10 Must-Do Tips for International School Job Hunters
The recruitment season is here - get prepared!
If you’re a teacher looking for a new job, here are ten not-to-miss tips:
1. Have everything in place before you apply to any job vacancies. Make sure your CV is up-to-date, have a portfolio of your work ready to share (both electronic and hard copy), and agree your references.
2. Your CV should be current, easy to read and absolutely accurate – in spellings, grammar and in the information you provide. Include the extracurricular activities you have organised or supported, and any extracurricular skills you may have.
3. Don’t limit your job hunting to one specific location only. There are now 3,226 schools overseas following the National Curriculum of England, an additional 500 following a British style of education, and another 4,400 international schools where learning is delivered in the language of English – and they are located all over the world. So there are a huge number of opportunities overseas for you. All of these schools are looking for experienced, qualified teachers whose native language is English.
4. Make efforts to stand out from the masses. Don’t be just another job application arriving into a Headteacher’s inbox. Work with a specialised recruitment agency (such as TIC) that will be able to recommend you as a good candidate and will give you expert support.
5. If you are considering international school jobs for the 2016-2017 academic year, register with TIC now – most of these jobs are advertised between January and March with many interviews happening from February onwards.
6. Don’t send ‘blanket’ applications to lots of different schools. Headteachers and recruiters will spot these easily. Pick the schools you want to work with, do your homework on each school, explain in your cover letter what it is about the school that makes you want to work with them. Make it personal so that you stand out!
7. Demonstrate that you are a learning-focused teacher. Put together an electronic portfolio featuring a selection of the learning-focused displays, activities and experiences that you have created and led in your current position and share it along with your application.
8. Complete all job application forms as soon as you can – and as accurately as possible.
9. Respond quickly to all requests for qualification and child protection documents.
10. Most international schools say that personality and a positive, can-do attitude is as important as teaching experience and qualifications. So let your personality and attributes come across in your communication and during your interview – remembering to keep it professional at all times of course!
If you're ready to find your next international school job, take a look at our latest Vacancies. If you'd like more advice on find a teaching job overseas, head over to our Advice section.
You might also be interested in these informative articles:
Why are international school visits so important?
Teachers get inside-track on international job hunting
Teaching at the International Preparatory School in Mauritius
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Amy Bardsley
Amy is one of our recruitment consultants she has great experience of recruitment selection methods and strategies and since joining TIC has attended international conferences and placed many teachers overseas.
Deputy Head Primary