how selective is jet?

[sbay408]

I'm planning to apply for the '06 Jet and I was wondering how selective jet is with applicants?

[PopCulturePooka]

Quite so.

If you REALLY want to get to Japan, as opposed to REALLY wanting to work for Jet, theres easier ways.

[Varia]

Basically, if you can speak English, and have a Bachelor's degree and a clean record, you're good to go.

That's why I don't like JET and other go teach English programs. A lot of the teachers are unqualified and unfortunately aren't very skilled in the use of English. Speaking a language and teaching them are two different things.
________
Honda OSM specifications (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_OSM)

[Invictus]

Agreed. JET's standards are quite lax, in my estimation. Ah well...

[PopCulturePooka]

And yet are much tougher than Eikaiwa.

But then Eikaiwa isn't about grammar. Its about learning natural, conversational spoken english.

[Pierrot le Fou]

And you think our job is to teach grammar? Ha! Our job is to parade around in front of a class as a walking tape recorder and struggle to have any impact on the language learning in this country...

[sbay408]

what are the chances of me getting hired by Jet if I meet all the qualifications (degree, english ability, clean record)?

[PopCulturePooka]

And you think our job is to teach grammar? Ha! Our job is to parade around in front of a class as a walking tape recorder and struggle to have any impact on the language learning in this country...
Haha you are also just Human Tape Recorders?
Insert coin for english?

Sounds just like my old job at Nova.

[Kaji]

Amusingly I've got a friend working at the NOVA location in Harajuku. Tracked him down through their personnel system, first thing he told me when he called up my cell phone was never to work for NOVA...hehehe...

what are the chances of me getting hired by Jet if I meet all the qualifications (degree, english ability, clean record)?

From what I hear it's also best that you be single, as they consider it too much trouble to do a married JET with a wife not in the program. had something else in mind, but I can't remember it offhand...

Also, from what I've gathered, you can only apply once, so be certain you'll be ready to go if offered a job. You can't defer it for a year, and if you turn it down or get rejected, then the no is final.

[Dana]

from what i read JET is a more arduous application process than most places I looked at. I work for interac and though they don't pay for some things like JET does, I think I am happy I went with them because the application process was easier, they had a very good training course in tokyo and we get SUMMER OFF! lol, I know I know, whatever, but yeah... Also I like that with Interac you work in elementary schools in addition to JHS. In elementary school you basically get to teach whatever you want, however you want. Definitely breaks the mold of the human tape recorder, which is what tends to happen to you in JHS.

I think if you meet all criteria and don't act like a deplorable human being at the interview, you will be in for JET.

[Redi Jedi]

I've been living in UK for most of my life and I can speak English at native level, but my grammer isn't perfect and I dropped out of Uni (too much partying).
Do you think I can get a job in Japan teaching English? Not necessary with JET, but with any other language school or doing a private tuition.

[PopCulturePooka]

You're british.

You could get a part time job using a working holiday VISA with NOVA.

Thats about it.

[Redi Jedi]

Thanks for your reply.

At the moment I have dual nationality (British and Japanese) so visa isn't problem at the moment. If anyone can suggest anything else please let me know. Once my Japanese passport run out in 2 years time I won't be able to get renewed. So I want to make the most of it now.

By the way I'm new to this forum. Hi everyone!

[Kaji]

I don't think people with dual nationality can apply for JET. Might be wrong, though...

[Azrael]

It really depends.

I can only speak for the American application process, but when I went through, it seems like your "typical" American kind of gets passed through. "Are you an axe murderer? Not lately? Ok, we'll be in touch!" I noticed that minorities who apply though get grilled a bit harder, especially Asians (although my interview was a bitch). I thought this was kind of weird at first, but after living in Japan, I can see what they were getting at.

It seems like the application process got A LOT harder though, as I knew people who applied and honestly should have gotten in but didn't even get an interview.

On the other hand, I've met quite a few people who are here and should have never gotten past the application process.

I'm starting to think there's a very big hat somewhere in the JET offices.

[Pierrot le Fou]

It's the new millenium man, they pick us randomly through computer.

Seriously though, it's a crapshoot, but they have a pretty decent acceptance rate (after separating the wheat from the chaff through applications, deadlines and whatnot, it's probably close to 40-50%).

In Kyoto there are tons of couples. Including boyfriend/girlfriend unmarried ones who get the same placement.

If you don't get in, you can do the same job with a company like Interac, which is a lower-paid JET essentially. You can supplement that income with a side job however, which JETs are theoretically (and in many cases practically) prevented from doing.

[sbay408]

If JET turns you down, can you apply the next year?

[Invictus]

As far as I know, yes. However, if you apply for JET and later back out (for whatever reason and with whatever amount of advance notice), you may never apply for JET again.

[sbay408]

Thanks for the info on Interac; what other differences are there between Jet and Interac?
With Jet, i have heard that they interview asian americans more rigorously than other minorities. Should I, being asian american, be a little worried during the interview?

[Tungtvann]

It seems an interesting thing to do, and I'd like to do it. But owing to my lack of academic qualifications (did okay at high school, but never went on to further education), I don't think I would ever have a chance. My English is fairly good (I mean as a native speaker, I think I write to a good standard) and I am British, would there be any options for me at all in Japan, or even other countries?

Still, just a pipe dream I suppose, I'll be stuck in the UK forever....

[PopCulturePooka]

You can get a part time job with nova using a Working Holiday Visa.

[Arvynia]

I don't think in any country you can apply if you have dual citizenship with Japan - you have to revoke that. ..... But then again, I could be wrong.

Hmm... I'm glad one of my youth worker is an Ex-Jet. She was so excited to hear that I'm applying for the position and said she'll write the recommendation later. :) She even wants to meet about it and show me her pictures! XD

You guys are trying to scare us ASIANS! I'LL GET THROUGH I TELL YA! >_<

[Ziellos.ein]

i dont get why you couldnt if you have dual citizenship'. could someone explain the logic to me?

[koku]

JET vs. NOVA: FIGHT!

[Bob]

It really depends.

I can only speak for the American application process, but when I went through, it seems like your "typical" American kind of gets passed through. "Are you an axe murderer? Not lately? Ok, we'll be in touch!" I noticed that minorities who apply though get grilled a bit harder, especially Asians (although my interview was a bitch).

But you've only been through one interview, correct?

[h2orowe]

>.>; I don't know what I should do? If speaking Japanese is a minus with JET, and I can't get through to teach English in High School full time in Japan, and I want to apply for JET.... will my efforts in Japanese be futile? or work against me?!!!!!!!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Ahhh! I'm 15, I've only got a few years left to decide what I want to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to know! Should I continue to learn Japanese now? Because I've been really lazy with it right now, but if I need to learn it, than I will bust my ass.

[NERD]

I don't think there's a certain criteria that they are looking for other than that

a) you graduated from college and
b) you can speak fluent English.

Other stuff you can ask around, but if you're only 15, think about getting out of high school and college first, because it's not something easy either. At any rate, you won't be teaching in Japan until you are somewhere in your early twenty's unless you are some kind of wunderkid.

Learning a language never hurts, the least you could do is watch movies without subtitles or trying to hit on the natives :D Besides, sounds like there's a quite of JETs who don't speak much Japanese and get by, so stop being a worrywart and stick with graduating with high school first.

[Invictus]

At any rate, you won't be teaching in Japan until you are somewhere in your early twenty's unless you are some kind of wunderkid.

>_>

<_<

::whispers:: I just turned 20 two weeks ago. I'd like to think that I'm not a wunderkind, though. :p

[Arvynia]

Invictus, you ARE a wonderkid! :P

But back on topic: yes h2o - worry about highschool first, Sheesh.

And plus they aren't going to turn you away just because you know japanese. Once you get there, they expect you to assmiliate and learn it anyway.

[atomiton]

you can ALWAYS get a job in English... the interview is the most important thing... so if you have dual citizenship... go to Japan... and look for a job... you'll find one no problem.

www.jobsinjapan.com

[NERD]

::whispers:: I just turned 20 two weeks ago. I'd like to think that I'm not a wunderkind, though. :p

There are always exceptions, and I'd be surprised to see someone graduate from college without suffering these symptoms:

a) use too much substance and get expelled/suspended/arrested
b) flunk too many courses
c) run out of money
or d) have a life changing moment and change major/ get out of school to try something else.

[BluZytrix]

Kobun, I feel your dead on with C and D. If my mommy and daddy would pay for college, life would be a lot easier, but then I wouldn't be so financially strong. I'm a Computer Science and Japanese Major right this moment, going to Keio U in Japan. I have seriously thought about dropping CS because I like Japan....

[Invictus]

A: Not a substance user or abuser.
B: Lowest grade I've ever received is a C+ in Perl (no pun intended). Pretty much everything else has been A+ work.
C: Parents were kind enough to pay my way.
D: Unless a summer internship at FOX News counts, no such moments in my life... always had a sense of purpose, I guess. :P

[NERD]

Kobun, I feel your dead on with C and D. If my mommy and daddy would pay for college, life would be a lot easier, but then I wouldn't be so financially strong. I'm a Computer Science and Japanese Major right this moment, going to Keio U in Japan. I have seriously thought about dropping CS because I like Japan....

I know some people who had to leave school because either the tuition went up just enough for them to stop school, the scholarship dropped, or you'd rather make some money then go back to school. It's too expensive to attend school nowadays! Then there's some lucky kids who get their parents to pay for them, only to flunk or get booted out of school.

But hey, good luck in Japan. And for double majoring, I say stick with it unless there are reasons not to. If you are gonna be stuck in college for +4 years, might as well get more stuff to show for it, right? I'm double majoring in English/Fine Art, so that's my way of thinking.

[h2orowe]

-.- man this is so fucked up. People expect the poor to make a magical bounce out of the dumb they're in. They think their children have hope. What the hell can I do?! I mean, I'm not going to get money from my parent. I seriously thought of giving up, but I'm like fuck it, a high school degree is better than nothing... alot better. Fuck! Stupid college! We can't get jobs without you, but we can't go without jobs! Fuck Paradoxes!!!!!!!!!! ERRR GOD DAMN IT!
-.-; I'm not smart enough to get scholarships (well I am, but I'm just too fucking lazy) and it's too late for me to go to a Cali University because of my utter laziness towards homework last year, when I clearly knew more than all the kids in my class.

[NERD]

-.- man this is so fucked up. People expect the poor to make a magical bounce out of the dumb they're in. They think their children have hope. What the hell can I do?! I mean, I'm not going to get money from my parent. I seriously thought of giving up, but I'm like fuck it, a high school degree is better than nothing... alot better. Fuck! Stupid college! We can't get jobs without you, but we can't go without jobs! Fuck Paradoxes!!!!!!!!!! ERRR GOD DAMN IT!
-.-; I'm not smart enough to get scholarships (well I am, but I'm just too fucking lazy) and it's too late for me to go to a Cali University because of my utter laziness towards homework last year, when I clearly knew more than all the kids in my class.

There are many private scholarships if you do some research, that is why most people don't get them because

a) there's too many of them
b) there's many restrictions
c) many paperworks and research to be done for them. Free money is hard to get, of course...

If you have decent grades and your parents are not college graduates, and a resident of California you can apply for Cal Grant. I tried that, but I would never get it since my parents both went to college, and I'm not a resident.

And yeah, college may be pointless, but you can't go much further without it unless you have special skills, good connections, or both. So if you can't get into UC schools and don't want to pay much for college, try two years in a community college and attempt to get good grades. Many people try that route and do well.

[Pierrot le Fou]

h2orowe:
What the hell can I do?! -> I'm not smart enough to get scholarships (well I am, but I'm just too fucking lazy) and it's too late for me to go to a Cali University because of my utter laziness towards homework last year, when I clearly knew more than all the kids in my class.

So you're stating that you're smarter than all the kids in your class, yet you can't get your act together, and you're blaming society for your lack of ability for forward advancement?

DAMN ME HAVING TO GET OFF MY ASS TO BE PROVIDED WITH COLLEGE!!!

And in order to get on JET, you have to sacrifice your Japanese citizenship to the Gods. Another Kyoto JET had dual-citizenship, gave it up for JET, and is now marrying a Japanese woman but doesn't have his Koseki (family register) anymore. How fucked up is that?

[Vidgmchtr]

So, you can only be an assisstant teacher....Damn.

I was hoping I could be an actual teacher...

Is there a way, like, be an assisstant teacher for awhile, and after you finish the program (do you even finish?), you can be a normal teacher? Or, are there more things you have to do to become a full teacher there?

[Alphonse v.2]

If you can speak english and (whatever other language really well) you can do a lot better then Jet.

[Pierrot le Fou]

Non-Japanese citizens cannot become public school teachers. You will be ineligible to become a teacher in a public Japanese school unless you gain Japanese citizenship and are able to pass the teaching exam. In other words, it's rather unlikely to happen.

[Arvynia]

There are always exceptions, and I'd be surprised to see someone graduate from college without suffering these symptoms:

a) use too much substance and get expelled/suspended/arrested
b) flunk too many courses
c) run out of money
or d) have a life changing moment and change major/ get out of school to try something else.


I'm an exception! :D

My parents don't pay for crap. I work and take out loans! THE WAY TO GO! Woot!


Anyway.

No rush. You have your chances for JET until you hit what, 40 years of age?

[NERD]

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To anyone who is currently attending college or graduated from college without

a) using too much substance and got expelled/suspended/arrested or had any negative impact in life
b) flunking too many classes
c) running out of money or had to leave school temporarily until securing the necessary funds
d) changing major/school/experiencing a life changing moment and got out of school for a finite amount of time to pursue different interests (internships/part-time jobs/vacation/tragedy/comedy do not apply)


I offer you a hearty handshake.


Use it whenever you feel like you could use a virtual handshake (real except being real), want to feel good about yourself, or want to use it just because you can. Unlike my virtual hug, this is for real and good for only once. Additional handshakes may be acquired by monetary means or personal favors. Please ask how you can get more than one handshakes, because you are a winner.


Freemasons will not be offered this coupon because they smell funny. Please wash your hands before you use this coupon.

Signed, Kobun

[h2orowe]

Heh, PLF, I knew someone would catch my little laziness part thingy >.<; I'm working on that this year, by doing my essays the day I get them, instead of the day they were supposed to be due.
I just hope I'm not stuck here for the rest of my life, that alone gives me reason to bust my ass.

[B MacD]

If you can speak english and (whatever other language really well) you can do a lot better then Jet.

Like what? AEON? GEOS? Nova? I don't think so. Reality is, JET is the best teaching gig an unqualified native speaker can get. To get a job teaching at a uni you're going to be needing some fairly high academic qualifications, such as a Master's, etc.

There are some smaller schools that might have a better deal than JET, but most of them require you to be in Japan already, with a valid work visa. Getting lots of private students on your own can be quite lucrative, but it takes time and effort to build up a client base. Again, you have to be in Japan already to do this effectively.

There also seems to be some misconceptions about different visas, and JET requirements. FYI, you cannot work for JET without a bachelor's degree. A working holiday visa will entitle you to work at any number of jobs, but most teaching gigs will still want you to have some kind of degree. Nova used to take part timers without degrees, but I haven't been in that company for a while, so it's possible this has changed.

B

[Masa the Masta]

I'm currently working on my economics degree, I'm not even going for anything related to words. (Unless if you count things like inflation and interest rates..)

But I'm gonna try to be a JET. I've got straight A's thus far in college. I just hope I can keep it moderately up (I'll settle for B's and the occassional C once in awhile) for the next four years. :cool:

I've been to Mexico, I've got family there, and I've actually lived there for a month or so during my vacations. (I'm a dual citizen of U.S and Mexico.)

Japan SHOULD theoretically be a nicer place than Mexico, and I liked Mexico. I think I should be okay. :D

Yes I do speak english rather fluently, it's my first language..

I also speak Spanish fluently too. My AP tests said so. (4 and a 3 respectively on the Language and the Literature tests.)

Would knowing a completely other (but can be useless in Japan I guess..) language actually HELP or hinder my chances with JET? Could it be that I might have an opportunity elsewhere??

[B MacD]

I'm currently working on my economics degree, I'm not even going for anything related to words. (Unless if you count things like inflation and interest rates..)

But I'm gonna try to be a JET. I've got straight A's thus far in college. I just hope I can keep it moderately up (I'll settle for B's and the occassional C once in awhile) for the next four years. :cool:

I've been to Mexico, I've got family there, and I've actually lived there for a month or so during my vacations. (I'm a dual citizen of U.S and Mexico.)

Japan SHOULD theoretically be a nicer place than Mexico, and I liked Mexico. I think I should be okay. :D


Yes I do speak english rather fluently, it's my first language..

I also speak Spanish fluently too. My AP tests said so. (4 and a 3 respectively on the Language and the Literature tests.)

Would knowing a completely other (but can be useless in Japan I guess..) language actually HELP or hinder my chances with JET? Could it be that I might have an opportunity elsewhere??

It will not really be a factor in deciding if you go. You will not be speaking Spanish as part of your job duties, so it's basically irrelevant. Might help I guess, shows you are smart enough to master another language?

As for opportunities elsewhere, I think Nova teaches Spanish at the MM center. Don't expect it to open any big doors for you though. Unless you are fluent in Japanese, your options are pretty much confined to teaching.

B

[Masa the Masta]

It will not really be a factor in deciding if you go. You will not be speaking Spanish as part of your job duties, so it's basically irrelevant. Might help I guess, shows you are smart enough to master another language?

As for opportunities elsewhere, I think Nova teaches Spanish at the MM center. Don't expect it to open any big doors for you though. Unless you are fluent in Japanese, your options are pretty much confined to teaching.

B

Well I do intend on learning Japanese, but they don't offer it here in my community college, so I'll just wait until my two years of university. Hopefully they should offer Japanese there and then.

[Godon]

Haha, I'm almost done with my bachelors degree and I am not quite 19 yet. I got a 100% scholarship so I've not had to pay anything yet.

And to Masa, that's what I did. My community college didn't offer it either, but the university did so I took it after I got my A.A.

Speaking of schoolin' I wonder if your degree has any weight on acceptance to these programs. I am going to get a B.A. in Chemistry next year. I'm not quite an English major lol.

[Enjoy]

What if you are an English major? Any bonus points?

[B MacD]

What if you are an English major? Any bonus points?

Doubtful. You're not going to be teaching them Renaissance poetry or Shakespeare, so it doesn't really matter. If you're a native speaker with a bachelor's degree, then you fit the profile. Someone who majored in chemistry speaks English just as well as an English major (for example).

B

[Enjoy]

and if you took courses that focused on teaching English as a second language it wouldn't help in any way?

[Godon]

Doubtful. You're not going to be teaching them Renaissance poetry or Shakespeare, so it doesn't really matter. If you're a native speaker with a bachelor's degree, then you fit the profile. Someone who majored in chemistry speaks English just as well as an English major (for example).

B
Ahh, alright. Thanks.

[Bissrok]

just a couple things i was wondering: do you need to be great at english, or is it more casual? do you really do much as an assistant english teacher, or are you mainly there so they can hear how a native speaker pronounces the word? how long is a usual day? oh, and do they pay enough to survive or should you save up a lot before you leave?

[kitsunepixie]

just a couple things i was wondering: do you need to be great at english, or is it more casual? do you really do much as an assistant english teacher, or are you mainly there so they can hear how a native speaker pronounces the word? how long is a usual day? oh, and do they pay enough to survive or should you save up a lot before you leave?

I'm not an ALT, but they do require native fluency, although you don't have to be a master of the English language to be selected. The JET motto is "every situation is different," which is the case for the ALTs in my area; one is basically a human tape recorder, while the other has full reign of her classroom. One leaves her apartment at 6 am and commutes 2 hours to make it to her school by 8:10 am, then leaves at 8 pm that night (she attends some of her students' clubs), but she gets Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays off (!). The other ALT alternates between 3 different schools a week, working 1 - 5 pm at one and 9 - 5 at the others, but gets lots of days off for lots of random reasons.

The pay amount is set for everyone (about 300,000 yen/month), but each JET has different living expenses, depending on the area where they live, ect. I have prefectural housing in the suburb of a big city with miniscule rent, and so 250000 of that is mine to use however I like. Other JETs may pay much higher rents (like 60,000 yen) for smaller apartments with higher utility fees, while others may have their housing completely paid for by their contracting agencies! When you first get to Japan, you will definitely need to bring money with you because you have a whole month before you receive your first paycheck, unless your agency is extra generous and gives you a "settling in" bonus.

[Pierrot le Fou]

Spanish could be an asset, as you could teach a class or two in Spanish to give the kids a taste of another language. It would be fun for one-shot things in elementary schools if you had 'em. Some teachers may love it, some may hate it, it entirely depends.

As far as being an English expert, no such thing is needed. If you can differentiate between "I like dog" and "I like dogs" you're doing fine.

The pay is 3.6 million yen/year (that's about $30k US or so, give or take), but it's tax-free (pension, insurance, and unemployment come out of your check, but you can get much of it back). The school hours for almost everyone are 8:30am-4:15pm. There are exceptions, but few and far between.

[kitsunepixie]

and if you took courses that focused on teaching English as a second language it wouldn't help in any way?

I wouldn't say that. If it wouldn't give you a boost above the other applicants, it would at least be useful in your job function...i.e., teaching English as a second language to Japanese kids.

Knowledge of another foreign languages also helps set you apart from others floating in the applicant pool...

[spaik]

If you can differentiate between "I like dog" and "I like dogs" you're doing fine.

When I read that, I thought only "Yeah, they are about different subjects. One is about eating tastes, and the other is about liking/affection." until afterwards when I realized that, although I was correct, the 'mistake' you had intended to show was actually more of a grammar/spelling one, rather than talking about liking compared to eating dogs.

Must be the Korean in me...