If you’re preparing for your first international school job fair, you’re approaching one of the most exciting parts of the teaching overseas journey. These events bring together educators and recruiters from schools around the world, all in one space. Sometimes fairs take place in a bustling hotel ballroom and other times it’s through a virtual platform filled. They’re fast-paced, energizing, and full of possibilities, but they can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect.

Here’s what the process looks like, how to prepare, and how to make the most of every conversation, whether you walk away with a job offer or valuable insight for your next step.

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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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Before the Fair: How to Prepare for a Job Fair Teaching Abroad

Preparation starts long before the fair itself. Update your recruitment profile on your preferred international school recruitment platform with current references, work experience, and current certifications. Research schools that will be attending the fair. Learn about their curriculum, location, student demographics, and the kinds of teachers they’re looking for.

A few practical tips for in-person fairs:

• Bring your laptop and chargers/adapters. You’ll need access to your online profile and/or email during the fair.
• Print about 25 copies of your résumé. You’ll hand these out during interview sign-ups.
• Dress professionally but comfortably. You’ll be walking, standing, and meeting dozens of people each day. Dress in layers, hotels can get chilly!
• Let schools know you’ll be attending. Send a quick message through your recruitment platform to schools who have posted your position. Sometimes, schools will pre-schedule interviews for an upcoming fair.
• Bring your job comparison chart (or this freebie version). Having a structured way to track salary, housing, benefits, and contracts will help you make clear, confident choices.

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What the Schedule Looks Like

Most international school job fairs run over two or three days. After check-in and an orientation session, things move quickly into the sign-up session, a high-energy, fast-paced event that feels a little like speed dating. Teachers line up at tables, introduce themselves to recruiters, and hand over résumés in hopes of securing interview slots later in the weekend.

Once sign-ups wrap up, interviews begin, often in hotel rooms or meeting spaces. Each typically lasts 20–40 minutes and some schools may call you back for a second conversation. In the evenings, there are usually receptions or information sessions that offer a great chance to connect casually with recruiters and other educators.

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My First Job Fair Experience

My first in-person recruiting fair was an unforgettable experience, but not for the reasons I expected. My husband and I had teaching experience and were almost officially done with completing our teaching certifications. We attended the ISS job fair in Atlanta, full of anticipation and nerves.

Throughout the fair, we were turned down by nearly every school we approached. Most were looking for teachers with at least two years of post-certification experience. It was discouraging, but instead of giving up, we reframed our approach. We pivoted from applying to jobs to learning, asking thoughtful questions, and connecting with recruiters, even when it was clear a position wasn’t in the cards. We focused on the recruiters who didn’t have many people at their tables and explained where we were in our job search and asked for advice to help ourselves be more competitive in the future. Each conversation gave us insight into what schools were looking for and how we could strengthen our future applications.

Something I learned during that first fair, and that still guides me today, is that when you’re recruiting for a new job overseas, your goal isn’t to get all the offers. Your goal is to find one yes—one school that aligns with your values, your goals, and your family’s needs. That “yes” will look different for everyone. For some, it’s a large school that offers multiple curriculum options; for others, it’s a small community, a great location, and/or extensive family benefits.

Instead of chasing every opening, focus on making genuine connections with recruiters and school leaders. These are people you may end up working alongside, and potentially living near, in close-knit international communities. You don’t need to be best friends, but mutual respect and clear communication go a long way. Stay focused on why you’re recruiting and what kind of school will help you thrive personally and professionally.

Our first fair wasn’t a flop. By making it a point to connect with as many schools and recruiters as possible that weekend, we found our “yes.” QSI in Timor-Leste offered us positions, and that one opportunity changed everything. It launched our careers as certified international educators and reminded us that sometimes all it takes is one right fit to begin an incredible chapter.

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Virtual vs In-Person Job Fairs

Since that first experience, I’ve also attended virtual job fairs for teachers overseas, and both formats offer great advantages.

• Virtual job fairs are convenient and accessible. Platforms like ISS allow you to join scheduled sessions, chat directly with recruiters, and set up interviews for later. They’re especially helpful if you’re currently teaching and can’t travel to an in-person event.
• In-person job fairs allow for deeper connection. You can build rapport, read body language, and often spend enough time with recruiters for them to feel confident extending an offer on the spot.

Both can lead to interviews, job offers, or valuable networking connections, and often, one leads to the other.

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Handling Job Offers with Confidence

One of the most high-pressure moments at any teaching overseas job fair is receiving an offer, sometimes at the end of or right after an interview. When it happens, take a breath. You don’t have to respond immediately.

A few tips to navigate this moment confidently:

• Clarify the timeline. Some schools give you a day or two after the fair to make a decision. Politely ask for the deadline in writing.
• Compare carefully. Use your job comparison chart (or the freebie version) to evaluate the contract focusing on things like salary, housing, other benefits, and professional growth opportunities.
• Ask to speak with current staff. It’s perfectly appropriate to request a short chat with current teachers at the school before you accept an offer.

A school that values transparency will understand that you’re making a thoughtful, informed decision.

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Final Thoughts

Attending an international school job fair, whether in person or virtually, is one of the most dynamic ways to advance your teaching career abroad. These events combine excitement, pressure, and endless potential. With the right mindset, preparation, and a clear sense of what you’re looking for, you’ll navigate the process confidently.

Remember: you don’t need every school to say yes. You just need one right fit, the school that aligns with your goals, your family, and your next adventure.

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The Inside Perspective

Every international school educator has their own recruiting story: some inspiring, some chaotic, and most a mix of both. What is memorable is how unique each journey is. If you’ve been through the process, your insight can help others just starting out.

We’d love to hear from you:

• What’s your most memorable job fair experience, the moment that stood out or taught you something unexpected?
• Which job fair location or format (in-person or virtual) gave you the best experience, and why?
• If you could offer one piece of advice to first-time fair attendees, what would it be?

Share your stories in the comments below or tag World Class Educators on Instagram or TikTok. Your insight might be exactly what another educator needs to hear before their first fair!