After five years of living and working across three continents as an international teaching family, I’ve gained valuable insights into the unique challenges of the recruitment process. This guide shares evidence-based strategies to help families in international education make informed decisions during this often stressful transition period.
Understanding the International Teaching Recruitment Timeline
The Early Resignation Dilemma
International schools typically request commitment decisions in October or November for the following academic year (assuming you’re on a northern hemisphere calendar where the school year begins in August). This obviously creates a significant challenge:
- Most schools require teachers to notify them of their intentions 6-8 months before the next contract begins
- The peak hiring season typically runs from January to March, but leadership roles will begin much earlier
- This means teachers must resign before securing their next position – stressful when you’re a family living abroad
Expert Tip: Create a financial safety net covering 3-6 months of expenses before resigning. According to a survey by International School Services (ISS), approximately 85% of teachers who resign without a position secure one within this timeframe.
Research Strategies for School Selection
Balancing Online Information Sources
While online communities provide valuable support, it’s important to evaluate information with a critical eye!
- Primary Sources: School websites, official recruitment portals (my preference is start with the free ones first, like TES)
- Secondary Sources: Teacher Horizons, International Schools Review
- Tertiary Sources: Facebook groups, forums, personal blogs
Research Framework: For each potential school, take a look at:
- Academic reputation (accreditation, curriculum, results)
- Family support (housing, education benefits, healthcare)
- Location factors (safety, cost of living, quality of life)
- Contract terms (salary, benefits, professional development)
Managing Emotional Wellbeing During Recruitment
The Psychological Impact of Uncertainty
The constant cycle of “stay or go” of the international education sector creates serious stress! Our family’s approach:
- Collaborative Decision-Making: Regular catch ups to discuss priorities and preferences
- Role Clarity: My teaching spouse focuses on job applications while I handle research and logistics on things like suitability for the kids, accommodation options, cost of living etc
- Information Boundaries: Limit research time to prevent anxiety from overwhelming daily life – too many options can be a BAD thing!
Practical Strategy: Create a decision matrix that weights your family’s priorities. When we were considering positions simultaneously, this approach helped us make a data-driven rather than emotion-driven decision. Though sometimes you do just have to go with your gut!
Making the Final Decision
Evaluating Current vs. Future Opportunities
International moves impact every family member differently. Consider:
- Educational Continuity: Research shows transitions are most challenging for children aged 12-14
- Career Trajectory: Will this move advance professional goals?
- Family Cohesion: How will this change strengthen or challenge family relationships?
Case Study: When deciding between staying in our financially comfortable position in South Korea or accepting a new opportunity in Malaysia, we spoke to each of the kids. While our youngest was happy to stay, our tween needed a school that was less focused on academics – and provided a more holistic education.
Maintaining Independence in Decision-Making
Resisting Peer Influence
Close-knit expat communities can create pressure to follow group decisions:
- Strategy: Establish clear family priorities before discussing plans with colleagues and friends
- Communication: Share decisions only after they’re finalised to avoid external influence
- Support Network: Maintain connections with people outside your immediate school community so you can bounce ideas off others rather than just within the school network
Conclusion
The international teaching recruitment process can be super challenging – simply because of the way it’s set up. But, with strategic planning and clear communication, you can survive it! Remember that what works for one family may not work for yours—trust your research and intuition
