Hi,
I'm a Humanities teacher with 3 years experience of the US curriculum at an international school in Kuwait having previously worked for 6 years in the UK. I have taught a range of subjects (mainly history) to both Middle High School students. I have a masters degree and have lots of trip/extra-curricular experience. My wife is a Chemistry specialist with 6 years experience (3 in Kuwait, 3 in the UK) and we have a 9 month old son. We both have great references but no IB training.
So far we have had no interviews. We were invited to the Search London fair but had to pull out at the last minute because of passport/residency issues. We have received some interest but nothing that has materialized into an interview. Does anyone have any advice? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
No interviews yet- should I be worried?
Strange that you have no interviews. No IB is your red flag. Schools would have to train both of you. It can (and usually does) take a few months to get used to all the IB language and assessment criteria. Schools are looking for IB experienced teachers, and will probably wait until after Cambridge and UNI to look at candidates who have no IB. I would just keep applying and sending letters out. Don't just limit your search to SEARCH - go to the ibo website - it lists all the IB schools. Just go to each website to see who is hiring. Not all IB schools advertise on SEARCH.
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shadowjack
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OrangeSoda
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
I am also VERY worried as it seems that this year the competition to
get hired overseas seems to have drastically risen.
The other problem is I am not registered with any recruiting agency nor am I going to any fair. This is partly because the last time I registered with both Search and ISS I came out with ZERO jobs but had spent lots of money to attend both so I told myself "never again".
I am just relying on the TIE website postings and hoping I'll find something end of February or beginning of March.
This strategy used to work so easily for me in the past and it seemed I was always able to find a decent school after the main fairs.
But now I am not so confident anymore.....and it sure is hard to wait until the end of February.
get hired overseas seems to have drastically risen.
The other problem is I am not registered with any recruiting agency nor am I going to any fair. This is partly because the last time I registered with both Search and ISS I came out with ZERO jobs but had spent lots of money to attend both so I told myself "never again".
I am just relying on the TIE website postings and hoping I'll find something end of February or beginning of March.
This strategy used to work so easily for me in the past and it seemed I was always able to find a decent school after the main fairs.
But now I am not so confident anymore.....and it sure is hard to wait until the end of February.
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OrangeSoda
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:29 pm
Hi shadowjack,
I am into my second year and I specialise in Computing (KS5) and ICT (KS3, 4,5). My Partner is a specialist in Geography but has a TLR role for Humanities.
We have looked into Schools hiring both Geography/Humanities and ICT teachers (no Computing or Computer Science overseas at the moment). We did make it clear that we are both applying (thinking it might give us a better chance of an interview). We also have spent ours creating individual cover letters specific to the School's but to no avail so far.
Any advice on that part?
I have a friend who has had a couple of interviews but her lack of experience counted against her. Which I think may be the case for us?
I am into my second year and I specialise in Computing (KS5) and ICT (KS3, 4,5). My Partner is a specialist in Geography but has a TLR role for Humanities.
We have looked into Schools hiring both Geography/Humanities and ICT teachers (no Computing or Computer Science overseas at the moment). We did make it clear that we are both applying (thinking it might give us a better chance of an interview). We also have spent ours creating individual cover letters specific to the School's but to no avail so far.
Any advice on that part?
I have a friend who has had a couple of interviews but her lack of experience counted against her. Which I think may be the case for us?
Last edited by OrangeSoda on Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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OrangeSoda
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:29 pm
[quote="missy"]I am also VERY worried as it seems that this year the competition to
get hired overseas seems to have drastically risen.
The other problem is I am not registered with any recruiting agency nor am I going to any fair. This is partly because the last time I registered with both Search and ISS I came out with ZERO jobs but had spent lots of money to attend both so I told myself "never again".
I am just relying on the TIE website postings and hoping I'll find something end of February or beginning of March.
This strategy used to work so easily for me in the past and it seemed I was always able to find a decent school after the main fairs.
But now I am not so confident anymore.....and it sure is hard to wait until the end of February.[/quote]
I didn't know about 'Search' until finding this forum and may have to look into signing up but your experience and concern is what I'm afraid of. What is the TIE website? I've mainly relied on TES but have found some opportunities on agency websites such as Teachanywhere and Teachaway. Hope you find something soon!
get hired overseas seems to have drastically risen.
The other problem is I am not registered with any recruiting agency nor am I going to any fair. This is partly because the last time I registered with both Search and ISS I came out with ZERO jobs but had spent lots of money to attend both so I told myself "never again".
I am just relying on the TIE website postings and hoping I'll find something end of February or beginning of March.
This strategy used to work so easily for me in the past and it seemed I was always able to find a decent school after the main fairs.
But now I am not so confident anymore.....and it sure is hard to wait until the end of February.[/quote]
I didn't know about 'Search' until finding this forum and may have to look into signing up but your experience and concern is what I'm afraid of. What is the TIE website? I've mainly relied on TES but have found some opportunities on agency websites such as Teachanywhere and Teachaway. Hope you find something soon!
OrangeSoda, there are quite a few ICT positions open right now in the Search database. If you are not signed up with them I highly recommend it. You will receive daily updates of positions and can also receive updates on positions that you are looking for as well. It's worth the money and it isn't too late to get signed up.
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OrangeSoda
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:29 pm
[quote="BlueJay"]OrangeSoda, there are quite a few ICT positions open right now in the Search database. If you are not signed up with them I highly recommend it. You will receive daily updates of positions and can also receive updates on positions that you are looking for as well. It's worth the money and it isn't too late to get signed up.[/quote]
Hi, BlueJay, thank you for that information, I am going to look into it. It's not just ICT, it's a school that is advertising both ICT or Computing and also Geography or Humanities. However, we have both applied to a few Schools but no reply so far. If it comes down to it then maybe I will need to try wherever possible.
Hi, BlueJay, thank you for that information, I am going to look into it. It's not just ICT, it's a school that is advertising both ICT or Computing and also Geography or Humanities. However, we have both applied to a few Schools but no reply so far. If it comes down to it then maybe I will need to try wherever possible.
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
OrangeSoda - American School of Douala (Cameroon) recently posted a K-12 computer position and they have other positions open.
Cairo American College recently posted a high school ITC position and they teach computer science I believe (but don't quote me on that).
Contact Dubai American Academy - their MS IT facilitator might be leaving, so that might be coming open.
Are you with Search? Not necessarily to go to the fairs, but you get access to their pretty comprehensive data base...
As for humanities, that also encompasses English as well -
Cairo American College recently posted a high school ITC position and they teach computer science I believe (but don't quote me on that).
Contact Dubai American Academy - their MS IT facilitator might be leaving, so that might be coming open.
Are you with Search? Not necessarily to go to the fairs, but you get access to their pretty comprehensive data base...
As for humanities, that also encompasses English as well -
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shadowjack
- Posts: 2140
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:49 am
OrangeSoda - I would also say at this stage, forget the cover letters - focus on a one page 'advert' that sells YOU and another one which sells your spouse. Use those as an initial contact, or as the first page of a PDF package (I love combine files in Acrobat Pro) which then has your CV, teaching certificate and a couple of good reference letters.
I usually say in my email accompanying this that I did not do a cover letter because they tend to look all the same and say the same wonderful things - but that one page advert should give them a very good snapshot of who you are, what your skills are, what your experience is, what other benefits you bring to the table (coaching, sponsoring clubs, volunteering, service learning with students, etc).
Good luck!
I usually say in my email accompanying this that I did not do a cover letter because they tend to look all the same and say the same wonderful things - but that one page advert should give them a very good snapshot of who you are, what your skills are, what your experience is, what other benefits you bring to the table (coaching, sponsoring clubs, volunteering, service learning with students, etc).
Good luck!
Reply
Id be worried if your not getting any attention on your application. The recruiting rush is almost over.
If your emailing a school your application package the body text in the email is your cover letter. Most cover letters are pretty bland and generic they usually say all the same things and amount for little more then bragging about yourself. Unless of course the school requires a cover letter, in which case ALWAYS follow the schools instructions. In these situations its more about your ability to follow directions/instructions.
Ichiros arent very useful for an emailed application. They dont have the same impact in pdf format, nor is their such a limited amount of time (such as in line at signup) to make an impression.
Humanities typically does not include literature (english).
ICT/IT/Comp Sci and to some degree design technology are the same thing
If your emailing a school your application package the body text in the email is your cover letter. Most cover letters are pretty bland and generic they usually say all the same things and amount for little more then bragging about yourself. Unless of course the school requires a cover letter, in which case ALWAYS follow the schools instructions. In these situations its more about your ability to follow directions/instructions.
Ichiros arent very useful for an emailed application. They dont have the same impact in pdf format, nor is their such a limited amount of time (such as in line at signup) to make an impression.
Humanities typically does not include literature (english).
ICT/IT/Comp Sci and to some degree design technology are the same thing
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OrangeSoda
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 3:29 pm
First of all, a big thanks for the replies shadowjack and PsyGuy, as always some good tips and discussion. I will look into the different route of making us both more recruitable.
I am concerned now, because we spent hours on the cover letter and research into each individual school just so we can include their aims/objectives etc. to notify them of our commitment to the application process.
I emailed one of the schools and they said they have received my application and that interviews will finish by Feb.5. So it looks like there is an issue with my process or maybe the lack of experience has affected their decision [or both!]. It really is demotivating because on top of all the school work we fitted in extra time to do these applications.
All of the schools we have applied to have asked for a CV, Cover Letter and Application Form. The application forms have seemed such a waste of task because they are just basically repeating what's on the CV.
Although the schools have not asked for photographs (apart from the two we have just applied for, as they stated it in the job advert), I've read that people should attach some photographs anyway? Maybe now I'm just looking for other reasons to cover the disappointment.
Our CVs have been quite detailed and the cover letters have been two pages including as much as we can about the school and why we want to and have the qualities to work there. I'm going to contact a couple of agencies and see if they can give any advice or even check our letters etc.
Most of the applications have been directly to the school.
Thank you guys once again, there has been many posts in the forum which I have searched and they have assisted us great.
I am concerned now, because we spent hours on the cover letter and research into each individual school just so we can include their aims/objectives etc. to notify them of our commitment to the application process.
I emailed one of the schools and they said they have received my application and that interviews will finish by Feb.5. So it looks like there is an issue with my process or maybe the lack of experience has affected their decision [or both!]. It really is demotivating because on top of all the school work we fitted in extra time to do these applications.
All of the schools we have applied to have asked for a CV, Cover Letter and Application Form. The application forms have seemed such a waste of task because they are just basically repeating what's on the CV.
Although the schools have not asked for photographs (apart from the two we have just applied for, as they stated it in the job advert), I've read that people should attach some photographs anyway? Maybe now I'm just looking for other reasons to cover the disappointment.
Our CVs have been quite detailed and the cover letters have been two pages including as much as we can about the school and why we want to and have the qualities to work there. I'm going to contact a couple of agencies and see if they can give any advice or even check our letters etc.
Most of the applications have been directly to the school.
Thank you guys once again, there has been many posts in the forum which I have searched and they have assisted us great.