January 4–7, the eighth annual Search Associates Melbourne Fair drew 146 candidates and representatives from 48 schools to the InterContinental Rialto hotel in central Melbourne. Fair organiser Nick Kendell appreciated the support of Educational Consultants Chris and Mick Green and Deidre Fischer, who came to share their wealth of knowledge with those attending.
Each year, these experienced international educators join the Melbourne team to “pay it forward” and take part in the excitement of helping candidates achieve their dreams. This year, new Search Associates Senior Consultant Caroline Jacoby joined the Melbourne fair advisory team. Before taking her current role, Caroline spent decades in several international schools over four different continents, so her guidance to candidates has been indispensable.
With a number of appointments so far, Search Melbourne is on track to reach its famously high placement rate—which Nick attributes to its candidates:
Every year we get comments on the quality of our candidates. I heard from a number of recruiters that this group had a remarkable level of professionalism, eagerness, and commitment to their craft.
The Melbourne fair has many success stories, and some of this year’s candidates have allowed us to share their story. Ever since Aydin Aldas worked with Yazidi refugees in the prison sector in Toowoomba, he has wanted to teach mathematics in the Middle East. Being married with three kids, he had found recruitment with other agencies to be frustrating. However, on day two of Search Melbourne, he was thrilled to accept a mathematics position in Iraq.
Alex Knight came to the Melbourne fair as a “visitor” to meet the principal of his new school in Vietnam, which he had found before the fair through the SEARCH database. He described attending the fair as a "priceless opportunity to have face-to-face interaction, attend school presentations, and network. Alex will travel with his three boys—ages seven, four, and three—and his partner Nerissa who will spend the year settling everyone in. Nerissa is hoping to volunteer at an orphanage and raise funds to provide essentials for the babies, e.g. nappies and formula. She has found online expat groups really helpful for information.
Mel and Nicole were working in Korea when some friends suggested that they attend the Melbourne fair. After a couple of interviews, they accepted positions at the same school in China for their next adventure.
Whether you are a seasoned international teacher or a recent graduate, the Melbourne fair continues to offer a terrific platform to unite top candidates and schools. For more about Search Associates’ 14 unique job fairs around the globe, click here.
