Hello there, Than ks for all the feedback from my other posts. I am enjoying this website and gaining a lot of information. I am new to the international hiring process.
I have noticed on TIE online, other recruiting sites and also through the International School Reviews listed that there are dozens of schools offering jobs that aren't attending the fairs.

I wonder, then, how are those many many schools not attending the recruiting fairs hiring and is there something about those who go to the fairs and those who don't that I am missing? Do the best schools go to fairs and mediocre ones hire through Skype or email?

Is there any thread to those who go and those who hire otherwise?
Any thoughts?
Thanks :)

I haven't been to a hiring fair. I was wondering what a typical day would look like?
How do you get an interview at the fair? Does one have interviews/appts. with a number of schools before one leaves for the international fair, or does one show up and see what schools would like to provide an interview on the day? In that case, do you have a chance to research schools that want to interview you on the spot?
As I read through the blogs and here about people being offered jobs at the end of a day or fair, I am left wondering how HR contact candidates? Does one need to get a mobile phone in that country to wait for that call or is one asked to return at the end of the day/fair and sign a contract?
For those of us out here who are new to fairs, procedures /protocols, what is a typical day or weekend in the life of a candidate at a fair?
Thanks in advance.

I am not sure about when the schools or even if they post over the holidays. But, I thought I'd respond to the travelling with a computer part of your question. I'd check your memberships or emails over the holidays to see what comes up, but I wouldn't take a personal computer since they are so readily available and you want to feel free of technology and relax :). Plus, the computer is valuable and a worry, I find, when I am travelling. You may have already done this, but I have a copy of my resume and scanned copies of my teaching credentials and recommendations in a Hotmail folder, so I can access that on a public computer if something should come up.
Wish you good luck :)

Hi There, How are Hainan, Macau, Shanghai and Hong Kong for pollution? I ask because they appeal to me as great places to live and work but not at the expense of my lung health. I am prone to asthma and headaches from excessive air pollution. I haven't had a problem in Western cities, but I'm concerned about accepting a job in highly polluted areas of Asia and suddenly unable to enjoy my time because of health issues. Any recommendations of nice/good schools or regions that are coastal or in beautiful picturesque areas of China, where the air pollution isn't an issue, requiring masks and air purifiers in the building to avoid lung issues (Good staff housing and clean air are more important to me than lucrative contracts). My lung issue is rarely provoked, and I don't have a problem in most places, such as Seoul, Paris, NYC or Seattle or London. But, I had to leave Bangkok after five days when I visited Thailand, because I couldn't get my breath some days and it restricted my holiday there. I was happy to move out of that city into its beautiful countryside and coastal regions, and then I was fine. I'm healthy otherwise, but my lungs don't do well in some places and I don't want to live somewhere that compromises my long term lung health and restricts my enthusiasm.
Thanks :)

Thanks to all.
If I can't work two years, I can't, so have to work with what I can do. Yes I do understand the plight of the students and the admin. Ideally, two or more years would be most desirable for me, too as well as the students and admin, but I have to work within my perimeters set out by my local school district who need me back and have generously offered a year's absence.

What I am looking for here is not "think of the kids and admin.," which I already have and understand, but working with my reality and seeking opportunities and advice from those who have managed to be successful at securing a one year contract, despite the dirth of two year requirements. I don't want to work in a white dominion but rather a foreign culture to me, so an exchange to a similar country is not that appealing to me and I have looked at doing that later in life. I am looking for a country that is not English speaking or if it is, is much different to Aus., Canada, US and UK which I have already visited.
It sounds like there are possibilities at the latter part of the hiring system when someone hands in a late notice and good schools are okay with the one year contract at that time.
If there is anyone who has worked one year with a suitable contract, do let me know how that came about and anything else you can suggest to me. That's what I am seeking here. Hope there are some experienced one year contractors out there who can understand my situation.

Sounds like Skyping can work if you can't get time away for fairs. Thank you both.

Hello there, Is it best to attend the fairs or to simply use Skype for interviews? Anyone out there who has found very good positions using Skype rather than attending very expensive fairs and having to travel very long distances? I can't get the time off from my local district to attend an international fair. But I am concerned that not going to one may mean I get less desirable positions from schools only using Skype?
What has been your experience?
Thank you,

Thanks

Hello there, Is it best to attend the fairs or to simply use Skype for interviews? Anyone out there who has found very good positions using Skype rather than attending very expensive fairs and having to travel very long distances? I can't get the time off from my local district to attend an international fair. But I am concerned that not going to one may mean I get less desirable positions from schools only using Skype?
What has been your experience?
Thank you,

Hello there, I am a Canadian school counsellor and certified teacher. I have permission to take a leave for one school year in 2016/17 from my full time continuing contract in my school district. I have ten years experience counselling children K-12.
My question is, what schools offer one year contracts? Anyone out there who has had a good 1 yr contract?
Thanks,