Job Search Strategies
Searching for an international job requires perseverance, usually over many months. Candidates often describe the recruiting process as “a marathon, not a sprint”.
There are a few different ways to approach your job search.
- Wait for schools to contact you. While this does happen occasionally, in Search’s experience, this passive approach yields minimum results.
- Apply to only a handful of schools that exactly match your expectations, or only target schools in a specific city/country. While you should definitely apply to your favourite schools, you risk limiting your opportunities by putting all your eggs in a few baskets. This often leads to disappointment and could leave you scrambling at the end of the recruiting cycle. It’s important to keep an open mind.
- Apply to as many schools as possible – different types of schools in different regions, for all suitable positions. This approach does take time/effort but in Search’s experience this is the BEST strategy, and maximizes your Search membership. Apply first and then evaluate those schools that express interest in your application. Your communication with those schools will allow you to evaluate the schools far better than anything you can do in advance. Simply put: the more schools to which you apply and the longer you continue to apply, the greater the probability of success.
Attending Search Job Fairs
Attending a Search Fair should be an important part of your job search strategy, and should complement your online applications. Did you know that over 65% of Search placements happen via matches made via our database and daily email updates?
Data shows that our In-Person Fairs, for which Search is famously known, have a significantly higher success rate than our virtual fairs. However, virtual fairs provide a practical and cost-effective option for candidates world-wide, and are particularly effective for certain regions (Latin America, Africa and China).
If you are seeking your first international school position, the First-Time Overseas (Virtual) Fair, Dec 10-11, would be an ideal fair to attend. By bringing together new candidates and schools open to hiring first-time overseas teachers, this fair offers a great opportunity for teachers taking their first step into the international teaching community.
Check our Fair Webpage for information about the fairs, eligibility criteria and the schedule of in-person and virtual fairs. Our fairs will fill up quickly so if you are interested in attending a fair(s), register early to avoid disappointment.
Here’s our Recommended Job Search strategy.
- Make sure you have a strong, effective Resume. Then tailor your cover letter to the position and school you are applying to.
- Keep an Open Mind. Apply to as many schools as possible — different types of schools in different regions.
- Apply first…And then evaluate those schools that express interest in your application. Your communication with those schools will allow you to evaluate the schools far better than anything you can do in advance.
- Persist in the months ahead. The more schools you apply to and the longer you continue to apply, the greater the probability of success.
