We have our application in. Now it is on to a Job Fair

Our search associate assistant informed us that we can request to go to a Job Fair.  The closest one for us was in San Francisco.  However, looking over the countries attending, we thought that we would have more of an opportunity to attend Cambridge Job Fair in Boston, MA. There would be European schools as well as Middle East and Asia. Some from Africa but the main focus for this fair was European, which is what our first choices were. We went into the fair with our top five countries: Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland.  Apparently, these countries and others in Europe are popular and since we were newbies in this international teaching world, it would be nearly impossible to land a job at one of these schools. Our recommendation, be flexible and be open to other possible countries like CHINA.

We applied to twelve schools and reached out personally to eight before the fair.  When we got to the fair,of the eight, four asked us to sign up at their booth for interviews at the Job Fair. Now, it is game time! (by the way, none were our top five.  All of those job postings were taken) We had an interview in Kuwait, two in United Arab Emirates, and China  We had 25 copies of our resumes polished (haven't updated my resume for at least 10 years!).  We had note cards ready to write thank you or personal notes requesting an interview and we wore professional clothes that made us look sharp. These tips and more, you can get through Search Associates (or ISS).  They are very helpful.

Our interviews were done as a couple.  Most of these schools like teaching couples because of stability and less home-sick of the instructor. Our interviews were conducted in their hotel room.  that was a bit strange but it works. (One of our interviews were done through Skype.) At this fair, there was opportunities to network, to go to workshops and to sight see Boston.  We took in as much as we can handle and loved every minute of it.

Randy looking at job postings.

One of the interviews canceled on us in United Arab Emirates which left us three.  These three, I felt, went well. However, the one from China went beyond well. We felt a connection with the Director and the interview felt more like a gathering between colleagues discussing educational issues and ourselves. One question asked by the Director caused Randy to get teary eyed which snowballed to the rest of us. The Director stated, "I have never been in an interview where I have laughed, cried and laughed again. We will talk again soon".  That was the second day of the fair and we did see her again, three more times.

We were not offered a job when the fair ended. Two countries wanted Randy; China and United Arab Emirates.  However, they couldn't offer us a job because there was nothing for me.  Family and Consumer Science is not a course normally taught overseas. However, I do have a minor in Health and I am willing to be trained to teach ESL (English as a second language).  One week after the fair was over, we got a call and were offered jobs in both countries.  We didn't think long, we knew.  We wanted China. The director was able to create a job for me teaching part time middle school health and one class of yearbook.  Randy was offered a math position teaching AP calculus and Algebra II.

We said to ourselves, no China.  The air quality is bad and with Randy being highly sensitive to air pollution and his allergies, we didn't have China on our radar. That attitude changed one week prior to the fair. A job opened up in China. He shared the posting with me and we both agreed it would be a great fit for him.  Unfortunately there was nothing for me but we decided to go for it anyway. He applied, then sent a personal message to the head director of the school saying we will be at the Cambridge fair and hope to meet her.  We had no idea that would change the course of our lives and the lives of those we love and cherish. It is important to be open minded and flexible when going into this adventure.  If we said absolutely no China we wouldn't be where we are today.

We are heading to China to start our adventure.  We are truly blessed to be given this opportunity and look forward to teaching at Dalian American International School. Classes will start the second week of August.  Stay tuned for my next blog of how we are getting our lives in order. There is a lot to do especially if you have to replace a lot of things in your house (see prior posts) or you have joint bank accounts or you have prescription medication, or.....