Dependents make it more difficult, but singles or couples without children should be able to live a comfortable life. With kids, tuition is usually included and most families live in France for the cheaper rent. Some of the better schools don't even include a maximum number of dependents for free tuition.

I (single, no dependents) was able to save between 2000-2500CHF per month from my salary (which was about a third of net salary) while renting a 2bdrm city apartment, eating in restaurants/takeaway about once a week and traveling within Switzerland every weekend (skiing in winter, hiking in summer). School holidays I mostly travelled within Europe. Pension contribution savings were about 1800CHF monthly.

So I don't really understand the whole Switzerland is too expensive view. I was happy, saved money, had access to the outdoor activities that I enjoy and was centrally located in Europe for easy travel. Worked for me.

My experience, particularly with Geneva, is that there is very very very little turnover. Many people live and shop in France, which lowers the housing costs. Amongst all sectors in Geneva competition is fierce because it's a comfortable lifestyle for many. A good pension and the safety net of unemployment payments if you lose your job. There's somewhat of an understanding that jobs become available only when someone retires or dies (of course there is the odd exception, but the term 'golden handcuffs' is ubiquitous in the region).

I have reapplied and been successful at a school that I had previously applied to. The first time around the school was interested enough to conduct multiple interviews, but in the end I got the standard "you're a strong candidate, but not the match we are looking for at this time".
A few years later I applied again (with a bit more specific experience to the role) and was interviewed by the same principal (who remembered me) and was hired.

I don't think it would be out of the ordinary to mention that you will be in the country and could meet/see the school etc. In my second cover letter I mentioned right away that I had applied previously, but that I was a stronger candidate now because of blahblahblah.

I have done the move out of Switzerland with a pension to an EU country. I was able to take out much of my pillar 2 in cash. A certain portion of it I can only access when I am of retirement age and this was moved to a vested benefits account within Switzerland.

My HR department was very helpful with this - the accounting department arranged for the cash portion to be paid out to me and for the other portion to be moved to a vested account.

Sorry, I do not remember the exact percentage of what I was able to withdraw, but it was definitely the majority - possibly around 75%.

Purely anecdotal, but in my experience I was able to work in an EU country and also Switzerland on a non-EU passport. Switzerland seemed to be a bigger hassle for the school, but they were willing to go through the process on my behalf. It's trickier though because in order to obtain visas, employers need to prove that there are no suitable Swiss candidates first, and then no EU candidates. But I've found that if they want you, they want you. There are also quotas now for how many EU permits can be granted. I apply if I feel the school is a good fit for me - regardless of their citizenship requirements. I'd say my experience is not the norm though. Having an EU passport is almost necessary. Maybe Brexit will shake things up - there are so many British teachers in Europe.

Another lurker chiming in. I too had only domestic experience and got my first IT job at a WE tier 1 school. Definitely only need a contract in hand before landing in the country. Visas/permits all arranged afterwards. And of course I was interviewed prior to being offered the job - both by skype and in person (flights/accomodation paid for).

I was asked to do one alongside a Skype interview. The school gave me direction on the topic. I just set up a stationary camera to film myself and also used my phone to film when walking around the room. I recorded the whole lesson, but edited it so it wasn't too long (but I didn't cut bits out, I just sped them up so that the school could see I wasn't hiding anything).

Sorry, I don't think what I intended to say came across in the right way. The school may very well be aware and advertising falsely, but it may also not. As this scenario happened to me in the reverse, I didn't to say anything about the discrepancy when I would have had I been in the original poster's situation.

Of course there are numerous confounding variables at play. At the end of the day, if it's not suitable compensation for the role/location I would pass.

While it might be easy to accuse the school of being sketchy, it might just really be a case of inaccurate/non-update on the Search side of things. I was in the opposite position, where I was going off the reference points on Search (that meet my experience/qualifications), but my offer was 40% higher than what was listed. Obviously I didn't accuse the school of false advertising or kick up a fuss. Who knows when the last time your school bothered to update those figures or its listing, probably not high on their priorities list.

In my experience, for a single person half a container, double if partner/dependents are included.

Western manners. Chinese mainlanders have no concept of lining up, waiting patiently, using a toilet, being courteous. You must push, shove and trample on babies if you want to get anywhere (possibly literally).

I have between 5-10 years local teaching experience. I think that because I was picky and only applied to a handful of schools I could really tailor each application for each school. I think I did good job of marketing myself and showing my strengths, which caught their attention. I also only applied to schools with curricula that I prefer.

My first go at international teaching. I have been very picky about curriculum and location. Applied to 7 schools. Interviewed with 2. Got an unsolicited invitation to interview from another, which I turned down because it was absolutely not what I was looking for in any manner. 1 of the interviews had the start date change and it was much too early, so we both agreed it wasn't going to work, but I was asked to apply should any other positions open up. 2nd interview was with a WE school I felt was way out of my league. But was offered the position.

Can you tell me anything about the whole apostille thing. What documents require one? I would much rather get a bunch done at once before I leave and use them for the next few places of employment than try to organise it from afar.

In terms of personal items, I've moved countries a lot, so not really bothered about clothing, toiletries etc., but am more worried about licences, police checks etc.

Copies of these (but need they be notarised or apostilled?):
- passport
- contract
- drivers licence
- international driving licence
- police clearance (how far back do these need to go?)
- university transcript(s)
- birth certificate?
- marriage certificate (N/A to me)
- name change certificate (N/A to me)
- teaching licence/card
- anything else?

So you've accepted a new position in a new country. What documents do you make sure you have organised before you leave? Any other must dos / must takes to the new location?