All the Small Things

No, not the Blink 182 song. I am talking about the little things that give you surprising experience for anything involving children or jobs.

Last year, I did not put down a lot of things I probably could have and should have because it just didn't cross my mind as important (like MASSPIRG or a pre-college class I took years ago). Years ago, I prepared a resume for theatre tech work; one of the main things we talked about is that you put down everything you can fit in your skills. "I am comfortable on ladders." "I can lift heavy things." "I don't mind sweeping." Most likely, JET doesn't care about your love for cleaning paint brushes, but they very well may care about other things you've done. Ever babysat? Good experience with children. Ever worked your church nursery? Also counts as experience. TA in college? Awesome. Ran the study group? Good. Trained new co-workers (brilliant suggestion from the boards)? Perfect. It may seem stupid (and if the thing is really inane, don't include it), but there is a good chance that the little things matter. You may not want to teach elementary, but the willingness to do it and experience to help you do it may make the difference in whether or not someone in Japan wants you. So put down that babysitter's club you're a part of :P Just do it!