Common Questions for Administrative Candidates

Although we do have a steady stream of candidates who apply and find positions throughout the year and jobs are added year round, please note that international schools typically begin recruiting for positions one full year in advance – which is why a new recruiting season starts September 1st. This also means that there will be the greatest number of jobs in our system during the fall and winter months, with the months of October, November, December, January and February being particularly busy. This is also the time when we host our International Recruitment Conferences (IRCs), where many international schools fill positions.

It is also important to remember that every new ISS candidate must go through a review process, and this can take time, especially if a candidate is waiting for crucial documents like returned confidential references. In order to take all of this into account, we recommend that our candidates apply with us in the summer and early fall. These candidates have the benefit of getting “ahead of the game” by acquiring what is needed for an active profile, polishing their professional dossier, and making sure everything is perfect – and when September 1st comes along, they’re the first candidates our recruiters can look at!

Some schools and/or countries will require administrative certification from an educational authority, i.e. a state, a province or national ministry. ISS does not require this type of certification for candidate registration. However, non-certified administrative candidates should be aware that some positions may require administrative certification.

No. However, search committees will often give preference to candidates who have a working knowledge of the host country language.

Search Committees develop a profile of the candidate who can provide the type and style of leadership the school needs at the particular period of time when the search is conducted. Although many qualifications and characteristics are common to announcements for different schools, the leadership style, skill set, and qualifications for each position are different. These committees seek candidates who will lead their school to a higher level of their strategic plan or vision. Some schools may be interested in a specific skill set, such as experience with construction, curriculum, finances, marketing, or development/advancement. Candidates whose skill set, qualifications and experience match those desired are selected as finalists, and will be brought to the school for final interviews.

Recruiters are looking for:

• Head of School
• Dean of Students
• School Principals
• Director of Admissions
• Director of Development
• Director of Instructional Technology
• Curriculum Coordinator
• Academic Dean
• College Counselor
• Business Manager
• Assistant Head of School
• Guidance Counselor

Couples who are unmarried may find it challenging to find placement in some regions. The reason is that some of the schools we serve are in conservative communities, and some countries actually deny visas to those traveling as a couple who are not married. Schools may provide housing and a certain number of the schools adhere to the parameters that staff who share housing in their school community must be married. Some schools feel there is more employment security when hiring married couples in terms of stability throughout the length of the two year contract. We should also add that ISS does place a number of unmarried couples each year, but it is best to prepare you for the fact that some positions may not be available to you.

Health issues should be considered when making the decision to apply for a job overseas. Depending on what part of the globe you are considering, members need to be aware that in some remote areas, medical services might not be at the same standard or availability as in the United States or Canada, UK or Australia. Members should not put themselves in a situation that might compromise their health if they know a condition exists.