Are there fewer people applying this year?

[GriffN]

Well, if there are fewer applicants, maybe it won't take so long to hear about interviews. With the delays in the application, if there were as many applicants as the past two years, things really would have been tight.

[GusVIII]

Another thing. I remember during the information session someone mentioned that this year all of the alternates were given job offers. Has that ever happened before?

[Terin317]

I attended the L.A. info session last weekend, and was able to pick up some interesting info.

**Edited out the stats. I don't think they were supposed to be shared.**

Good luck to everyone!

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Yeesh, I got an interview twice before I made it here this year on the third (and last) try. The first one I can understand (1st job interview ever), not quite sure what I did wrong in the second one.

Still, I ended up in a great placement with nice schools, so it all panned out OK IMO.

[merkypie]

Finally, early departure was brought up in a rather interesting way. The coordinator said that there were maybe only 10 or 12 spots TOTAL for ALL OF JAPAN for new American JETs this year. Wow. I guess the US is just rolling out the new departure option this year slowly to test the waters. It really makes me think that they gave the US applicants that option also because of worries of low quality applicants this year.

If that's the case, then there looks like only one April departure slot per consulate. I figured as much when I was reading up on how Australia and New Zealand did their early departure. One or two per consulate were selected to go.

This can all change, of course.

[Gekishinken]

It might be a blessing in disguise not going in April though. When I talked to the office in D.C. about it they said that your preferences wouldn't mean much of anything if you did early departure, because they would simply send you "where there was an opening".

[KaitouK]

Wow. I guess the US is just rolling out the new departure option this year slowly to test the waters. It really makes me think that they gave the US applicants that option also because of worries of low quality applicants this year.

That or they are expecting some may get there and not like the effects of energy conservation measures (brown-outs and such) or other conditions as a result of the earthquake/tsunami. Though I think from reports I've heard from people are pretty much a non-issue for most.

[AVN]

Wow. I guess the US is just rolling out the new departure option this year slowly to test the waters. It really makes me think that they gave the US applicants that option also because of worries of low quality applicants this year.

That or they are expecting some may get there and not like the effects of energy conservation measures (brown-outs and such) or other conditions as a result of the earthquake/tsunami. Though I think from reports I've heard from people are pretty much a non-issue for most.

By the time this year's JETs would have arrived they would probably have not felt the effects you listed and if they did they stopped shortly there after. Now maybe emotional, living in an area that lost a lot of people or something along those lines, pressure from family, or perhaps just worrying themselves by the name of the area they were placed in and wanting to move or get out.
Those seem more possible.

[randomguy]

Hope these numbers were enlightening. Despite that terrifying 20% chance to even get an interview, it sounds much smoother once you get to that step.

Thanks for the info. Yeah, that 20% is scary. My biggest worry is that some super-minor mistake would mess up my application, especially on the medical form. I'm confident I have a strong application, but all the preparation I've done up 'til now could be for naught....

Were those stats for ALT and CIR combined?

[KaitouK]

Wow. I guess the US is just rolling out the new departure option this year slowly to test the waters. It really makes me think that they gave the US applicants that option also because of worries of low quality applicants this year.

That or they are expecting some may get there and not like the effects of energy conservation measures (brown-outs and such) or other conditions as a result of the earthquake/tsunami. Though I think from reports I've heard from people are pretty much a non-issue for most.

By the time this year's JETs would have arrived they would probably have not felt the effects you listed and if they did they stopped shortly there after. Now maybe emotional, living in an area that lost a lot of people or something along those lines, pressure from family, or perhaps just worrying themselves by the name of the area they were placed in and wanting to move or get out.
Those seem more possible.

I definitely agree with the emotional side of things having an effect. From what I'm reading, they are still working to combat energy shortages. Japanese urged to wrap up to save winter power

I'm not trying to play it up, it takes great people to go and stick it out through the good and the bad. I'm just noting that it is there and it can have an effect on some people who may have shallower reasons for joining the program.

[RockerBug17]

I see they recently formally posted the new remuneration information on the JET site. The wage might not attract professional teachers, but it is still okay for those with their basic degree. This change likely saved the Programme, and hopefully it will bounce back in the future. If you are looking for better wages and want to save money, you can try applying to JES (James English School) or the Westgate Corporation (although that is a short term job). There are also some positions with Interac that pay slightly more than this new JET wage, but you have to keep a good eye on their site. Most other jobs I found when researching alternatives to JET paid approximately between 200,000 and 250,000 yen per month. You can search "Alternatives to JET" to find a chart I made about 2 years ago.

The JET Programme was TOO competitive in previous years and a decrease was just going to be natural. I don't know why there was a huge spike in applicants when I applied (Americans had over 5300 applicants in 2010, I believe). It was likely the economy, but I think more people are holding fast to what they have now.

I'm a professional teacher and the new JET salary is still more than I would make in my TWENTIETH year as a teacher here in NC. Calculate in for a pay freeze on teachers for at least 5 years and inflation and you've got yourself a huge mess. But because of a surplus of teachers (new and recently laid off) there is absolutely no prospect of starting a teaching career here in the US. I've been trying to get my first teaching job for over a year now and I can't get a principal to give me the time of day! If I make it into the JET Program I'm hoping it will give me an advantage over other teachers when (or if) the US job market ever recovers.

[miami_coordinator]

Another thing. I remember during the information session someone mentioned that this year all of the alternates were given job offers. Has that ever happened before?

That may have happened for some consulates, but it is not the case that all alternates around the world or even around the U.S. were upgraded to short-listers.

[GriffN]

I see they recently formally posted the new remuneration information on the JET site. The wage might not attract professional teachers, but it is still okay for those with their basic degree. This change likely saved the Programme, and hopefully it will bounce back in the future. If you are looking for better wages and want to save money, you can try applying to JES (James English School) or the Westgate Corporation (although that is a short term job). There are also some positions with Interac that pay slightly more than this new JET wage, but you have to keep a good eye on their site. Most other jobs I found when researching alternatives to JET paid approximately between 200,000 and 250,000 yen per month. You can search "Alternatives to JET" to find a chart I made about 2 years ago.

The JET Programme was TOO competitive in previous years and a decrease was just going to be natural. I don't know why there was a huge spike in applicants when I applied (Americans had over 5300 applicants in 2010, I believe). It was likely the economy, but I think more people are holding fast to what they have now.

I'm a professional teacher and the new JET salary is still more than I would make in my TWENTIETH year as a teacher here in NC. Calculate in for a pay freeze on teachers for at least 5 years and inflation and you've got yourself a huge mess. But because of a surplus of teachers (new and recently laid off) there is absolutely no prospect of starting a teaching career here in the US. I've been trying to get my first teaching job for over a year now and I can't get a principal to give me the time of day! If I make it into the JET Program I'm hoping it will give me an advantage over other teachers when (or if) the US job market ever recovers.

Agreed, even with the salary changes, with how strong the yen is versus the dollar, the JET salary is looking pretty good. Especially for recent graduates. There are a number of things to consider, though.

JET isn't a long-term employment option.

For teachers, It's debatable how valuable the teaching experience with JET will be. To my friends who are aspiring teachers, when I explain how much an ALT's responsibilities might vary (decent chance they'll act as a talkbox) they all get pretty turned off. Most of them would rather teach a couple years at tribal reservation schools (which are always looking for new teachers).

And there are implicit costs with JET. Money to get your doctor forms and background check. Money to acquire or renew your passport. You possibly have to fly to your interview consulate. There are probably a number of things you'll have to buy (and get rid of) to comfortably relocate. And there's the recommended $2000 that you should bring to get by until your paychecks come, or if you have to pay key money (basically a non-refundable bribe to your landlord).

Adding all that up, I know I'll need to spend $4000-$4500 just to make this happen. (Granted, a chunk of that is getting a laptop and a new camera, but I'm really trying to get by on as little as possible.)

Compound that with the gross amount of time involved in waiting, making contingency plans, and possibly putting other parts of your life on hold while you wait for interview and shortlist/alternate notifications...

A lot of those things are going to happen with any job, but working in a foreign country definitely inflates the costs. In a crappy economy, possibly without a job or prospects, with debt, without substantial savings, JET is going to be impossible for a lot of people. If you're able to apply this year, you're in a pretty fortunate position.

[bittersweet]

I see they recently formally posted the new remuneration information on the JET site. The wage might not attract professional teachers, but it is still okay for those with their basic degree. This change likely saved the Programme, and hopefully it will bounce back in the future. If you are looking for better wages and want to save money, you can try applying to JES (James English School) or the Westgate Corporation (although that is a short term job). There are also some positions with Interac that pay slightly more than this new JET wage, but you have to keep a good eye on their site. Most other jobs I found when researching alternatives to JET paid approximately between 200,000 and 250,000 yen per month. You can search "Alternatives to JET" to find a chart I made about 2 years ago.

The JET Programme was TOO competitive in previous years and a decrease was just going to be natural. I don't know why there was a huge spike in applicants when I applied (Americans had over 5300 applicants in 2010, I believe). It was likely the economy, but I think more people are holding fast to what they have now.

I'm a professional teacher and the new JET salary is still more than I would make in my TWENTIETH year as a teacher here in NC. Calculate in for a pay freeze on teachers for at least 5 years and inflation and you've got yourself a huge mess. But because of a surplus of teachers (new and recently laid off) there is absolutely no prospect of starting a teaching career here in the US. I've been trying to get my first teaching job for over a year now and I can't get a principal to give me the time of day! If I make it into the JET Program I'm hoping it will give me an advantage over other teachers when (or if) the US job market ever recovers.

really? my friend in florida made $33k to start, and the next year she was making $38k, and she didnt even have a teaching degree (you can teach in florida for up to 2 yrs without a teaching degree. i think texas does this too.)
i would say my standard of living here is about the same as making $30k in the US.

[RockerBug17]

...For teachers, It's debatable how valuable the teaching experience with JET will be. To my friends who are aspiring teachers, when I explain how much an ALT's responsibilities might vary (decent chance they'll act as a talkbox) they all get pretty turned off. Most of them would rather teach a couple years at tribal reservation schools (which are always looking for new teachers)...

While I have yet to have my first official (paid) teaching gig, I do have enough experience to know that the US education system requires teachers to be more or less a "talkbox." The state and federal teaching mandates layout a pretty clear picture: TEACH THE TEST. That's it. There's really not a lot of learning taking place in US public schools these days. So, I don't know about your aspiring teacher friends, but I'll jump at the chance to teach in a completely different education system because it is, of course, what you make of the situation that defines it.

really? my friend in florida made $33k to start, and the next year she was making $38k, and she didnt even have a teaching degree (you can teach in florida for up to 2 yrs without a teaching degree. i think texas does this too.)
i would say my standard of living here is about the same as making $30k in the US.

Oh yea, just take a look at this: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/fbs/finance/salary/schedules/2010-11schedules.pdf.

I knew the prospects of a teacher's salary when I decided to become a teacher. But again, the JET salary is still better than what I can expect here.