When I first decided to teach overseas, I had no idea where to begin. My journey actually started long before I held a teaching certificate. While studying abroad during university, I taught English to ELL students in Namibia, and later moved to South Korea to work at a private English academy. Those early classrooms taught me what no textbook could—how to manage a room full of energetic students, keep lessons engaging, and adapt on the fly.

During those first years living and working abroad, I learned that being overseas wasn’t just about having a job in a different country—it was an incredible opportunity to navigate new cultures, engage with a wide range of student perspectives, and get creative as I adapted to different classrooms. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to continue teaching internationally, but I also wanted to work in schools that enabled me to raise a family while also providing the opportunity to explore new countries and engage in meaningful professional growth. That’s when I first discovered international schools and the major international school recruitment agencies, like Search Associates and International Schools Services (ISS), which help educators find positions around the world.

Around that time, my husband and I decided to pursue our formal teaching certifications. Toward the end of the program, we explored opportunities through Search Associates, but we were not accepted. At that point, we hadn’t completed our internships and didn’t yet have the two years of post-certification experience at an accredited school that many positions required. After reflecting on our next steps, we created profiles with ISS. While they were honest that we weren’t the strongest candidates, we decided to take a chance. Attending the job fair in Atlanta, we were thrilled to secure our first international school positions in Timor-Leste with QSI.

Our time in Timor-Leste was exactly what we needed to establish ourselves as international educators. We won the lottery with our school director who was incredibly experienced and deeply invested in our growth as educators and as expats. QSI in Timor-Leste is a small school, where students and colleagues alike felt like family. This supportive environment made our first accredited International school experience both rewarding and transformative.

When it came time to move on, we used ISS again and found incredible positions in Saudi Arabia. After seven wonderful years there, we recruited through Search Associates and once again landed roles that were a great fit. Having spent considerable time using both platforms, I can confidently say that it’s entirely possible to find excellent jobs at reputable international schools through either agency.

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Want more information about how to get a job at an international school? Check out these posts:

• How to Get a Job at an International School: First Steps for Teaching Abroad
• International School Recruitment: Where to Find Jobs and How to Get Hired
• Moving Abroad as a Teacher: How to Prepare for Your First International School Job
• International School Services vs Search Associates: Which International School Recruitment Agency is Right for You?
• What to Expect at Your First International School Job Fair
• International School Teacher Benefits Packages Explained: Housing, Airfare, Healthcare, and Tuition Benefits
• How Much Money Can You Really Save Teaching Overseas? A Practical Guide for Educators
• Teaching Abroad with Kids: A Practical Guide for International School Teachers and Expat Families
• Teaching Couples and Families Abroad: Navigating International School Careers Together

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Over the years, I’ve used both ISS and Search Associates to search for and find great jobs. Each has its strengths depending on what you’re looking for in your next placement. There are also other useful platforms like GRC, TES, and Schrole, which can complement your search. Understanding how each works can save you time, help you target the right schools, and make the recruitment process feel less overwhelming.

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ISS (International Schools Services): Global Reach and Digital Convenience

ISS is a major international school recruitment agency with a long history and broad global reach. Founded in 1955, ISS supports schools with recruitment, leadership development, and professional learning for educators worldwide.

Through the ISS EDUrecruit platform, you can browse verified school listings, create a professional profile, and apply directly to positions.

What Makes ISS Unique:

• A modern, user-friendly online portal with hundreds of verified international school listings.
• Virtual and in-person recruitment fairs across Asia, the Middle East, and North America.
• Professional development opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and leadership training.
• Support services to help schools maintain high standards and ensure strong candidate-school matches.

Membership Details:

• Basic Registration: Free (limited features).
• Full Candidate Membership: ~$75 USD (includes verified listings and fair invitations).
• Optional coaching and professional development available at additional cost.

Best For: Educators who prefer a digital-first approach, enjoy flexibility, and value professional development beyond recruitment.

Considerations:

• The platform can feel overwhelming due to the volume of listings.
• Requires more self-navigation than Search’s guided model.

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Search Associates: Personalized Guidance and a Trusted Network

Search Associates (Search) is one of the most established and widely used international school recruitment agencies. Founded in 1990, it connects thousands of qualified educators each year to accredited schools in over 120 countries. What sets Search apart is the personalized guidance you receive. When you register, you’re assigned a dedicated Associate who reviews your credentials, answers questions, and helps you tailor your job search. Each Associate specializes in certain regions or school types, giving you advice that is both targeted and practical.

Key Features of Search Associates:

• Personalized support from your own Associate who knows your background and career goals.
• Access to a vetted database of reputable international schools.
• Exclusive job listings not always posted elsewhere.
• Recruitment fairs in major cities like Bangkok, London, and Toronto, where schools interview candidates in person.
• Confidential reference management system to securely share verified recommendations with schools.

Membership Details:

• First-Time Registration Fee: Around $100 USD
• Full access to fairs and all job listings included.

Best For: Educators who value structured guidance, want reassurance about school credibility, and prefer connecting directly with hiring leaders.

Considerations:

• The process can take time due to reference checks and verification.
• Best suited for candidates who already have teaching experience or are near the end of certification.
• Schools recruiting early may already post positions elsewhere.

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Other Platforms: GRC, TES, and Schrole

Beyond Search and ISS, several other platforms can help educators explore international school opportunities:

• GRC (Global Recruitment Collaborative): Popular among non-profit, accredited international schools. It is selective, often giving candidates quicker responses, and is especially useful for smaller applicant pools where schools prioritize quality over quantity.
• TES powered by Schrole: Offers a global job board, making it ideal for teachers seeking positions in both international schools and national UK schools. The platform provides verified listings, easy application tools, and resources to support professional development and career growth worldwide.
• The International Educator (TIE Online): A comprehensive platform connecting international educators with K–12 schools worldwide, offering job listings, standards-aligned resume tools, and insightful articles to support professional growth and global teaching opportunities

Many international educators explore multiple platforms to widen their opportunities and connect with different school networks. That said, spending time to create a strong, up-to-date profile and actively engage with even one platform can make the biggest difference when it comes to landing the right job, and it helps you feel confident and prepared throughout the process.

One important lesson I learned early on: keep your profile up to date. If your administrator is leaving and you’ve worked well together, ask them to complete a reference for your profile. Doing this doesn’t signal that you want to leave a school, it just helps you showcase your earned experience and connections with colleagues. Working overseas often means you must inform your school of your intentions early in the school year oftentimes before you’ve secured your next position. Having references and a polished profile ready can make that transition much smoother.

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Direct Applications

While platforms like Search and ISS are great, don’t overlook the power of applying directly to schools. It’s a chance to target schools that really match your values, teaching style, and preferred location. Do your homework on accreditation, community culture, and benefits, and tailor your application to show why you’d be a perfect fit. Direct applications are especially effective for smaller schools or unique programs and when combined with recruitment platforms, they can really boost your chances of landing your ideal international role.

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Community Insight: Share Your Experience

There’s no one “best site for international school jobs”—what works for one teacher may not work for another. Some prefer Search Associates’ structured, personal approach, while others thrive using ISS’s expansive digital platform and resources.

We want to hear from you:

• Which platform helped you land your first or favorite international teaching job?
• Did you recruit through Search, ISS, or another platform?
• What advice would you give new educators entering the recruitment process?

Share your experiences in the comments or tag World Class Educators on social media. Your stories help build a connected, supportive community of international teachers.

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Next Steps for Your Job Search

• Pre-Departure Checklist for International Educators – Organize every step before your move overseas.
• Questions to Ask Before Signing an International School Contract – Ensure your contract fits your goals.
• World Class Educators Store on Teachers Pay Teachers – Practical templates and guides for international teachers, counselors, and administrators.