[quote="BookshelfAmy"]dreamgiver, you sound a lot like my husband, who HATES moving. [/quote]

Actually, I am totally stoked about this move! I am a very adventurous person! Only I'm now waiting to find out where the move will be to! I just had no idea how many details were actually involved in making this a reality. I'm finding there is a huge amount of practical logistics and emotional preparation. However I'm sure that if you don't own a home, haven't worked yourself into the top rung of the payscale in a job you currently love, or other various things this whole process might be much easier and quicker!

BookshelfAmy, I wish you the very best. You sound like you have your feet firmly planted in reality. I'm sure something will work out for you either for next school year or the one after that!

I ALWAYS email the director and principal every time I send my information to the generic HR email. And about 90% of the time have gotten personal replies from either the director or principal that have morphed into skype interviews, requests to interview at the fair, or personal notifications when the position has been filled with someone else. I've always found their email address on the website, even though sometimes it takes a lot of hunting. And if you really can't find it, guess what it would be based on an email address you might find for someone else on the website.

[quote="ichiro"]...When I got to the front of the line (usually, but not always) with "interview request slips" from the school . . .[/quote]

Ichiro, did you stand in the long line even if you had an interview request slip?

[quote="WiseTeach"]Dreamgiver..... I took the positon in Istanbul. Many reasons why... can work with the low salary I think for at least 2 years... then reassess options. The staff at MEF just seemed like a great group to work with. Scared a bit and of course as time to leave approaches I may second guess myself..... but a whole new life awaits. Yee Haw.

Not going to hiring fair will save me a bundle as well.[/quote]

Whoo hoo, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations! I decided not to pursue Istanbul. However I would love to live in Turkey some day. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful experience and won't regret it. All the best to you!

When I finally make it to the front of the line to sign up for an interview, how does that exchange go? How much time do I have to "sell" myself - 15 seconds . . . 30 seconds . . . more? After introductions, does the recruiter start the exchange with a basic question? Or do I immediately launch into a short persuasive speech about why I'm the best person to ever walk the earth? Any examples of what might be a good way to go would be appreciated!

If a school has already told me they want to interview me at the fair, do I still stand in line to sign up for an interview, or is there some nifty "pass to the front of the line" procedure? :)

Thanks in advance for the input everyone. Everything up to now has been very helpful!

LOLOLOLOLOL!!! Thanks Specialed, this is priceless! Now I won't be so shocked if I have a bizarre interview. I'm almost looking forward to the fair now!

I'm a newbie so take what I say with several grains of salt! If it were me (and it was last year), I would wait one more year. There is SOOO much to do to get ready to do a job hunt - resumes, figuring out how to write a killer cover letter, nagging your references (that's 6 people between the two of you!!!), researching the schools, etc. Plus for me I've found there is a long, gradual psychological component to finally accepting that you are REALLY going to do this - plus get rid of your stuff, give up your jobs, research the financial to-dos, inform family, etc etc etc. Plus you could use another year to secure up some more certifications. It's probably not at all impossible to secure jobs in the later hiring rounds for next year. But you'd probably be a lot less frenetic and more prepared to say you're going to start this process next September, like many of us did this year. You're just starting the entire process really late. Which is amazing to me considering that it's only February! :)

WiseTeach - are you currently in the U.S.? If so going from $55,000 to $33,000 might not be going backwards as much as it seems. In the U.S. they don't provide housing. So the amount the housing is worth is really part of the salary in a way. So that brings you to about $45,000 a year? Depending on the cost of living where you're coming from in comparison to Istanbul, that could make up a big chunk of that $10,000. I know I am leaving an expensive part of the U.S. so I have to take that into account. Still, just the figure of $33,000 a year looks horrid, even if it's not really as bad as it looks! I might have taken it if I'd done this many years ago when I wasn't almost maxed out on my current payscale!

Put the cats in their cat carriers and put them in the car for the 30-45 minutes. They can screech and whine all they want. They'll survive!

[quote="PsyGuy"]I imagine as opposite genders we use different "criteria" in our decision making "models" (as in theoretical constructs). My theoretical construct just has to look REALLY good (or "face" validity). ;)[/quote]

Yes, I imagine you are right about that! :)

I am currently considering a job that pays about quite a bit less than $70,000 (but a whole lot more than $33,000!). But with housing allowance and lower cost of living I think the difference about equals out. My problem is I don't have international experience so I know I might have to work my way back into that salary range. It's a great school with what I think will be a much easier job description than what I currently have. Actually I was offered a $70,000 job but turned it down for other reasons. I think my chances are great at getting a $70,000 job but it might be worth it to take less money and skip the fair!

Oh okay! It sounded like you interpreted my comment as saying I thought there wasn't a "significant" difference between 33,000 & 70,000. At this point I don't even think I'd take that big of a pay cut even if I had a gorgeous (male) supermodel TA that also cooked my food, cleaned my house, did my laundry, and massaged my feet! Course I'm super happy in my current job so maybe I would feel differently if I hated my job and was just trying to escape! I'm pursuing a life long dream of international living/work . . . but not mission work!

[quote="PsyGuy"]33K to 70K??? So 37,000 isn't a "significant" motivating factor for you??[/quote]

Psyguy, you misunderstood me. I am currently earning over $70,000 a year right now in an American public school. I don't think I could take a pay cut to $33,000 no matter how great the school/place is right now. I would rather just travel through that country. Maybe later when I have paid off my mortgage, saved a good chunk for retirement, etc then I would consider taking a lower paying job if other things felt right. But I can't justify that large of a pay cut right now.

I've wondered a little about the differences too. From what I know from many people I know, you can teach ELL around the world without being a certificated teacher. I know college students that take time out and other non-teacher people that get all these ELL jobs around the world. But they could never get a job in an international school unless they get certified and get real teaching experience first. Does this sound accurate?

You all will do fine! I've recently done several Skype interviews and they went well. The nice thing about interviewing over the computer is you can put a few notes up on the computer screen beside the video. That was really helpful for a couple questions. Here's a good article with skype interview tips.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162- ... ncol;lst;2