From January 16–18, the Search Hong Kong Recruitment Fair brought together a vibrant global community of educators and school leaders for the largest Hong Kong fair in Search Associates history. Recruiters from 52 international schools connected with over 200 candidates, discussing more than 400 international school vacancies—a powerful reflection of both regional growth and global interest in Asia. Fair host and Search Associate Xiaohang Sumner shared her pride in the caliber and commitment of attendees, noting the fair’s exceptional outcomes:
We were proud to present candidates of high-quality and highly committed to the region. Every single candidate got interviews!
For many candidates, the experience exceeded expectations and delivered immediate results. Candidate Tianyu Jiang described a particularly successful first fair experience:
I just had my very first Search Associates job fair in Hong Kong, and it exceeded my expectation in so many aspects. I had six first-round interviews during the fair alone which led to further interviews and five final offers. As suggested by Ms. Xiaohang Sumner, keep an open mind and the right offer might be just around the corner!
Designed to be compact, efficient, and educator-friendly, the Search Hong Kong fair scheduled all core activities on Saturday, allowing Sunday to remain open for additional interviews as needed. This thoughtful structure meant candidates did not need to miss work on the Friday before or the Monday following the fair. In addition, 20 recruiters hosted special school-specific Q&A sessions, offering candidates deeper insight into their communities and missions.
While most fair activities were hosted at Chinese International School, participants were encouraged to stay nearby through specially negotiated rates at the Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay and the Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Causeway Bay, creating a convenient and collegial experience throughout the weekend.
The candidate pool reflected the truly global nature of international education, representing 43 nationalities. The largest groups hailed from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, followed by educators from South Africa, China, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Australia, and Korea—many traveling great distances to attend. Experience levels varied widely, offering schools access to both emerging and veteran educators. As Xiaohang reported, “About 15% had 15+ years of international teaching experience, 20% had 10+, 35% had 5–9, and 30% had under five years of overseas teaching experience.”
For some candidates, the recruitment journey moved quickly. Chinmay Bhave shared:
The Hong Kong job fair was my first experience of attending any job fair, thank you so much for organizing it. My school interview went well, and they sent a contract in 24 hours, the process was smooth, it feels great to experience such a rapid recruitment process.
First-time attendees and seasoned international educators alike found value in the fair’s preparation, structure, and personal support. Steffi James, an educator with more than a decade of experience, reflected on her journey:
Attending a job fair for the first time felt like a significant milestone. The comprehensive documents and information shared by Search Associates were incredibly helpful, providing the clarity and confidence I needed to navigate the process. The HK Fair offered a unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with top-tier schools, and the support from the team made the experience both manageable and highly productive. I am thrilled to have secured a new position and highly recommend this fair to any educator, regardless of where they are in their career.
The Search Hong Kong Fair 2026 once again demonstrated the power of thoughtful organization, strong relationships, and face-to-face connection—making it a standout recruitment event for international educators seeking their next professional adventure in Asia and beyond.
For more information about Search Associates’ global job fairs held annually, click here.
