I've got an interview! (JET program)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I pretty much just needed to share this with someone…

So here’s the deal: A few days ago I got an email telling me that I was accepted to the interview part of the JET application process. (If you are not familiar with the program, it allows Americans and other English-speaking natives to go to Japan to talk English to people in the public school system there. It is generally considered the best of the programs that recruits in the US.) I was almost entirely sure that I wouldn’t be accepted–I have no teaching experience at ALL, and my application reflected that–but somehow I managed to rack up enough points to make it to the next stage, I guess.

I was really happy–ever since I studied abroad in Japan for a semester, I’ve wanted to go back. I’m majoring in E. Asian archeology and art history, I am somewhat obsessed with Japanese music, I’m learning Japanese… and I managed to fall in love with Japan, in just 3 months. Maybe I’ll fall back out of love, when I’ve been there for a year, but I want to find out, at least!

But I’m not in yet, and it’s not going to be easy getting in, either. It’s a really competitive program, and I’m not a very competitive applicant. Besides my lack of teaching experience, I’ve had almost no important interviews in my short life, and the whole thing makes me very nervous. I’m not as outgoing and extroverted as some applicants probably are (although I’ve become much more so in the past few years) and I get tongue-tied quite easily.

I’m scared! The interview will be in the next few weeks–they haven’t mailed me the exact time yet–and it’s all happening so fast! Ahh! I’ve made an appointment for a “mock interview” at my local campus career center, just for at least a little experience with that kind of thing, and I’m going to try to prepare a lot, but I just want this soo bad, I can’t be rational about it.

What should I wear? (I just have formal pants and a white button-up type shirt–will that be enough?) Is my (fairly natural looking) dyed red hair too over the top? Can I think fast enough on the spot? Are they going to ask me weird things, like I’ve heard on some websites about the process?

These are all rhetorical questions, although if any JapanDopers have done the JET thing and want to give me advice, do feel free! (or any advice on interviews generally.) Basically, I’m just wanted to get that out!

2

I didn’t do the JET program, but two of my friends from college did. Trust me, I don’t think you looking a wee bit “odd” or “informal” will be a big problem; one of these friends had a penchant for bizarre hair styles and dyed her hair quite often in unnatural shade combinations. (Maybe that whole “indie kid” thing helped a bit. I don’t know.) Dress nicely, do the practice interview with the career center, and don’t be nervous.

3

Congrats! My sister was accepted in the JET program right out of grad school (in '93 or '94 I think), and loved living in Japan so much that after her period with JET ran out, she got a regular teaching job in Japan. With the exception of some brief moves, she has lived in Japan ever since.

4

Congrats! I’m planning to study abroad in Japan next fall if everything works out. On a more related note, my RA just got back from the JET program in August and she loved it. She said that they told her to write down anything and everything that she wanted to experience in Japan (from specific restaurants, baseball games, to climbing Mt. Fuji), and they did everything she wrote down (more than a page worth)

Sounds like you’ve got quite an adventure ahead of you. Enjoy!

5

When you’re a Jet,
You’re a Jet all the way
From your first cigarette
To your last dyin’ day.
When you’re a Jet,
Let them do what they can,
You got brothers around,
You’re a family man!

couldn’t resist…

6

Whenever someone looks for advice on going into JET, I always point at my friend’s blog, since he’s about halfway into his term in Japan. He’s got some good advice and a huge amount of interesting stories. If it doesn’t help, it’ll certainly pass some time.

7

I knew a couple of JET people in Japan. experience ranged from good to great. It really depended on where you were, how the district took care of you and if you got into the place.

One guy I knew in aomori prefecture really got into the whole Tohoku thing, the district gave him a car, he had a huge apartment, and he was well taken care of.

8

Cool beans. Good luck! :slight_smile: