Agreed w/ Monster. Not a huge fan of Search Associates. I thought SA would provide some sort of support for teachers who have been misled, their contracts were not honored, or had contractual problems with an international school that they matched on SA until I and a few other colleagues experienced otherwise. SA offered no support whatsoever despite multiple complaints from several SA represented teachers about the same school, which is not even an international school per se, but as long as they are paying their fees, they are on SA's database. The so-called school is still advertising positions on SA and continuing their bad practices with new contracts/ hires. It would have been nice if SA were being diligent with verifying schools' credibility as much as they are concerned with teachers' profile photographs. (which I think, is about to change now as they have been "working on creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization" - in their words-, and no profile photographs will be required starting 2021)

My associate is a sweet old guy, but he has never provided me with any valuable information, insight or advice over the past 5 years. He only repeats what I already know or can learn by reading profiles. I attempted to change associates, but that seems near impossible. Once you choose an associate while you are first signing up you are pretty much stuck with that one, either you like it or not. We, international school teachers basically pay for SA's school database and to see who is advertising what. (Some ads may even be outdated). That's about it. The rest is up to the teacher. I always recommend applying to the school directly. If you already have a "dream list" check those schools' websites in November, use your '6 degrees of separation' to find someone who worked/working at that school to get more info (and to spread a good word about you ;)

I've seen schools advertising positions before teachers giving their letters of intent or officially resigning, but teachers cannot reactivate their SA accounts without getting letters from their current HoSs, directors, principals, which I don't think is fair either. Overall I find SA far from being good, but they have been around the block for a while. So there is that.

This paragraph is from an article, (titled "How to Find an International School Job" and written by S. Dexter) I recently read on the TIEonline blog:

"3) Show up in the off season: There’s a LOT to be said for heading to say, Berlin, and hitting the handful of int’l schools in the area just to say “Guten Tag” and introduce yourself to the department head or director of studies. They may have an opening, they may not. But having a bit of face time and showing a professional interest in the school will pay off when and if they have something. When a fellow showed up at my door in the Swiss Alps with his backpack and muddy Mammot boots saying he was hiking the “Haute Route” but wanted to say hello because he always wanted to teach at my school, I wanted to hire him on the spot (and trade places, to be honest)."