The International Schools Review Forum

. . . become more active in recruitment. Is it After the SA fair in January? Is it right before? In March?

I have seen lots of job postings on SA but it seems like schools are not responding from what I read on the threads.

How long is a piece of string?
The most active recruiting period is probably December through February, but it all varies by school, by position, by applicant. My school is already actively engaging with a few choice candidates, but we are also pretty much not engaging at all with candidates who offer less of what we're looking for. Those same candidates might get more attention later on, if we can't find people who tick all of our boxes. Or they might fall out of consideration entirely when we hire someone.

The real question is when will things heat up for you personally? It's hard to say. For absolute top-notch candidates, maybe only 10% of the field, we're already in active recruiting season. For the bulk of candidates, things will heat up later, more like Dec/Jan. And for the 'in with a chance' crowd, they may have to wait until the main rush passes, as in when schools have hired most positions already and the very best candidates are already taken.

But any of that can change for unknowable reasons. Occasionally the most incredible superstar teaching couple gets overlooked... and why? Occasionally the inexperienced newbie snaps something up early on. Far too often, low quality schools actively recruit naive newcomers, who only realize what's happened after it's too late.

Good luck. There's something out there for just about everyone.

" Far too often, low quality schools actively recruit naive newcomers, who only realize what's happened after it's too late."

Well said, Sid!

Wow! Thanks for the replies, well I am def new. I applying to my first IS positions now. I am certified from the US in primary education and have 2 years teaching experience in the US. Looking to land an ECE position.

What would you consider qualities of a poorly intentioned low quality school?

One where there's a huge gap between what's said or implied at interview, and what's on the ground when you get there. They usually have lower salaries than other schools, poor teaching resources, little to no support for inexperienced teachers (or anyone else), little to no support for students, no established curriculum, or a hyper-established rigid curriculum which is unsuitable for the students, they may be watching every penny to such a degree that basic educational needs cannot be met, they could have a ridiculous set of rules that teachers have to follow or get pay docked, etc.
And most of that you can't see until you get there. So if you look carefully at interview, you may be able to pick up on subtle warning signs. But if you're too believing, you may fall hook line and sinker.
So make sure you ask around about a school's reputation before you sign anything.

It's really nice when you know people who work at international schools. They may know about the schools or know people who do.

A few other things can indicate quality schools:

1) Is the school accredited?
2) Do they send faculty to outside training?
3) Are they associated with other good international schools through athletic conferences or other joint programs?
4) Are they associated with embassies or consulates?

I think one has to trust their gut too. If something seems off as you are going through the process, there is a good chance you are right. Being desperate for a job can cause one to overlook the signs of a problem.

I essentially agree with Sid, top tier canddiates are already being recruited now. Most schools right now are just getting their intent letters back and building candidate pools. The real prime recruiting starts over the holiday and the three big fairs, then as febuary gets over the slow search continues.

Someone with minimal experience isnt likely to see any action or interest until after the main recruiting fairs, or one of the later fairs or smaller fairs. ECE is in very low demand not many schools run preschool and when they do its usually staffed by locals. There are of course some, but few.