International Teaching
Job Seeking & Interviewing

Motivations | Job Seeking & Interviewing | Recruiting Fairs
International Schools | Teaching & Living Abroad | Key Resources

Advice from Anthony & Roe

Although large international schools sometimes employ personnel directors or hire stateside representatives to screen prospective teachers and administrators most often the recruiter is the school's chief administrator, who may have the title of Superintendent, Director, Headmaster or Headmistress, or simply Head. Regardless of the title, international school recruiters are well-educated and highly skilled professionals who will use the interview time to measure carefully the applicant's strengths and weaknesses.

International educators and hiring officials agree that independence, good health, and flexibility are prerequisites for success. Flexibility involves the recognition and the acceptance of cultural differences and the willingness to live compatibly with another culture.

International recruiters expect the same high-quality marketing tools as Stateside employers: a concise, well-crafted resume, and a meaningful, focused cover letter. Grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and writing style will be evaluated. There is no room for error … present a professional image to create a favorable first impression.

See sample résumé
See cover letter sample

Recruiters and applicants agree that their single-most significant contact is the personal interview. Because second or third interviews for overseas teaching positions are rare, the applicant must approach each interview as a first and last chance to demonstrate the ability to assume the responsibility of the particular position, to function well and harmoniously in the school and the community, and to adapt to new situations, unfamiliar surroundings, and unusual circumstances."

In an interview for any stateside position, a list of possible interview questions would include:

• inquiries designed to elicit specific factual information
• inquiries that could lead to an in-depth discussion of subject matter, pedagogy or personal philosophies

In addition to questions about your academic training, specialized skills, and professional experience, be ready for questions that address specific concerns of international educators. For example:

What do you expect to gain in international teaching/living?
What do you expect to give up?
Why do you want to come to our country?
Why teach overseas?
When did you decide to pursue an international career?
How does your family feel about your decision (spouse, parents, children)?
Do you know about the living conditions in our part of the world?
How do you spend time away from school?
What resources do you require to be an effective teacher?

And, the unspoken question: Will you be a good representative of the United States?

International schools have valid reasons for requesting information about citizenship, number of dependents, partners, marital status, spouse's occupation, and health concerns. Visa requirements, availability of suitable housing, educational opportunities, and medical resources affect the employer's hiring decision. U.S. federal and state guidelines regarding employment considerations typically do not apply in international settings.

International Teaching Contracts
Most schools offer a two year contract, although some contracts are for one year only. Contracts can be renewed when both the school and employee are in agreement. Many candidates are able to negotiate two year leaves of absence from their U.S. school districts to gain positions overseas.

As with jobs in the United States you will be expected to sign a contract with the employing institution outlining mutual agreements and responsibilities. Items typically covered in teaching contracts include:

	"Preparation is really important. You'll need a résumé. Be prepared to write an essay about your reasons for wanting to go overseas and your teaching experience."
	"There are opportunities, especially if, when you first start out, you are willing to go anywhere. Being too selective limits so many opportunities."
	"Any overseas experience helps you in the application process. They [employers] are more comfortable if you have been overseas. Once you leave the states, you're isolated in more than just distance."
	"What we did before we went to the recruiting fair was key. We located a TIE (The International Educator newsletter), looked for places that had the positions we were qualified for, and then sent out our cover letters and résumés well ahead of the fair. Because of that, people contacted us to set up interviews at the fair."
	"We made many connections with international employers because we sent cover letters and résumés before meeting them at the recruiting fair. Those connections will last and will pay off later on."
	"I think it is a challenge to live abroad. You are culturally isolated and by yourself. That's part of the interview process for Peace Corps. They ask you first your motivations, how your family feels about it, if you're involved in a current relationship because that's one of the main reasons for early termination of Peace Corps assignments and how you handle stress and new situations."