Job Discussion Forums

[heathergray]

Anyone wanting to share their excitement?

I'm on the "final short list" and am waiting to hear about what I have to do for the final paperwork because I'm in a different country from my permanent address.

[fat_chris]

I'm on the final short list as well and I will accept.

I just opened my envelope this past Friday. One of the main things that has to be done is obtaining an FBI criminal background check (if you are a US citizen that is). Also, results of a medical check-up need to be gathered and medical forms need to be filled out (CERTIFICATE OF HEALTH). Other paperwork, which involves two passport photos, also needs to be completed. No sweat. I need to look at the contents of the envelope again to see what it all entails.

Congrats on getting short-listed! Let's see what Japan is all about!

Regards,
fat_c

[Lyrajean]

I was also short-listed. Will have to run around tommorrow and see about getting stuff like fingerprints (for FBI check) and health certificate done. they certainly don't make any allowances for those of us who live in rural areas where it can be hard to get these services/ appts done in a hurry.

Getting a bit nervous.

Congrats to others on the list!

[heathergray]

Lyrajean - I hear you about being nervous. I'm American but am in Istanbul, Turkey for a 10-week course and the minute I learned about the final paperwork I began to worry about where I would get a physical, or get fingerprinted for the FBI background check!

Basically, the person I am in contact with at the consulate tells me that as long as I give an affirmative answer over email and get the mailings in as soon as I can, I'll be fine. Here's hoping.

[Mothy]

I made it to the short list too. Yay! I'm excited to find out where I'll be assigned to. I asked for Nagano or Gunma since I have some good friends in those two prefectures, but I'll be happy wherever I end up. They definately don't give much time to do all the FBI background check and certificate of health stuff, but I guess it's doable. Anyway, I'm glad I made it. I've been planning on going to Japan to work this year, and now I know for sure I will. So it's pretty sweet.

[fat_chris]

I'm living in New York City where there are a lot of these services and I have today and tomorrow off from work so I am getting things done, but ARGH! the earliest doctor's appointment I could get is for April 24th, my paperwork needs to be submitted by April 27th.

I hear you about stressing out about getting all of this done. SHEESH.

Best of luck to everyone. Get ready for Japan, folks!

Regards,
fat_c

[Lyrajean]

Yipee, I was able to get all my appointments in this week....

Mothy- Can't wait to hear about placements too. All my Japanese friends have left the country (wonder if I should be thinking about this) so I don't really care where I wind up as long as it's in Japan...

I decided to ask for somewhere I thought was "reasonable" or "do-able" given that most of their postings are in the countryside. Hoping for somewhere near Sendai or Fukuoka/Nagasaki.

Fat-chris -I am leaving from NYC too. I wonder how many of us got in because people had to cancel their interviews w/ the Valentine's Day blizzad?

[fat_chris]

Yay! Just sent my paperwork off: the certificate of health and reply form.

Now...in which prefecture will I live? The answer comes in May.

Best,
fat_c

[Mothy]

I've sent everything out but my certificate of health. Wasn't able to get an appointment with my doctor until today, but the embassy said it would be fine if it's a little bit late. Whew. I keep on having these uneasy feelings about making it this far only to be disqualified on some sort of technicality. I need to just get to Japan already. I don't want to have so much time to think about things

[Anne0]

I'm a intermediate level japanese speaking, one and a half year of experience of teaching esl in asia person who got turned down for an interview! but good luck to those who at least got an interview and made it to the short list.

[Quibby84]

Do you think that you got turned down because of those qualifications? Just curious because my husband wants to try for JET later and he will have those qualifications when he does try...
Also, does JET choose by regions? As in by regions of the US? Or only regions of the world?

[Mothy]

[quote="Anne0"]I'm a intermediate level japanese speaking, one and a half year of experience of teaching esl in asia person who got turned down for an interview! but good luck to those who at least got an interview and made it to the short list.[/quote]

Yeah, I think this could be because of your higher qualifications. Although JET isn't really forthcoming enough with what they're looking for exactly to know for sure, I had a friend who like you had expereince living and teaching overseas and knew a little Japanese and was turned down without an interview. But also I believe sometimes they disqualify people for little mistakes on their applications, so who really knows for sure. I'm sorry to hear you didn't get it, but on the bright side with those qualifications you should be able to get a job in Japan with someone else if you want to without too much trouble.

[fat_chris]

[Mothy]

Saitama-ken! It wasn't one of the prefectures I asked for but it's in the same area so I'm happy. Wait a second! Shizuoka WAS one of the one's I requested! You stole my Shizuoka!

[Lyrajean]

Okinawa-ken...

I don't know how they got that out of me requesting Miyagi-ken or Fukuoka...

-sigh-

At least I won't ahve to bring my winter clothes