The International Schools Review Forum

So, I have been applying to schools with posted positions that I qualify for. Both my teaching partner, and myself, have bachelors and Masters degrees from really good schools in the US. We have 7 years of teach experience each, he has 4 internationally (two with the peace corps), and I have two. I am starting to become concerned that we aren't being offered any interviews. Are schools collecting applications for months before they begin interviewing? Is it still too early? Any advice would be very helpful for my sanity.

First, are you certified? That could be a sticking point in many schools/countries, even with masters degrees.
Second, it is still pretty early in the season. Schools are interviewing and hiring at this point, but in broad strokes you could say it concentrates in 2 ways. 1) Good and great schools trying to scoop up the superstars early in the season, before some other good or great school gets them. Thus, you would only get a look if you're superstar caliber, which I can't assess from what you've said. Or 2) Weaker schools trying to scoop up anyone they can get before those candidates have a chance to be considered at stronger schools. Thus, you would only get a look if you've applied to some weak schools. And if those weak schools doubt that you would ever sign with them, they might just ignore you anyway.
Not to fear, the season will start heating up quite soon, in mid December, and really hit boiling point in January and February.

To be on the safe side, have someone with a critical eye look over your CVs and cover letters. Better yet, a couple people. And see if you can find out what your referees are saying about you. One bad reference could scupper everything.

And sign up for a fair.

I am only applying fairly reputable schools. We both have k-12 teaching credentials from the state of California and five years of experience teaching at public schools in the state. I am registered for the Bangkok fair, but as it is quite competitive I am hoping to secure some early interviews. Thanks for the help.

What subjects do you teach? Specialists in hard to find areas are certainly more likely to be contacted before the fair. If you are both elementary teachers then your chances of being contacted before the fair are probably pretty slim unless you look exceptional on paper.

Are you registered with Search Associates? I know a lot of administrators put lots of stock in confidential references on Search. Remember in the early hiring season schools are very picky, and you are up against people who have confidential references from several international schools.

I wouldn't worry too much because most jobs still are given out during the fair season. A lot more jobs will open up too. My current school has not even posted the jobs because we have until December 10th to decide if we will return.

Deleted. Best wishes!

I am registered with Search. My partner is and elementary teacher and I have experience in middle school and elementary, but i am looking for a middle school English job, certainly not in demand. I am the director of the school's Model UN, but other than that there is nothing much that sets us apart on paper.

Don't worry yet. I know our school has only filled hard to fill positions that they look for first, those people's spouses, and positions where they hired trailing spouses who were certified, experienced teachers. We still haven't had to give our notice for next year, so the only positions right now are when someone gave notice early. I know our school with have further openings down the line.

Your positions are not ones that get typically get hired early. Hopefully you'll have some interview requests going into Bangkok, but even if you don't there is certainly hope. Do you have friends working at international schools already where openings are happening at schools you'd like to work at? That can be hugely helpful. The fact that they offered you a Bangkok spot is a good indicator that you are both good candidates.

Good luck. It's stressful.

Kaccomaz, you might also want to sign up for TIEonline, where quite a few of the non-Search/ISS schools post jobs. I would also consider joining ISS to get some schools that don't do Search, and then you can compare. Yes, it costs. But if you get a job through them, it's paid for itself. There is also the UNI fair in Iowa in February if you want to wait that long.

As a MS English teacher and a primary teacher, neither of you are in high needs areas. Neither of you, apart from being a MUN director, have indicated any skills, experience, etc that might open doors wider. As was mentioned, it's early days yet. I would begin identifying schools and sending out tailored CVs.

When I went recruiting with Mrs. Shadowjack (now a teacher, before, trailing spouse) I contacted schools that sounded interesting all over the world. I didn't hear back from a lot - but upon our return from Bangkok we were contacted by 3 or 4 within the space of a week seeking more information or asking about an interview.

Never give up hope. Start listing your personal interests and extrapolate how you can apply them to your teaching practice/extra-curricular. Highlight those things in your CV, as well as your experience. Keep knocking on doors - there will be jobs out there - maybe not in your #1 dream destination, but decent jobs waiting for decent teachers. Good luck, chin up, and get pro-active :-)

Uncloudy - still early days and I think schools are holding off a bit more this year than last year or the year before. Just my opinion.

Deleted. Best wishes!

from what i've heard from people who went to bangkok, it is very competitive and the schools are really picky, even if you have a lot of experience. IB experience, couples with both, high level experienced specialists seem to be the main selling points in BKK.
my wife and i have several years IB xp, but definitely aren't going to BKK. it can get very pricey, even with the free entry.

on the other side, you might get lucky. but the ones from our school who went there and got hired - they all had significant IB experience, were married, and/or had very specific job titles, e.g. IB physics, chemistry; HOD humanities, and the like.

good luck!

v.

also, any time i send a message to a school through search, my wife also sends one. i don't know if that's overkill or not...

Vandsmith - it's apples and oranges. Some years there are openings in different fields, other years there aren't. I went to BKK with a trailing spouse (albeit one training as a teacher after a different career), no kids, got loads of interviews with no IB experience, but lots of other experience and skills, and had a couple of offers and the potential for more down the road.

It is competitive, schools are picky - so what are you going to do to set you apart. I met a PE teacher there in line - he had his director recommending him left right and center. Got a job at his dream school within a day. I was really happy for him. I know other people who went, no jobs, no interviews. And they were great people and teachers, but the matches just weren't there.

Remember, too, some 45% of jobs come after the fair. It might be that the fair is simply the starting point.

Good luck on our search!