Ace the Overseas Teaching Job Fair
How to put your best foot forward an international school job fair
Nov 17, 2007
For most prospective international teachers, the overseas job fair is a necessary, though often daunting, rite of passage. Such job fairs provide important opportunities for principals from overseas schools to interview teachers face-to-face, but some candidates feel overwhelmed by the intense atmosphere characteristic of such fairs. A few simple strategies can help teachers walk into any international job fair with confidence.
Target your geographical region
Since your first hour at a job fair could include interviews with principals from countries as far-flung as Venezuela, Thailand, or South Africa, it’s helpful to have a geographic area in mind before you attend a job fair. Some teachers know right away that they want to live in a Spanish-speaking country, while others prefer the particularly high salaries in parts of Asia or the Middle East. The BootsNAll Travel Network online contains valuable stories from expatriates and travelers abroad to help guide you in your search.
Regardless of which country or region you feel is ideal, be sure to stay open-minded when you attend the fair. You might find a particularly high-quality school matching your educational values and style in a country you never dreamed you’d see, let alone live in. Never attend a job fair with your heart set on just one country or school; keep at least a “Top Three” list in mind instead. Teachers adventurous enough to travel overseas in the first place probably recognize the importance of evaluating many different locations before choosing just one.
Research schools
If you plan to attend one of the major fairs hosted by University of Northern Iowa or by ISS (International Schools Services), visit the fair websites a month or two in advance to find out which schools will be represented. Visit those schools’ websites to learn more about their educational environments; try contacting current staff to get a flavor for the school. Get in touch with principals via phone call or e-mailed resume and cover letter. Let them know you’ll be attending the upcoming job fair, and request a meeting. These personal contacts will help distinguish you from the often overwhelming crowd on the day of the fair.
Allow plenty of travel time
Don’t push your luck by scheduling flights that cut too close to the start time of the job fair. Plan to arrive the night before the fair, and check into a hotel where you can get a good night’s sleep. A jam-packed job fair can be naturally chaotic, so create enough organization and stability in your itinerary to ensure your top performance during interviews.
Determine your assets
Even if you’ve never been overseas before, your teaching talents can serve as assets to any school—most principals overseas are excited to hire experienced teachers who are passionate about their subject matter. Many of the top international schools require prior overseas experience, but plenty of schools will hire a skilled North American teacher just starting their overseas career. Highlight your skills in the areas of teacher leadership, working with English language learners and students of varying linguistic and academic abilities, and committee and extra-curricular involvement. Many international schools are K-12 and have a “small-school” feel; teachers might wear several different professional hats throughout the school year. Any experience you have that reveals your ability to adapt to new situations and challenges will be valued and respected on the international scene.
