The International Schools Review Forum

My husband and I are a teaching couple starting our application process for International Schools (hoping to start 2018-2019 school year). I'm looking for Counselor jobs while my husband is certified in SPED and PE. I've noticed a lot more Counselor jobs are opening up right now but very few SPED/PE jobs at this point. I've heard that Counselor jobs tend to open earlier in the recruiting cycle, is that true?

My question mainly involves applying as a couple. Would you recommend both of us applying to a school as a teaching couple when the job advertised as open is a fit for one of us at this point? Does it hurt at all if we do apply (one of us for a specific job and the other one for any potential openings in the subject certified in)? Or would you wait to find a school with positions advertised as open for both of us and then apply?

Thanks for all of your help!

Counselor vacancies open earlier because they are junior leadership appointments, the leadership fir is in November and vacancies for leadership appointments are generally posted in late summer.

The rule is you apply for the vacancy that is posted. Sending an application packet for the two of you may become confusing. Most applications early in the recruiting cycle dont go directly to leadership. ISs at this stage are in the screening phase of the process, meaning they are building a candidate pool, at this stage the process is likely being overseen by secretary/receptionist/office manager. They are just sorting those who meet the minimum requirements from those who dont. Your application may be mis-sorted and discarded. I would advise that whichever one of you the vacancy applies too apply with those materials, and each of your cover letters should briefly mention that your spouse is also an IT in X field, with Y years of experience.
You may also consider a joint cover letter and it wouldnt do any harm to have one but I would advise against using one in your scenario.

I would not hold on an application when only one vacancy exists, especially in your scenario where a LS position could be created easily. Its not uncommon for high demand ITs to have an appointment created for an otherwise trailing spouse as part of the compensation package.