My Cambridge Fair Diary

[exnewyorker]

I made it all the way across the country with no flight delays (great considering my associate told me some folks were stuck in Atlanta and might not make it!). I arrived at the hotel and it looked like the fair was already in full swing. I rushed upstairs to get ready noticing it was only 30 minutes until the orientation. I came down stairs, had a quick check of the mail boxes (one interview slip from a school I'm not interested in), put my messages to schools in their boxes (so glad I prepared them in advance), and then went over to make it in time for the orientation. It didn't seem like an orientation was about to start so I checked with one of the search people and discovered I set my watch forward an hour too far! With a whole extra hour to spend I went back up to my room to get organized and relax. I met my fair roommate who seems a little high strung. I had kind of gotten that impression over the phone though.

Looking through the packet we got at registration I can imagine it would be quite overwhelming if you showed up to the fair unprepared. Luckily, I have read all the materials, researched my schools and countries, and have a general plan of attack. Also noticed we were given a sign up sheet to record interview and school presentation times and it looks pretty much EXACTLY like the one I made myself on excel. Except mine already has the school presentations I want to attend listed.

Next up: orientation, dinner, bed.

[exnewyorker]

I hardly slept last night but that was mostly due to a hard pillow. Got up at 6am to be down before 7 for breakfast. My roommate had a Skype interview at 630 so I tired to stay out of her way. I had a quick breakfast and was in the ballroom by 7 to check out "the scrolls" to see what the final postings were. I located all of my schools and only 2 or 3 no longer had a position but I wasn't disappointed. I finished looking and had more than 30 minutes left to relax and wait for the sign ups. Recruiters started setting up around 740 so a lot of us too the chance to jump right in. I got three interviews before 8 am. I tried to strategize by avoiding long lines and hitting up the tables I was most interested in first. In the end none of the mattered because 2 hours was more than enough time to get to all the tables I wanted. Even waiting in one huge line. In the end only about 2 tables gave me a flat out no and I could see how my experience didn't quite match up. Second sign ups session I had fewer schools that I was targeting. I quickly got all my interviews and then walked around and picked up one more that wasn't on my list. My old head of school was there along with the assistant head so I showed them my list and they were impressed with all of my schools/interviews. They both promised to be a reference for me and I said I would do the same for them. I was out of the session by 11 with plenty of time to relax before my first interview at 12:30.

The first three interviews went well and I has a small break between each one. School one is a good location, good school, not sure about the package. School two has an AMAZING package and not a great location. Though I've talked to people who worked there and they enjoyed their time. School three was a follow up to a pre-fair Skype and I'm still on the fence about them. I had another hour break so I got some lunch and relaxed a bit. Next up we're 4 interviews back to back. The first interview talked ALL about the school and didn't ask me a single question. Also said I was their top choice. The second interview was a follow up to a Skype interview. Love the school, love the head, the country, not SURE i want the specific position. Third school really sold me on the location and was super personable. I also know a teacher there who likes the school. Last school was a huge school in china. I didn't have any connection with the head and he didn't sell me on the school or location at all. My least favorite interview.

It's almost time for the reception and I'm most looking forward to finding people applying to my last city and talking it up! I want people to know how great it is.

I expect I will get at least a few call backs. This year is so hard because I really have no idea where I want to go. If I could have any job on my interview list now I couldn't tell you which I'd pick.

I have 6 more first interviews tomorrow.

[shadowjack]

Tough to not know where you want to go. Last year at BKK we had no idea as well - and ended up in a place I never even though of. Best advice - follow your gut and see what happens!

Good luck and keep us posted, exnewyorker!

[vettievette]

From one New Yorker to another (are we ever really EX New Yorkers? hehe) - best of luck to you. Sounds like you're having a great fair experience with your interviews, etc. As shadowjack said - go with your gut!

[exnewyorker]

Thanks guys. I've had a couple of rejections so far today but nothing I'm too upset over and it just narrows down the choices. Hoping I start getting some offers today!

[shadowjack]

Crossing my fingers for you, exnewyorker! Keep us posted!

[Flyingpigs]

Exciting stuff exnewyorker....what happened!???!!

[exnewyorker]

Day two starts out with plenty of hope and promise. I had interviewed with 7 schools on Friday and had 6 more line up. The first thing I saw when I woke up was an email from a school that had taken my resume in the sign up session but not given me an interview. They wanted to interview me for a position which I really wanted in a great school but that I technically wasn't qualified for.

First interview was at 8:30 and the lady was late (just a few minutes), hair messy and wearing a dirty jacket. I was already skeptical of this school because at sign ups with her were two "fathers" in religious clothing though I couldn't remember the school being religious (I later checked an barely a mention of this!). Anyways, we interviewed by the elevator couch because her room never got cleaned and I just really wasn't impressed (though the location was desirable!) Second interview was in a W. European country. Didn't love the director so much but could potentially see myself in the school. (W.Europe really isn't a goal for me since I've already traveled there so much).

I checked my box and I had a rejection from a GREAT school with a GREAT package but a non-desirable location. I felt a little relief at not having to make a tough choice later.

After the two morning interviews I had a nice two hour gap to fill. I decided to treat myself to a nice breakfast of eggs benedict in the restaurant. When I had finished my meal, the president of my previous school showed up and sat down and we talked for a good half hour about both of our prospects and interesting interviews that we'd both had. It was interesting that when I told him of a strange interview he wanted to know who it was to see if he knew the person.

After breakfast I went to my third interview with a school in Africa. It was quite short as he realized he didn't really have a position for me. We chatted for about 10 minutes and then I left. My fourth interview was with a school in Japan that sought me out. We talked for about 25 minutes about me and my teaching and he said he really liked me and I was a good fit for the school but he realized we didn't get to talk about the school and I didn't get to ask any questions. We scheduled an hour long interview for Sunday. Fourth interview was for the position that had emailed me that morning. I assumed they would be really interested since the called me back but I spent half the time justifying how I could teach the position that I wasn't certified for. In the end he said he would check with the school, see about my certification, see if the position was ACTUALLY available, and get back to me in a few week. (I mentally crossed that off my list at that time!)

Then I had a 4 hour break. I got two rejections via email. One for a school that I had two interviews for and really thought would be a possibility. The second for a school I wasn't really so interested in (mainly because of the dull recruiter the day before and the location). I went back to the room and had lunch and then met with a couple who had an offer of my last school. I told them all about the school and why I loved it and the location but I also tried to tell them why OTHERS didn't love it so they could make their own decision.

Finally at 5pm I had my second to last interview with a school that my old school president used to work at. A great school I think. At the end of the 30 minutes the interviewer said I interviewed really well and that he would let me know by morning. My last interview was probably my most serious and detailed (and at a time when my brain was most mushy!), though I have to say, that by the end I knew what to say based on the positive reactions of previous interviewers!

I got back to my room and saw an email from a principal back home in his country who wanted to second interview with me. We skyped even though it was about midnight his time! He was very easy going and relaxed. Even seemed happy that he was even being included in the decision making process. (This was from a Friday interview I had with the Director here at the fair).

At the end of two long days I went back to my room and wrote some notes. A few to let schools know I was still interested and a few to thank people for their time (who had rejected me). I went down to the bar and had a glass of wine and some dinner, then another glass of wine talking to a lovely Canadian couple teaching abroad for 13 years with their two girls, and then a final glass of wine with a guy who I had seen numerous time throughout the weekend and had just landed a job in Brazil.

In the end I had 14 interviews. 3 rejections. 1 school that just didn't have a spot for me (Africa School). 1 School MAY potentially get back to me in the distant future. 2 second interviews (including the one that will happen tomorrow and therefore still a possibility of getting the job). That leaves 7 schools which have not given me a yes or no. Essentially that's 9 schools with possibility (10 counting the one with distant future possibility). It feels a bit of a let down to not have a job by Saturday night but I know that it is not over yet. I think that with my possibilities narrowed some, I know what my first choice would be. There are a few that I would be happy with as second choices, and there are some that might not be perfect fits but that I could potentially take. This is so different to my last fair where I got my first choice job on Saturday am and had a very stress-free experience.

Fingers crossed for good luck!

[exnewyorker]

At 8:30 I went down to have breakfast with a couple that was planning to accept an offer at my previous school and wanted to know more about it. I was happy to have something to do to keep me occupied as I didn't have anything to do until my 12:30 interview with the Japan school. We had a lovely chat and breakfast in which time I hadn't checked my phone for messages once. We left the restaurant and I saw that I had an email from the very last school I had interviewed with (which I am now realizing I forgot to write about! A great school in a very cold place!) saying they wanted to meet with me to offer the job! There was also a frantic message from my roommate saying I had a message from another school (yesterday's 5pm interview) that wanted to meet with me again. I quickly went up to my room and contacted both arranging to meet with the first school at 10:30 am and the second at noon.

At 10:30 I got my offer for the first school and was given a few days to think about it. The package was excellent, but I was already leaning towards choosing the other school if I got it due to location (Eastern Europe).

I went back down to the restaurant and chatted with my old president and vice president who were really excited for me. The president confirmed that he had spoken to my interviewer and put in a good word. We talked about Japan school and he told me he heard from another director colleague of his that it wouldn't be a great place for [someone like me] in terms of social life, quality of life, and that had been my thinking as well. I went back to my room to cancel the interview with Japan and meet with the E Europe school.

I went to the interview at 12 thinking I was about to be offered the job. I sat down with the interviewer again and he said I interviewed great, my resume was great, he checked with my old president and he used the same adjectives to describe me that I said he would, etc, but that he wanted to ask me some more questions. He said in no way did I have to "prove myself" he just wanted to ask follow up questions. He then proceeded to question me for 30 minutes! Detailed teaching questions, and very specific things things about teaching and my area of specialty. He even checked my understanding of formative/summative assessments and UBD. I actually DID feel like I was needing to prove myself! After 30 minutes he and the director said they knew I would be leaving the fair soon and could I step outside while they discussed. I went out in the hall and met another candidate waiting to speak with them. We go to chatting and turns out he was up for the same position as me! That was a bit of an awkward moment!. At 12:45 they came out and asked if could come back in a half hour! It seemed to me they needed a final interview with the other candidate. I went up to my room and waited patiently with my coat and packed bag for a half hour and then came back down and was asked to wait five more minutes. "Don't worry, it's good, it's good," the interviewer told me. In just a few minutes the director opened the door, welcomed me in, and offered me the job! She also gave me a few days to think it over.

I quickly went upstairs, got my things, and went to meet some friends for a quick lunch before catching my flight. I let it all sink in on the plane ride home and confirmed in my mind that it was the best offer for me and that I was happy to accept.

Monday morning I wrote an email accepting the E European job, and declining the great school/cold location job. I also emailed all the schools I interviewed with and had yet to touch base with. So, it's finally sinking in that everything is real and I just got an amazing job in a location that I'm thrilled to live in. I think I got everything on my wish list for this job fair even though it was in a location that wasn't originally on my radar.

I think I learned a couple important things at this fair: one, I can describe some of my past teaching experience (on my resume) in a better way to really show what kind of teaching I was doing, and two, that I might want to get a second certification so that I can secure interviews with certain schools. The second certification I'd be looking at is one in which I have teaching experience but am not technically certified to teach.

Also, I think it was probably helpful that my old president put in a good word for me, but I certainly worked hard for that offer! Definitely the hardest two interviews of the fair weekend!

[Flyingpigs]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations. It does take a while for the reality of the decision to sink in...exciting and scary stuff indeed!

[PsychBean]

Yaaaa!!! Another great ending. Best of luck to you in your new school!! Thanks for sharing!

[Peregrination]

exnewyorker- Congrats!!!! I'm so thrilled for you! I'm glad that yet another great teacher found a great school.

[schoolcounselor]

Thank you for a well told story with a happy ending!! Yay! Good for you, that is great. :-)

[shadowjack]

exnewyorker - congratulations! Glad it all worked out. The really cold school - was it in a place beginning with the letter u?

[calciodirigore]

As soon as we all say no to the fairs and refuse to work with agencies such as Search Associates, then the recruitment process will become a more level playing field.

Although I am very happy that some of you have been offered jobs at this most recent fair, I can't help but feel that what you have gone through is genuinely pathetic.

Please stop to think about the alternatives. Please do not attend another fair.

Good luck in your new postings.