r/JETProgramme • u/Aqua7KH • 1d ago
Help with Recommendation Letters
Hello everyone, I decided I’m going to go ahead and apply. Thank you for all your advice, suggestions, etc it’s been very helpful.
I’m most worried about my recommendations so far. I have studied abroad in Japan at a language school and I also used to teach children in the past although I have no certification for it. I do not have contact with anyone from those programs I’ve been part of to request letters of recommendation for. Will this be a huge problem for me? Or can I just make the requests from my current unrelated colleagues? Or should I just reach out to my old teachers and colleagues anyway?
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u/Iambusy123 Aspiring JET 1d ago
Unfortunately, the program does not accept letters from colleagues.
I would recommend contacting your old teachers. You may have to remind them who you are in case they have forgotten you.
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u/Aqua7KH 1d ago
I was really trying to avoid that as I imagine it’s very rude for me just to approach someone just to ask for the letter but I suppose I have no choice. Offering to write the letter for them wouldn’t be a huge red flag?
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u/Due_Tomorrow7 Former JET - too many years 1d ago
I mean you need to have some tact when requesting a letter. This is very common for teachers and supervisors of any kind. However you can't just simply ask out of nowhere, you need to discuss the situation with them and make a request because they're doing you a favor. And it should be someone you had good rapport with.
Even if someone who went out of their way to make my life hell asked me for a glowing recommendation, I'd just politely tell them I wouldn't be available to write one for them. If someone doesn't want to write a letter for you because they wouldn't be comfortable (likely because they can't evaluate you fairly), they should give you at least that much professional courtesy.
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u/Iambusy123 Aspiring JET 1d ago edited 1d ago
Offering to write the letter for them wouldn’t be a huge red flag?
Not at all. Many professors are busy with teaching and research, so they don't have time to write a letter for a student they don't vividly remember.
There's nothing wrong with offering to write the letter. They will appreciate you for making it easy on them.
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u/Due_Tomorrow7 Former JET - too many years 1d ago
Follow the directions on the application packet.
If it says you they both should be from academia, then they need to be previous teachers or professors from your uni.
If it says only one professional and one academia, then you only need one previous teacher and the other should be someone that was in any kind of supervisor role from work.
Generally, professional recommendations shouldn't be from colleagues or co-workers. They should be someone that can vouch for your work in a supervisory role.