Getting My Overseas Teaching Jobs
One of the questions I get asked most often is: how do you actually get a job teaching overseas? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all method—but what I can share is how I’ve done it over the years, starting all the way back in 2002. From cold visits and chance conversations to agencies and interviews from hotel rooms, here’s the real story behind how I landed international teaching jobs across Asia and beyond.
1. My First Job: The Power of Showing Up
Back in 2002, I was on holiday in the Philippines when I first heard about a small international school up in Baguio City. Out of curiosity, I dropped in to visit, met the principal, handed over my CV, and introduced myself.
At the time, there were no positions available. I left thinking it was just a nice visit—but a few months later, I got a call. Someone had left suddenly, and they needed a business teacher. I was in. Lesson #1: Sometimes, just showing up can open unexpected doors.
2. Strategy Pays Off in Singapore
My next goal was to get to Singapore. I spotted a job listing on a school’s website and applied. They invited me to interview at a recruitment fair in London—but I was already in the Philippines. Instead of waiting, I offered to fly myself to Singapore for an early interview.
I met the principal, toured the school, and landed the job before they even attended the fair. Lesson #2: Be proactive. If you can meet a school in person—even better.
3. Connections Matter: My Move to China
The third job came through a former colleague from the Philippines who had moved to Nanjing, China. He mentioned they might start offering IB Business Management soon and suggested I stay in touch.
Eventually, that opportunity turned real. The school flew me out, put me up in a hotel, and offered me the position after one day of interviews. Lesson #3: Your network can be your greatest asset. Stay connected.
4. Recruitment Fairs: Hong Kong Bound
Hong Kong was next on the list. This time, I signed up with Search Associates, one of the big international teaching agencies. I attended their Bangkok fair in December 2010.
With business teachers in demand, I received multiple offers—Bangkok, Hong Kong, Indonesia—and accepted a role in Hong Kong as a curriculum coordinator. Lesson #4: Recruitment fairs can be intense but effective if your subject area is in demand.
5. Returning Home to Australia (Briefly)
After four years in Hong Kong, we returned to Australia. This job search was more conventional—applying online, doing interviews, and securing a role in Brisbane, later moving to the Gold Coast.
However, the pull of Asia was strong, and after less than two years, we started looking to return overseas.
6. Back to Singapore—Via Zoom
This time, I contacted Search Associates again but skipped the fair. Through online applications and Zoom interviews, I secured a job in Singapore starting in January—an unusual mid-year hire for international schools. Lesson #5: Many schools now recruit outside the usual August start date—especially since COVID.
7. A Return to Hong Kong Through Old Colleagues
Not long after, I heard from a former colleague in Hong Kong. My old role was opening up again. We were on holiday in Thailand at the time, but I jumped on a Zoom interview and was offered the position. Just like that, we were heading back to Hong Kong.
Lesson #6: Relationships matter—people remember good colleagues.
8. Landing in Bangkok: A Mix of Agency and Luck
After a second four-year stint in Hong Kong, it was time for another change. This time, I registered with multiple agencies and applied to several schools in Southeast Asia.
I eventually landed a job in Bangkok—not through a fair, but thanks in part to shared contacts between my reference list and the hiring school. Out of three applications I submitted to the same school, they only noticed one! Lesson #7: It’s not always fair or predictable—but persistence and reputation help.
Final Thoughts: What You Can Learn From My Journey
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after more than two decades of international teaching, it’s this: there’s no single path. You need to be flexible, proactive, and sometimes even willing to take risks. But there are some clear strategies that can help:
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Visit schools in person if you can. It shows initiative and helps you stand out.
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Use your network—former colleagues and friends often lead to great opportunities.
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Don’t rely on one method. Recruitment fairs, direct emails, job boards, and agencies all have their place.
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Sign up with agencies like Search Associates, ISS, or Schrole, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
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Be open to unexpected countries. My first choice wasn’t the Philippines, but it launched everything.
I’ll be breaking down specific tips in upcoming blog posts—things like how to structure your CV, what to say in interviews, and how to find schools that match your lifestyle.
If you found this useful, please share or subscribe—and let’s continue this international teaching journey together.
And if you want some extra help, then please visit my Stan Store for a FREE International Teaching Readiness Checklist as well as an International Teacher Recruitment Timeline. Both of these are really useful for getting started on your international teaching journey.