The International Schools Review Forum

I am part of teaching couple. We are planning on attending a job fair (or two). How important is it for both of us to be there? Is it all or nothing or is it okay for just one of us to go?

You need both IT candidates available to interview if you are expecting dual positions for both of you based on posted vacancies.

I went to Cambridge alone last year, and had no issues. The other half should be available via Skype though. I left with several offers, and we're pretty happy with where we are. We couldn't bring the kids, and had no one who could watch them. Recruiters got that.

The usual done thing is that both members of the teaching couple attend the fair, sign up, interviews etc. Now, as someone has posted, people have gone to fairs with just one person and gotten offers, jobs etc. It is possible and more likely if the person attending is a very strong candidate in a high needs field.

On the other hand, I know of other people who tried this and missed out on some of their top choice schools because the school insisted both people be present for face to face interviews. Even the people who got jobs with one person there have no idea if they missed out on better opportunities because other teaching couples both interviewed and had a chance to sell themselves.

So, it's not a deal breaker for only one to attend but it's certainly not ideal and does not optimize your chances to get the best school, location etc.

If only one of you can go, then be available for Skype and send the stronger candidate of the two of you. Focus on vacancies the attending stronger candidate can attend and then as you move into negotiation if there is a viable vacancy or the opportunity to create one for a spouse, then open the discussion to an appointment to your non-attending spouse.