Psychris just checked out the blog. Funny, entertaining & useful (also a great picture.) Good luck in your new international career.

"...and now you are advertising your school engages in, at the least, very shady, sketchy, and unethical behavior. In my eyes, it is straight up theft from Search. Nice message for your students."

I don't want to wade much into this battle, and I don't know a lot about Search, but given some of the shadier sides of the agency I signed up with, I'd say Psyguy is well within his rights to go to a hotel and recruit. My first foray into this international scene and WOW what a gamut of personalities. I am personally all for eliminating the expensive middle-man connection if possible.

You might think about getting your CDF certification. (Career Development Facilitator). It is s national certification and does not require that many graduate credit hours, particurly if you already have your admin Master's

I cannot honestly answer that question, however, I would suggest that you call an associate, or e-mail one for your region. Ask them their honest opintion. I bet you get a response. I had 2 associates from Search actually take the time to talk with me over the phone and guide me through some decision making processes. This in spite of the fact that I was clear with them that I had signed up with ISS. Their suggestions and guidance were right on the money. IF i ever have need of such an agency again... I will go with Search.

I agree with the advice to go with Search vs. ISS. Search in my experience was much more helpful, and they do offer the last fair... Have been sorely disappointed with ISS.

:D
Thanks. The perfect blessing for me. Maybe we will meet in person at some point in the International School World of time.

Well thank you so much to all of you who prodded me to get on the ball and get in touch with the school. My contract was in my e-mail box this am... ready to sign, terms exactly as we had discussed in the interview. I can breathe again... and in the end made the right decision about the fair (thank psyguy).

Off to Turkey in 2012. GOD willing!

Ya'll are causing me to hyperventilate! The school I wanted very much to be teaching at is in Eastern Europe. Good pkg. for that area and a subject I love to teach. Unfortunately they will be at the ISS fair this coming weekend and I will NOT. I did e-mail the director today. (of the school I accepted a position at) 10 hr. difference so I will give it until Fri. am to give up. I am pretty patient, but most of the responses here indicate that I should have recieved a contract by now. I do like this 4th choice school. I liked the staff who interviewed me, like the position, and I like the place. Think I will just let go and give it a few hours... then go hard after another position if I don't hear from them by friday. I will be angry with myself for cancelling on the fair. Particularly since my registration fee was non-refundable. One of the posters mentioned asking my "associate " for guidance. NOT at ISS. No guidance. Just curt e-mailed responses if I am lucky. THanks ALL!

The unfortunate thing is, I cancelled for the ISS job fair, figuring I could save some significant money. I followed your advice, though and have followed up wtih the first choice school, and also will let the other school know I need a contract by Friday. THank you so much for the advice. I hope I haven't out smarted my self from a job.

I gave an e-mail acceptance to a proffered position ... not a great package, but the school and staff seemed like a situation I would enjoy living in/working with. Offer accepted on the 22nd Jan. The director said she would send it. I still haven't seen the contract. In the meantime... I cancelled the hiring fair, lost my registration fee, and now am hearing from my #2 choice school that the position I wanted there is still open........ I haven't signed a contract...... what to do?

I personally am on a tirade against ISS. I would suggest that as other posters have said... TIE and Search are better by far. I signed up with ISS because their site seemed at first more user friendly. I never recieved anything more than a couple of "thank you for your application" notices via e-mail from any of the schools who are members. I paid $180 to access their data base of listings and salaries, then another $290 to attend the hiring fair in Boston. I also joined Joy Jobs and TIE. I sent a dossier to every school I was interested in. I recieved an invitation to interview via Skype after several back and forth e-mails with a school I found on TIE. They made an offer, I accepted. No fair for me. ISS refuses to refund my hiring fair fee. Search on the other hand - 2 of their people called me to advise me with some of my queries, in spite of the fact that I wasn't a paying client. Speaks volumes of both agencies.

I think your idea to keep searching TIE is great. I paid the ISS fee $180 to access their data base, AND I paid $290 for the fair. I was offered a job that I applied for via TIE.... a school that is not members of ISS. We communicated after i sent a packet with my picture. I then interviewed via Skype and was offered the job within 2 days time. Incidently...... ISS refuses to refund my hiring fair fee. DO NOT USE ISS. Previous posters are correct... they are money driven and NOT customer service oriented. I did not pay for Search, but 2 of their staff took time to call me and advise me inspite of the fact that I wasn't a client. If you must fair... Fair Search!!!

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.

Thanks. No the offer is not in my hand and I let the time to cancel on the fair slip by so ... yes it is a place I can see myself happy in. Pkg. not so fantastic but I'm letting it go and we will see what happens.

I've had a tentative job offer from a school I connected with on TIE - no contract in hand yet. I had signed up with ISS and paid for fair fee ($290) and airfare (which I can change) and room (which I can cancel).

Here's the problem....... If I cancel the fair where I may or may not interview for better paying positions........ and may or may not reiceve an offer at... and wait for a contract from the school I've been talking to I may

1) Not be given the contract then am sol
2) May miss out on significantly better package

Thoughts ANYONE ?