From Opportunity to Alignment: Phase Three of Your Job Search

By November, the recruitment season for international educators is well underway. For many, this is when job opportunities begin to appear in earnest: applications open, interviews are scheduled, and the window for early hiring accelerates. At this stage, the most successful candidates are not simply reacting to openings, they are approaching the process with purpose, clarity, and a deep understanding of what they want next. This moment isn’t only about looking for a job; it’s about finding the right fit.

Whether you’re just beginning to engage with the recruitment process or are already in conversations with schools, this is the moment to begin actively engaging with opportunities and thoughtfully assessing them. If you’re feeling a little behind, it’s not too late to catch up on the process:

• First, ask yourself: Will You Stay or Will You Go? A Timely Question.
• Next, enter Phase One to reflect on your growth, clarify your goals, and begin building the evidence and tools needed for a thoughtful, strategic job search.
• Then, step into Phase Two to help with making decisions, clarifying direction, and activating strategy. 

Through this Job Seeking series, you’ve spent time reflecting on your values, your professional growth, and what you need in your next role. As you begin to engage with schools, your focus should shift to how you share that story. 

Stand Out With an Evidence-Based Portfolio

Schools are not just looking for educators who say they’re ready to make a difference. They’re looking for those who can show it. Building your Evidence-Based Portfolio now ensures you’re positioned for early opportunities as they emerge.

Here’s how it helps you stand out:

• It makes your Standards-Based evidence instantly shareable through a unique URL—ready to include in recruitment portals, resumes, and cover letters—so your work stands out across the job-seeking process.
• It aligns your work to professional standards: showcasing your contributions in social emotional learning (SEL), inquiry, inclusion and belonging, leadership, or curriculum design through curated artifacts and meaningful reflection.
• It replaces the traditional resume with a dynamic, narrative-driven tool that tells the story of your practice and its impact.
• It transforms interviews into meaningful dialogue, anchored in real examples of your teaching, leadership, and learning design.

When you lead with evidence, you not only stand out, you demonstrate that you’re prepared to contribute with purpose and professionalism.

Evaluate Schools, Not Just Offers

Just as you're working to present a clear, compelling picture of your professional impact, schools must also do the same. The job search is a two-way process, and while you're demonstrating your readiness and value through your portfolio, it's equally important to assess whether a school is prepared to support your continued growth and align with your professional values. As offers start appearing earlier in the cycle, it can be tempting to say “yes” quickly,  especially if an interview goes well or an offer lands in your inbox before the next school break.

But this is exactly when you need to slow down and evaluate fit:

• How does this school align with your ideas from Phase Two, Define What You’re Looking For? 
• Does this school reflect your values and priorities?
• What does the leadership team believe about learning, and how do they show it?
• How do they talk about professional growth, inclusion, or staff wellbeing?
• Are red flags being minimized or brushed aside?

Research goes beyond reading websites. Ask questions. Listen carefully in interviews. Reach out to colleagues who’ve worked there. Look for alignment, not just reputation.

Watch for Red Flags and Green Ones

As you evaluate schools, be honest with yourself about what you’re noticing. Some red flags can be small — vague answers about turnover, unclear decision-making, or weak follow-through. Others may be more serious — unethical hiring practices, lack of clarity on Diversity,Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) commitments, or inconsistent communication.

But don’t overlook green flags, either:

• Thoughtful, transparent interview processes
• Clear articulation of teaching and learning philosophies
• Respect for your time and questions
• Evidence of collaboration, support systems, and trust in educators

Keep track of what you’re seeing and how it aligns with what you’ve already identified as your non-negotiables.

Avoid Rushing the Decision

Yes, there is pressure to secure a role early. But fast is not the same as right.

Ask yourself:

• Am I feeling urgency because I’m genuinely excited or just relieved to get an offer?
• Have I had the chance to ask all the questions I need to make an informed decision?
• Am I evaluating this school through the lens of fit, or just fear of missing out?
• Even in a fast-paced cycle, you deserve the space to reflect, compare, and commit with confidence.

Your Next Step Begins Now

It’s easy to believe the most difficult decision is whether to stay or go. But once that choice is made, what comes next is even more important: moving forward with clarity, momentum, and purpose.

This stage of the search—November through December—isn’t about reacting. It’s about setting a clear course toward the schools, communities, and professional environments where you can grow and thrive. Now is the time to put your strategy into motion, build your presence, and position yourself to move not just into a job, but into the right job.

TIE is here to support that journey—through insight into schools, evidence-based recruiting tools, webinars, and a platform designed to help you lead your own search with professionalism and confidence.