The International Schools Review Forum

derPhysik · Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 29 Location: connecticut

Found the reviews posted to be very interesting. Was impressed with the apparent honesty: people mentioned the good and the bad. I detected a lot of disappointment in the results. All that money for 4 interviews? I am a new international teacher and thought the job fairs would be the safest route. I'm glad I saved my money. I've been to a couple of U.S./state job fairs and always thought they were cattle calls and very little came out of it. Always got a job through other channels. With ISR, JoyJobs, TES, and Skype- I'm detecting the downslide of Search/ISS/etc..

Gemini72 · Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Posts: 6

I was ready to go to a job fair this year, but thankfully landed a job thanks to putting my CV on Tie Online and having two Skype-interviews with my new school.
I think if more and more candidates contacted schools directly, requesting Skype interviews, we could do away with expensive, time-consuming job fairs for good.

Crgallen22 · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 8

I was hoping to secure a job via Skype. I landed a second interview with a good school but was told they would still be going to job fairs, although I remained a "top candidate". Unfortunately, someone at the job fair was selected for the position. i I interviewed with one other school and am waiting for them to wrap up with job fairs as well. If I am unable to obtain a position this year I will definitely be attending a job fair next year.

calciodirigore · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 32 Location: Europe

I attended the ISS Bangkok fair this year and was terribly disappointed with my experience. I traveled as a single with two dependents (my wife is a teacher, but is still on extended maternity leave), which I knew was a severe handicap. I still managed to get 6 interviews and 3 offers (turned them all down since they were from 2nd-3rd tier schools). However, I didn't land jobs with my top 3 due to the dependent situation and the fact that these schools weren't prepared to offer contracts. I left Bangkok empty handed but have since secured a position via my contacts and a couple of Skype interviews. So, I'm very happy indeed.

What really got to me about the fair was that many schools were simply "window shopping." Several heads (including my two previous supervisors) actually said that they weren't going to offer contracts until later on in the recruitment season. I completely understand that schools are looking for the best candidates, but then this philosophy should be made clear to teachers at some point. If I would have know that my top 2 choices were waiting until ISS Boston to make offers, then I wouldn't have bothered traveling to Thailand. I would have pursued the Skype route a bit more aggressively. Can you really expect teachers to travel around the world to simply present their candidacy to would be employers? It seems pretty ridiculous to me. I presently teach in Germany so the entire experience cost me several thousand dollars. Very frustrating.

On another note - does anyone out there feel that the Search and ISS databases and services are not worth the US$ 200+ required to gain access to them? The Search one is often terribly inaccurate and difficult to read and the ISS one doesn't provide enough info. If we're paying significant amounts to these organizations shouldn't they be a bit more professional about the services they provide to their clients? I mean, the people working the info desks at the ISS fairs are often woefully incompetent. Some haven't even traveled extensively and most are unaware of what international schools are all about. I can't see that happening in the corporate world. It would be nice to see these agencies work a bit harder for their money...

I apologize for such a long-winded rant...any thoughts?

Cheers.

JISAlum · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 169 Location: Chicago, IL- USA

You are right. Although until teachers simply don't put up with it and don't attend fairs that are ill-managed, it will continue.

As long as teachers show up and pay the freight, Supts and fair organizers will continue to push the envelope.

[quote="calciodirigore"]

What really got to me about the fair was that many schools were simply "window shopping." Several heads (including my two previous supervisors) actually said that they weren't going to offer contracts until later on in the recruitment season. I completely understand that schools are looking for the best candidates, but then this philosophy should be made clear to teachers at some point. If I would have know that my top 2 choices were waiting until ISS Boston to make offers, then I wouldn't have bothered traveling to Thailand. I would have pursued the Skype route a bit more aggressively. Can you really expect teachers to travel around the world to simply present their candidacy to would be employers? It seems pretty ridiculous to me. I presently teach in Germany so the entire experience cost me several thousand dollars. Very frustrating.

I apologize for such a long-winded rant...any thoughts?

Cheers.[/quote]

derPhysik · Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 29 Location: connecticut

Do the large Fairs and/or search services provide vetting for the teacher's credentials? I am contacting schools directly. Have had some strange questions. Started contemplating the problems a school in China may have trying to verify my degree or license. Maybe the schools are more comfortable letting a separate company handle the details.

JISAlum · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 169 Location: Chicago, IL- USA

I know UNI does- and I believe Search & ISS require credentials. Whether they verify or not is another question.

I know UNI verifies as well.

[quote="derPhysik"]Do the large Fairs and/or search services provide vetting for the teacher's credentials? I am contacting schools directly. Have had some strange questions. Started contemplating the problems a school in China may have trying to verify my degree or license. Maybe the schools are more comfortable letting a separate company handle the details.[/quote]