Once you have great documentation, the interviews will follow. After a great interview you will start to receive job offers. There are some fantastic international schools all over the world. Not all schools are equal and for as many excellent schools, there are also schools that should be avoided. But how can you tell the good from the bad, especially if this is your first time interviewing for international schools. The list below is based on available information from various sites and also some advice to help protect yourself and support you having an enjoyable international experience.
Accommodation
Many international schools offer accommodation as a benefit to teachers during the initial part of their employment. However, there have been instances where the schools do not provide the type of accommodation that was promised during the interview process. This can include smaller or lower quality flats than expected, or accommodation in a different location that results in a long daily commute. In some extreme cases, single staff members have been informed upon arrival that they must share an apartment or even a room with others, which can be very disappointing.​
Contracts
After conducting a detailed video interview with a potential employer, a teaching contract may be sent to you. It is important to have a clear understanding of the job expectations, work hours, and compensation during the interview. However, if the contract does not match what was discussed during the interview, it is not always a sign of fraud. The school may be testing to see if they can provide less without you noticing. It is important to address these discrepancies with the school and give them the opportunity to make it right. Keep in mind, this is a red flag that should not be ignored.
Current Teachers
It's important to keep in mind that reviews of a school may not always be entirely accurate, as no school can make everyone happy all the time. However, reviews can provide valuable insight into how the school treats its teachers. One major red flag to watch out for is if the school is unwilling to provide contact information for current or former teachers. This is especially concerning if you are unable to find independent reviews or information about the school online. It's appropriate to ask to speak with current or past teachers, and most schools will have no issue with accommodating this request. If a school denies or hesitates to provide this information, it may be best to proceed with caution.​
Pay & Salary
​It is common practice for international schools to pay staff salaries into their local bank accounts. However, some situations may arise where staff members cannot set up a bank account due to unfinished visa paperwork. In these cases, schools may have to pay staff in cash, which can be inconvenient for them. Additionally, there have been instances where staff members have found out on their first pay day that the company responsible for paying their salary is not the school they have been working at, but rather a third-party company. This can happen when schools, particularly those that are UK franchise schools, have partnerships with local companies that own and manage the school.
Scams
Verify the legitimacy of the job before applying. In recent years, there have been cases of scams where scammers use the names of well-known schools to deceive potential teachers. They send out job offers with attractive terms, but to secure the job, candidates are asked to transfer a large sum of money to a supposed travel agency for visa and work permit processing. The scammers assure that the money will be refunded once the candidates join the school. However, it is important to note that reputable schools will not ask candidates to pay any costs upfront in this manner.
Visas
Reputable international schools will have a work visa in place for new staff before they begin their job. However, some schools may expect employees to enter the country on a tourist visa and then change it to a resident work visa later on. This can be problematic because tourist visas are typically only valid for a short period of time, such as 30 or 60 days. If the work visa is not processed before this time frame expires, schools may ask staff to go on "visa runs" which involves leaving and re-entering the country on another tourist visa. This can be disruptive to the staff's personal life and also puts them in a vulnerable position as it is illegal to work on a tourist visa in most countries. Additionally, schools that are not able to process work visas promptly could be new schools that are still in the process of obtaining the necessary paperwork from government departments to sponsor work visas.
Protect Yourself
​Research the school on the internet, check for reviews, but remember many may be from disgruntled teachers or could be from over-enthusiastic school admin. Contact teachers who are working or worked recently at the school and ask them...
  • How long did the process of obtaining your work visa take?
  • Have you or any of your colleagues ever had to leave the country and re-enter on another visa?
  • Has your salary or any of your colleagues' salary ever been paid in cash?
  • Who is responsible for paying your salary? Who is your official employer?
  • Did the accommodation provided by the school match what was discussed during the interview process?
Research the accreditation and legitimacy of the school. A good way to identify reputable schools is by looking into the international organisations they are affiliated with. Schools that are members of organisations such as the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) all undergo rigorous inspections to ensure they adhere to high standards of best practice. These schools are likely to have a seal of approval or "kitemark" from these organisations.
Any red flags?
​You can ask about these and any other concerns
when you arrange a one to one support for interview practice.
"Thank you for your great support, really appreciated."
Caroline L, UK
"The interview feedback was some of the most helpful advice I have received so far and I am more confident for the real thing."
Katy P, USA ​