INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS RECRUITMENT SEASON IS HERE; EXCITED FOR ‘WHERE YOU MIGHT END UP’ – REMEMBER YOU ARE IN CHARGE. BE SELF-EMPOWERED!

 REFLECT ON YOUR VALUES AS YOU CONSIDER THE NEXT POST!        

With many teachers and administrators about to embark on the annual recruitment season in various cities in the world, it is understandable this is met by both recruiters and candidates with some anxiety, at the same time as excitement and energy. Our thoughts scream out to us with lots of self-talk as to ‘where we might end up’; ‘Lets nail that location’… or ‘Lets nail that job’. This needs some reflecting.

I propose this important question for candidates to reflect on and think about before joining those lines in hotel function rooms, or online virtual interview rooms in the next few weeks all over the world for interview sign-ups with schools.

WHY do you want that post at That School? This often generates discussion when I ask colleagues, or when advising aspiring International teachers on recruitment. WHY!

Most of the time the response instantly goes along the lines of “this place is awesome, “a great school”,?“many beaches” or “it will give us a fantastic lifestyle”, “It will be great for my CV”. Or for aspiring leaders their goal often is to tell themselves “I’ve made it”, “I’ve got that leadership post, the name-plate, …the ‘shiny trophy”.?Fantastic, that is great, from all the work you’ve done, you have been offered this leadership post.

NOW- all that aside, WHY do you want this post specifically? What is it within this portfolio that you like specifically, … In my celebrations with them I am asking “does this post (teaching or leadership) resonate with your values?” Do you know what you value in a post, how is this ‘new job’ reflective of your values.

Values? – yes your values in teaching, your values in the optimum position – what do you look for personally to make a home in your new school, new community, new position.

For example FOCUS:?If a value in your new position is to make sure it enables you to focus on your teaching and learning, your class, then ask questions of the recruiter and/or other people that work there so that you know what to expect. As you value this element highly you want to be confident that you will be able to live that value in the new role so you will enjoy your post.

MINDSET: You are in charge –Remember mindset is important before making decisions. Many teachers looking at an international position, who are used to certainty, and/or their perceived stability and permanency in their current position ‘at home’ contemplate the apparent uncertainty of taking a position as they confuse their goals with their own ‘self-talk’ as to the pros and cons of international teaching contracts. Let’s flip the thinking for a minute to you being the recruiter as well as the candidate. This little piece of advice may help you. If it makes you feel better, think this way: “I am hiring my skills to the international school for the period of the contract to (generally 2- 3 years).” This way you are empowered, you are in charge. ?I say that because you don’t want to be put off international teaching by the fear of uncertainty, instability, or lack of permanency. ?Being contract based, international school jobs are not necessarily permanent. Check your mindset and remind yourself that you have all these wonderful skills to share with students and colleagues and you’re happy to do that for a period of the contract. This way you are always empowered; This way you are always in control. Enjoy your overseas opportunity, enjoy your travel but be reassured you are always in charge. Remember the location and benefits package might be amazing, but you also need to spend most of your day, every day in the school, its systems, its programs. Then after that you can enjoy the other things.

ASK QUESTIONS: Don’t be afraid to ask questions like: How much of my time will be spent in meetings; or is the school undergoing an accreditation process? How much documentation can I expect to be doing, generally, as a teacher in your school? The resulting conversation around this question means a lot to you- you value it, in what you are looking for in a new post. This is important to know because if you’re going into a new position and you want to focus on your students, your teaching and your classes; if that’s what you’re looking for your next post then you need to ask how much of this other work are you going to be expected to do because it’s a reflection of what you value in a position for your fulfillment and happiness in a post.

Another example maybe that for you to embrace a position there needs to be, for you, a certain degree of autonomy to create and explore ideas. If you value autonomy as something that is attractive to you in your role; again, be confident and ask the recruiter how much autonomy you should expect to have as you consider this new role.

It is important that you’re comfortable in what you’re doing and you don’t get overshadowed by the location or the package, as attractive as that can be, but what are you doing in your role. Will it reflect your values?

Live a rich life in International Schools. We do and have done for over 26 years, but get clear on your why, embrace what you value.?

When You determine the WHY the HOW will appear. Good luck everybody with your Search!

Contact: [email protected]

?As a Global Thought Leader, Teacher Leader, Education Leadership Coach and International Keynote Speaker, Craig has elevated teachers, administrators and students to embrace change, unleash their potential and achieve their ultimate breakthrough performance. Craig is passionate about helping individuals and organisations clarify their goals and plan to win through peak performance, self-discovery and clear identification of their strengths; to play a bigger game by authentically tapping into their own unique genius.