Where exactly are you looking?

I know that turnover is quite low at the IASAS schools (JIS, SAS, ISB, ISKL, ISM, TAS). These schools are all in Asia (mainly south-east).

This is off topic, but I am fascinated how the authorities can get away with the cutbacks pikefish mentioned. It is outrageous. In Australia, the media would rip them to shreds (not to mention the teacher unions).

Back to the topic: It's hard to imagine the downturn NOT affecting international schools. However, I am guessing that changes in enrolments will lag behind changes in the economy. For instance, most schools have already recruited for 2009-10. Any downturn in enrolments will probably start in earnest towards the middle of the year and into next year. To sum up, I'd be expecting fewer vacancies for 2010-11 (and maybe more people looking, as schools may reduce their teacher numbers).

A rather bleak outlook, I'm afraid

Do any old timers remember what it was like in the early 90s (90-1,91-2) - that was the last big global economic downturn.

In response to the poster asking whether JIS and SAS hired before the fairs, I can say "YES!!"

JIS recruited more than 50% of next year's new hires ahead of the fairs - I think they only had 5-6 spots to fill by the start of the February fairs in the USA. I am not sure they even went to the big CIS/ISS fair that is on (now I think).

Shanghai AS hired a teacher I work with over the phone before Christmas.

I really think the hiring dynamic has changed and more schools will take advantage of technology to recruit outside the fairs, or do most of their recruiting at the early fairs in Bangkok. This will in turn force other schools to follow suit.

Just one last thought - a lot may depend on what job you are seeking.

If you are, say, a Counselor, or teach a subject where there are shortages (such as IB Mathematics, Physics, or Business and Management) then any school will try to snap you up asap as they know you are a rare breed.

On the other hand, if you teach MS Social Studies or elementary (as I do) then you may find they wait, as many schools (JIS is an example) often save these positions for spouses of those hard to find teachers (such as counselors). I hope that all makes sense!! Having said that, I got a job over the phone in November to teach elementary, so you should never die wondering. Once the schools advertise vacancies, apply. Don't wait for the fairs.

Is 30 undergrad credits equivalent to a major?

I agree with the previous posters that you are definitely employable - however, some schools need a teacher to have a major in the area for which they are being employed (this is in order to get a visa, I think).

Having said all that, I'd get out there and get a job (and if you want to take some extra courses to build up your english credits, do it online while you're working - your employer may even pay the bills out of your PD allowance).

Yes, that is normal. The school may want to give your referees a call during the fair, so make sure you have weekend numbers for your referees and they know that someone might try to contact them.

Where are you planning to work?

I've worked in Indonesia, Singapore and China. In all of those places, you would get hit with a huge import duty just to get the scooter in.

As the previous poster indicated, there would be other costs in Singapore.

In Jakarta, there are thousands of cheap scooters available - having said that, at my orientation the school brought a Doctor in to talk about staying healthy in Jakarta. He said something to the effect that if you are planning to buy a scooter, don't. It is really dangerous out there (although there were a few brave souls on staff who did ride one). If you are heading to China, you might also want to do some checking - I know that it is illegal now in Guangzhou and some other cities.

So - sell your bike, check out the city you end up in and if you feel comfortable riding one, buy a cheap local version.

Do your research on HKIS - not that you are not actually trying to do that now;)

My concern with HKIS is that they have a really large number of vacancies - hence, turnover is high as their enrolments are pretty stable (the school is full). Also, some of the recent reviews on ISR are pretty negative.

If you are actually considering an offer from there, PM me. An ex-colleague of mine started at HKIS last year. I can send him an email asking for his point of view.

I remember looking at their website a couple of years ago and their package was on the site (it was a PDF or word file if I recall).

I worked with some teachers who were at the school in the early 2000s and they were happy there. It was certainly the best school to work at in HCMC. However, things can change.

As someone who is about to teach PYP for the 1st time, you're making me nervous;)

I must admit that the word of mouth from PYP teachers I have worked with is really positive; MYP, on the other hand, is another case altogether.

1. The hotel: I stayed at the hotel for my fair and found it was really convenient. However, plenty of friends did not. It is a shame that ISS and Search choose expensive 5 star hotels for the fairs - maybe to attact the administrators who do not have to personally foot the bill?

2. Resume: Definitely go with lots of copies. Make sure you also have contact details for your supervisors going back 7-8 years. One school wanted them at the fair. I would not recommend stapling your picture to the resume - show you are tech savvy (even if u are not!) by inserting it electronically into the document.

3. Portfolio: I worked on mine for ages, but was never asked for it. What u need to do is try to use it as you answer questions. Don't wait to be asked for it. For example, do u use rubrics as part of your assessment? "Yes, I do" - then show them an example from your portfolio. Try to have some examples of your work that you can use for obvious questions.

4. Meet and Greet: my memory is that smart casual is the way to go for the social function. Go easy on the alcohol;)

I don't remember much about my interviews - however, the following seemed to come up a lot. It might be useful to make sure you can talk about these areas:

a. Skills and qualities you bring to the school. This and the 'tell me about yourself' often get asked (sometimes at the sign ups)
b. Philosophy or approach to assessment
c. Use of technology (comfort level with technology)
d. Experience working in teams (collaborative skills)
e. Experience of/comfort level with ESOL students
f. If u are new to the scene, why are you interested in moving into international schools? If you are not, why are you leaving your current school?

Finally, NEVER be negative about your current school - especially if it is an international school. Aside from the fact that schools are looking for positive people, everybody seems to know everybody in international schools. It could be that your current administrator is the interviewer's job fair drinking buddy.

Good luck:)

Trust me when I say that lots of the big schools are not waiting for the fairs. I work at one of the larger Asian schools and was talking to one of the principals today. He was talking about how he was looking to fill a particular position now to, in his words, "beat the other schools to the punch."

I agree that just sending your CV to schools that have not indicated they have vacancies may not be effective, as your CV may not get past the secretary.

However, if a school is seeking a teacher they think is going to be hard to find, then I am sure they will consider a good applicant ahead of the fair.

The previous replies to your post give you lots of great advice.

However, I can not emphasis more strongly that you HAVE to be contacting schools as SOON as you notice there is a vacancy. Schools are terrified of getting to the fairs and finding that all the best teachers have been employed. So they are using Skype, the phone, EARCOS admin conferences, anything, to recruit ahead of the fair.

It would be depressing to get to your winter fair and discover that a lot of the schools that you were interested in no longer have vacancies.

Just as an example, I know of one teacher who was employed by an international school in Venezuela in late November (ECA, I think). Another person I worked with got a job in Argentina using skype.

I noticed the other day that the International School of Beijng has just listed a heap of vacancies - I know of 2 teachers who got jobs over the phone with ISB before December last year. So I'd bet that a big chunk of the openings on the ISB site will be gone by January.

There will be still be openings at the big Feb fairs; however, send your details to the schools that interest you. You never know, you may get a job at the school you really want, without the hassle and expense of attending a fair.

Good luck:)

If you were a single teacher, you'd be incredibly employable - you have been teaching 10 yrs, have some overseas experience, have some ESL in your background and teach subjects every school offers (english/SS) as well as a subject that is growing rapidly and is hard to staff (Psych).

What will concern some schools is that you have 2 dependents (and another on the way). Some of the major schools - JIS, IS Beijing, ISKL - have a policy of only paying for 1 dependent per teacher. Thus, they may offer you a position, but only pay the health, flights, tuition etc for one of your 3 dependents.

However, don't give up hope. I worked at a school that employed a teacher with a child whose spouse was not teaching. Put yourself out there and see what response you get - you've got to be in it to win it!

Good luck:)

I was referring to Jakarta International School.

A family will be placed in a JIS owned house - usually within a housing complex. JIS owns a complex of about 16 4 bedroom houses at a place called Bintaro. It used to be a nightmare to get from there to the school because of traffic. However, there is now a toll road that teachers can use, which has reduced the commute to about 25-40 minutes depending on when you leave in the morning (or come home after work). Some families are also placed in a larger complex called Country Woods, where JIS owns a number of homes and apartments. The commute is about the same as from Bintaro.

Most families are pretty happy there, but many would prefer the option of having a housing allowance, so they can choose their own accommodation. The deal is that they can apply for an allowance and get it so long as there are enough new teachers coming in who can make use of the JIS houses.

With normal turnover, a family should get out of JIS housing after their 1st two years at JIS. If turnover is low or new recruitment is low, such as after the Bali bombings and SARS, then it may take a little longer to get the allowance.

Hope this helps. As I said, families used to be desperate to get out of Bintaro. Now, most are happy to stay as it is safe, pleasant and there are lots of children for your kids to play with etc.

It is on my list.

My understanding is that it is a good school. It is a new school, and there is a heavy workload, as they build curriculum etc.

The fact that it is operated by ISS is a plus, as the package and facilities are very good.