Alternates 2012

[OdysseyOfNoises]

Seriously, stop posting.

[Gekishinken]

Ika, just let it go. It isn't your job to tell other people what they can and can not wear. If JET had an issue with it they would have addressed it with those who were not following dress code. I honestly don't understand why you needed to post this to begin with.

[hunterofpeace]

Seriously, stop posting.

This.

Sorry to all you alternates for the hijacking of this thread. This was supposed to be a place of encouragement and it turned into a feeding frenzy for one hungry troll. I sincerely wish the best for all of you. I know it must be difficult but upgrades are still happening. Even if you don't make it, don't fret. Failing to make it in last year lead to some of the best experiences of my life thus far. Blessing in disguise. Take this next year to become a better you and you'll find that the time flies by. Probably won't hurt your application either.

[Mark_KyotoPA]

Oh hey guys, just wanting to wish luck to all of you still wai-

[Smasha]

Seriously, stop posting.

This.

Sorry to all you alternates for the hijacking of this thread. This was supposed to be a place of encouragement and it turned into a feeding frenzy for one hungry troll. I sincerely wish the best for all of you. I know it must be difficult but upgrades are still happening. Even if you don't make it, don't fret. Failing to make it in last year lead to some of the best experiences of my life thus far. Blessing in disguise. Take this next year to become a better you and you'll find that the time flies by. Probably won't hurt your application either.

LIKE!

To put my 5 cents in: PDOTs are for most part not mandatory, not paid, so although some people may take liberties with the suggested dress code, they cannot get fired for it. They are there to learn, meet fellow JETs and prepare themselves for the challenges ahead in a positive supportive environment.

CASE CLOSED

[koko]

If it matters, Ika, which I don't think it does, I know tons of teachers who wear flip flops and sundresses to school, or t-shirts everyday and really questionable pants. The point is, yes, there is a dress code, but not everyone cares. I don't think that means they won't be successful, and some of them are really awesome teachers. But your closemindedness and inability to mind your own business probably will make YOU unsuccessful.

On another note, thanks everyone! I really wasn't expecting to get upgraded, but I was checking my email constantly everyday, JIC ya know? The day I got upgraded, I decided to stop checking it (and my phone) about an hour before it happened.

Basically, it can still happen. I didn't think it would, but apparently there are a lot more indecisive people in this program than I thought! STAY POSITIVE! Now I have to go quit my job and try not to puke all over my soon to be former boss! Good luck guys!

[husky]

If the sandals bother you that much, you can just write to the event's organizers and/or the local coordinator and be done with it; my friends and I have found that except for a very few select questionable candidates (and of course this happens in all jobs), the JET program finds the right candidates for the job- of course the standard has gotten even higher now that the economy has stagnated and many over-qualified applicants are jumping for the opportunity. Personally I don't think that such a trivial issue would be something that bothered me. Apparently it didn't bother the people in charge of the event in this case, since you didn't mention them making some announcement about it.

On another note, I haven't been paying much attention to JET upgrades lately- congratulations! I'm already making preparations to take the JLPT N2 and/or N1 so I can live in Japan without restricting myself to only ALT-type work, but if an upgrade comes I think I would be inclined to accept it... although I've been hearing no activity at all in New York again for the past two months or so.

[koko]

On another note, I haven't been paying much attention to JET upgrades lately- congratulations! I'm already making preparations to take the JLPT N2 and/or N1 so I can live in Japan without restricting myself to only ALT-type work, but if an upgrade comes I think I would be inclined to accept it... although I've been hearing no activity at all in New York again for the past two months or so.

That's awesome, husky! I wish I was that proficient. But an upgrade opportunity could present itself. Apparently there are always a few people who can't handle moving to another country and drop out after they've arrived. It isn't exactly likely, but it could happen.

[husky]

On another note, I haven't been paying much attention to JET upgrades lately- congratulations! I'm already making preparations to take the JLPT N2 and/or N1 so I can live in Japan without restricting myself to only ALT-type work, but if an upgrade comes I think I would be inclined to accept it... although I've been hearing no activity at all in New York again for the past two months or so.

That's awesome, husky! I wish I was that proficient. But an upgrade opportunity could present itself. Apparently there are always a few people who can't handle moving to another country and drop out after they've arrived. It isn't exactly likely, but it could happen.

Thanks; yeah, the only problem with it is that now that I'm out of school, it's been terribly difficult to discipline myself to study diligently for it while I'm holding down a 8-5 or 9-6 office job. Since I've only been here for about two months, I think I'll focus on my job for now and once the dust has settled I'll probably end up contacting my Japanese professor on how exactly I might be able to go about it (they have tons and tons of kanji/vocab resources online, but aside from that I feel like I'd do better with a structured study plan and perhaps a tutor or class I could join in on)... hopefully I can get that business wrapped up within the next year or two at most?

I guess the only part about the upgrade process that's disturbing me is how quiet NY seems to be both on the forums and whatnot- someone was nice enough to shoot me a PM a while back on what they'd been hearing from shortlisted friends under the NY consulate, but aside from the few messages I get in this manner, there simply seems to be no activity at all in comparison to the more active members of other areas. Maybe it has something to do with how many applicants they've had?

[kuroguma]

Thanks; yeah, the only problem with it is that now that I'm out of school, it's been terribly difficult to discipline myself to study diligently for it while I'm holding down a 8-5 or 9-6 office job. Since I've only been here for about two months, I think I'll focus on my job for now and once the dust has settled I'll probably end up contacting my Japanese professor on how exactly I might be able to go about it (they have tons and tons of kanji/vocab resources online, but aside from that I feel like I'd do better with a structured study plan and perhaps a tutor or class I could join in on)... hopefully I can get that business wrapped up within the next year or two at most?

I guess the only part about the upgrade process that's disturbing me is how quiet NY seems to be both on the forums and whatnot- someone was nice enough to shoot me a PM a while back on what they'd been hearing from shortlisted friends under the NY consulate, but aside from the few messages I get in this manner, there simply seems to be no activity at all in comparison to the more active members of other areas. Maybe it has something to do with how many applicants they've had?

Also from NY and yeah... it's been pretty depressing. Managed to avoid the forums for awhile but came back recently as my best friend just headed to the peace corps in China for 2 years and had a layover in Japan. Sent me a 'omg you have to go to Japan' e-mail the rekindled my desire a bit.

At first I thought the lack of activity meant we'd see a whole lot of upgrades at some point but it seems I was wrong about that.

[Mimmy]

Thanks; yeah, the only problem with it is that now that I'm out of school, it's been terribly difficult to discipline myself to study diligently for it while I'm holding down a 8-5 or 9-6 office job. Since I've only been here for about two months, I think I'll focus on my job for now and once the dust has settled I'll probably end up contacting my Japanese professor on how exactly I might be able to go about it (they have tons and tons of kanji/vocab resources online, but aside from that I feel like I'd do better with a structured study plan and perhaps a tutor or class I could join in on)... hopefully I can get that business wrapped up within the next year or two at most?

I guess the only part about the upgrade process that's disturbing me is how quiet NY seems to be both on the forums and whatnot- someone was nice enough to shoot me a PM a while back on what they'd been hearing from shortlisted friends under the NY consulate, but aside from the few messages I get in this manner, there simply seems to be no activity at all in comparison to the more active members of other areas. Maybe it has something to do with how many applicants they've had?

Also from NY and yeah... it's been pretty depressing. Managed to avoid the forums for awhile but came back recently as my best friend just headed to the peace corps in China for 2 years and had a layover in Japan. Sent me a 'omg you have to go to Japan' e-mail the rekindled my desire a bit.

At first I thought the lack of activity meant we'd see a whole lot of upgrades at some point but it seems I was wrong about that.

Agreed. I have not heard ANYTHING from NY in months.

[jrd09c]

Hey guys! So, it isn't 100% certain at the moment, but I was called this morning and told that there was a very high chance that I would be upgraded from the Miami consulate! I'm very excited, but I feel like I have a lot to catch up on since I've been out of the loop for so long. The main reason I'm posting is to say to everyone still waiting that not all hope is lost! Still, finalizing a backup plan is a good idea. I was actually accepted to a Korean English teaching program a few weeks ago. They were very nice and professional, so I feel a little bad that I have to call and turn down the position if my placement with JET is solidified.

Either way, keep your chin up everyone!

[Smasha]

Hey guys! So, it isn't 100% certain at the moment, but I was called this morning and told that there was a very high chance that I would be upgraded from the Miami consulate! I'm very excited, but I feel like I have a lot to catch up on since I've been out of the loop for so long. The main reason I'm posting is to say to everyone still waiting that not all hope is lost! Still, finalizing a backup plan is a good idea. I was actually accepted to a Korean English teaching program a few weeks ago. They were very nice and professional, so I feel a little bad that I have to call and turn down the position if my placement with JET is solidified.

Either way, keep your chin up everyone!

do you know why your JET placement is not certain yet? Usually they only call you if it's for certain, but ESID! I hope it all works out for you!!!!!

[CalgaryPC]

There is a bit of cross confirming (check with the alternate to see if they are still available/interested before a formal offer of a position is authorized by Tokyo). I wouldn’t call an alternate unless I was feeling –really- sure they would get final approval, and I imagine MiamiPC is the same. The PCs just don’t have the authority to officially make that decision.
Technically nothing is 100% certain until you get a placement (city/town name), so the PC/consulate tires to leave a little wiggle room just in case, but as long as you were honest on you application and interview then it’s pretty unlikely that they would have to withdraw the offer of promotion.

[Emidono]

Hey Canadian Alternates,

I was wondering how many of you have handed in police checks to your consulates? I heard that they usually pick alternates who have checked that they are getting their police checks processed in their reply form in the later months..I was just wondering if I should just go get one processed to somewhat help my chances (even if it might mean wasting some money). Also, have anyone clarify which police check they had done if they did go ahead with it?

Thanks!