First Impressions Matter

When you’re writing to schools and not hearing back, it could be a sign that something in your international school application isn’t resonating with recruiters. Instead of feeling discouraged, view it as an opportunity for improvement. Often you only get one chance to stand out from the crowd.

Imagine a head of school or HR team sifting through a mountain of applications. In this scenario, even the smallest detail can either help your application or cause it to be put to one side. 

Start off strong: Your Cover Letter

“To Whom It May Concern”

If you find a school that has an opening that matches your skill set  and you’re really excited about it, go to that school profile and find out about the school’s mission, the curriculum they follow, the special programs they run and incorporate the key elements into your cover letter. This will separate you from the generic copy and paste applications they receive. Then look at the top of the school profile, find out who is the director, who is the head of that school and use their name into your salutation to them instead of saying to whom it may concern or dear sir, or dear ma’am. This is often your first contact with a school and a generic greeting suggests “copy-paste” and a lack of genuine interest. This demonstrates professionalism and dedication to a job search. 

Spelling and Grammar

In a profession centered on communication, errors in your application are inexcusable. Proofread meticulously! Ask a friend or colleague to review your materials before submitting them. Even minor mistakes can suggest a lack of attention to detail and one simple mistake may hurt your otherwise excellent application. 

The inability of candidates to write a decent cover letter and CV, while depressing, is a clear help when creating a short list. Head of School

“Me, Myself, and I”

While your qualifications are important, remember that schools are looking for teachers who can contribute to their community. Often international schools are the hub for community activities so provide examples of how you can add value to their community. Don’t just list your achievements; demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the school’s specific needs and values.

Have a good reason for wanting to join their school (not travel or country). Nick Kendell

The key reason an international school is hiring you is to be a hard working and highly motivated teacher who will fit into the ethos and culture of their school.  The travel opportunities or lifestyle options are all great bonuses, but these are not why you are being hired.

Your CV showcases highlights of your professional journey

Once your cover letter has created interest, your CV takes center stage. Recruiters will be looking for:

Your education

Do you have the qualifications to fulfil the work visa requirements?

Gaps in your Work History

Gaps in your employment history aren’t necessarily deal-breakers, but you should be prepared to address them. Be honest and concise, and focus on what you learned during those periods. Did you travel, pursue further education, or take time for personal development? Frame your experiences positively.

We often notice that candidate profiles contain information that’s a little out of date. To help you avoid recruiters tossing your application to the discard pile, we encourage you to regularly review and update your profile details – at least every few months.

For a look at Nick’s presentation about these topics, click here 

Your Profile: An in-depth look at you, and what you bring to a school

Recruiters often save profiles as PDF’s and read it in its entirety, (including references) to get the big picture. This is where you can fill in any gaps or elaborate on what you can bring to a school. You want to make it easy for them to “see” your candidacy.

Things they will want to find out at a glance include:

• When are you available to join their school?
• Who are your dependents?
• Do you have a teaching spouse? Sometimes a teaching couple may only register one partner to save time and money. This leaves recruiters with many questions however, especially around whether only one of the couple is seeking a position, whether they’ll be joining you. It’s far better to both have a profile.
• Where are you currently living? Eg for making interview times etc. Does the information match up with where you’re currently teaching?
• Who are you as a person (your bio)

What Sets You Apart?

• In a competitive field, having something that distinguishes you from other candidates is crucial. This could be specialized training, unique teaching methodologies, experience with international curricula, or a passion for extracurricular activities. Highlight your unique strengths and how they can benefit the school. Have you taught an IB program, coached or led programs such as sports, MUN, or any activity within the school?
• Consider adding any experience you have with learning management systems, or online teaching. This is becoming more and more important in the world of education.
• If you have any experience working with students from diverse backgrounds, make sure to highlight this

If recruiters have any questions after reading all this, they may not want to take the time to contact you, when the next application is complete.

Sometimes, it’s not you!

The reality of applying for international school positions is that the field is incredibly competitive. You might possess excellent qualifications and a strong teaching background, yet another applicant’s experience might align just a touch more closely with the school’s specific needs. Or, perhaps, it simply came down to timing. The school may have already been in advanced stages of the hiring process with another candidate by the time your application arrived. It’s crucial to remember that a rejection doesn’t necessarily reflect a lack of your own merit, but rather the nuances of a highly selective process. Therefore, it’s vital to remain persistent, continue refining your application, and understand that the right opportunity will eventually present itself.