The International Schools Review Forum

Hello.

I'm looking for advice on recruitment fairs - particularly the Search Associates ones. I have tried to search the forum for topics on this but so far not coming up with much related information.

I am not working this year, as I missed the recruitment period last time around due to ill health. I am available to attend a fair this year and would like advice on whether or not it is worth the expense. I managed to get interviews and contracts previously without attending, however, after now spending some time out of work, I'm wondering if I need to physically put myself in front of schools.

My focus is on East and South East Asia. I have a trip planned to SE Asia over the next few months. I can easily arrange my plans to be able to attend the Hong Kong Fair. I have read that the Bangkok fair is the best one, however it seems as though you need to have taught internationally for a number of years in order to get an invite. I have many years teaching experience but only a short time internationally.

I'm sure that it can't do any harm to attend. However, I do wonder about how beneficial it is.

Thank you in advance for any information.

Have you been accepted as a candidate by Search? If you have, talk with your consultant and see what they have to say about you attending these fairs.
My suggestion would be to save your money and apply directly to the school, even if it is listed on Search. I would also register and join some other job sites...Schrole, Teachers Horizon and TES. Do your own research on areas you want to live in, find a list of schools, then apply directly to the schools you are interested in. Schools would rather hire you without using a search firm so they don't have to pay them.
Personally I find these fairs to be useless and not worth the huge expense to attend...others might have a different opinion.

Hi.

Thank you for your honest reply. Yes, I've been on Search for a number of years. I've never attended one of their job fairs. I agree that most schools don't want to use companies like Search. I had been given a contact number for a school by a friend who thought I'd be a good match for them. I noticed that they were on Search. I contacted them directly but invited them to check over my profile. I was offered the job but they insisted that Search weren't involved and I was to mark myself as unavailable on the database.

Search are currently offering an online zoom to discuss the benefits of Job Fairs. If I was to ask my consultant about attending one, they would encourage it. I was just hoping for some unbiased advice, which you have given. Thank you.