International job hunting: how to hold your nerve

In December 2019, I took a bold decision to move on from my current school.

This isn’t the first bold decision I’ve made in recent years; I’d already made the decision to move from the UK to teach abroad, stepping away from leadership in 2016 when the demands of being a mum were no longer compatible with the demands of being on the senior leadership team. And then I moved country, from Thailand to Bahrain.

Fast forward four years and two completed contracts, and I was beginning to feel that there was something uncomfortable about being comfortable; I realised it was time for another bold move.

So, in January 2020, after I let my school know I wasn’t renewing my contract, I started to apply for a range of roles. Here’s how I managed this nerve-wracking process.

Searching for an international teaching job

International teachers will often resign before having a job to go to, winding up in free fall. As a result, they often become nomadic, resilient risk-takers.

But as the recruitment season gets underway, it’s hard not to let the fear and panic set in and to opt for comfort, rather than a job that is the best fit.

By the end of February, I had reached that low point in job searching where you feel slightly hopeless. Despite the interview feedback always being overwhelmingly positive, it always came with a “but...”.

They would say: “You’re too experienced for this role” or “We have appointed someone internally”. 

And then to top it all off, the Covid-19 crisis hit the international schools market and I started to receive the inevitable responses of: “Due to the current global pandemic, we are putting recruitment on hold.”

I felt physically sick at times. The jobs that were offered didn’t feel right. In my bones, I knew that I couldn’t accept them for the sake of feeling comfortable, even if it was comforting to have something, anything, in place for the new school year.

Turning a corner

And then in March, things changed.

As part of an interview, I had an hour-long conversation with the executive head. We talked about our shared education philosophies and my CV; she asked questions about my future and what I wanted. I felt emboldened to say headship, and to say that I wanted a mentor and someone I could work closely with to achieve that goal.

I could feel my hopes rising. Could this be the one?

The international setting is more often than not dominated by white, male leadership. This job was offering me a chance to learn under the stewardship of a strong, female leader.

Visiting the school sealed the deal for me. My skin tingled with goosebumps. I felt sure that this was the school; its ethos and vision were perfect for me.

The few months of chaos and uncertainty had at last melted away into joy and satisfaction.

How to hold your nerve when job hunting

So how can you keep the faith when things are feeling bleak? Here are my tips.

1. Expand your network

On Twitter and the Tes community boards, I’ve seen so many teachers looking for jobs and discussing the ups and downs of job hunting - internationally and locally.

I’ve seen teachers reaching out on their colleagues’ behalf and networking to find them positions. This is a great idea. Let everyone know that you’re job hunting, and use every connection you have.

2. Never settle

All I can say is, do not give up on your dream job. Don’t settle for anything less than the place and person that’s perfect for you.

Ambition and drive are the things that keep us ticking over and you can never have too much of either. It stops us settling, prevents the stagnation and moves us towards our dreams.

3. Have those tricky conversations

By talking things through with the executive head, I was able to judge whether or not this was the school I wanted to move on to next.

Unless you put yourself in a vulnerable position and say what you’re after, then you won’t ever know if the school is the right place for you. Don’t short-change yourself; find out if the school you’re applying to is the school that deserves you.

Julia Knight will be taking on the role of Vice Principal Eton House, Middle East August 2020