BKK roundup 2014
Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 6:21 pm
I see the question ISS vs. Search a lot on this board, so I will give you my impressions of both fairs from this year as I went to both.
1. In most cases, NEVER do both fairs! I am beat to death and I can take a lot of punishment!
2. Judge yourself like schools judge you. ISS does not have as many tier 1 schools. Most of us reslly are not tier 1 teachers, we just aspire to be. MOST of the time T1's want you to be young and vibrant with a track record of staying 3-5 years at your previous 2 post and fully versed on most if not all current educational trends (or at least the ones they use.).
3. ISS was a candidate fair, Search is not. That being said ISS makes a big open distinction in how candidates are treated vs. recruiters. 4 tables? At least there were couches outside and food was free. Search gave 200 baht which was a sandwich and a drink while recruiters got 2000 baht. Ok I get it. Really it is about money.
4. Fairs fail candidates who do not get jobs. We are in the business of giving feedback. An assessment without feedback is a useless waste of time. Search was such a grind for recruiters that they do not take the time to provide one iota of direction to a candidate they reject. In one instance I had 3 interviews with a school only to receive the coldest rejection (or so it feels..) thanks, but we will not be making you an offer. YOU scream WHY???? Hired another?, the director didn't feel I fit?. My years of experience were not enough to convince you? I had a pimple? You hate blue eyes? Seriously write 2 sentences, give some small hope to this struggle.
5. Having little experience or even none can still land you a job. Just be wary of the job, and the school. I rejected as many if not more schools than rejected me simply because I didn't even talk to them. Several I just said no to in the interview because I simply did not want the same things as they did. That being said, you need experience and if you get an offer from a school ISR has everyone running from, sure take it, just know everyone is running and you are going in. Get your experience and get out.
6. Get to know as many people as possible. The best contact I made at this school was with a HOS who had no job for me. We just kept showing up at the same place at the same time, and the freedom to learn bits of wisdom from him all while having nothing on the line was fantastic! Really learned a lot from those encounters.
7. ISS vs. Search. - if you have less experience and are open to various opportunities this is the fair for you. If you are on the T1 track this is the fair for you. See my #1. ISS is more laid back because you are not constantly jockying for position like you are for Search. Search schools tend to go to multiple fairs and are willing to not hire anyone, especially the T1 European schools. Do understand some heads have been at this for 30+ years. They know each other! I have seen and heard them wheeling and dealing teachers like they are trading baseball cards.
No doubt there are people that go to the fairs just for the experience, and others just to work. I was fortunate to find an acceptable position which will further my career over the next 4-6 years. I saw super things happen and faces which covered disappointment. Be true to yourself, reach for the stars, but beware that if they are looking for a 1st grade teacher at Search BKK and you have taught Kinder and 2nd grade, you are most likely NOT qualified!
1. In most cases, NEVER do both fairs! I am beat to death and I can take a lot of punishment!
2. Judge yourself like schools judge you. ISS does not have as many tier 1 schools. Most of us reslly are not tier 1 teachers, we just aspire to be. MOST of the time T1's want you to be young and vibrant with a track record of staying 3-5 years at your previous 2 post and fully versed on most if not all current educational trends (or at least the ones they use.).
3. ISS was a candidate fair, Search is not. That being said ISS makes a big open distinction in how candidates are treated vs. recruiters. 4 tables? At least there were couches outside and food was free. Search gave 200 baht which was a sandwich and a drink while recruiters got 2000 baht. Ok I get it. Really it is about money.
4. Fairs fail candidates who do not get jobs. We are in the business of giving feedback. An assessment without feedback is a useless waste of time. Search was such a grind for recruiters that they do not take the time to provide one iota of direction to a candidate they reject. In one instance I had 3 interviews with a school only to receive the coldest rejection (or so it feels..) thanks, but we will not be making you an offer. YOU scream WHY???? Hired another?, the director didn't feel I fit?. My years of experience were not enough to convince you? I had a pimple? You hate blue eyes? Seriously write 2 sentences, give some small hope to this struggle.
5. Having little experience or even none can still land you a job. Just be wary of the job, and the school. I rejected as many if not more schools than rejected me simply because I didn't even talk to them. Several I just said no to in the interview because I simply did not want the same things as they did. That being said, you need experience and if you get an offer from a school ISR has everyone running from, sure take it, just know everyone is running and you are going in. Get your experience and get out.
6. Get to know as many people as possible. The best contact I made at this school was with a HOS who had no job for me. We just kept showing up at the same place at the same time, and the freedom to learn bits of wisdom from him all while having nothing on the line was fantastic! Really learned a lot from those encounters.
7. ISS vs. Search. - if you have less experience and are open to various opportunities this is the fair for you. If you are on the T1 track this is the fair for you. See my #1. ISS is more laid back because you are not constantly jockying for position like you are for Search. Search schools tend to go to multiple fairs and are willing to not hire anyone, especially the T1 European schools. Do understand some heads have been at this for 30+ years. They know each other! I have seen and heard them wheeling and dealing teachers like they are trading baseball cards.
No doubt there are people that go to the fairs just for the experience, and others just to work. I was fortunate to find an acceptable position which will further my career over the next 4-6 years. I saw super things happen and faces which covered disappointment. Be true to yourself, reach for the stars, but beware that if they are looking for a 1st grade teacher at Search BKK and you have taught Kinder and 2nd grade, you are most likely NOT qualified!