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What is the selection process?
When can I expect to receive notification of my status as a JET applicant?
By late January you will receive notification from the Embassy of Japan in Ottawa, indicating whether or not you are invited to attend an interview. If you are invited to an interview and you selected Toronto as your interview location, by early February you will receive notification from the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto, indicating your interview time and date. By the middle of April you will receive notification from the same office, indicating the outcome of your interview.
How will JET officials contact me?
We will send all official correspondence by mail to the "current mailing address" indicated by you on your application form. For this reason it is vital that you keep us informed of any changes to your contact information. In some cases JET officials may also contact you directly by phone or e-mail. If this happens please assume correspondence is urgent and return messages as quickly as possible.
Who conducts JET interviews?
Interviews are conducted by panels of individuals with expertise in education, business, culture, international diplomacy and the JET Programme. All panelists assess JET candidates according to strict guidelines that help to ensure consistency in the quality of JET Programme participants.
What are the odds of getting accepted?
JET participants are selected on a qualitative - rather than quota - basis. For this reason we do not offer statistical odds, and the number of participants sent to Japan from Canada vary from year to year.
If I pass the interview, what can I expect to happen next?
'Final' and 'Alternate' candidates that successfully pass the interview stage will be required to confirm their intention to continue candidacy by returning a reply form, included with their notification letter. Those that do so by the date specified will be considered for employment and placement. Candidates that choose to withdraw at this stage remain eligible to re-apply the following year.
The Consulate will assume that 'Final' or 'Alternate' candidates that do not confirm their intention to continue candidacy by the date specified have chosen to decline their offer to participate on the JET Programme.
'Final' Candidates: 'Final' candidates that indicate their intention to continue candidacy on their reply form by the date specified will be informed of final selection results and notified of their offer of employment and placement by the Consulate, in May. In some cases, a contracting organisation or current JET participant may contact a candidate before the Consulate has information regarding the contracting organisation.
Successful 'Final' candidates (JET Participants) that withdraw from the JET Programme after receiving notification of employment and placement are not eligible to re-apply during the following contract year.
'Alternate' Candidates: 'Alternate' candidates that indicate their intention to continue candidacy on their reply form by the date specified will be notified of their promotion to 'Final' candidate status on an ongoing basis. Upon promotion, 'Alternate' candidates are required to confirm their intention to continue their candidacy.
'Alternate' candidates that choose to withdraw their candidacy from the JET Programme at the time of promotion remain eligible to re-apply during the following contract year.
Promoted 'Alternate' Candidates: Promoted 'Alternate' candidates ('Final' candidates) that confirm their intention to continue their candidacy will be notified of their offer of employment and placement details on an ongoing basis. In some cases, a contracting organisation or current JET participant may contact a candidate before the Consulate has information regarding the contracting organisation.
Promoted 'Alternate' candidates that withdraw from the JET Programme after receiving notification of employment and placement are not eligible to re-apply during the following contract year.
What is the absolute deadline for responding to an offer of acceptance?
The deadline generally falls in the third week of April, and will be clearly marked at the bottom of the reply form. Please note that late replies may not be accepted, and withdrawals after the deadline may affect your future application eligibility.
I have been selected as an 'Alternate'. What does this mean and when will I know the details of my departure?
This means that you are considered suitable to participate on the JET Programme, but that we do not currently have a position available for you. Every effort will be made to contact you as positions come available, from late April until October 31. Be sure that your reply form is filled out and returned to the JET desk and follow the directions included with your offer of 'Alternate' status. Be certain that the JET Coordinator has current phone, e-mail and address information for you at all times. If you cannot be contacted, someone else may be offered your spot. Do not complete the certificate of health until you are upgraded to the candidate list.
I received a letter of decline. What are the most common reasons for rejection and can I re-apply next year?
As there are a limited number of positions available to a large number of applicants, not all applicants are selected. While the largest number of rejections occurs at the application screening stage, still more occur during the interview process. A poor interview can easily affect your candidacy, and lack of research can adversely affect your ability to respond well. In some cases, your goals, skills and aptitudes may have been assessed as unsuitable for participation on the JET Programme, at this time.
If you are not selected this year but would like to apply again in the future, we strongly recommend that you research the JET Programme, Japan and working in Japan, and evaluate your own reasons for wishing to participate. While specific interview feedback is generally not available, you are welcome to contact the Embassy or Consulate with general questions of eligibility. In most cases you may apply again.