10 Steps to a Successful JET Application

During the application process for the JET Program, I found that there wasn't a ton of information available about peoples' experiences applying as a CIR. Of course, the applications for ALT and CIR are basically identical, but the interview is not! Without giving too much away about the interview, I wanted to put down a couple ideas about what I think made my application and interview successful.

My completed JET application!

Application Process:

1) Start ASAP!

My completed application was over 60 pages long! They require that you submit multiple copies of your materials, which include various writing parts. You want to give yourself time to complete a Statement of Purpose that you feel good about, so expect to write, revisit, revise, revisit, revise, et cetera.

Another reason to start early is that you need to get two letters of recommendation and a medical form filled out. You want to give the individuals writing your recommendation as much time as possible, since people may have hectic schedules. Life and work can get in the way. If you procrastinate, do not expect a professor to prioritize your letter just because it's due in less than a week.

Moreover, some doctor's offices (like my own) require a 4-5 day window to complete paperwork, so you need to factor that in too! You also never know if things will get lost in the mail -- starting early gives you a safety net in the event that this happens.

(Side note: Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit!)

2) Cultivate good references.

This might seem like an obvious one, but the Letters of Recommendation give your application legitimacy. Make sure that you choose individuals who are familiar with the qualities and experiences you reflect on your application. Just because you have known a professor for 3 or 4 years does not mean that you will get a better recommendation!

You may also want to keep in mind the title of the person writing your recommendation. One of my Japanese teachers who is a graduate student turned down many students who asked her for letters of recommendation because she was concerned that her status (compared to that of a full-time Professor) would be a detriment to the students' applications.

3) Have multiple proofread your Statement of Purpose.

This is an obvious step. You only have two short pages to illustrate your best qualities, experiences, and aspirations so you want to make sure that it's a quality piece of writing. Make the most of your two pages and cut out anything that isn't directly relevant to YOU! Storytelling is okay, but it needs to be done concisely.  Share it with your friends, parents, professors, and / or other students have applied to JET -- everyone has a different style of writing that they prefer, and something that makes sense to one reader may be unclear to another.

Also, make sure to look over the application before you start writing. If you have the opportunity to elaborate on certain topics on the application, don't bother including a detailed account of it in your Statement of Purpose. For example, if you include that you studied abroad in Tokyo in your Statement, they can cross-check your application to see how long you were there, what school you studied at, et cetera.

4) Neatness counts!

For the most part, the JET application is typed, so you would really have to try hard to make it sloppy! This past year's application had an issue with the application PDF that caused some text boxes to cut words off. They had applicants include a sticky note next to the question with the intended text. If you need to hand-write anything, make sure it is impeccable! Follow directions to a T and reprint any bent or folded copies of things you want to submit with your application. Every little bit counts.

5) Set realistic future goals for yourself.

To make sure that you will benefit from your experience on the JET Program, the application asks what your future aspirations are. In the event that you do participate, you will eventually have to leave Japan and return to your home country, so it's important to identify what you want to get out of the experience. Make sure that what you put on your application is consistent with your Statement of Purpose and what your letters of recommendation may say!

Interview Process:

1) Use other peoples' experiences to inform your own.

There are SO MANY good resources online to help you prepare for your interview! I read numerous blogs to get an idea of what the interview was like and found that there was no single way to sum up the experience. Regardless, it can help prepare you for an entire range of situations.

I also turned toward Reddit and looked at /r/JetProgramme, /r/tefl, and /r/japanlife to read about specific questions and concerns. Fellow students and alumni of your University who may have done the program (or are currently participating) will be the most helpful, as they have may have went through the interview process only a year ago!

2) Practice your Japanese reading skills.

If you're going to interview for the CIR position, you will be tested on your reading comprehension in relation to the level that you indicate on your application. You will have to read aloud, which takes a bit more effort than just silent reading.

My strategy for this part was to practice 速読 (sokudoku, speed reading) during downtime at work or when I was at the gym with JLPT N2 practice problems. After doing this for a few weeks, I started to do 音読 (ondoku, reading aloud) with NHK News Web articles both in my dormitory and with a fellow Japaneses-studying friend to correct any pronunciation errors. On top of this, I tried out some reading comprehension problems with Monbukagakusho Scholarship practice tests and practiced conversation regularly.

Of course, the degree to which you need to review will depend on your language ability and how much exposure you have to the language. This semester I am taking a Japanese class that only meets three times a week for 50 minutes, so I felt that I needed the review!

3) Dress to impress.

This step may seem superficial, but it is an absolutely crucial part of any interview process - not just JET. It shows that you're serious about the interview and can adapt to a workplace environment. I saw one person wearing jeans and flannel, and another with a miniskirt, graphic tee and knee-high socks... unless they had stellar credentials and a solid interview, I doubt they were offered a position. (If anyone has stories refuting this theory, I would love to hear them!)

My simple rule of thumb is to dress as if you've already got the job and you're going to your first day of work. I based my own outfit off of the typical 就活 (shuukatsu, job hunting) outfit of a black blazer and skirt, white button up, and black heels.

4) Review what you wrote on your application and Statement of Purpose.

What you write in your application will impact the questions that you are asked in your interview - they may even ask you questions from the application verbatim. You may think, "oh, I wrote that, how could I not know what I wrote?!" but you'd be surprised at how much you forget.

5) Rehearse your answers.

Some people will tell you not to do this. Rehearsed, or "canned" answers will prevent you from standing out in the interview, but rehearsal can help if you're nervous. I began practicing 2 to 3 times a week before the interview with various people - my boyfriend, relatives, friends, a career counselor. It may be embarrassing to speak so seriously with people you're close to, but it will be even more embarrassing to arrive at an interview unprepared!



So... that's my two cents about the JET Program application process! Of course, every person is different and will require different preparation, but I felt that these were the most basic things that helped me along. Hopefully someone else can benefit from my experience!