Don't bite early and sell yourself short...a school in the ME offered me a job after one Skype interview. I knew I could do better. But some top schools like to hire early so if you know a top school is interested you might want to take it. There are some lists on this site of schools considered 'top tier'...take it all with a grain of salt, but if a school comes up on a few of those lists you can pretty much tell if it's a good school or not. I'm also a firm believer that the right school and you will find each other. Just ride the wave and you'll figure it out!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2256955040/

It's a closed group. You have to ask a member to add you but shouldn't be too hard.

That's great, Uncloudy. Go to an early job fair. If you're in the states then the Boston fair is probably the best and earliest. Cast a wide net...don't limit yourself...don't take the first offer. These are just my humble opinions. You may land a good job early and not even need to go to a job fair. Also, take EVERY Skype interview whether you're interested or not!!! I highly recommend this as they are good practice! Also, you never know what can happen. I landed my excellent job because another excellent school contacted me, but I wasn't 100 percent sure about them. The guy was so nice he forwarded my name on to another top school and that is where I am now. Good Luck!! A year from now you'll be somewhere awesome I'm sure!

So about this time a year ago I decided I wanted to teach abroad. I did a lot of research on this site and found the international teachers' Facebook page, too. I signed up with Search, got all my ducks lined up with them, signed up for job fair, cast a wide net, had Skype interviews, landed a fantastic job (top tier school!) and now here I am one year later at my new school and absolutely loving it! Just wanted to tell others to believe in yourself...it can be done!

I think it's totally worth it to sign up with an agency (I did Search) and go to a fair. If you sign up early you can spread out your costs. This year is my first time out and I landed a great job. So, I'm probably biased about the use of an agency. I also signed up with TIE online but didn't like it or really use it at all. When you sign up with an agency and can get into the database you get a better idea of what schools are offering.

As far as wish list I can't really say. We're the ones looking for jobs so our comfort and what WE want isn't really a school's priority. You have to smile, put on a suit/dress, and just go through the process. If you've got credentials, experience, and (let's be honest) the look I'm sure you'll land a decent job! Good luck!

I thought I read somewhere that Search and ISS alternate fair date every year. This year (2014) Search was first in Boston so next year (2015) ISS will go first. I went with Search because the database is bigger. I landed a great job so it worked for me.

@UnCloudy - I just reread my post...when I said 'conference' I meant job fair. Hopefully you knew that! Sorry...so much going on...finishing up at my school and getting ready to go abroad.

Good Luck in your search! It'll happen!

Go for it! Don't get caught up in 'am I good enough'...I decided last summer to sign up with Search (I think better than ISS but only my opinion) and joined this site to read reviews and gather information. My advice is to sign up and get all your ducks lined up by August/September. Don't get discouraged if you don't hear anything yet from schools. Sign up for a conference as early as you can. (I did Cambridge) Things will start ramping up in December...I had a handful of schools want to Skype before conference. My best advice is to take any and ALL Skype interviews even if you're not even remotely interested. They are good practice and you never know where they'll lead. You can always turn a school down. I took a Skype interview with a school in Hong Kong I wasn't totally sold on, but I was honest and interviewer was super nice. He passed my name on to another school (Tier 1) and they contacted me the very next morning...had a few Skype interviews and I met head at conference and signed on the dotted line...I'm all set to go in July! By the way I have no PYP (you'll hear all about that if you peruse this site) and only a Bachelor's (2 Bachelor's actually) degree. I have a lot of experience at a good private school and had great recommendations. I am also single with no dependents which isn't a teaching couple but next best thing. While many would probably have told me since I didn't have any PYP or international experience I wouldn't have a good chance, I chose to believe in myself and go for it! There's a list on this site somewhere of what many consider the top 10 or so schools in Asia - I'm going to one on the list! My advice is to just believe in yourself and make the decision that you want to teach abroad...then go for it!

Out of curiosity I just checked to see if she had any reviews on the paid side. She had two very good reviews. Can't believe she didn't know what was going on with her husband...unbelievable.

What's scary, Micky, is that it looks like he was at many reputable 'Tier 1' schools...not fly-by-night language schools. And his wife...geesh...frightening...

It's a lot of money to just get a Masters in something you enjoy. Who wouldn't want to do that but is it realistic? Although, I suppose maybe teachers on the international circuit for many years have saved a lot of money and can do this. I don't have this kind of luxury. I have to weigh out the financial scales as to whether or not it's worth it for me at this point in my life. Some schools offer free courses towards Masters degrees, but I'm sure these are education related and not just something for my own pleasure/interest. If you're younger than 40 I'd say go for it. It will definitely pay off if you plan on teaching for awhile.

@Shadowjack - I think doing worthwhile professional development keeps you up to date on latest teaching theories and best practices. What about teachers who earned their Masters degrees 15 - 20 years ago? Professional development is what keeps you up to date...just sayin'...:)

I just landed a great job without a Masters. I have 2 Bachelors and a lot of experience. I've been contemplating getting one, too. I'm older so not sure if it's worth it at this point. As other poster said...debt vs. salary hike...is it worth it? If you're young it would definitely balance out and even be more money in the long run but at my age (50) it's a toss up. If my new school offers classes for free I'll take advantage...some schools do.

Taipei American School is a Tier 1. I saw a post on the Facebook page for international teachers. There was another school expanding and looking for teachers. I just looked at it - the I-Shou International School in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. There's other schools in Taiwan. Are you signed up for the paid review side?

Auntiesocial, I was thinking the same thing...isn't ISKL a big one? I didn't see it listed.