Makes sense, thanks IAMBOG.

Thanks for all the great (and some necessarily harsh) feedback!

I really do need to see OCT as the professional designation it is, rather than just an organization for Ontario teachers.

Can anyone comment, from experience, how registration with OCT will affect residency status? I'm looking into it as well, but first hand experiences are so helpful.

Thanks again!

I registered with Ontario College of Teachers right out of Uni and have been paying the annual fee ($138). At this point, I don't plan to go back to Canada for at least 4 years, if ever. Are there any benefits to having this membership while overseas? Do schools like to see membership with a group like this? Reinstatement fee would be about double the membership fee.

Yes, please! I'm really curious to hear about the later fairs! Shadowjack, you started something great!

Congrats intlskipper! I interviewed with them and had a reaallly hard time cancelling my follow-up when I got another offer. The interviewers were great and some of the things they're doing in the school sound great as well. Congrats again!

I don't have much to offer except that I spoke with someone who currently works in Kuwait, and this person would be happy to accept a position with UAS. I interviewed with them and didn't have a great feeling about the recruiter, but that is a very personal thing and is different for everyone.

Are you interviewing with other schools in Kuwait? I've done a ridiculous amount of research and interviewed with several schools there. I may be able to offer an outside opinion based on what I've learned.

Good luck!

tlee10, rejection does suck! But it looks like you've learned some valuable lessons in reflecting upon your experience. I hope other teachers in your position will stumble upon your post as it contains very useful tips. I wish I had been more open to different locations and schools - I think I also missed out on some great possibilities. Now we know for next time.

Keep your head high as you continue the search. You're bound to get something, whether it be this week, this month, or in June. Happy hunting!

An admin told this story:
The candidate shows up a few minutes late for the interview, dressed horribly, hair's a mess, smells of alcohol. The interviewer turns away to get something, and when he turns back, the candidate is drinking the interviewer's coffee. When the interviewer points this out, the candidate says something like "is this going to hurt my chances of getting the job?"

I set up an interview after the recruiter emailed me about an elementary classroom position. The recruiter starts to interview with "so this position is for grade 5/6 English". Ok.. I'd consider that. The interview consists mostly of the interviewer telling my about how great the city is and how much money I can save. I try to squeeze in a few questions about school practices etc., with little luck. The next day, he offers the position. When I said I would consider an elementary position, "ya, no problem, you got it!". Desperation is not attractive in a school. I declined.

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).

With regards to the major matching the position, this was mentioned in one of the school presentations I attended. What the recruiter said is just what PsyGuy said - they'd hire you to teach x subject on paper, but in reality, you'd teach something else. It would be easier for them to find someone who meets the legal criteria, though, so maybe that adds an extra competitive factor (in that if you're not *perfect*, they won't go through the trouble).
Keep this in mind CoachM, if you can convince them that you're the best, they will do what it takes to get you.

I did A LOT of research on resumes some months ago. What I ended up with was a "key achievements", educations, and teaching experience on page one. Page 2 has related experience, pd, etc. that way it's still there, but doesn't take away from the teaching experience (which I understand is what's really important).

Btw, I know some people will say related experience doesn't matter, but I had an interviewer this weekend ask about other experiences, and was really impressed with what I had done before teaching.

CoachM, it sounds like you did some good networking and had a good experience, so congratulations. Fingers crossed for the maybe, and good luck with the rest if your search. There is so much left to happen, and great jobs that still might open up if you can wait. :)

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.

Hey farnaway, congrats on the two offers! I'm in the same sort of boat - get the IB experience or go for the money (there really aren't many other factors for me, though, as there are for you). I would guess that taking yourself out of the IB program for a few years will probably hurt (especially if you want MYP), though you'll still look better than someone with no IB experience.

Mr. Cake makes a good point - think about what is going to benefit you in the long-run. What is better professionally, financially, and personally beyond just this one or two years. And how important are those added benefits (technology)?

Good luck!

Thanks for the info shadowjack!