The International Schools Review Forum

Does anyone have any suggestions for the upcoming fair? My husband and I are going together and would like to know how to approach the schools. Do we go together to each school or do we need to split and visit different schools at the same time? We have about 10 schools on our list that we would like to work for. Thank you in advance.

If you are writing about approaching schools at the sign up, it's hard to say. Some like a chance to talk to you both - candidates sometimes think it's best to split up at the sign up so you can get around to more tables. I would communicate with the schools in advance of the fair so they are already thinking of you when they get there. You may get an invitation to interview that way and it can save you sign up time.

Be prepared, any or all of the 10 schools could show up at the fair without a match in openings. It happens all the time - be ready to do more research and rethink your hopes and dreams.

Good luck!

How many schools does one teacher need to try to speak to at the fair? How does the process look like? Do you stand in a long line and when your turn comes you introduce yourself, give them your CV and..?
This is our very first fair so any advice is very appreciated.

When I was trying to choose a fair, I had a spreadsheet of my most-desired schools and which fairs they were attending, and made a decision based on that. However, when I contacted my Search rep about it, his wise advice was to choose a fair based on how many [i]openings[/i] there were that I was qualified for. Of course, that made perfect sense!

"How many schools does one teacher need to try to speak to at the fair? How does the process look like? Do you stand in a long line and when your turn comes you introduce yourself, give them your CV and..? "

I'd recommend talking to everyone who has a match for you both ! You'll have to see the lay of the land once you get there but I'd suggest approaching tables in this order:

1. Any schools with whom you've had positive correspondence before the fair.
2. Any school that put a little note in your box. (If you're not interested in the school, stop by at the end to just say "thanks but no thanks." You never know where that head will wind up next!)
3. Any other schools that are a match. Don't try and talk your way into a position that you're not qualified for.....it wastes everyone's time, including those in line behind you.

Some of the strategy comes once you arrive. Is it worth standing in the longest line hoping to talk your way into an interview when you could be signing up for interviews with several other schools? Keep your options open. Like I wrote previously, it can be devastating to arrive at the fair only to find out your dream job is no longer available.

Yes, have multiple copies of CV packet on you at all times. You could show you are tech savvy by having the packets on CDs and pass these out.

Good luck!

I want to first echo what overseas vet stated. Your question while very relevant is very broad, few of us will agree on any answers.

First, location makes a difference. The Search Bangkok fair is different then the Search Cambridge fair. Its the same with ISS, and London. The Bangkok fair is more geared to teaching couples then Cambridge (its just bigger). You should touch base with your interested school sin advance if they want to interview you as a couple or separate. otherwise in general schools like to interview individually, but it doesnt hurt to ask if they would prefer a couple interview, if their are vacancies for both of you at the school.

Second, come prepared, there is too much to do, and too many candidates, and not enough recruiters or time to come in unprepared. You should be in contact with schools you are interested in WELL before the fair and have slips for appointments already lined up. Know what vacancies are open BEFORE you arrive. Signing up for a slot your not qualified for or not competitive for is a big waist of time at the fair (yours and the recruiter). If your just interested in 10 schools and their high demand schools, you might be devastated to either not get a position with them, or find out by the time fair time comes around all those positions are not available. You should honestly plan to interview with all schools that have your position available, but rank order them in importance to you. The last thing you want to happen is not get offered a position at any schools on your "top 10 list" and have had free time you could have been interviewing with.

Third, dont be intimidated. Long lines for a particular school can give you the impression you dont have a chance. Understand that most of those people in line are newbies. Well established and experienced teachers dont need to depend on fairs for positions, so most of the people in that line are just as much the same caliber of candidate as you are. If they were really that good they wouldnt need to be there.

Fourth, In some ways fairs are like a car dealership. Most interviews take place in the admins hotel rooms, they may have a curtain set up, and may video tape or have a webcam set up for a live or recorded feed for other admins back at their school (via Skype). Discussions and negotiations happen fast. Despite what Search, ISS, and CIS put in their literature, it is very common for a recruiter to make an offer on the spot (Many people walk away with a contract or job from the fair). If you did your planing and are given an early advance interview, the head doesnt want to have to interview 20 or 50 more people if they want you, but they have to wait. They need to make their time "pay off". If you want to consider, they need to continue interviewing. If you accept, they can scratch one position off their roster, and move on. Its important to be very mindful that the fair process is VERY grueling on a head/recruiter, they have many positions and interviews to conduct, and if your not one of the first they are likely to be some what tired of the repetitive process. That being said you shouldnt let your guard down, just dont be surprised if your interviews later in the fair come of a bit hectic and casual. The heads are just tired, and have 100+ faces and resumes in their head.

Fifth, its important to remember that contracts are "as is" once you sign, you put yourself and the school in a difficult position should complications come up later. Know what your compensation and duty expectations and requirements are. Research the schools and the regions, and make a list or profile for each school of what you "want". if a position is offered to you this is the bargaining table and its going to most likely be the only time your going to get to have to "get what you want". Contracts are negotiable just because the school has a standard contract ready to go doesnt mean its set in stone (also understand your not a star football player). If a school is offering you a cookie, it means they have a cookie jar somewhere, and if they didnt think you would be adding value to their school they wouldnt be offering you a contract. Just go into every interview not just ready for the questions, but what your expectations are if you leave the room with a job. It will be very difficult to argue later after talking with other attendees, or doing research and finding out that others are getting paid more then you to go back and require more money. Remember whats "fair" as far as what compensation means to a school, does not mean it will be fair to you.

Sixth, Remember your likely interviewing with people from another culture. They may have different approaches from what your used too. Most recruiters are male, and its not uncommon for them to act differently in some cultures to other men then it is with women. Be careful how you socialize, admins and recruiters are everywhere, assume that anytime your not in your room, that someone you may interview with later is watching or listening. Follow up with every interview, a simple thank you email is all that is necessary.

My husband and I like using job fairs. We usually are interviewed together. We sometimes get asked which we would prefer to do.

We have never been interviewed with cameras set up or anything being taped. There is little need for that really, as another admin person can join the interview through Skype these days.

Well-established teachers do use job fairs too, though they don't have to line up for the schools they are interested in, as they probably would already have interviews set up or are able to skip to the front of the line.