Aspiring JETs Singapore edition 2012

[miffychan]

Since the application is open but no thread has been made, I thought I'll just start it off so that we can use this thread to encourage one another.

Current Singaporean JETs, please do come in to share your experience, and if possible, your aid

[lly]

Hi miffychan, and everyone in the JET Forum, nice to meet you~

Just to share, here are some past and present ALTs' blogs that I came across during the search to learn more about JET:
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http://thejetexperience.wordpress.com
http://www.shortsmallsweet.net
http://eunicethejet.blogspot.com/
http://sginjp.wordpress.com/
http://qqsandbox.blogspot.com
http://my-jet-experience.blogspot.com
http://snorlax87.blogspot.com
http://www.ruralsprawl.com
http://ameblo.jp/sodiumion
http://ishikawajet.wordpress.com/
http://gaijinhan.wordpress.com
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A big Thank You to all of you ALTs who wrote and shared your experiences. Thanks!

[haruharu]

hi, i'm completely new to this forum but thank god for this thread!

i'm going to apply this year and this question might sound really stupid, but the website isn't providing a lot of details (or am i not observant enough) because i've read many guidelines on how to write your SOP, but is there a fixed guideline for singapore applicants?

thank you very much! and help me!

[croosie]

Hi all !

Very pleased to meet each of you! I'll be applying for 2012 JET programme application from Singapore.

Currently, I'm quite vague if there's any specification about the Reference letters (for Singapore applications) as I found out that US 2012 JET applicants are provided with a reference letter template, and Canadian 2012 JET applicants are provided with a list of reference letter Instructions.

I find that some of the instructions to be quite helpful and I wonder whether it would be alright to follow some of the instructions in regards of giving my referees a better idea in writing the letter that will be coherent to my application?

[haruharu]

Hello croosie!

I'm currently using the Singaporean blogger's tips and suggestions as guidelines, the blog that says my jet experience if I'm not wrong! Read a lot about the us, uk guidelines but ya, ain't sure if it's the same. I've started on my essay already and I hope to send it my application early!

[mewrmewr]

Hi, I'm calling them up tomorrow to check on the reference letter forms, etc. Will update when I get the information.

I would also like to ask where did you manage to find the list of reference letter instructions for the Canadian applicants? Would appreciate if you can share it here.

My reference is asking me for any guidelines so I need to give them some asap. I'm guessing that the general guidelines should be more or less the same.. will confirm it tomorrow.

I feel that the information provided to us is kinda vague compared to elsewhere.

[lightless]

hi i'm applying this year too, wondering if anybody is going for the early departure option? i'm interested but it's not possible to obtain a police record without an official letter. Wondering if it's ok to just indicate interest without any of the additional docs needed.

[lly]

Hi mewrmwer, thanks for checking up on the reference letter forms. Agree with you there that SG's infor is kinda... not so much in comparison to the rest huh.

If I'm not mistaken, here's the link to CA's reference letter instructions: http://www.jetprogramme.ca/images/refer ... rs2012.pdf

@lightless - is there a need to obtain a police record even though there's no criminal history...?

[mewrmewr]

Hey lly, thanks for the link. I called the embassy up and they said:

1. No form is required, unlike the US form

2. There are no official template or guidelines by them for Singapore applicants

3. BUT, we can use the US, UK or Canadian guidelines/information as a guide for the reference to follow since (in my own words) I guess they would be interested in the same things

4. It is not mandatory for the reference letters to be sealed in envelopes and signed over the seal, but they definitely wouldn't mind if you did that.
(point to note: there was someone in another local thread http://www.jetprogramme.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4452&hilit=reference&start=525 who said he called up to check as well; they said it must be sealed. So I'm still not quite sure, but safest bet would be to seal it)

Hey lightless, I have a friend who is with SIA. I remember him telling me they required the police record as well showing that he was free of criminal charges or convictions. Somehow he managed to obtain a document from them (without any letter as far as I remember) proving that. As he is overseas now on training and will be back at the end of the week, I will ask him about the process when he's back, and update it here.

[lightless]

hi lly and mewrmewr
thanks for the replies.

In the instruction for early departure, it states that "Would you like to be considered for the position selected in Question 2a, if there are any vacant position by the end of February 2012? Please enter Y for yes; if not, enter N for no. Those who select “yes” for this question will need to make sure to submit their Criminal Record and Certificate of Health to the Embassy or Consulate General at the time of the application to the Embassy, or by the end of February at the latest to the Embassy or Consulate General where they will be interviewed. " So I think there's a need to obtain the criminal record even if there's no criminal history, I think this is required for work visa application.

http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/cert_issued.htm
This is the page I went to in order to find out more about getting a criminal record done in SG, now I am not sure if this is the record that we need to submit, in the page it states that in order to apply for a criminal record check, there needs to be a "Photocopy of document from relevant consulate/immigration authority/government bodies to establish that the certificate is required by such authority. All documents are to be translated to English if written in other languages." I called them up to check if we can make a request simply with the JET application form, they said no, an official document with our names on it must be provided.


Regarding the reference letters, I am getting my references to sign and seal the letters, no harm doing it and it's really not difficult, so even if not required I think it's a good idea to just do it. I am still waiting for one of my references to give me the letters, my intention is to submit my application as early as possible but the new early departure option threw me off quite a bit. I want to indicate interest but seems like I will not be able to submit the necessary documents.

[lly]

Hey guys, thanks for all the updates.

I had the impression the reference letters need not be sealed, so I called up to ask. The replies are...

1) No need to seal, ok to have the original + photocopies.

2) Have your referees sign and date the letters in blue, so as to differentiate the original from the photocopies.

3) For the criminal record, one does not need to submit yet, even if one is intending to apply for the early departure. Once you get shortlisted, you'd then be asked to provide it.

[mewrmewr]

Thanks for the update lly. Cleared up the doubts about the police record issue. Also, the signing and dating in blue is cool as well.

[miffychan]

Thanks for the update everyone! It's tough applying from overseas, so all your replies are really helpful

[lightless]

wow everything is clear now, thanks guys ^^b

maybe we can talk about something else, like what places are you guys putting down for placement options?

[haruharu]

hello all!

i was wondering, if i mention my past ccas and such, do i need to include any documents to prove that i was in the cca? like my testimonial or something?

thanks guys!