Beginner looking for advice

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jgreak
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 3:40 pm

Beginner looking for advice

Post by jgreak »

Hi Everyone,

So I've just signed up with Search Associates and this will be my first real go around with looking to teach abroad. I went through the interview process with QSI last year, but ultimately was offered a position in an area that wasn't so much desirable for me. I wanted to ask for any advice for a first time searcher that might help increase my chances of landing a position. A few notes about myself:

-I'm a 4th and 5th grade math and science teacher (male, if that makes any difference)
-Been teaching for 8 years, 33 years old
-My degree is in Middle Level Education
-Certified as a Generalist, Grades 4-8
-Have a trailing spouse who is not a teacher; no kids
-I've been team leader for both 4th and 5th grades for a number of years, as well as webmaster for our campus in addition to my teaching
-Did an after school robotics club (worth mentioning in interviews?)
-Ideally would like to end up in Eastern Europe, possibly some spots in Western/Central Europe that have a decent cost of living/salary ratio
-Willing to work in Korea, Taiwan, Japan, HK, Singapore, etc. as well. Would prefer not the middle east or africa. Personal preference.
-Will most likely attend one of the job fairs this year, either Toronto or Cambridge.

So a few things: I've put together my CV and cover letter and have been emailing them out to schools that are not associated with Search Associates. I've sent out about 30 or so of those as of now. I know it's unlikely to grab me a spot, but I figured it can't hurt, I've got time since I'm on summer break atm.

Anything that might help give me an edge at the job fair? I've read a little bit about the process, basically a sign up period, with essentially a cattle rush to sign up quickly at your desired schools, followed by interviews. Will I know well in advance of the job fair which schools will be represented there, or is it a show up and find out situation?

How marketable am I to schools in Europe based on my above description? Sorry if this is all out of bounds, but I'm trying to learn and prepare as much as I can for this experience, and get it all figured out early! I am bound and determined to land a job in a great place for next school year! Thank you all for your advice!
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Reponse

Post by PsyGuy »

COMMENTS:

1) No being male doesnt help, you will find contributors that will claim being a male primary IT is uncommon and in high demand. It isnt if it were there would be more male primary ITs.

2) A teaching couple or single is better than a trailing spouse, but you could have kids which would make it worse.

3) Team leader isnt worth much if anything. Would depend on your tasking responsibilities and if it would fit into HOD or a coordinator title. Webmaster isnt worth much either, except it shows you have some technology skills and probably arent afraid of technology integration. That is unless of course an IS needs a webmaster, most of them dont.

4) Robotics club is worth mentioning, unless youd use the space on your resume for something else, its two words, and doesnt take up much space.

5) Toronto is a dump fair, BOS is a megafair

DISCUSSION:

The major issue and weakness I see is that your a primary/elementary DT, and while there are some primary ISs that have departmentalized organization, and some have specialist teachers in core subjects the vast majority of primary programs are taught as self contained HRT classrooms. The IT teaches Language, Reading, Science, Math, Social Studies and maybe Arts, or more. Youre the main IT for a large portion of one classes students, which is different than departmentalized classes where you have students for an hour or two.

EE (Eastern Europe) doesnt have a whole lot of ISs in many regions theres one or 2 ISs (some of course have more) but for the most part your looking at the embassy IS and maybe an IB IS with an international/English program.

SG (Singapore), HK (Hong Kong) and JP (Japan) are the little tigers of Asia and the most competitive. Lots of ITs want to live/work in JP.

SK (South Korea) and TW (Taiwan) dont have much of a middle tier, a small group of 1st tier ISs and then third tier ISs (that are more independent DSs), even then SK and TW have a pretty small market compared to other parts of Asia.

You can send out applications whenever you want but they arent going to do much good until the academic term has started and leadership begins recruiting and actually posts vacancies. Cold applications are rarely helpful, and most leadership is focusing on orientation and school opening. Notice of intent isnt usually due until October. Early recruiting wont start until early November (some elite tier ISs start recruiting 18 months or longer in advance).

You can do a cover letter if you want but they arent generally read until your interviewed or make the short (or short-short) list.

Theres been a lot written about recruiting events and fairs on the forum already. It starts with first night recruiting which is supposed to be for leadership but in reality is used for preferred candidate interviews, especially when the IS only has a few vacancies to fill. The morning of the first day is signup you have about 2 hours to wait in line and sometimes be pre-screened before you have between 10 seconds and a minute to pitch yourself to a recruiter. Highly desirable regions and upper tier ISs have the longest lines and wait times. Some of those lines have pre-screeners who move down the line asking various questions that if you dont meet whatever the requirement is, you dont even get to meet the recruiter (minimum experience, IB experience, etc.). When you get to the recruiter your goal is to get an interview slot, the sooner the better. First day interview slots are the best, they indicate your a preferred candidate, second day interview slots are for backups. Third day interview slots means your just filler. What happens is when an IS makes an offer you are supposed to get the day to think about it (its supposed to be a 24 hour day, but its unrealistic youd get so long), many recruiters will give you until that evening or latest first thing the next morning (some will give you an hour maybe less). If you accept they can notify other candidates the vacancy has been closed, and they dont need to do additional interviews for that vacancy. When an IS fills all its vacancies there will usually be a notice posted the next morning. The earlier your interview the more interest the IS has in you. The first couple interview slots will usually be reserved for interviews scheduled in advance of the fair if that recruiter didnt do first night recruiting.
After signup the interviews are held in the recruiters rooms (its not like a college job fair with interview booths or conference rooms). You may have the interview with one or several recruiters, and may have a staff member Skyped in on the interview. In addition to taking notes some recruiters will also record the interview.
It should be noted that while an IS is recruiting the recruiter may not actually be empowered to actually offer you a contract at the fair.
When your outside of your room at the event property you should consider yourself to be "on" meaning youre being observed and evaluated, ITs have had contracts withdrawn at the fair. This also means that an interview can happen anywhere the elevator, the stairs, in a hallway, the bar/restaurant, presentations.
Aside from interviews ISs do scheduled presentations on their ISs and the region. Its basically an opportunity to get some face time with a recruiter and possibly an interview outside of signup.
On the first floor There will be one room set up as the candidate room, they usually have a couple laptops and printers set up as well as WiFi. This is also where your message folder is. When you get to the fair you will hopefully have some invitations from recruiters requesting an interview or that you visit there table at signup. Some recruiters give invitations to everyone in the hopes of having their line appear "busy" and hopefully attract candidates, the ruse is in thinking that the invitation makes you feel special. You will also get the occasion swag such as a flash drive with the IS presentation on it. This is also where you will receive rejection notices. You can sit at the tables or sofas and talk with other ITs, though you still have to be "on" because recruiters come into the room as well. The other two rooms are the registration room, where you pick up your fair packet (name tag documents and ticket) it will also be where the associates are (if your associate isnt attending the fair, the fair host is your designated contact). The third room is the recruiters room, nicer furniture and some light refreshments. Lastly there is a message folder for each IS. Its kind of archaic, but this is where you can slip in resumes and ichiros and messages to recruiters. You can also slide application materials under their room door
On the last evening of the fair is the social you get 2 tickets for drinks and finger food. You still have to be "on" this is probably your last chance at face time with recruiters and hopefully an impromptu interview and you still dress in interview clothes.
It should go without saying that you should dress for the fair as if you were going to an interview shirt, tie, jacket, if your wife attends interviews with you or is at signup or the social she should dress conservatively as well (probably not the time for sweats and a hoodie).

You will be able to see the list of ISs registered to attend the event, but because of first night recruiting there will be ISs that have essentially filled their vacancies before signup (usually the highly desirable regions and top tier ISs). They may still attend signup and collect resumes and they may still do their presentation. ISs also register and then dont show up. Its one thing if your a primary IT interested in anywhere its another if your a music IT and only interested in France and the 2 french ISs filled their vacancies during first night.

EDGES:

1) Use your spouse, she can wait in one long line while youre in another and save your spot. Signup is two hours and some of those lines can take 30 minutes to get to the front and not get an interview slot.

2) You can be a shark or you can be a sheeple. This is like the Olympics everyone acts nice and social and helpful, but they are your competition. If you get an invitation dont wait in line (unless everyone has invitations) wait off to the side and when the recruiter is done speaking with the candidate walk up to the recruiter and invitation in hand state you received an invitation and would like to schedule an interview time. The recruiter has their first few earliest interview slots reserved for invitations, but you still want to get one of those as soon as possible and one of them is likely going to get the first offer, and you dont want it to be the person who interviewed before you. The other issue is that sociopaths act nice, and social and helpful, but people sabotage each other. They swipe resumes, go though your message folder, take out resumes and application materials from other candidates in the ISs message folders. Spill drinks on other candidates right before an interview. Fairs are stress, some candidates sail right through them and some have meltdowns.

3) You really need to plan signup and that starts well in advance of the fair. You want to try and get interview times in advance. By interview times I mean a commitment to a time slot, not just a "stop by our table". This solves two problems, one you get an idea how marketable you are, and two it saves you time. You want a balance of ISs. On one side of the coin there will be many tables that have no line you can walk right up make your pitch, and move on. Some of the recruiters literally just stand there looking at the wall for the entire time, but these are the ISs nobody is interested in and whats the use of a bunch of interviews if you wouldnt accept a position with those ISs. On the other side you have the high desire regions and upper tier ISs that can have a 30 minute line, you could easily spend all your time in lines for only a few ISs and not get any interviews. You also have dwindling resources (time slots) that have to match recruiters time slots. Many recruiters do not stay on the third day, so you have afternoon/evening of the first day and then the second day and all that time other candidates are interviewing and offers are being made, a portion of those offers will be accepted, making your later interview moot.

4) Bring an ichiro. An Ichiro is named after a long lost member of the forum, who was a very valuable contributor, much like the Reisgio effect.
An Ichiro is essentially an alternative resume to describe marketing any type of flashy/gimmicky/creative method of introducing yourself to recruiters. It would generally involve color photos of you teaching, amazing students projects, etc and a more limited amount of text. Some people go all out and mimic advertising flyers, brochures, wanted posters etc (kind of a high risk/high reward approach).
During signup your only going to have about 10-30 seconds to make contact with a recruiter and get an interview slot. A resume doesnt convey the highlights of you as a candidate. You want to convey the top three bullet points of what makes you special or at least worthy of consideration. Enter the Ichiro, which in its basic form is a flyer (in color) with basic contact information, some visual representations of your work, and a few bullet points of what makes you special. Ichiros are also good for slipping under doors and in school folders. A three fold brochure or business cards allow you to carry your resume everywhere without being cumbersome.
Ive seen a number of Ichiros from business card resumes with a photo, contact info and a few stared bullet points with a QR code leading to a digital portfolio, to printed CDS, coupons (Good for one amazing teacher, time limited must be redeemed at [web address] and currency bills for a "1,000,000 teacher", 3 fold "sales" brochures, a couple teachers have done commercials and one did a full 22minute "info-mercial" that included a staged interview answering 5 pretty common questions, that was distributed on flash drives (you get a couple of flash drives from schools in your invite folder). The best one I ever got was a full, professionally bound magazine on slick paper stock it was 62 pages long and had articles discussing their teaching philosophy, a center fold with their bio and resume, articles about differentiation, their approach to the whole student, special needs, learning support, a couple stories about past schools and what they learned, and what they wish theyd known. It was extremely well done. The most recent unusual one were bottles of wine the candidate had created custom labels for that had a photo superimposed over a vineyard, a mock review to one side and a short list of bullet points describing their strengths in a “Quality Profile”.

5) Go into every interview ready to negotiate. One moment your interviewing and then you blink and their describing the package and salary, and now they have a document template called a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) or Employment Intent document. Some ISs will print actual contracts, but some ISs have to have those done by HR, so the Intent Letter or MOU is what you get. They are supposed to be as valid as a contract, but the only thing thats as valid as a contract is a contract.

6) Only offers matter, all the best intentions mean nothing. Its important to distinguish flattery and compliments from offers. "Youre exactly what were looking for and youre a great fit for our school, I'll speak to the board president and get an offer approved tonight" smile and a handshake and you think you have an offer, you dont. You have nothing, you have consideration, you go right to your next interview, because that recruiter might tell half the candidates they interview for your vacancy that, and its true because they will get an offer approved that night but it might be someone elses offer.

7) Some recruiters are bat poop crazy. One spent the entire interview time showing and explaining all the shopping she did. One recruiter hired the first 10 people who showed up and accepted as they walked in the door. "Hello how are you, would you like to work for us, this is our contract". I had one recruiter who did the interview in his robe while sitting on his bed. One recruiter in a group was watching p@rn on the laptop while the other recruiter asked me questions (could see the screens reflection in the mirror behind them). Then there are the recruiters that are pervs.

8) You can distill the entire success of recruiting to "fit" they already know you can teach or you wouldnt have gotten into the fair. The secret is too be very, very likeable.
jgreak
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 3:40 pm

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by jgreak »

Thank you PsyGuy, very, very helpful advice here! A few follow up questions for you, if you don't mind:

1. In a nutshell, what's the major difference between a 1st tier and 3rd tier school?

2. A pitch is generally 10 seconds to a minute long, what should I make sure I mention during my pitch? What's the most important information I need to get out to the recruiter during the pitch?

3. How would I go about securing an interview prior to the fair? Will recruiters browse the candidates on Search and choose those who appear to be a good fit, or do I need to reach out to the schools beforehand and pitch myself and ask for an interview?

Thanks again for the insight!
b12r
Posts: 79
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2014 1:47 pm

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by b12r »

My advice, regarding your new journey, is to research this forum. I have spent countless hours on this forum learning about interview tips, to fair strategy/advice, to what to do here in the US when you move abroad. I even found answers to questions that I did not know I even had. There are roughly 90 pages of forum topics on this part of the forum and a plethora of info on the Forum 2. Ask Recruiting Questions, Share Information. What's on Your Mind? section.

My advice, as a fellow beginner to IT, is to start on page 1 and just keep working back a few years (does not take a long as you think). This way you find answers to questions you did not know you even had plus answer a few questions a long the way. I too have asked something similar to you post when I first got on here 2-3 years ago. Also what you'll learn is who has "been a around a while" and who is knowledgable to answer questions about beginning IT.

Good luck and maybe we will see one another at Cambridge!
jgreak
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 3:40 pm

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by jgreak »

Thanks b12r! I have actually begun doing that and have started putting together a document of copy/pasted advice I've found here on the forum. Thanks for the tip, and yes, definitely hope to say hello in Cambridge :) I've already booked a room there to try and beat the crowds!
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Reply

Post by PsyGuy »

@jgreak

Theres a treatise on the differences. Short answer; Compensation and work environment. 1st tier ISs generally have better comp and OSH packages. If you walk into a first tier IS its going to feel similar to what youd find in a strong private DS, (about the top 5% of ISs) a third tier IS has a lot of variability (about 75% of the lower ISs). Some ISs are "floaters" that are right at the top of third tier and are what youd experience at your typical private DS. Then you have bottom third tier ISs that are train wrecks, similar to what youd find at a charter DS. Youre not going to find high risk inner city ISs with swat teams, pregnant elementary students, economically disadvantaged students, etc.

Who you are, what youve been teaching and for how long, and what you know about them.

"Good morning (shake hand, present resume), John Smith, Ive been teaching 4th and 5th grade maths and science for the last 4 years, and Im very impressed with what Ive learned about your school". If they havent handed your resume back and passed: "I've had great success integrating maths and science using X ( C21, Next Gen, Common Core, inquiry, student centered, project based, discovery, lead the way, Singapore, mastery, etc) learning, and preparing my students for accelerated/advanced/etc. preparation in middle school/lower secondary/KS3. Id be a great fit for your school and would love to fix/set an interview time to discuss how Id be a valuable addition to your school". Open your schedule "my earliest available time is X".

Some ISs will reach out, usually they are the least competitive ISs attending the fair. You will need to reach out and apply to ISs in advance. In your intro email you should have a line that includes what fair you are attending. If they respond with interest, ask if they would like to set an interview time in advance. They will either respond with "stop by our table" or ask when you are available. Reply that you will be arriving the day before the fair and will make yourself available that evening before the fair starts, and if they would suggest a convenient time. They will either offer you a first night meeting or based on the suggested slot you can gauge their interest. The earlier the slot the stronger the indicator.
Thames Pirate
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:06 am

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by Thames Pirate »

I would add that when you reach out to schools, be smart. Your subject line should include your teaching area and something else you want to highlight (Primary teacher with leadership experience attending X fair, for example). Your email should be a (somewhat short) cover letter with your principal pitch being your first sentence since they often don't read further. Your letter should also include that you will be arriving early as PsyGuy said, and should also offer to Skype as well--if you are attending a later fair (London instead of Bangkok, for example), this can be critical information.

Really research your options--yes, on here, but also through any avenue possible. Remember to take all advice with a grain of salt. Some people are perpetually negative, either to avoid disappointments or to discourage competition. Others are all rainbows and unicorns. Be realistic but also positive; aim high, but prepare to be shot down. Even the best ITs, the "rock stars," get passed over sometimes based on all kinds of factors.

Remember, information is your friend. Be diligent in every area you can think of.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Re: Discussion

Post by PsyGuy »

@jgreak

I disagree with @Thames Pirate. First, always follow the directions in the vacancy, if it says use a reference number in the subject line use just the reference number. Always follow the instructions in the vacancy.
Second, If there are no instructions dont use the subject line as a marketing point. Type the specific position you are applying for and thats it. If its a elementary grade 5 vacancy than put that and just that in the subject line. Many ISs do not have complex email systems, in a lot of cases what they will do is create a basic rule to filter application emails to a folder based on the subject of the email, the more you add the more you risk confusing the filters. In the previous example "Primary teacher with leadership experience attending X fair" if the IS is also recruiting for a leadership position your email might go to the leadership vacancy folder and not the primary vacancy folder. Its fine to start the body of your email cover letter with that or whatever else you feel will grab their attention in one or two lines, but most of the applications are handled by various office staff before they get to anyone in leadership, and with potentially hundreds if not more emails no ones going to spend time looking for miss sorts.

Your Skype ID should be in the same area of your resume that you have the rest of your contact information (address, telephone, email, Skype) if you have a web link to your portfolio or a LinkedIn profile that should be there as well (its not important if you dont have one).
Depending on how close you are to the fair time you may or may not want to accept a pre-departure Skype interview. You only get to make one first impression if you interview in person very well, and your on the eve of the fair, you might want to pass on the Skype interview. The risk is if you decline you may not get an interview at all, and its a pretty big risk. Many first night recruiting interviews are just meet and greet and sign. Which if your interviewing a month or weeks before the fair take the online interview. What you will find is these bottom tier ISs right before the fair that want to do online interviews before the fair and before you get an idea what your value and marketability is. You will find recruiters at these bottom tier ISs in their rooms setting up Skype interviews because they havent filled their interview slots and there is very little interest in their IS.
Thames Pirate
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:06 am

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by Thames Pirate »

My advice came from a recruiter's blog post on this site, and my admittedly unscientific survey--my own applications--found that I got a higher response rate when I did this. Obviously if there are specific directions, follow those to the letter. They typically exist precisely because of those filters. Just don't title it "Expression of Interest" or "English teacher" or "Maths position." Read the blog post. It's actually pretty helpful.
PsyGuy
Posts: 10789
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 9:51 am
Location: Northern Europe

Reply

Post by PsyGuy »

@Thames Pirate

How do you know? Did you reliably and validly test alternative hypothesis? I understand you have anecdotal data, and theres nothing wrong with that, but what are you comparing it to, that lets you make that comparison in a credible way.

One recruiter? All for point samples and admittedly most conclusions are drawn based on small sample sizes, but there is a distinct difference between selection and screening. A recruiter thats interested in you isnt interested because you added a couple more descriptors in your subject line, your resume and application got in their hand because it got through the screening process, and they liked the substance and value of your resume. That screening process has very little human interaction. Even assuming that its true for this one recruiter, its still one recruiter.
Thames Pirate
Posts: 1150
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:06 am

Re: Beginner looking for advice

Post by Thames Pirate »

Oy. I said admittedly unscientific survey, i.e. my own experience. We are all talking about our own experience on a forum like this. I am saying the advice from the blog post worked well for me. I got more responses than I did before following it (same or highly similar cover letters, same CV, in one case same school two consecutive years--no response before, at least an acknowledgment after following the advice). So a small inherent control. But yes, admittedly unscientific and anecdotal.

I directed the OP to read it for himself. He can make his own judgment call on whether to follow the advice by that recruiter. Read the post and you will understand the reasoning. I am not going to rehash it here. It isn't going to fix holes in a resume. It's just an additional piece of advice. There were others in the blog post, but I was already doing those, so I remember this one more clearly.

@jgreak

Read the blog post and others like it. Then use your best judgment.
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