The Bangkok fair was one of the most stressful experiences in my life. I got down to the end of the process with a school that was high on my list only to lose out to a couple. I had many interviews. I thought a lot of them went very well and was surprised when I got the rejection slips in my box. I talked to so many people in the same boat. One that I thought wasn't particularly brilliant seemed to be the one with the most potential at the end. I think it's still mine if I want it. Lots of people accepted jobs-singles and couples but almost everyone went thru some level of grief. This is not a one interview fair. You can expect 2 or 3 interviews, maybe a Skype, and some hard questions.

Almost every person who attends this fair is an experienced international educator. Competition is intense!! For everyone. Organization was brilliant. The social was also very nice. There was lots of networking. I think I would have been better off going to a later fair, but I think I made valuable connections here. There was hiring but the recruiters are also willing to walk away from you and take a gamble that they'll find something in the upcoming fairs.

[quote]When you get a second to breathe would you mind commenting on if you believe putting "candidate packages" in the recruiters folders got you some hits.
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I put a color brochure in a school's folder and I received an invitation to interview a few hours later. So, I think it's worth it.

I think this fair is super organized. I almost missed the orientation as well. It was the typical. Be open to new experiences.

Lots of couples here. I'm a single with 2 kids and I've had 11 interview offers before the sign-up so don't give up hope. A few of them are for schools that I had at or near the top of my list. Sign-ups are in a few hours. Will post again later.

I've only heard one person mention an offer so far. People are really intense.

Definitely a lot of action in the bar area. Met with one school twice and another once today. 9 requests to interview so far. Nice variety of schools from China to Switzerland. I'm mentally exhausted and ready to leave already but sign-ups aren't even until tomorrow. I haven't had that many conversations with other teachers. Going to go try to meet some people and go to some presentations now.

I wouldn't bother going to Cambridge without certification. I think you'd have a better chance at UNI.

Thanks for the restaurant tips. I will definitely try them out. Keep the information flowing.

I write a note saying thank you so much for considering me for this position but this is not a appropriate fit for my family at this time. Best wishes. Place it in the school's file.

I think it's important to respond to anyone who reaches out to you. You never know what will happen down the line. It's just a courtesy to let them know not to expect you so they can cross you off and move on to the next candidate.

Ditto. Each school will have a different set-up. Make sure you ask about it during the interview.

ESL/ELL teachers get paid the same as any other teacher.

I think that most international schools are looking for experienced ELL/ESL teachers not just the certification. I honestly wouldn't waste a lot of time trying to get interviews for these jobs without the experience. There are plenty of teachers out there who have it. Especially in South America.

Your combination of ESL/SPED certifications may help you along the way if there is a school that is looking for this combination. If you've been a classroom teacher, I think that these certifications are a bonus and could help you get a position.

Wow, and as I flipped over to my email after writing this there is another note asking me to interview with a school that hasn't even posted the position. I'm trying to get over the disappointment of my dream position disappearing this week-when one door closes..

Don't be discouraged. Race matters but more in the fact there's a preference for a certain type of international school teacher more than a we don't want YOU type of thing. And that goes deeper much than race.

I'll repeat my experience of only having one school contact me before Cambridge and then getting there and having many schools express interest by putting notes in my box. I was so busy that I cancelled interviews out of pure exhaustion.

Every counselor that I have had the pleasure to meet at a job fair has walked away with a job that they were satisfied with (at least at that time). The waiting game is painful but trust that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

As for me, 3 days until Bangkok...

Nothing firsthand, but I have a friend there. She really likes it and recently renewed her contract.

Interesting. In my fair experience, I noticed second interviews seemed to be the norm. I even met people who had third interviews. I was hired after a Skype and then an in-person interview at the fair. I also met with a school that showed great interest and asked me to come back to Skype with the directors but I cancelled beforehand.

So, I'm expecting to do at least 2 interviews before an offer is made, but am certainly hoping that 1 will make it with a speedy yes or no. Interviewing so many times in a short period of time is physically and mentally exhausting!

If you are interested in the schools, then you should meet with them. Prefer not, means just that. In some circumstances they will do it. If they won't, the profile will say Do Not Hire. They will have looked at your profile before contacting you.

I'm just starting to get interest letters from schools a week before the Bangkok fair. The job I have now, I heard from the school a few weeks before Cambridge. Maybe the schools are primarily focusing on the candidates going to the next fairs that they're attending. My guess is that you'll hear from schools after the Bangkok fairs are over. Good luck.

Had my first nibble today. It's a country that I'm not seriously considering, but it's nice to have some contact prior to Bangkok. You never know...

Your spouse would be entitled to a work permit in Hong Kong.