Allison's Tips for the JET Application Process

I often receive emails from prospective JET Program participants, asking for advice on the application and interview process. There are many pages on the Web where you can find such advice, but I think it's helpful to get different perspectives, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to share my own tips on the subject. I love to give advice and help people, so if you have any questions after reading this, please feel free to email me! Ganbatte ne!

The Essay
Distinguish yourself from the other applicants by including some personal touches, such as a brief anecdote relating to your interest in Japan or internationalization. The people looking through the applications are going to read a lot of essays, so do your best to get noticed in a positive way by giving them a glimpse of your personality through your words!

Be detailed but concise, eliminating any superfluous words or phrases. Think critically about which parts of your writing contribute directly to the overall impact and message of the essay, and which parts can be edited out. Since you're strictly confined to two pages, even eliminating single ineffective words here and there can give you more space to focus on the content you really want to communicate.

After you're done with your first draft, take a break. Don't keep re-reading your own essay or you'll drive yourself crazy! Instead, ask friends and family members to read it and give their feedback, then revise accordingly.

Location Requests
Do your research! Information about every prefecture is easily accessible on the Web. A great place to start is the Japan Information Network's Regions and Cities page. From there, you can find links to each prefecture and many cities. There are lots of great places you've probably never heard of, so go check them out! This research will help you find out about climates, scenery, local history, and maybe even living expenses. It is well worth your time to really read up on various areas of Japan.

Your best bet for getting what you want is to request places that may not be commonly requested. The unwritten rule is: don't bother with Tokyo, because few (if any) JETs are placed there these days. Other big cities can be difficult to get as well. If you have your heart set on Kyoto or Osaka, for example, you may want to request a lesser-known location nearby instead of the famous cities themselves. It never hurts to try, though!

Ask for advice! Although I was able to decide on a first and second choice when I applied, I didn't have a particular third choice in mind. So I asked one of my Japanese professors to recommend a location with a mild climate and many historical points of interest.She suggested Yamaguchi-ken. What do you know? I got it! And it turned out to be just as she'd described.

The Interview
Be prepared! Do some research on Japan (name of the prime minister, current events, etc). This sort of thing might come up, and you'll definitely want to have an answer ready! Also, be prepared to answer questions about the contents of your application and essay. Your interviewers will probably have copies of both as they speak with you, and may ask for elaboration on some of the information you've included. For example, I was asked about my experiences in my sorority, and about my hobbies, among other topics. So definitely keep a copy of your application and essay on hand so that you can review it before the interview. Think about how you can relate your past experiences and activities to yourself as a potential JET. Also, if you requested any particular locations on your application, be ready to give a well-thought-out reason for your request.

It's good to be energetic! I was told that my high level of energy was a big factor in getting me the position. Smile and really show your enthusiasm for the opportunity to live and teach in Japan. It is important to act professional, but you need not act overly serious. Relax and have fun with the interview, and your natural sparkling personality will undoubtedly come through!

Be confident, outgoing, and show that you're ready for anything! I was asked to sing in my interview. I think this happens to quite a few applicants. Don't worry about your voice, just belt something out! It'll show the interviewers you are up to a challenge and are not overly self-conscious. After all, it takes some courage to get up in front of 36 students and give your self-intro, so the interviewers need to know that you are ready for it. Also, there may be many instances in Japan where you end up singing in front of a crowd. So if the interviewers ask you to do something a little out of the ordinary, just smile and go for it!
(As it happens, I was asked to sing many times in the classroom during my year on JET. One of my hobbies is karaoke, so when the students heard that, they would often ask me to sing... I ended up being known around town for my impromptu performances of "Love Machine." Goodness!)

Appearance is important, just like in any job interview. You don't need to conform to ultra-conservative Japanese ideals of a professional appearance, but do make sure you look well put-together. For example, if you are a man with long hair, don't feel that you should cut it just to fit in with Japanese standards- but you'd probably want to tie your hair back in a neat ponytail. Many applicants wear a suit. This is nice, and I recommend it if you already own a suit, but it's not actually necessary. At age 22 when I interviewed, I tended to look like a little girl playing dress-up when I wore a suit, so I chose a nice sweater set and skirt instead. It seemed to go over fine. So if you're not a suit person, or you simply don't own a suit yet, don't stress. The most important thing is simply to look nicely groomed and professional, like you would for any interview.

Best of luck with your application and interview!