Job Discussion Forums

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

I worked in Japan for 3 years, 2 months, 5 days and 12 -13 hours. Why the numbers act? I'll show you.

The JET program says that one of the requirements is that the applicant should not have resided in Japan for more than 3 years.

Aha. Simple arithmatic, you loopy lupine.

That's what I thought. So I emailed the JET office, asking them if an application would be a waste of my time (I qualify every other way.) They said rules are rules. A day over 3 years violates the rules. But they encouraged me to apply (for next year) anyway.

JET gets more applicants than it has positions. My chances are mathmatically zero, right? The writer was just telling me to go flock myself in a nice way, deshou?

Any thoughts? Anyone ever been hired even though you were "over the limit?"

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

Sorry Wolf, I can't answer your question directly, but I think you spent enough time in Japan to realize that rules are just something to keep beaurocrats and the paper industry busy. Every rule in this country is broken (discreetly).

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth

Yeah, I agree there.

I also would like to be a "guest of Japan" once more after I finish my time in Middle Earth. Considering JET (yes I know the ups and downs, but the ups would include pay to cover my expenses; that would be nice), but I wont' cry if I don't make the cut. Due to fincances, my "repatriating" options are a wee limited. Guess I may as well stitch together that application by the fall, just for a lark....

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 1:20 am Post subject:

The rules are flexible. So long as it is somethng they can fudge (age, previous time in country, etc.) then they will sometimes. It's only things they have no control over they will insist upon (like the degree).

Apply. They won't turn you down outright because you don't meet one of the flexible criteria, although you *may* have a harder time getting an interview. Just make sure your application is stunningly good and clearly says what JET will gain from hiring *you* - it's all about what you can give JET.

buffy · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 57

go through your passport and subtract the time that you were away from Japan during those 3 years, 2 months. You might in fact be under the three year limit if you look at it that way....
Wouldn't have thought about doing it that way, but it helped when trying to change my license over.

Wolf · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 1245 Location: Middle Earth