Preparing for an International School In-Person Job Fair: A Guide for Candidates

International school job fairs remain important for recruitment, offering connections, insights, and opportunities. Candidate success depends on preparation, engagement, and follow up.

International school job fairs still remain a pivotal part for many international schools' approach to recruitment. They offer educators the opportunity to connect with schools, explore roles, and expand their professional networks. While the value of in-person fairs has definitely shifted in today’s increasingly virtual recruitment landscape, they still provide unique benefits, particularly for those who want to build personal connections and gain insights that go beyond job descriptions. Success at a job fair, however, hinges on preparation, engagement during the event, and thoughtful follow up.

The move to virtual recruitment has changed the relevance of job fairs, presenting both benefits and challenges for candidates. In-person fairs fosters face-to-face connections, offering opportunities to network and providing direct insights into school cultures. However, attending fairs comes with significant costs like travel, accommodation, and often childcare, which may not be cost effective for some candidates.

Here’s how to make the most of your job fair experience.

Pre-Fair Preparation

• Clarify Your Goals:

  • Determine what you hope to achieve at the fair. Are you looking for a specific role, exploring opportunities in new regions, or networking with schools to understand their cultures? Clear goals will guide your approach. Remember you are interviewing the school as much as they are interviewing you. 

  • Choose the fair that you think will help you best achieve your goals. It might not be the one closest to your location. 

• Research Schools in Advance:

  • Review the list of attending schools and prioritize those that align with your values and career aspirations. Dive into their websites, promotional materials, and job postings to understand their ethos, community, as well as open positions.

  • Take note of specific questions you can ask recruiters from various schools to demonstrate your interest and preparation.

• Prepare Your Application Materials:

  • Update your CV, ensuring it highlights your international experience, skills, and achievements relevant to the roles you’re seeking.

  • Craft a concise and compelling cover letter template that can be tailored for different schools.

  • Gather professional references and be ready to share them if requested and inform your referees that you are attending a fair and ask if possible can they be open to responding to reference requests in a timely manner. 

• Engage in Pre-Fair Communication:

  • Reach out to schools you’re interested in before the fair. Express your interest, introduce yourself, and ask to set up a meeting or interview during the event. Early engagement shows initiative and helps you stand out.

  • For your top choices, especially those that are advertising positions you are interested in, ask to connect with school representatives virtually ahead of the fair to establish rapport and gain insights about their expectations.

• Polish Your Online Presence:

  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile and other professional platforms reflect your current qualifications and experience.

  • If you’ve contributed to educational blogs, published articles, or been involved in significant projects, highlight these on your profile.

At the Fair

• Make a Positive Impression:

  • Dress professionally and maintain a confident, approachable demeanor. First impressions matter.

  • Be prepared to share an elevator pitch that summarizes your experience, goals, and what you bring to a school community.

• Engage Actively with Schools:

  • Ask thoughtful questions about the school’s culture, expectations, and community. This not only demonstrates genuine interest but also helps you assess fit.

  • Go in with a mindset that all interactions matter. 

• Stay Organized:

  • Keep track of conversations, notes, and contact details for schools of interest. A digital tool or simple spreadsheet can help you stay organized.

  • Be mindful of time when meeting with school representatives, ensuring your interactions are meaningful but not overly lengthy.

• Participate in Interviews:

  • If scheduled for fair interviews, prepare to discuss your teaching philosophy, classroom strategies, and how you contribute to school communities.

  • Prepare for competency based interview questions. Have scenarios and real life examples ready that demonstrate your successes, adaptability, and commitment to professional growth.

  • Send a personalized thank you email expressing your gratitude and reiterating your interest. Mention specific aspects of your conversation that resonated with you. 

• Evaluate Opportunities:

  • Reflect on the schools you engaged with. Consider factors like culture, location, professional growth opportunities and alignment with your goals.

  • Be proactive in reaching out to schools for updates on your application status if they haven’t communicated within the expected timeframe.

  • Chase your referees to make sure they can respond as quickly as possible to any request for a reference check. 

Post-Fair Follow Up

• Reflect:

  • How well did the job fair serve you? Was it the right fair for you?

  • Do you think you got value for your investment?

  • What could you have done differently? 

• Stay Connected:

  • Build relationships with schools even if a position isn’t immediately available. Networking can open doors for future opportunities.

  • Send a follow up email expressing your ongoing interest in a school and ask to go on a mail list so you can be notified of future opportunities. 

  • Connect on social media with the international educators you meet at the fair. You could be good resources for each other down the line. 

Job fairs remain a valuable resource for candidates seeking roles in international schools. For educators new to the international school circuit, they offer an excellent opportunity to build connections and gain insight into the unique challenges and rewards of teaching abroad. Seasoned educators can use job fairs to reconnect with the community, network with peers, and explore fresh opportunities for career growth. By preparing thoroughly, engaging actively, and following up thoughtfully, you can make the most of these events and take meaningful steps toward your next professional chapter.

If you want to learn more about how to approach a job fair from the perspective of an international school click here.