Sunday
I go back to the Hyatt, and run into Chadwick at breakfast. She’s really happy to hear that I have a job offer and wants to stay in touch. I also run into Nichimashi, and he has me sit down with him for a few minutes. I’m still feeling food.
I get my offer from Xiamen, they give me a 24 hour time frame to respond. It’s a great offer, but I decided that the city is too small for me, and on Monday I respond with a “No thank you.”
I leave Boston continually checking my e-mail.
Monday
All throughout the day, I’m checking my e-mail. Finally, at the end of the school day I hear back from Nichimashi, saying he will be checking references and getting back to me by Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday
Constantly checking e-mail and hear back from some other schools. (Jeju, Shanghai AS, Shanghai Community and Monaza all say “no.”)
Wednesday
It’s a snow day, and I am constantly checking my e-mail, waiting for Nichimashi’s response. They respond that they went with a candidate with more international experience.
Friday
I respond to Keystone with "Yes!"
Showing posts with label Jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jobs. Show all posts
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
International Job Fair, Part 3
Interview Schedule: Saturday
Saturday started with a few notes in my mailbox, (Puerto La Cruz, IS Beijing, and TASIS UK have canceled). Then I started with ISF Hong Kong I honestly don’t even remember this interview, but I gave it a rating of Good interview, might go.
Then I took a long breakfast, where I checked my e-mail every ten minutes. Until I met with Xiamen. He was a great person, and the interview quickly went to “the pitch.” And as I left, he said, “Please don’t accept any offers until you speak with me.” Good. I marked it as a good interview, might go.
Keystone in Beijing. We spoke for 45 minutes. The pitch happened with the president of the school left me with the headmaster to go get some promotional material and the contract. Again I left with the “don’t accept any offers without talking to us first.” Rating: good interview, would go.
Carabobo, I don’t remember the interview, but I rated it, good interview, would not go.
Ruamrudd, interviewed with the principal and a priest. I knew this wasn’t going to be a good match, until the principal started talking about how the fathers are just the owners (not sure how that happens). Rated, good interview, might go.
Still no word from Nichimashi. So I talked to Sally, and while there, I got a phone call from Keystone. They offered me a job (K, 1, or 2, I don’t remember). I went back to Sally and she said to hear Keystone out and get a time line, then talk to Nichimashi and see what’s going on.
Keystone has a nice offer and have given me until February 10th to get back to them. I go to Nichimashi and the headmaster hasn’t heard from the principal either. But asks for me to wait patiently.
I meet up with Carrie for dinner and finally hear back from the principal and we schedule a skype interview for 10:30 that night. Also at dinner, I get an offer from Xiamen.
Head back to my room and pace until 10:30, have a great interview with the principal, and got a very personal story from him. Then I head down to the bar and run into some people I met (Sherman and Ms. London). Sherman and I buy a bottle of wine but she’s two sheets already. Ms. London is going to be going to Russia.
Sunday and beyond in part 4.
| Time | School Name |
| 8:30 | SF Hong Kong |
| 9:00 | Venezuela Puero La Cruz |
| 9:30 | IS Beijing |
| 10:00 | - |
| 10:30 | - |
| 11:00 | Xiamen |
| 11:30 | - |
| 12:00 | Keystone |
| 12:30 | - |
| 1:00 | Venezuela Carabobo |
| 1:30 | - |
| 2:00 | Ruamrudd, Bangkok |
| 2:30 | - |
| 3:00 | - |
| 3:30 | - |
| 4:00 | TA SIS UK |
Saturday started with a few notes in my mailbox, (Puerto La Cruz, IS Beijing, and TASIS UK have canceled). Then I started with ISF Hong Kong I honestly don’t even remember this interview, but I gave it a rating of Good interview, might go.
Then I took a long breakfast, where I checked my e-mail every ten minutes. Until I met with Xiamen. He was a great person, and the interview quickly went to “the pitch.” And as I left, he said, “Please don’t accept any offers until you speak with me.” Good. I marked it as a good interview, might go.
Keystone in Beijing. We spoke for 45 minutes. The pitch happened with the president of the school left me with the headmaster to go get some promotional material and the contract. Again I left with the “don’t accept any offers without talking to us first.” Rating: good interview, would go.
Carabobo, I don’t remember the interview, but I rated it, good interview, would not go.
Ruamrudd, interviewed with the principal and a priest. I knew this wasn’t going to be a good match, until the principal started talking about how the fathers are just the owners (not sure how that happens). Rated, good interview, might go.
Still no word from Nichimashi. So I talked to Sally, and while there, I got a phone call from Keystone. They offered me a job (K, 1, or 2, I don’t remember). I went back to Sally and she said to hear Keystone out and get a time line, then talk to Nichimashi and see what’s going on.
Keystone has a nice offer and have given me until February 10th to get back to them. I go to Nichimashi and the headmaster hasn’t heard from the principal either. But asks for me to wait patiently.
I meet up with Carrie for dinner and finally hear back from the principal and we schedule a skype interview for 10:30 that night. Also at dinner, I get an offer from Xiamen.
Head back to my room and pace until 10:30, have a great interview with the principal, and got a very personal story from him. Then I head down to the bar and run into some people I met (Sherman and Ms. London). Sherman and I buy a bottle of wine but she’s two sheets already. Ms. London is going to be going to Russia.
Sunday and beyond in part 4.
Friday, July 18, 2014
International Job Fair, Part 2
Interview Schedule Friday
I started with going to the Chadwick presentation. I got there a little early to talk myself up. But the principal kept saying that she couldn’t interview me for her open positions (lower elementary) because she already had too many men working there (the K, 1st and 2nd teams were all men). Chadwick was in a great city that reminded me of Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT.
So the interviews begin. The first one (Monaza) goes great, until I find out that the school’s housing area doesn’t always have power, internet, or running water. So I gave this one a rating of “Good Interview but would not go.”
Next was Shanghai Community. Bad interview/match. The school wanted more of a director than a theatre teacher.
I stopped by Nichimashi’s presentation for a few minutes in between interviews.
Jeju: Good interview, would go. The best part of this interview was how snarky the principal was about trying to not-sell me on the city of Jeju. He noted all my urban experience, and was concerned about the rural nature of the school. I like him and thought it would be a good place to work.
Shanghai AS: Good interview, would go. I had a good feel about this school and the interview. And with Shanghai as one of my top schools, I felt really good about this one.
Nichimashi. Great interview, would go. There was what Sally, my Associate, calls the pitch. The moment in the interview where the principal/headmaster stop asking you questions and start selling the school. I interviewed with the headmaster, and near the end he said, at this point, he would send me down the hall to his principal for a second interview, but the principal was in Tokyo, so he would put us in touch to have a skype interview.
In between interviews, I would head to my mailbox and write thank you notes. I also met Carrie in passing.
After all the interviews, the reception began. I met Carrie again and we hung out all night, being each other’s wingman for recruiters. I helped her talk with a few. She helped me with Nichimashi again. Chadwick ran into me and pulled me across the hall to a school that was looking for a drama teacher (sadly it was the one I had interviewed with earlier that day). Chadwick, Carrie and I talked for quite some time and she kept saying how she wished she had an opening for me.
Back to my hotel, where I checked my e-mail for a message from Nichimashi’s principal. Nothing came. I didn’t sleep well.
Saturday in Part 3…
| Time | School Name | *Presentation Scheduled |
| 12:30 | - | Chadwick |
| 1:00 | - | - |
| 1:30 | IS Monzana | - |
| 2:00 | - | - |
| 2:30 | Shanghai Community | - |
| 3:00 | - | Nichimashi |
| 3:30 | Jeju | - |
| 4:00 | - | - |
| 4:30 | Shanghai AS | - |
| 5:00 | - | - |
| 5:30 | Nichimashi | - |
I started with going to the Chadwick presentation. I got there a little early to talk myself up. But the principal kept saying that she couldn’t interview me for her open positions (lower elementary) because she already had too many men working there (the K, 1st and 2nd teams were all men). Chadwick was in a great city that reminded me of Walt Disney’s vision for EPCOT.
So the interviews begin. The first one (Monaza) goes great, until I find out that the school’s housing area doesn’t always have power, internet, or running water. So I gave this one a rating of “Good Interview but would not go.”
Next was Shanghai Community. Bad interview/match. The school wanted more of a director than a theatre teacher.
I stopped by Nichimashi’s presentation for a few minutes in between interviews.
Jeju: Good interview, would go. The best part of this interview was how snarky the principal was about trying to not-sell me on the city of Jeju. He noted all my urban experience, and was concerned about the rural nature of the school. I like him and thought it would be a good place to work.
Shanghai AS: Good interview, would go. I had a good feel about this school and the interview. And with Shanghai as one of my top schools, I felt really good about this one.
Nichimashi. Great interview, would go. There was what Sally, my Associate, calls the pitch. The moment in the interview where the principal/headmaster stop asking you questions and start selling the school. I interviewed with the headmaster, and near the end he said, at this point, he would send me down the hall to his principal for a second interview, but the principal was in Tokyo, so he would put us in touch to have a skype interview.
In between interviews, I would head to my mailbox and write thank you notes. I also met Carrie in passing.
After all the interviews, the reception began. I met Carrie again and we hung out all night, being each other’s wingman for recruiters. I helped her talk with a few. She helped me with Nichimashi again. Chadwick ran into me and pulled me across the hall to a school that was looking for a drama teacher (sadly it was the one I had interviewed with earlier that day). Chadwick, Carrie and I talked for quite some time and she kept saying how she wished she had an opening for me.
Back to my hotel, where I checked my e-mail for a message from Nichimashi’s principal. Nothing came. I didn’t sleep well.
Saturday in Part 3…
Sunday, May 11, 2014
International Job Fair, Part 1
On the weekend starting Thursday, January 30, 2014, I flew up to Boston from BWI for Search Associates (Search) International Education Job Fair. I had a nice surprise when I got off the plane; Super Shuttle was waiting for me by the luggage carrousel with my name on an iPad mini! It was exciting. Then I learned I had the shuttle all to myself. And luckily I’m nosey and saw that it was going to take an hour to get to my hotel according to the driver’s GPS. I thought that seemed too long and looked it up on my phone. I had 16 minutes. Then I checked with the driver, they had my Maryland address as the location to drive to (there is a similar number/street combination in Massachusetts, just south of Boston). After we cleared that up, we were on our way for a 15 minute drive.
I was staying at the Courtyard Marriot. I unpacked and got on the next shuttle to the Hyatt Regency. When I go to check-in at the fair, they don’t have me! I’m freaking out, but remaining calm as they go through the motions of figuring out who I am. They had me registered as “Thom Thomas.” After fixing my name, I had just enough time to check my mailbox before orientation. Despite the mix-up in my name Nichimashi (Tokyo) was able to leave me confidential information about their school and contract. The orientation lasted about two hours. Where I heard from the president of Search, the director of the Cambridge Fair, and my personal Associate: Sally. Listening to Sally speak was amazing and she helped calm any fears that I - and the crowd - seemed to be having. I knew from that moment that Sally was amazing, and it was meant to be that she was my Associate. I went back to my hotel (thank you Uber), had a late dinner at the hotel restaurant (a Japanese restaurant). And then ironed some shirts and slept fitfully.
On Friday morning, I woke up before 6, to get ready and be on the 6:45 shuttle, to make it to the preview of the first session for interview sign-ups. I had my list of schools that I wanted to schedule an interview with, and then I continued to look around the ballroom for other positions I’m qualified for and are in places I wanted to go to.
I wait in many lines to see the headmasters/principals of the schools and convince them to interview me. Then I have to do it all again for the second interview sign-up session.
During the interview sign-up sessions, I met two other candidates: Mr. Mid-West (also and elementary teacher looking to go to Southeast Asia) and Ms. DC (an administrator who works right here in DC!).
Interview Sign-Up Session 1:
Interview Sign-Up Session 2:
So in the interview sign-up sessions I spoke with 32 schools and got 13 Interviews! Sounds like some great odds. Interviews and school presentations will be discussed in part 2.
I was staying at the Courtyard Marriot. I unpacked and got on the next shuttle to the Hyatt Regency. When I go to check-in at the fair, they don’t have me! I’m freaking out, but remaining calm as they go through the motions of figuring out who I am. They had me registered as “Thom Thomas.” After fixing my name, I had just enough time to check my mailbox before orientation. Despite the mix-up in my name Nichimashi (Tokyo) was able to leave me confidential information about their school and contract. The orientation lasted about two hours. Where I heard from the president of Search, the director of the Cambridge Fair, and my personal Associate: Sally. Listening to Sally speak was amazing and she helped calm any fears that I - and the crowd - seemed to be having. I knew from that moment that Sally was amazing, and it was meant to be that she was my Associate. I went back to my hotel (thank you Uber), had a late dinner at the hotel restaurant (a Japanese restaurant). And then ironed some shirts and slept fitfully.
On Friday morning, I woke up before 6, to get ready and be on the 6:45 shuttle, to make it to the preview of the first session for interview sign-ups. I had my list of schools that I wanted to schedule an interview with, and then I continued to look around the ballroom for other positions I’m qualified for and are in places I wanted to go to.
I wait in many lines to see the headmasters/principals of the schools and convince them to interview me. Then I have to do it all again for the second interview sign-up session.
During the interview sign-up sessions, I met two other candidates: Mr. Mid-West (also and elementary teacher looking to go to Southeast Asia) and Ms. DC (an administrator who works right here in DC!).
Interview Sign-Up Session 1:
| City/School | Position | Result |
| American School (AS) Tokyo | K, 1-5 | Left resume |
| International School (IS) Beijing | 1-5 | Interview |
| Keystone Beijing | K, 1-5, Theatre, SPED | Interview |
| Xiamen, China | K, 1-5 | Interview |
| ISF- Hong Kong | 1-5 | Interview |
| Hong Kong IS | K, 1-5 | Left resume |
| Pan AS Bahai Brazil | K, 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Bon IS, Germany | SPED | Left Resume |
| Italy, IS Genoa | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Juju, Korea | 1-5, Drama | Interview Scheduled |
| Manila IS | SPED | Left Resume |
| IS Madrid | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Ruamrudd IS, Bangkok | 1-5, SPED | Interview Scheduled |
| UK | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Brazil – Graded School | 1-5 | Left resume |
| Comeroon | 1-5 | Left resume |
| Columbia | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Venesula: Carabobo | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| Bankstone, Korea | Drama | Left Resume |
Interview Sign-Up Session 2:
| Shanghai AS | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| Shanghai Community IS | Drama | Interview Scheduled |
| Nishimachi | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| Chadwick, Korea | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| FDR, Lima | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Singapore AS | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| UK TASIS | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| Venezuela, Puerto La Cruz | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| Venezuela, IS Monaza | 1-5 | Interview Scheduled |
| IS Seoul | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Brazil, Chaple | 1-5 | Left Resume |
| Switzerland AS | Theatre | Left Resume |
| IS Zurich | Theatre | Left Resume |
So in the interview sign-up sessions I spoke with 32 schools and got 13 Interviews! Sounds like some great odds. Interviews and school presentations will be discussed in part 2.
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