I have used them twice and didn't have any problems with them. I did wish they had sent more listings my way, and in the end I didn't get my postings through them. However, I wouldn't have any problems using them again. It's easy enough to re-activate and update your profile for future job searches.

I would second Sid's advice. Former colleagues that you consider friends would probably be willing to keep their eyes open for any potential openings at their schools and put in a word in your behalf, but if you are not close then just because you worked at the same school in the past doesn't mean that they can say much about you as a teacher.

I recommend you look up directors and principals on LinkedIn. If they have a profile, it is often helpful to be able to know where they went to school and where they previously worked and that can be a way to identify a possible common link. For example, the director of a school that has a vacancy that I'm interested in used to work at a school where I know one of the principals, so that would be an obvious possible opportunity to ask my friend for an intro or reference.

Good luck!

It is a bit late in the game, but I also agree with Sciteach's advice. Even if you tell schools that you would only be willing to work part-time, your specialism could be the draw card that gives your husband a slight edge given that English/Language Arts is not an "in demand" subject.

Good luck!

Out of my four international job searches, this has certainly been the longest and most challenging so far. I started looking in October and it started out quite well, obtaining 4 interviews out of just 8 mailed resumes by the end of November... but then none of those panned out and the cycle started again- responses, first interviews, silence.

By mid-February I had racked up 10 interviews out of 40 applications (not a bad ratio, in my opinion) but still no offers. I should perhaps mention that I have three dependents and am not math or science, but normally when I interview I get some offers. So during our mid-term break last week I started turning my attention to private schools in the States for the first time in 18 years, but I'm still hopeful of positions becoming available during March and April.

Hang in there!

I went to the London Search fair in 2011 and left without any offers after just four interviews, and I had to work hard to get those. A few weeks later I had an offer and a job, but I certainly didn't feel great about spending $2,000 or so to fly to London and walk away empty-handed.

It happens, and they tell you it happens... but I understand how it is still a bit of a blow to one's ego/pride. I know you have heard it before, but there will be jobs out there in the months ahead. I'm still looking myself and will continue to do so for the next 3 months if necessary... and if nothing I like turns up by May then I've got some plans for a year off.

Good luck, and don't give up!

I've mostly worked in schools in the 700 to 900 range, but I actually think 400-500 might be ideal. I worked at one school with around 110 children (K-12) and I loved the family atmosphere and seeing Grade 12 students playing with Grade 5 students and having that be no big deal. I would highly recommend it, unless you're looking for that big reputation "Tier 1" school challenge. I agree with shadowjack though that it's the quality of the school that counts, not the size.

Thanks for sharing your detailed fair diary with us, and congratulations on your new jobs. It's rare, but there are some schools out there who are willing to take on three or more children. I have a non-teaching spouse and two kids and it certainly lowers the odds (maybe not quite as low as 7%) but there are still jobs out there. Well done!

Exercising! Have made a commitment to do at least 30 minutes a day and so far am three for three in February.

Also marking and trying to do the things I'm supposed to be doing for my current school!

Finally, you have to try to let your normal routine continue and not let those expected or hoped-for replies rule your life. I don't know how many times I've been told that they would let me know in one week or two weeks and then never heard again from a school. You would think it would be simple courtesy...... I had an in-person interview on Friday and was promised an answer on Monday (yesterday), which of course came and went without a word from them.

Some 50% of candidates don't get offers at the London fair, so you have to be prepared for that. I went in 2005 when I had two dependents (non-teaching spouse plus one child) and I lined up 7 interviews quite easily and received two job offers.

Six years later, it was a different story. This time three dependents, only 4 interviews, no offers.... but I did get a job I was very happy with some 3-4 weeks later.

Don't panic! There are still plenty of jobs that will come along. Even as late as August there are always some jobs available in China and the Middle East, so there's no need to get desperate just because it's (nearly) February.

1st: December as a local hire for a January start - 1 dependent
2nd: January at London Search- 2 dependents
3rd: February via telephone after striking out at London Search, 3 dependents
4th: Early April, contacted school directly, 2 Skype interviews
5th: Current job search; started in October, have applied to 35 schools, still looking.

Some of the jobs at the 12-15 schools that you are interested will have gone before the fair even starts, so that might cut your list down to perhaps 6-10 schools. Invariably, positions that had not been advertised will now be posted as well though, so you might add a few schools to your list that way. In any case, I don't know that I would want to juggle more than 8-10 interviews at a fair.

Based on my own experience, I would estimate that 20% or so is fairly normal/average. To me, a more telling statistic is how long teachers have stayed at a particular school. If you see people breaking contract after just one year then that could obviously be a serious concern. If many/most teachers leave after only 2-3 years then you might also want to think carefully about joining such a school. There are variations of course depending on your age and marital status, but something worth considering.

It's not the end of the world. We are only human and any school that would rule you out because of this is probably a school that you don't want to work for anyway.

At least it's not as bad as sending a cover letter addressed to the wrong person/school, which I did once (that I am aware of!) and has probably happened to a few people in this forum.

Good luck!