Okay, this might seem like a super picky question, but does anyone know if it's best to send all your attachments (resume, letters of reference, etc) as one multi page document or attach them each separately to the email? I've been attaching them separately. But it just occured to me that it might be a major pain for these schools that get tons of applicants to open each separate attachment and print them out. And that it might save them time and be appreciated if they're all copied into one long attachment because they could open it up, hit print, and have everything. I'm all about making my contact convenient and easy for them. And increase the likelihood they actually look at all my information.

The body of my email IS my cover letter. Then I attach my resume. Someone please tell me if this is not a good way to do it!

What does TIE offer that I can't get from Search? Is it worth it to join TIE at this (somewhat late) point in time?

I actually agree with PsyGuy that 2 weeks later is somewhat of a big deal. The main reason I joined Search is because they have the first U.S. fair. And it's why when they told me Cambridge was full and I'd have to go to SF that I became the seriously squeaky wheel until I got an invitation to Cambridge! It seems reasonable to me that by the 5th fair, 2 weeks later, many jobs will be gone. I know UNI is running at the same time as the Cambridge Search fair. And some of the same schools are at both. Not sure how that happens unless they have multiple recruiters in more than one location. However UNI would be your next earliest option. However I'm also not sure how easy it is to attend a UNI fair - do you have to be invited, is there a limit on how many people they accept, etc?

Being a newbie myself I don't have advice about whether to join Search or a different agency or apply on your own. But you if you decide to join Search you could always register for the SF fair but continue to push for an invite to the cambridge fair. They are definitely going to tell you the cambridge fair is full with a waitlist. However once they see your qualifications and they have your $$$, they MAY reconsider. I know people that have been very successful at the SF fair. If I were you I would probably consider the UNI fair, if you're interested in any of those schools. I've heard good things about it.

I don't send my email through the Search website because I can't figure out how to attach my resume. So I send an email directly to the school from my personel email. That way I can attach my with resume and any other attachments they ask for. I don't want to chance whether they'll actually look me up on the website. That way I can assure they're getting all my information plus will have my search info too if they should bother to look. I usually cc my Search associate on the emails.

I've asked and some schools say they don't need you to email your reference letters, etc if you are a Search candidate. However others have told me that I still need to email my reference letters and complete their applications regardless of my Search candidacy. So based on the advice I got from several people on this forum I'm doing EXACTLY what the schools website says to do unless they've told me otherwise.

I also was told there was no more room at the Cambridge fair. So I got a little pushy, touting my excellent qualifications and experience and they "found" and invitation for me. Don't give up. Search SF is just 2 weeks later. However it's the 5th of the 5 US fairs in February. So not the best but you won't have to wait until spring or summer.

I am thinking of applying to a school in Tokyo. I would love to live in Tokyo. However two of my major goals when I go abroad is to do as much travel as possible & save some money. Everything I read on ISR sings the praises of the school and Toyko except cost of living. Staff say the housing allowance is not at all adequate and you must add a lot of your own money. So my question to those of you with experience in Tokyo: once I pay for part of the housing and pay for basic living expenses (not lots of eating out) will I be able to have a decent quality of life, afford to do a lot of travel and save some? I have 16 years experience so would hopefully be higher on the pay scale. Thanks for your advice.

Hey Ichiro, as I apply to schools I'm doing a ton of research on the school, city, country, etc. I'd love to go ahead and talk to people at these schools now however thought I'd wait at least until I'm offered an interview or maybe even gotten an offer before trying to email staff at the school to ask detailed questions. I don't know if staff members get deluged with this kind of thing and I don't want to inappropriately add to that. I think it's justifiable if I'm interviewing or getting an offer. However is it crossing the line to do it prior to that?

Thanks again Psyguy. I do have a parent evaluation in my Search application. However you had mentioned that unless I make the "short list" they may never look me up on Search to get more information. So I want to make sure I put my best foot forward from my very first contact to influence them to go ahead and look me up on Search. So, guess I'll be asking for some testimonial letters!

Hey Psyguy & anyone else with experience in the hiring process, I have another question for you:

From what I've read, when most schools say to send references, they mean from people who have actually supervised you (ie principal). They don't want references from other teachers as you will obviously pick your friends to write them. However the school website for an elite school I am applying at says to email "recent references and testimonials." I intepret testimonials as letters from fellow teachers, parents, maybe even a student. I haven't asked for anything like this from my coworkers since I'm not telling most people that I'm on the job hunt. But I can certainly privately ask a few of them for something if I need to. How do you interpret "recent references and testimonials." Do you think letters from non-supervisory people really are useful?

Thanks again for your input.

Thank you Psyguy. You have a very good point about getting those letters of reference for the future.

Thank you Ichiro. You are one of the "experienced international educators" I was hoping to hear from as I am VERY qualified for a job opening in Bangkok! It is my #1 choice. The opening is not at ISB though! :) Depending on what happens I'd love to pick your brain some more about Thailand.

I'm hoping all you experienced international educators can help this newbie with a question. I have emailed a cover letter & my resume to several schools either via the Search Associates website or through direct email. All the schools recruit through Search Associates so I've told them they can access my confidential evaluations from references and all my other application information on the SA website. However I've noticed in the directions for applying on most of the school websites that they say to email them several letters of reference. Is it safe to assume that they will go to the SA website to read my references? Or do I need to email them copies of reference letters too? Seems redundant. And seems like the confidential references on SA would hold more weight then the non-confidential ones I would email them. I did not ask my references for letters because I just had them go to the SA website and do the online evaluations. Should I also be asking them for letters? Even if I don't need actual letters now, will I wish I had them as I'm looking for other jobs down the road in a few years? Or is the requirement to send letters of reference for people who are not signed up with one of the recruiting agencies?

Also a couple schools ask you to fill out an application. Again, do they tend to consider the SA application as sufficient or do I also need to fill out their application? I've considered emailing some of these schools and asking about these things but I don't want to sound like a doofus! Especially if you guys can help me out instead!

Thank you for your input. I am willing to do whatever I need to do. However I don't want to do a bunch of extra work that they don't need me to do. Just not sure how much of my Search Associates application replaces all those other things.

I am very happy with my Search associate, Michael Williams. Actually, it's his associate, Vince that I hear back from most. He replies very quickly, sometimes even on the weekend. They've both patiently answered my questions and managed to get me an invite to the fair I wanted even though there were supposedly no invitations left. It's still early and this is my first experience with Search, but so far so good!