Paying $1000+ for help on ALT and JET applications, is it worth it?

Hey guys, this September I’m going to apply for the JET programme, as well as to dispatch companies like Altia and Interac. But I’m aware how competitive these programs are, especially JET. Is it worth it to pay over $1,000 for job application help from TEFL orgs like International TEFL Academy? Or am I better networking?

For context, I’m currently a journalist with two years experience, have a Masters degree, a year experience as an assistant coach for a kids hockey team and a level 3 TEFL certificate.

Thanks!

20 comments
  1. Hahahahahah

    Sorry, but if you can breath and have a degree you are automatically hired by dispatch companies.

    JET is a crapshoot and your qualifications won’t help there either.

    Please do research on the kind of job you are applying for. If you want an easy way into Japan, or an easy brainless job go ahead.

    Do not under any circumstances waste money trying to look good for these companies.

    They don’t want qualified teachers they want people who will put up with any bullshit to live in Japan.

    These are not teaching jobs, if you think they are please do more research.

    TLDR: NO it’s absolutely NOT worth it, not even a little, not an iota.

  2. You’re better off simply looking for jobs and applying for them. ‘[O]ver $1000’ is likely to be half a month’s gross salary for any job you’ll get.

  3. Fuck no do not pay that. Im a JET. You don’t need any teaching experience, TEFL certification, or Japanese to get into JET. I’ve met plenty of JETs that have none of those things but got into the program. Just write a proper SOP and give a god interview. I’ve read plenty of SOPs. I’m convinced one of the reasons JET is so competitive is because more than half the applicants submit the same poorly written, incoherent weeb ramblings and think it’s a solid SOP.

  4. That’s definitely a scam.
    Dispatch companies basically just want people from native speaking countries, and most of the interview is just to check that your personality isn’t TOO weird and that you’re interested in Japan (aka not going to quit immediately).

    Back when I was an ALT I had no TEFL and zero teaching experience/ zero experience working with kids.

  5. Don’t get caught by the troll. A professional journalist wanting to pay someone $1,000 dollars to write a resume to be an ALT. Really!

    It reminds me of the JapanLife thread from ‘headhunter’ wanting advice how to get a new job.

  6. Whaaat? Eikaiwa and dispatch companies are easy to get into as long as you’re a native speaker.

    JET isn’t hard either, just don’t come off as a psycho in your essay. This program is only competitive because of the amount of people applying, not because the standards are extremely high.

  7. Don’t do it, the only one of those that’s “good” is JET, and as someone else mentioned, it’s a crapshoot, just have someone look over your resume before you apply. The others, as long as your resume isn’t total crap, you’ll make the interview, which you’ll pass if you’re “genki” enough.

  8. If you have a 4 year degree and a pulse a dispatch company will hire you. Especially if you don’t care where you are posted.

  9. Dear sir or madam.
    I am a Nigerian prince and my uncle has cast me out of my state hood. I am offering future lands and financial restitutions for your help. If you can send me 1,000+$ once I return to my thrown I will promise you acres of land in the richest are of Nigeria. I also promise to pay you 1,000$ a month for the rest of your life. If you can please DM your banking information immediately. I am in dire need of your help.
    Sincerely,
    The prince of Nigeria.

  10. This is hilarious. You might get into JET, but that’s more about personality than your qualifications. A dispatch company wouldn’t hire you because you are overqualified for them. You definitely shouldn’t pay any money for help with these applications.

  11. Doesn’t sound like you majored in *investigative* journalism. What kind of journalism involves no research whatsoever?

  12. The only good one is JET. The dispatch companies are total shit-shows that exploit gullible people like you that are desperate to come to Japan.

    Please, please, please do not pay that. You’re really going to pay $1k to secure a temporary poverty wage job? As long as you have a pulse, you can get hired on with the dispatch companies for free lol. JET can be a random hat-draw—your qualifications or “paid assistance” won’t really help you.

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