Job Fair Info Needed

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hogyorgy
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:37 pm
Location: Florida

Job Fair Info Needed

Post by hogyorgy »

Many of you on this forum are already at Intl. schools. I am sure a most of you went to job fairs and secured positions there after successful interviews. How did you it? Please tell me about the job fairs (how many interviews did you have a day, were you required to fill out tests, suveys, questionnaires etc.). I am planning to attend the Cambridge Fair and some info would be very useful.
Thank you guys, have a good week at work!
overseasvet2
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:50 pm

job fairs

Post by overseasvet2 »

" Please tell me about the job fairs (how many interviews did you have a day, were you required to fill out tests, suveys, questionnaires etc.)."

Your questions are very real for someone who's not been to a fair but so broad in scope, I think you're going to receive lots of different kinds of answers. My partner hates the job fairs because of the high stress levels; I love them because while there I feel like the world is my oyster. It's exciting not knowing where you will land.

The biggest piece is the signing up for interviews. Be strategic, if you only go to the long lines, you'll not be able to sign up for as many. Don't bother to line up if there isn't a job posted that matches your qualifications; you'll annoy the recruiters and will have wasted time you could've spent signing up with others. If you have your heart set on a highly competative school, by all means spend your energies talking to them but not at the expense of losing all other options. If you're fortunate, you'll receive some slips from schools prior to the sign up. This means they want to talk to YOU so wait until lines dwindle to see them because you'll be an automatic. Since the appointment slots fill quickly, go to the schools you most wish to see first.

It can be disheartening when you get to a fair and your dream job is scratched off of the openings list because it was filled elsewhere. Just put your energies into other places. Chances are there may be some openings you didn't know about before the fair.

During interviews, be on time and relax! It can feel strange to interview in someone's hotel room but that's how it works. In addition to your teaching skills, they'll be judging whether your type of personality can fit in with the current teachers at the school, especially if it's a small school. If you decide to take a job early, let the later appointments know you're not coming. It's the polite thing to do and you will be seeing the same recruiters at future fairs. Also write a thank you for every interview. It's the kind of thing they remember - especially if they were leaning your way!

If you have time, go to the orientation sessions about various countries. They can be very enlightening. Don't stalk administrators onto elevators, into the coffee shops or into the hotel bar. They need a chance to decompress, too!

Enjoy the ride and good luck!
tennisfanusa
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:02 pm

Post by tennisfanusa »

Thank you PsyGuy and overseas vet for the info. I'm going to an international job fair for the first time and this data is extremely helpful.

Do either of you think that there could be more positions opening up this year as the world economy slowly recovers? I know in the states, the teaching market finally seems to have opened back up a bit (from the glory days of 2006/2007). For a while, at my school back in the states, we would have 200 applications for one position. It was insane! I imagine it was similar in the international teaching arena in the past years.
overseasvet2
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 10:50 pm

recruiting

Post by overseasvet2 »

The demand for overseas teachers seem to ebb and flow. One year there is a shortage of quality teachers and the next there seem to be too few jobs. The US economy impacts us in that we'd like to move home but instead, will recruit again next year. I heard New Delhi and Mumbai hired lots of new teachers last year so it just depends on the time and place. When Dubai built their new building, they hired 80 new teachers in one year! The important thing is to throw your hat in the ring and see what happens!
tennisfanusa
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:02 pm

Post by tennisfanusa »

Well, I got into international education for this school year without doing a job fair and feel that was a HUGE MISTAKE on my part.

This year, I'm not going to do the same thing and am more prepared than ever. With just one year overseas (thank goodness it's just a one year contract) and five years back in the states (primarily with elementary gifted ed), I hope I can be a fit for at least some "tier 2" schools. I just hope there are enough openings.
brett
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 6:57 pm
Location: United States

Huge Mistake?

Post by brett »

tennisfanusa, I'm curious why you feel that not attending a job fair was a big mistake, yet you found a job? I ask because my wife is getting ready to apply directly to a bunch of schools all over the world because she really doesn't want to deal with lines and all the hustle and bustle. Not to mention the expense to get to and attend a fair.

Maybe that is a huge mistake as well. She just feels that with 7 years of 1st grade experience, great references, and further endorsements earned, that she will at least get responses from some decent tier 2 schools.

Maybe we are too confident in her resume...?
tennisfanusa
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:02 pm

Post by tennisfanusa »

I guess it depends on which schools you go to. I didn't do my homework and research and went the "easy" route to go to my current school. It was too easy and I should have known why. There is a serious lack of professional development and resources for me to adequately meet the needs of my students.

It seems like many schools hire via Skype and other ways without the job fair, however, after just a few months, I want some extra reassurances. :)
brett
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 6:57 pm
Location: United States

Post by brett »

That makes sense now. We have really researched the schools that she is applying to, so we have a pretty good idea of which schools are dedicated to education and not profit.

Ultimately that's all that matters to Heather. The package doesn't even really matter all that much as I will still be working for a US company online. Thanks for the clarification.
Cheers,

Brett
Android
Posts: 46
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:23 pm

Post by Android »

Brett: I've been teaching in the international field for around 10 years now ( going on 11 ). On my 11th year, I will be an administrator at my current school. Three are obtained from a job fair while the other two, I landed on my own. All three are premier, top schools in Asia and Europe. The other schools that called me were top schools as well and I remember having a very hard time in choosing. Your wife sounds like she has a decent resume. I was a rookie with my first school but my CV-resume stood out because of my credentials and personal factors. Over the years, I started to build it up professionally and I got the other two schools on my own while having to choose amongst many others. Your wife has 7 years experience. That should attract many international schools. Ultimately, it's also character and how you present yourself. The CV-resume is just a back up of what you are saying at the interviews.
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