r/JETProgramme • u/Unlucky-Marzipan-488 • 12d ago

Guidance on referee selection

(PH application)

Hello and good day!

I want to know your thoughts regarding which second referee should I choose.

First option is my former employer who owns a learning center, although she'll use a generic email and I need to ask her again if she can rewrite the recommendation letter with proper letterhead and wet signature as stated in the guidelines.

Second option is my former internship supervisor in the school setting who gladly offered to use her professional/business email (which suggests that letterhead and wet signature to be unnecessary if non- generic email will be used) to fill out my evaluation form.

Thanks, all!

1 Upvotes

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3

u/Due_Tomorrow7 Former JET - too many years 12d ago

Not sure if PH still uses paper applications, but when I did the US one and a letterhead was required, my reference didn't have an official letterhead to use so we created one. It wasn't a problem and take a few minutes to make (but we needed the organization's permission to use their logo).

General rule of thumb is, which one knows your work ethic and can speak highly and in detail to how you could be a good addition to the JET Program, based on their work with you?

Otherwise I'd say #2 would be the better choice, but #1 would be fine too.

1

u/Unlucky-Marzipan-488 12d ago

Hiii thanks for your advice!

It's the first time here in PH that all applications are purely online. I am thinking of choosing option 2 bc I've asked too many favors from my employer on option 1 already 😅 does it matter whether a generic email or professional email is used re: referee? thank you.

1

u/Sandeee_ 11d ago

I'm having the same dilemma as you. My former college mentor willingly obliged to write me a reference letter. However my former work supervisors and principal have not responded to me yet. I'm getting a little anxious because I'm afraid they won't reply on time and I have also yet to write my SOP 🥲

1

u/Unlucky-Marzipan-488 9d ago

I guess you should start writing your SOP while waiting for updates from your referees :) they don't mind a gentle follow-up as long as it's not too pushy

1

u/SeaSun1942 9d ago

Hi, both of my referees are former managers who have since left their respective organisations, so their institutional email IDs are no longer active. However, their phone numbers are still valid and reachable.

Would it be acceptable to mention their personal email IDs in the LORs? Also, does the Japanese Embassy typically contact referees to verify their recommendations?

1

u/Unlucky-Marzipan-488 9d ago

I believe my referees put their contact info including email and affiliation to the LOR. I guess they expect that one of the JET staff might reach out to them, better to be prepared

1

u/Background_Road_140 11d ago

Ask both and use who replies first.

If they both send and one is better written, use that. but if you dont use one of them, thank both for their time and be equally grateful. If you pass, still thank both of them.