the time being. This can be a very long process and you have to keep living your life. If it helps, I applied for the first time last year and had a lot of the same thoughts. I also compared my SOP to others. I dwelled on it for a few weeks after application closed, but I followed the advise others suggested and let it slowly fall to the back of my mind. I ended up getting an interview and when results came back I didn’t get the best news. I was selected as an alternate. I pretty much gave up hope once summer passed, and again let it fall to the back of my mind and kept living my life. A few weeks ago to my surprise I got the upgrade email. By that point I had done so much it was no longer my main focus. Hopefully your situation is different and you don’t have to go through that much waiting but over time it gets easier. I’m sorry for the long response but hope it helps! 🙂
Also first year applicant. It’s out of our hands now. For fun I’ve been watching JET vlog videos, but for me my biggest focus is finishing my last year of uni strong. Just try to keep yourself distracted and January will be here soon. Best of luck my dude
I’m sure you have friends and family that you hang out with, right? Try to spend more time with them while you can, while applying for other jobs and positions with other companies.
Don’t let this consume you.
Holy shit, are you me??? I am in the same boat at the moment. Have friends who are applying too and I also compared my SOP to theirs. And of course, all the really cool ideas I could have put in my SOP came to me after I submitted, despite the fact I started fairly early and asked a lot of people for feedback. I know it’s easier said than done, but I’m trying to just put it behind me, but also prepare for the worst case scenario I don’t get accepted. JET seems to be very competitive and I’ve heard of people that meet all the requirements and have a strong SOP, yet still don’t make it in. I’ve been looking at alternative methods of getting there in the meantime so I have something to fall back on if I do get that dreaded rejection letter. My first plan is to either go for an alternative company that will sponsor my visa, get a few months of experience, and then look for something better. My other option is to use the next year to really build my experience up by getting a 120 hour TEFL, continuing to volunteer, and doing workaway for a month or two. That way when I reapply, it shows resilience and I will at least have more to work with for my SOP.
What’s done is done, and unfortunately there’s nothing we can do except prepare and better ourselves for the next time. Try to take care of yourself OP. Drink some water, take a walk, hang out with a friend or family, read a book, do something artsy… anything to get your mind off of it. Best of luck to the both of us ❤️
I felt the same way I applied. I had no teaching experience and had no real plan after graduating (which is when I first applied). This time around, it’s not even on my mind. I have a great job and have other things going on in life. My biggest suggestion is to keep living your life or start some new hobbies to distract you from the JET anxiety.
It isn’t the end all be all. Now it’s just a waiting game and if we don’t selected, just reflect on what we can improve for the next application period. Best of luck! I hope we both make it in! lol
As someone who felt the same way last year, your experiences are valid. It’s easy to say that you should look for something else to make you busy, but I know precisely how hard it is not to think of JET; It’s part of the process. However, it’s painstaking as well that a lot of negative thoughts keep on nagging you; I feel you. Last time, I remember that my anxiety even tried to disturb my sleeping pattern and even always tried to appear in my dreams. When negativities run through me, I constantly affirm myself by saying that “I did great”, “I did everything I could,” etc. It’s pretty exhausting, and it seems to gaslight oneself, but it did help me. Now, I’m trying my luck to be in my favor this time. I feel less anxious, and I do not anymore think of the application process. Whatever will be, will be.
It’s normal. The first time around you will have all the anxiety due to the vague/ambiguous nature of JET. Towards the end of each phase you will feel better, then getting an update to the next phase brings back all the anxiety.
It’s silly to say, but just gotta push through and forget about things. It’s the best advice, unfortunately.
Getting into the JET programme is not the greatest thing in the world ever like a lot of the sentiment thrown around about it is. Not saying this to be cynical, but if your SOP doesn’t live up to expectations, in one way you dodged a bullet and it gives you the opportunity to refine your career focus, then reapply next year if you still want to (a year is really not that long, but at the same time a lot can change in-between.) JET is for the passionate or for those who have yet to find career direction.