International Teaching Recruitment Fairs

So, after registering and doing more due diligence than necessary, it became apparent that I would have to go to the job fairs, which I was hoping to avoid for many reasons. 

Cost was one of the biggest factors, as I'd already shelled out $200 to register with Search Associates, $185 to register with International Schools Services (ISS), and $35 to access The International Educator's online database.  However, I bit the bullet and registered for both the Search and ISS recruitment fairs in San Francisco.  The $200 fee I'd already paid to Search included admission to the recruitment fairs, which was great, especially considering that it cost $290 to register to attend the ISS fair.

Total thus far (just for the fair registration/the ability to search databases): $710.00!!!

Luckily, they were timed perfectly (ISS ended the day before the Search fair started), so I only had to get the time off from work and one plane ticket.  My principal, Mr. McKean, was a dream throughout this entire process.  He was so kind, helpful, and understanding.  He allowed me to take the time off (I had a ton of accrued leave because my leave transferred from Gresham Barlow district to PPS) and I had an amazing substitute, so my kids were in great hands.

Anyway, after deciding that, yes, I was going to the fairs, I obviously needed to find a place to stay and something to wear.  My dear friend from my Masters program and her husband (she's a Spanish teacher and he's a middle school principal) offered to let me stay with them in Oakland.  Plus, their house was very near to the BART line, so it was an easy trip back and forth from the job fairs every day.

It was also recommended to bring copies of your resume, thank you cards (for interviews), and notecards to express interest and to communicate with the schools/recruiters.  Wanting to make the best impression possible, I went to our local fancy paper shop and ordered business cards, and business stationery (with my contact information printed on it).  They turned out beautifully, but that was an additional $300. 

Next, what to wear???  The ISS fair was 4 (long) days and the Search fair was 3 days, so I needed to get some coordinates/suits/etc.  Shopping trip to Nordstrom: check.  I came out with some great separates, dresses, and comfortable business shoes.  Let's just say that I bought some confidence and you can't put a price on that....especially when it comes from Nordstroms.  ;)

Flight: I found a great flight on Alaska for $160 round trip, so that was probably the best bargain of the whole process!

Now, to finally address the fairs themselves.  It was actually a bit frustrating and disheartening at first because I'd spent so much time and effort (back in December) contacting the schools and, in the weeks leading up to the fairs, daily checking all the databases for updated listings.  I know that most of the recruiters had just attended fairs in Bangkok, London, Boston, and Sydney, so by the time the San Francisco fairs started, many of the jobs had been filled. At the ISS San Francisco fair, there were about 180 schools represented and over 500 candidates!

The first day and a half served as orientation days; registration, getting paperwork, and attending information sessions--schools put on information sessions (about their schools, etc.) and there were workshops (about what to expect when you move internationally, how to read the benefits package, etc.).  Luckily, I made two girlfriends straightaway and we were able to pal around and encourage each other when the interview process began.

In the "Candidate's Lounge" there were two blocks of file folders in crates.  These were the "mailboxes" and the most common method of communication--recruiters could drop notes in your file folder, expressing that they would like to meet with you (or not, as the case may be--I did see a few "rejection notes" in the boxes) and, conversely, the candidates had the opportunity to drop notes expressing interest and/or thanking the recruiters for their time in the recruitment/school mailboxes.

I was really excited when I got there the first morning, because I already had received a phone call from the International School of Yangon (Myanmar) requesting an interview and when I checked my mailbox, I had requests to meet with three schools: one in Cairo, Egypt; one in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and one all-girl's school in Kuwait.  Obviously, none were my top choice, but it was reassuring to know that I had potential interest.

After the 2nd day of conferences, was "the big event."  There was an informational panel (Q and A) type event for all of the candidates and the panel honestly and candidly answered many questions that we (the candidates, of which there were about 500) had.  One panelist, in particular, stuck out--he was very conscientious about repeating questions so that everyone could hear, etc. and I made a note to thank him after the Q&A.  When I spoke to him after the panel had finished, he asked where I was from and what I taught.  "Spanish."  It just so happened that his school, the American International School of Lusaka, Zambia had a Spanish position open.  He said that I should come talk to him the previous day and I made a mental note to look up Zambia on a map!

At the end of the session was what everyone was waiting for: THE LIST.  Basically, the updated list of what positions were still available.  ISS provided us with a packet of schools and positions and we all scattered home to prepare our notecards to express interest in particular positions.  When I looked through the list, I was quite disappointed as about 15 schools that had previously listed open Spanish positions had filled them.  There definitely weren't as many job opportunities as I'd hoped for.  I got organized and made my list of schools to talk to and then prepared for the craziness which would begin the next morning....

The following morning (day 3 of the fair) was interview sign up time.  The doors to the Grand Ballroom, we were told, would open at 8:00 on the dot and then you had to run around (already knowing which schools you were interested in because of the list you'd been provided the night before) and scramble to get an interview sign up.  There were only 2 days of interviews and the schools obviously wanted to interview "right" people for their jobs, so even being granted an interview at a very desirable school or in a competitive field (like social studies or history) was a feat in itself.

I'd narrowed my search to Spanish positions (there were 6 total, two of which I ruled out due to location--I didn't want to go to a major city in Asia) and to middle school language arts/social studies/math.  Not my ideal age range, but I wanted to have a few more options.  So, when I arrived to the hotel foyer at 7:30 that morning I had a pretty good idea of the schools I wanted to target.  I wasn't prepared for what I found when I rounded the corner in front of the Ballroom.  I was a good 30 minutes early and was already easily 150-200 people back in line.  People were abuzz with excitement and tension.  You could feel the electricity in the air and see the tiny beads of sweat forming on foreheads and upper lips--this was "go time."

When the doors opened at 8:00, it was off to the races.  People were racing into the ballroom to get their place in line to hopefully get an interview which would hopefully lead to a job.  By the time I got into the fair (which was huge--each school had a table and recruiters and, behind them, there was a list of what positions they had available), some of the "desirable" schools had lines 30 deep (Western Europe and schools with great "packages" like Singapore American School).  I was very overwhelmed, but I stuck to my plan and went to the schools with jobs I was qualified for first.  I wasn't granted interviews at a few schools I was interested in, mostly because I didn't have experience in the subject area.  Most of the schools, after greeting, asked two questions:

1.) Have you taught the IB (International Baccalaureate) program before?
2.) Have you taught internationally before?

Obviously, people who can answer "yes" to those questions have a leg up. 

After scheduling 9 interviews, I retired to the lounge to have a snack and get a bit calmed down/focused before my interviews started (at 10:15).  After the round of first interviews, which were all lovely, I really had a better idea of the whole process.  I was extended 4 offers and I slept on it, talked with my folks, and knew that the position at AISL (American International School of Lusaka) is the right choice for me and Ruby. 

If I could offer any advice it would be that it basically boils down to where are you the best fit academically.  We all want to go to Spain, or Southern France, or Switzerland.  But, if there aren't any jobs that you're qualified for, then it won't be the right fit.  I had to completely nix Spain (which was, hands down, my top choice going into this whole process).  Not because I didn't want to go there, but because there weren't any jobs.  Maybe after getting experience teaching internationally and under the IB Program, I'll be more likely to land a European job, but I couldn't be happier with my decision.

Also, as I accepted a position at the ISS fair, I obviously didn't have to go to the Search fair.  I did, however, attend a 2 hour workshop they offered on the IB Program, because I don't really know anything about it.  I also notified both Search and ISS to mark that I'd accepted a position so that it was "official."

Here's a link to my new school:
The American International School of Lusaka

The World of International Teaching

Many people have asked how I got a job teaching internationally...this post will address that. 

First and foremost, had you asked me last July where I'd be now/three/five/ten years from now, I would have easily said, "No problem--I'll be teaching Spanish and Leadership and serving as the Activities Director at Springwater Trail."  I absolutely loved that job and that school and, as this is my 5th year teaching, I didn't really feel like I was at risk of getting "RIF"ed.  (Reduction in Force; Reduced, basically).  Well, last August 10, my principal called me with the bad news.  Long story short: I chose to leave the Gresham Barlow School District when I was offered a position teaching 5th grade (just regular ole' 5th grade: reading, writing, math, social studies...) at a wonderful neighborhood elementary in Portland Public.  In November/December, I started hearing rumblings about more budget cuts within PPS and, as it turns out, I made the right decision to leave to teach internationally because I would definitely be reduced again at the end of this year.  (As an aside: PPS is in the range of $45-$90 million short for the school budget over the course of the next two years).

Anyway, I have a few friends teaching internationally and I contacted them.  In fact, Erin's dad is the Headmaster of the International School of Tallinn (Estonia), and he provided me with quite a lot of information.  I know lots of people go abroad to teach English, but I wanted something more concrete.  Also, the more I learned the "super-desirable" places (like Western Europe) don't generally provide as good of a "package" because, basically, everyone wants to work there. 

Don (Erin's dad), and some friends who've returned from teaching internationally, provided me with recommendations of companies to register with.  Basically, these companies act as middle men/headhunters.  I sent all of my paperwork to them (transcripts, recommendations, resume, copies of licensure, etc.) and they scanned it all for their database.  The search process could be done by both myself (I could search for available positions) and by the schools, looking for qualified candidates. 

I registered with Search Associates and International School Services (two headhunter companies), The Council of International Schools, and Carney Sandoe (but, after registering, I realized that Carney Sandoe mostly specializes in private domestic schools).  I also paid $35 to access The International Educator's online database, which is basically a pretty comprehensive listing of international schools and what positions they have available.

After making the decision and doing a ton of research, I spent most of Christmas break at my folks contacting schools that I'd found that a.) sounded interesting and b.) had openings for which I was qualified (I can teach all levels of Spanish and I hold a mid-level Generalist certificate, so I can teach any subject in grades 5-9).  Anyway, I easily spent over 100 hours researching and contacting potential employers; each with a personalized cover letter, etc.  Also, this was the exact right time to start exploring a teaching internationally.  Most schools require two year contracts with the option of re-upping (usually there's a bonus involved if you renew your contract).  However, if you are choosing to leave your post, many schools request that you notify them prior to the December holidays so they can get everything listed online and prepare for/register for the job fairs.  It's my understanding that the "fair season" kicks off in January in Bangkok and London and then goes on from there.

My undergraduate college, Whitman, also has an amazing service that their career center offers: for educators, they send your "education credential file" to any school, so the poor ladies at the career center (thank you so much Margaret and Susan) scanned and emailed my credential file to countless schools (I think there were about 50 schools that I requested my cred. file get sent to).

Unfortunately, it turns out that all those hours spent on the computer didn't do jack.  I did find some schools that I was highly interested in and, if the next two years in Zambia go well, I will definitely contact them to see if they have any positions available, but all in all, all of that front-loading and being really proactive didn't really help with my job search at all.  If anything, in retrospect, most of the schools probably found it annoying to get inundated with a ton of paperwork.  Oh well.....

Turns out, most (I would say ~90%) of jobs are filled at the international teaching job fairs.  I was hoping to avoid going to the fairs because a.) I'd have to miss a week+ of work and b.) It was going to be really expensive.  However, because of the lack of feedback/response I got from all my Christmastime emailing, I decided to register for both the Search Associates and International School Services job fairs in February in San Francisco.  And, needless to say, going to the fairs paid off and I ended the time there with four offers and one acceptance!

See the next post about the fairs themselves.

Here are links to the companies that I found very useful:
Search Associates
International School Services
Council of International Schools
The International Educator
Carney, Sandoe, and Associates  (though this agency proved to have more domestic listings)