Another talented player to emerge from the Academy system, Jaik was awarded a full-time professional contract in 2008 making a half-century on Championship debut in August at Leicester. On his first Championship appearance on home soil, he continued in good vein hitting 72 off 79 balls against Warwickshire and recognition of his talents continued when he was selected for the England Under-19 squad the following winter for their tour to South Africa.

Injuries halted his progress during 2009 although he maintained his place in the England Under-19 squad and was part of the England Performance squad over the winter of 2009/10. A regular member of the first team, Jaik enjoyed a good season with Essex in the First Division playing 15 matches and collecting more than 800 runs that included his highest first-class score of 174 when playing against Durham. He also only missed only one Championship match last summer accruing 733 runs.