Does my recent work history look poor? Will I be ignored when applying?

[purpletulip]

Hi

My work history looked solid until recently, but due to unfortunate personal circumstances I feel it looks bad on paper now and I'm worried about being an applicant again.

I was teaching in UK for 4 years before moving to international - 5 years in one country (same school), then 4 years in another country, then changed school in that same country. It was the plan to stay at the new school for at least 2 years, but things changed unexpectedly. My husband suddenly lost his job and ended up working in another country away from me, then I became very unwell. The school allowed be to end my contract early and I only did one year there. All amicable, they were very supportive.

Initially I didn't apply for any other jobs as I became more ill and needed surgery and time to recover. Then I tried to find a job in the same country as my husband but that just didn't work out. I ended up taking a job in another country, which is closer than I was before, but the situation is just not working for me at all. I've only been here for a month. There is nothing wrong with the school or anything like that. I just can't cope emotionally with being away from my husband and I'm struggling so much, I feel this was a big mistake.

I signed a 2 year contract. The penalties for leaving early are not too harsh and I feel the head would be understanding. I did make a mistake, I shouldn't have signed the contract and I feel bad for that, but I took over the class now as maternity when they needed someone and I'm going to do my best until the end of the year.

My fear is how it will look to prospective schools if I try again to find a job in the same country as my husband - that after a good run of being dependable and staying for a while in schools, I've then had this 2 years of real wobbles, leaving schools after only a year. For sure anyone looking at that will have questions, but I'm worried I won't even get to the interview stage because of it. I'm also guessing that even though my current school might be OK about me leaving if I give plenty of notice and explain the situation and do my job well, they might not give a very good reference. They are likely to pass on a lot of personal information about what has happened.

[winter]

I'm sure you can mention this in your cover letter if you really wanted, but more likely is that they will need teachers and will ask you in your interview if they're really concerned - the truth is that people switch jobs all the time, some schools are awful and other people have reasons they want to leave.

You will be fine.

[berry737]

Honestly, I wouldn’t stress too much about it. Life throws curveballs, and schools know that. As long as you’re open about what’s been going on and show that you’ve handled it professionally, most will understand. People change jobs for all kinds of reasons. Just focus on what you can bring to the table now, and don’t let past bumps define you. You’ll be fine!