The International Schools Review Forum

Interview sign-up hasn't happened and already my head is spinning from a hectic day! It's nice to have a quiet room to go back to, and it is convenient that I just walk up a few floors, rather than down the street (one point for staying at the fair hotel).

A little about me: I'm in my second year teaching, single female, open to go pretty much anywhere, and am aiming for PYP with a decent salary (I am dead broke right now!)

I arrived yesterday and took some time to prep and even went downtown, chilled at Union Square for a bit. As with Pippafrit, I didn't have much contact before the fair... up until early this week. When I went to sleep last night, I had 3 interviews set up. One didn't work out, one went really well (though I don't think I'd be interested if I get an offer), and one is tomorrow morning. I spoke with another recruiter who I've emailed a few times in the months before the fair, and I think my face-to-face meeting won me some points. Fingers crossed for an early interview tomorrow.

Because there's another conference right now, the interview sign-up session isn't until Sunday afternoon, even though the fair started Saturday morning. It's working out well, actually, that we have time to get oriented, meet some recruiters, attend school information meetings, and even have some interviews before the official interview sessions. I do feel like some time is being wasted though.

While we're waiting for official sign-ups, there are yellow papers scattered about the candidate lounge (and we all got some in our candidate packet) to write to recruiters requesting an interview. I don't know if all fairs have these, but it is certainly helpful at this fair to try to get interviews before the official sign-ups.

I read in other posts about the atmosphere being very friendly and supportive, and I've found the same thing here. I've had some great conversations so far and am loving the community feeling (maybe if I knew that stranger was going for the same job as me, I wouldn't feel so great about him/her, who knows).

I did take a previous poster's suggestion to bring snacks, but that obviously didn't get me through the day. My suggestion - schedule your eating like you schedule your interviews. I was so focused on interviews and school sessions that I completely forgot to eat lunch until I was so hungry that I skipped a session to eat instead. Health has to come first!

That's all I have for today. I'm off to fill in some more of those yellow slips (interview request forms) and get some much needed sleep.

A happy weekend to you all!

Good luck, Junglegym, and keep us posted!

San Fran sounds like Bangkok in that sign ups are on the second day, while in London they are on the first day.

More time for you to get your yellow slips in!

I have had the same experience as Junglegym, although with less positive interest from schools. I've contacted 3 here, and seen zero return. I'm now wondering if that is because schools are at another conference. Sign-up is today, and I can hopefully nail somethings down.

I did have one early contact from Riyadh Schools, I am interested to see their presentation.

Day 2 was even more hectic.

On my way down to breakfast this morning (Sunday), I checked my folder and I had an offer waiting for me (from the school I interviewed with Saturday). I spoke with the recruiter and asked for a day to decide. This is not my first pick of school, but would be happy to take it if no other schools showed interest.

Last night, the recruiter from my top choice school emailed me to set up an interview this morning. Before noon, I had interviews with my two top-choice schools. Both have great reputations with much to offer me. The day was filled with school presentations, networking, and trying to get some food in me (I swear, I'm going to lose 5 pounds this weekend!). At the end of interview sign-ups (3:30-5:00), I had a decent number of interviews for tonight and tomorrow. I quickly rushed back to my hotel room, did some research on a couple schools, and headed to the interviewer's room. Four interviews later, I was ready to sleep (I think both interviewer and myself were about the fall asleep during the last interview!). I forced myself to eat some food, had a nice chat with another teacher, did some research on the schools I think I had a shot at, and went to check my folder again.

I was happy, and a little surprised (I was sure they were going to hire a couple) to find a contract from one of my top-choice schools. I'll make an official decision tomorrow.

***A quick observation about recruiters showing/not showing interest:
Of my 3 pre-sign-up interviews, 2 had initiated contacted with me. One offered me a position, and one doesn't seem too interested anymore. The third school, and all the schools I interviewed with tonight, were all the result of me approaching them. And every single one of them was sincerely interested in me. I thought if anything would be a sure thing, it would be the schools who cold-contacted me, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If you can get yourself in front of a recruiter and show them your great personality and what you have to offer, you will be successful!

***Tips for fair attendees:
Throughout the day, I wished I had brought highlighters and sticky notes to help with my organization. I was also slightly bummed that I just could not figure out a system to "prioritize" schools. Also, I did barely any research on specific schools. It didn't matter at sign-up. My pitch never involved anything about the specific school, and only PYP schools turned me down b/c of my lack of training/experience. I even approached one school and told them, quite honestly, that I hadn't considered their school for x reason, but changed my mind just now for x reason (a conversation with a colleague, a sudden revelation, etc.).

***Tips for interviews:
Positive comments I received from recruiters included appreciation for my honesty when I did not know something (we're not perfect, after all, and your willingness to admit a weakness and demonstrate a desire to learn will often be valued). Also, one recruiter (China) liked that I talked about giving students responsibility and suggested I include this in other interviews with schools in China, as it worked well with that culture.

That's about it for me. I'll review the contract tomorrow morning and most likely will sign, then do some sight-seeing before my evening flight. Good luck to all who are still searching, and congratulations to everyone who's already accepted.

I should note that I really didn't spend much time on the super competitive schools at this fair, which has affected every aspect of my experience. I did accept the job from my top choice school (wasn't given an offer for my other top choice).

PaulSiegel, did you end up getting more interest after the sign-up? Paper and face-to-face can make such a big difference sometimes (and I noticed lots of recruiters had seen packages from their mailboxes and were waiting for some of those candidates to approach, even though they didn't formally give a green slip).

@junglegym
Congrats, one of many that did great at the fair.

@PaulSiegel
How did you do? Any luck with Riyadh schools?