Search Leadership Fair 2018

Senior Associate Ray Sparks hosted the eighth annual Search Leadership Fair in Bangkok, November 16-18 at NIST International School. Seventy recruiters representing 50 schools enjoyed a 3:1 ratio of candidates to school openings. This early-in-the-season, smaller fair gives recruiters and candidates ample time together through interviews, workshops and panels. The opportunity for collegiality is one of the greatest features of the fair.

Another key ingredient of the Leadership Fair is the Search teams: Senior Associates John Ritter, Gez Hayden, Harry Deelman and new Fair Coordinator, Jennifer Rosborough, well-known in the Search Associates community for her many years at the Toronto fair.  Margaret Deelman, Susan Ritter and Mary Sparks were also on hand.

Candidates and recruiters enjoyed the NIST campus, centrally located and a five-minute walk from the hotel. Ray is extremely grateful for the support of Head of School Brett Penny and NIST Event Coordinator Michelle Marquez.

The Search Leadership Fair is valuable for candidates seeking their first administrative post and seasoned leadership candidates. Ray says,

“Recruiters have said that some of the candidates they met and interviewed would have been overlooked on a direct online application to their school. However, after meeting the candidates in person, the perception of these candidates changed in a positive way.”

The professional development component of the fair is one of its keystones. Certified Professional Coach and Master Leadership Practitioner Nicholas McKie spoke about transitioning to a leadership role. Mumbai’s Oberoi International School Head, Neil McWilliam, talked on working and living in India and the changing conditions there. He also spoke on differences between for profit and nonprofit schools. Senior Associate Gez Hayden updated recruiters on how to use APLi, Search Associates‘ recruiting application, free to all Search member schools. Finally, John Ritter and Ray led an interactive session with recruiters and candidates on how to check candidates’ references before offering a position within the context of a job fair.

Fair sponsors Nigel Nonkovic of Trinity Holdings and Nick Chilver for Renaissance Workplace Benefits were also on hand to talk with recruiters and candidates. Ray is appreciative for the longstanding fair support of these colleagues.