Applying for the JET Program: The Application

The JET Program application is your first impression, so its important to make sure it counts.
The application is notably long and detailed. You will need to include references and several documents along with it.

Here are some of my tips:

• Make sure you understand what the job entails. Obviously you can't know exactly what its going to be like until you get here, but know that this is not a vacation and it is not a study abroad. This is a job like any other and you should treat it as one. Also, be prepared to deal with things like homesickness, being a foreigner and standing out, language troubles, and struggling to work with JTEs. 
• Read the application instructions very, VERY carefully! Each consulate has different requirements, so don't depend on information from anyone else. If you need help, contact your consulate. They are the only ones who can give you 100% accurate information!
• When filling out the application, include any kind of information which ties you to children, teaching, or other cultures. I included that I was a leader at an English camp and helped in English class when I was a high school exchange student to Japan. Things like summer camps, reading, previous ESL experience, cultural volunteer experience, etc.
• Its not too late to start some of the above mentioned activities. If you start doing some ESL volunteering right now, you can include it on your application. 
• Know what you want to get out of JET and understand that it is a 5 year maximum program, though more often 3 years is the max. JET expects you to leave Japan, so have an idea of what you will learn from JET and how you want to incorporate that into your future goals and career. They will ask you about it.
• Placement requests: make sure you do your research. Check out things that matter to you - climate, local food, activities. It might be a good idea to join prefectural/regional JET groups on Facebook and ask any questions you have about placements. In past years, people always cautioned against picking Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto since tons of people request them and hardly any get in. The thing is, with the Olympics there are now hundreds of spots opening in Tokyo! I don't know much about it except that all spots are for high schools, but it means that Tokyo is more of a possibility now than ever before. 

A note for family JET applicants:

• If you have children, try and play that up in your statement of purpose, application, and interview. You have experience dealing with children by default, so it should be a benefit to your application! Also note how your child will truly act upon grassroots internationalisation - there is nothing more grassroots than a foreign child playing with a Japanese child. Just by playing together, the next generation learns English and appreciation of other races and cultures. Children also give you a pretty good "in" with the community. I had a welcome party organized for me by a local mother and I was able to meet other families and children from the area! 
• The other thing to address is how your family will deal with homesickness and troubles. The main deterrent for bringing dependents along is that JET worries how they will fare in a new country. You need to make sure JET knows you are flexible, that you and your family can deal with work trips and absences from home, and that you aren't going to break contract and run home because your dependents are unhappy. JET is a year-long contract at least, so treat that with respect and make sure you can commit to that period of time.
• If you have or are bringing a spouse, make sure you have a rough plan for what they will do. Ditto for children. At the interview you may be asked about this, so just have a general idea of what your spouse will do - stay at home with the kids, find a job, or stay in your home country? Will the kids stay in your home country, be homeschooled, attend local school, or go to a private international school?

Currently, this is what the Canadian JET application consists of:

• 1 JET Programme application
• 1 signed and dated self-assessment medical report
• 1 signed and dated authorization and release form
• 1 statement of physician form (if applicable)
• proof of Canadian citizenship (photocopy of passport, birth certificate, or citizen card)
• official transcripts of ALL college and university courses
• copy of your degree OR a letter from your university stating your specific graduation date
• 2 recent letters of reference (written within 3 months of application deadline)
• proof of teaching qualifications (if you have them)
• statement of purpose/personal statement essay (usually 2 pages)

Keep in mind that none of the submitted documents can be returned, so don't send originals!