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JOB MARKET

Getting the Job: Advice from Recruiting Experts

By Stacy Stephens
19-Nov-25
Getting the Job: Advice from Recruiting Experts

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Welcome to the Voice of TIE podcast, a space for stories, insights, and conversations that uplift the profession of teaching and inspire positive change in international schools. For nearly 40 years, The International Educator has served this community through recruitment resources and a dedication to amplifying the voices of international educators around the world.


In this in-depth episode of The Voice of TIE, Stacy welcomes two seasoned international educators and recruitment experts, Tico Oms and Jacqueline P. (JP) Mallais, to explore one of the most crucial and often overlooked stages of the job search process: the interview.

Both guests share insights from being on both sides of the hiring table. Tico specializes in guiding educators toward leadership roles, while JP helps teachers navigate their career options and next steps. Together, they unpack:

  • The evolving nature of international school hiring;
  • The increasing importance of storytelling and evidence-based answers in interviews;
  • How to prepare “core stories” that can be adapted to answer multiple interview questions;
  • Practical resume tips and common mistakes that get candidates filtered out early;
  • The growing role of artificial intelligence in resume prep, job search strategy, and interview rehearsal;
  • Techniques for mastering video interviews, from setup to body language and background;
  • How to authentically convey cultural awareness and empathy;
  • Preparing for tough questions like “Tell me about a time you failed” or “What are your weaknesses?”;
  • The power of curiosity, concise storytelling, and strategic questions to ask your interviewer;
  • Personal rituals and mindset tips to boost confidence before interviews.
Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or aspiring administrator in international education, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to sharpen your interview skills and stand out in a competitive field.

Stacy Stephens is the Director of TIE.

Tico Oms is not your average leadership coach. A certified leadership coach from Brown University with a Master’s in Education from Harvard and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Tico brings a rare blend of deep educational expertise and real-world business leadership. He has served as a principal, research and development director, department chair, and teacher at some of the world’s top international schools, including in Switzerland, Thailand, Singapore, and Germany. He has also held senior regional roles at global companies like Dell and MIH. He leads Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color’s (AIELOC) leadership development programs, is a founding board member for The Association for the Advancement of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (AAICIS) and a trusted advisor in the international school space. He remains a teacher at heart.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/joseramonoms-tico

Jacqueline P. Mallais is a former international teacher and school leader with more than 20 years of experience in six countries on four continents. She holds a Master of Education and a Master of Arts. Since heading overseas in 1996, she has helped many teachers secure opportunities abroad. Originally from Ottawa, Canada, and now living in Querétaro, Mexico, she offers consulting services to teachers seeking personal guidance in their overseas job search.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpmintconsulting/

 

 

 

 




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