Melbourne Fair: Camaraderie, Community (and Cookies)

This January 4^th-6^th, Search Associates Nick and Paula Kendell welcomed 94 overseas teaching candidates and recruiters from 30 international schools to the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto for the 2025 Melbourne Fair. With the highest placement ratio of all Search Associates (SEARCH) fairs for about 13 years, Search Melbourne has earned a reputation for being small but mighty. This year, with 214 overseas teaching positions in discussion, Nick says,“I envisage that around 90% of candidates had at least one interview…In the past, Up to 70% of teachers attending the fair walked away with a job, and 80% of teachers received at least one offer.”

Melbourne fair boasts exceptionally strong candidates. Many of the high-quality candidates, mainly from Australia and New Zealand seeking their first overseas teaching experience, came to the fair with open minds, a can-do attitude, and a proven track record. Many had play-based and inquiry–based experience, well suited to the significant number of International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in attendance. Recruiters from schools in China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East were impressed. One from the British School Jakarta wrote:

First time at the Melbourne Fair. Love the way it is organized and love the smaller element of the fair and strong candidates, with good experience. Compared to other fairs, there is a good amount of space in the sign-up room…Will definitely return to the Melbourne Fair after trying it out for the first time.

As the fair is relatively small, candidates and recruiters connect and get to know each other very quickly. The Search Melbourne hosts smooth the way with plenty of homemade cookies, free flowing coffee and tea, lunch each day, and a social gathering one evening. A feeling of camaraderie and community during the fair allows for connections to continue beyond the fair. Candidate Lori Ruplal said,

Search Associates makes looking for a job overseas easy. I was nervous about taking this step but after … I felt supported and guided through the process. Their website is fantastic and easy to navigate. Both Paula and Nick are helpful whenever needed, and their team are a living resource that is invaluable. The job fair is also a brilliant experience and really helped me to feel guided, supported and safe in this process of starting something new and exciting for my career…Thank you Nick, Paula, Deidre, Maree, Paul, Rob and everyone else who helped me through every step of achieving my goal of finding a teaching job internationally.

The beautiful and iconic InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto rests in the heart of Melbourne behind the 1890’s neo-gothic façade of the Rialto Towers. Quite compact, the hotel is easy for recruiters and candidates alike to navigate while also offering an intimate and personal space to engage in professional and social interactions. The hotel’s proximity to public transportation and a variety of restaurants, coffee bars, shops allows candidates to pop outside to recalibrate. The Yarra River is just a short walk away.

The Kendells were grateful for the team who arrived to help them assist fair participants: Senior Consultant Caroline Jacoby; international school administrators Christine and Michael Green, Julie Lawton, and Deidre Fischer; and an administrative support team with Tom Kendell, Andy Nicholas, Rod and Maree Patterson, and Maia Sherwood.

Special presentations also enriched the Search Melbourne experience. Former Head of School and Search Associates Consultant Caroline Jacoby led a session for aspiring leaders. A well-attended session called “Living in China” featured several heads of school and a Search Associate volunteer with significant experience in China describing what life is like there and answering questions. Consequently, several candidates signed up for interviews with one of the presenters! One teaching couple, who had not considered China but attended out of curiosity, ended up interviewing with a Shanghai school. The couple had appreciated being able to talk to the China-experienced advisors, especially regarding relocating their three primary-age children.

One candidate, new to the process of seeking international teaching positions, deemed the fair a “fantastic” experience, despite not scoring any interviews. Just being able to talk with recruiters in person taught him how to better prepare for his continuing search. He left the fair empowered and energized.

For more about Search Associates annual job fairs held around the world, click here.