Virtual Job Fair

The Tri-Association (The Associaton of American Schools of Central America, Colombia-Caribbean and Mexico) announces its annual Virtual Job Fair to recruit teachers for the 87 schools in this region that have U.S. Accreditation.

What is a Virtual Job Fair?

Instead of traveling to one location for a two or three day event, candidates and schools will have several months to interact with each other in order find the right fit. After reviewing information that both the candidates and the schools will be posting online, opportunities will be provided for either the candidate or the school to request video/phone interviews. As candidates and schools work to narrow their selections, ample opportunity will be provided to answer questions, have contact with teachers currently working in these schools, discuss teaching assignments, et cetera. Some school Heads may wish to travel to meet with the teachers they have selected or have the teachers come and visit their schools. In some cases school recruiters and teacher candidates will arrange to meet at a location and a time that is convenient for both parties.

What are the advantages of this type of fair?

Those who have participated in a traditional job fair understand the stress both schools and candidates are under to make decisions in an abbreviated time frame. Some have compared these fairs to a cattle auction because of the competition between the schools to try to hire the best candidates. Candidates often find themselves with multiple job offers and under the obligation to make a decision within a few short hours. After accepting a position under this type of pressure, teachers sometimes experience buyers regret. There is also the possibility for the candidates that job openings that were posted before the fair have already been filled by the time the fair starts. On the other hand, candidates that were available and signed up to attend the fair may have already accepted a position. It is not uncommon for candidates and schools to leave a Fair empty handed or having to compromise their expectations to obtain a position or to fill one. When one considers the cost in time and money that attending one of these fairs represents for both the candidates and the schools a less than positive result can be very discouraging.
The Virtual Job Fair attempts to remedy some of the problems associated with the traditional Fairs. Candidates will be asked to upload a 5 minute video of themselves teaching in a classroom and provide other information to recruiters that will allow them to make a fairer evaluation of their capacity as a teacher than is usually permitted in a 30 to 40 minute interview under stressful conditions. Schools will have the opportunity to demonstrate what kind of teaching environment they have to offer by showing a video tour of the school, providing online dialogues with current and former teachers as well as allowing candidates to converse with the students they will be teaching. After participating in a video/phone interview, candidates can spend needed time obtaining clarity on compensation packages, workload, curriculum expectations, opportunities for staff development and teaching assignments.
After all of the preliminary work has been done, teachers and schools should have a great deal of clarity regarding the school/candidate relationships that best fit the needs of the institutions and the interests of the candidates. Decisions can then be made with a high degree of confidence in satisfactory results.
The other advantage is the reduction in the time, travel and cost incurred with a traditional Fair that may not positive results.

What do these schools have to offer Applicants?

How do I register for the Fair?

Simply follow the instructions to provide a minimum of information required, be assigned your personal page on this site and become registered with the Virtual Job Fair. You will then be provided with the instructions on what other information the schools are looking for from candidates. You can upload as much information as you would like, portfolios, recommendation letters et cetera or as little as you would like. Just be aware that your chances of being seriously considered for a position is greatly improved by providing the specific information schools are requesting.

What Happens Next?

You will have the opportunity to review the information regarding the association schools and indicate those schools in which you have an interest. Your candidate information will be reviewed and your references called. Schools that have openings in line with your qualifications will be provided with this information and will contact you to set up video/phone interview and/or ask you to provide further information.

How much does it cost?

A $25.00 U.S., as a registration fee for the 2011 Tri-Association Virtual Job Fair. No other cost will be charged to you in relation to the 2011 Fair.

Resources

CHOP, the Children Of Hait Project - http://www.childrenofhaitiproject.org/
AAIE the Association for Advancement of International Education - http://www.aaie.org/
The Office Of Overseas Schools, U.S. State Department - http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/
The Tri-Association - www.tri-association.org