Job Discussion Forums

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

I am finishing my current contract with an eikaiwa school in April. I am very keen to move to the an ALT postition after this. However, at 41, I am too old to apply to JET.

Reading previous threads, I see many people have said that making a direct approach to a BoE is pretty much doomed to failure. I take it there is nothing to lose if you do try such a direct approach, so long as you know it is a very long shot. Do people think it is reasonable to ask a BoE something like "If you do not welcome direct applications, could you tell me which dispatch companies you deal with so I can apply to them" - or would it be regarded as a bit rude? (BTW, does anyone know the correct Japanese term for an ALT dispatch company to use in such a letter?).

Perhaps there are better ways to find which dispatch companies are operating in a particular area. (For me, my "perfect world" location would be Kagoshima or Southern Kyushu in general).

If anyone has any thoughts on this matter, I would be very grateful to hear them.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

homersimpson · Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 569 Location: Kagoshima

Why specifically Kagoshima? You are going to be hard-pressed to find an ALT position here; at present, the JET Program has a lot of it tied up.

Lynn · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 696 Location: in between

In 1996, there was a 46 year old who applied for JET and was accepted. I met her at orientation.

Celeste · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

The age limit for the JET programme is 40 years "in priniciple". (Meaning if you seem youngish at 41 they may hire you).

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

The requirements read, "In principle, is less than 40 years of age." The flexibility associated with that requirement is that if you look younger than 40, you'll have no problem. Basically, they don't want someone who looks older than middle-aged. The keyword in the last sentence was looks.

I hope that cleared up any confusion.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

Thanks for the useful information, everybody.

I think I can add a little on the age limit for JET. This policy is applied more strictly in the UK - the London JET web page mentions "the new upper age limit of 39". When I spoke to them in September 2003, they were adamant that they would not accept applications from people over 39 - although they knew that this was not standard practice in application procedures in other countries. I dont know what would have happened if I had sent in a strong application, a youthful photo and a date of birth buried in the small print. I wish I had tried it...

Its a bit off topic but since the question about Kagoshima was asked, I have made many really good friends there and I think it is a very friendly place. Mainly, though I have have always had an interest in history and I would love to try and do some research into Japanese history one day. Satsuma history is very interesting but I had a thought - when you put together the archealogical digs in Ibuski, the mythological significance of the Kirishima mountain range, and the date of the separation of Okinawa dialect from mainland Japanese, it is possible to imagine that the first Japanese people arrived inn Japan through Kinko bay. If that is true then Kagoshima ben might be the authentic Japanese and Tokyo, Kansai and other dialects just modern offshoots! Anyway one day it is a subject I would love to look into.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520