As a member of Generation X, I have never completely understood the concept of getting “locked out.” As a ten year old latch-key-kid, I was consistently “breaking in” to my family’s two-story condo using a cast iron porch chair I would toss onto the roof of our carport and position across a massive gap between it and the bathroom wall. I would then balance on the chair’s arm rests while getting my hands into the window sill’s opening (that would barely accommodate one of my thighs these days) so I could shimmy inside my house. Thus, I have always considered that getting “locked out” just meant you hadn’t figured your way in yet. Generation X, often described as the feral generation, would never let a locked door deter them from getting in. 

If you have been on the job hunt for a while now, perhaps you are starting to despair of ever finding a job that meets your basic criteria. Instead of giving up and settling for less, I recommend you channel your inner 80’s child and find a new way in to gain access to the job positions you seek.

Recently I happened to hear a very inspiring story told to me by my own family member who didn’t give up on her dream job to work at her dream school. Though she wasn’t seeking a job abroad, the same strategies she utilized can still be applied to your own pursuit of an international teaching job. After trying all of the usual strategies to get the job she wanted, she decided to enlist the help of those in her community and apply directly to the school board to get her qualifications for the job taken more seriously.

Just like so many progeny of famous actors tend to shirk their parents’ names in order to forge their own path and make a mark on Hollywood for themselves, we as teachers often want to acquire our jobs based on our own merits rather than to rely on our network of friends and colleagues. Yet, what you mustn’t forget is that people are in your network because you are worth having in theirs; therefore, don’t undersell your value. In this world of AI generations and enhancements, employers are looking for those more authentic connections that are only achieved through interpersonal relationships.

So if you have made it this far into the recruitment season without acquiring the offer you seek, don’t give up the search. Try thinking outside the box so that you can “break in” to that opportunity. 

On LinkedIn, there are people posting AI generated lists of job boards and online resources in order to help people find the international jobs they seek. Beware of many of these, as they sometimes advertise opportunities for third party agencies who get a healthy cut of the money you could get for yourself if you went directly to the source.

A couple of decades ago, I was eager to teach in the UK no matter what. Since I wasn’t having much locating jobs using the big international teaching agencies, I decided to try alternative options. There are numerous private companies that will help match you to a rural English school for example.

Some educators have even tried their luck with Teacher Exchange Programs, like Teacher Exchange Programs Abroad,  where a teacher takes your position in your home country while you take his or her position in their respective home country. Make sure that you do your homework and research these exchanges thoroughly so that you don’t end up swapping your cush location for a barely there house and difficult teacher position.  

Fulbright Teacher Exchanges are even shorter-term options to try something new in another location while conducting research or studying while there. These exchanges can sometimes allow for dependents to travel with you and offer contracts that are sometimes only weeks or months long which allow for a taste of the international life withough having to commit to a long-term situation.

Finally, you may want to consider some of the smaller international teaching agencies such as The International Educator which for $49 you can access the job vacancies and receive their newsletter. The other agency is Teacher Horizons which has been hosting several online tip sessions along with advertising vacancies at many different international schools.

Whichever option/s you choose, your job hunt can continue so long as you recognize that there is always a way “in.”