Finally Interviewed

After two scheduled interviews that never panned out, I finally had the chance to interview for a new private school opening up in Abu Dhabi.  I could barely sleep through the night, for some reason I thought I would oversleep and miss my interview.  I awaken every morning at 5:30, so I don't know why I was so worried about oversleeping.  Lol! Today I woke up around 4:30, I tried to force myself to lay in bed and not get up until 5:30.  I could no longer lie still, so I got out of bed around 5:15 and begin to prepare.  It seemed as though time dragged until 7:00.  

My interview was via Skype and they called in at 7:07 am.  Overall, I felt like I did well.  I know I could have done better but I have this overwhelming calm wrapped around me.  I pray that this means I will get the job.  I will not hear anything until the end of next week, so I should have an update by March 4th.  Please pray along with me that hear I good news.  In the meantime, I'm still going to pursue any and all teaching jobs that interest me.

Until next time!

The Interview

Well here it is 12:42 on a Sunday afternoon and I so want to cry but the tears won't fall.  I'm just so disappointed.  Today was my scheduled interview with a new private school in Abu Dhabi.  I woke up early, prepared myself, prayed and was sitting down in front of  my computer 30 minutes before my interview time.  I was nervous and excited that my stomach begin to ache.  By the time 11:20 came around, I was ready to get the interview started.  I waited anxiously 10 minutes after the scheduled time, waiting for the call to come through.  After 10 minutes, I checked my email again to check the day and time and I was indeed correct with the day and time.  After taking a closer look, I noticed that the time was 11:20 am UAE time.  I couldn't believe that I didn't see this before.  I guess I was so glad to finally receive an interview, I just focused on the day and time and not the time zone. 

So I immediately sent both an email and Skype message letting them know that there was a mix up in time and requested a new day and time.  After sending both messages, I calculated the time and noticed that my interview was scheduled at 2:20 am (11:20 am UAE time).  The latest I've heard of interviews taking place was 11:00 p.m., so maybe my intended time was actually 11:20 a.m. (EST).  I decided to sit in front of my computer and wait in hopes that the interviewer was running behind schedule and I would receive the call shortly.  I waited for an hour and did not receive a call.  I sent another message and email, letting them know that I was logging out but still very much interested in rescheduling an interview.  Things are not going as I had hoped they would, but I'm still hopeful that I will receive an offer.  I guess God is teaching me patience, something I'm not too good at. 

Until next time...... 

When Will My Time Come?

Yesterday I was in a little bit of a funk, there were a few times where I wanted to shed tears.  I've been applying to schools since early November and I haven't had one interview yet.  After reading about others securing interviews and even receiving offer letters for the next school year, I couldn't help but to feel a little envious.  When will I have the opportunity to be interviewed????  Yup, I had a good ole pity party for myself, but it didn't last too long.

I remembered reading a post on one of the many groups I'm involved with on Facebook, and the person said don't wait on recruiters/agencies, if you want to teach abroad, contact the schools directly.  And so, that's what I did.  I sent my resume directly to several schools yesterday.  I even looked into schools in Kuwait, yes you've read correctly, Kuwait.  I'm finding that more and more Black educators are traveling to Kuwait to teach.  I visited one particular school's website and I was very much impressed with the diversity among its teachers.  Am I totally sold on the idea of moving to Kuwait?  No.  However, I'm not totally against it either.  As I stated before, I have to open myself up to other places if I want to become an international educator.  Of course my desired location is UAE but I'm open to other countries in the Middle East.  I would also love to work in South Africa but I haven't found anything as of yet.

Before I go I have to let you know that this morning, I received an invitation to a Skype interview for this Sunday.  The interview is for a new private school in Dubai.  I can't get too excited because I've been in this position twice, only to have the interview cancelled or postponed.  I will remain hopeful and pray that the interview does take place and that I interview exceptionally well!  Pray for a sistah!

Until next time...

Qatar Foundations Interview...

So today is Sunday, January 31st, and the day that was designated for my Skype Interview with Qatar Foundations.  It seem as though every time I have an interview lined up, things do not go as planned.  This time I received an email from Mia letting me know that Qatar Foundations wanted to postpone all interviews.  She also let me know that they will personally reach out to candidates that are on the Skype list to set up individual interviews depending on their vacancies.  So in the meantime I'm going to continue searching for positions.

International School Services is another recruiting agency that I've joined.  Unlike, Teach Away there is a fee to join, I bit the bullet and paid the fee.  I figured between Teach Away and ISS, I will find a position for the 2016 - 2017 school year.  My desire is to work at an international school and all of the schools listed on ISS are such schools.  One school reached out to me letting me know I was shortlisted for an elementary position.  The position was later filled but they asked if I would be interested in teaching kindergarten.  I told them yes, now I'm just waiting to find out if I'm a shortlisted candidate.  I'm going to continue my search and reach out to schools directly.  I'll keep you all posted.

Until next time...

Plan B???

If you're keeping up with my blog, you know I hit a bump in the road with my journey to UAE.  I was all set to attend an in-person interview in NYC on this coming Sunday (January 24th).  Unfortunately, the school went ahead in filled the position I was up for.  I have an awesome recruiter by the name of Mia and she is working diligently to help secure a teaching position for the 2016-2017 school year.  As you can see from my blog's address, my heart was set on the UAE, I was determined to go to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.  

But what happens if and when those places are unavailable?  Is there a Plan B?  Can I be just as excited about another location, as I am for the UAE?  These are questions I had to ask myself.  I'm learning that on my quest to become an international educator, I have to leave myself open to other options.  When applying for international jobs for the first time, you probably won't get your desired choice.  The goal is to get a position, successfully fulfill it, then move on to the location you desire the most. 

Last night Mia and I spoke about the possibility of teaching in Doha, Qatar.  I actually had my eye on this position a few weeks ago and contemplated applying to it.  Because I already had my interview set up for Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and was set on going to one of the two, I was reluctant to apply to other positions.  I applied for the position and was passed through to the next phase.  I have a Skype interview scheduled for Sunday, January 31st.  The position is for two years and the salary and benefits package is one of the best packages offered through Teach Away.  Although my heart was set on Dubai, I'm actually excited about the prospect of living and teaching in Doha.  It's about an hour flight away from Dubai, so I can still visit.  I pray that all goes well with the interview.  In the meantime, I'm going to continue my research of Qatar and the selected schools.  I'm not sure if I mentioned that I signed up with International School Services, but I've also applied for numerous positions through this agency as well.   

Until Next time...

Update

I received an update from my Placement Coordinator, Mia.  She informed me of the openings with ESOL in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as openings in Qatar, and encouraged me to apply.  Moving forward, I'm only required to complete a 5-10 minute call for any new positions.  I immediately applied for those positions and minutes later I received confirmation for a follow-up next Tuesday.  I hope to share some good new with you all soon!

Until next time! 

Bump in the Road

Monday, January 11th, I received an urgent email from Mia, my Placement Coordinator from Teach Away.  When I read the words URGENT in the subject, my heart begin racing.  What could possibly be in this email?  Initially, I thought my interview was being rescheduled for a later date.  But, as I read a little further my heart began to sink and tears begin to fill my eyes.  Basically, the email stated that the position I was invited to interview for, has been filled.  I immediately wanted to cry, but the tears would not fall.  I begin to think positive thoughts and tell myself, maybe GOD is setting me up for something even greater!  I had to remind myself of all of the conversations I've had with GOD, and that he knows my desires.  Not too long ago, I made a post saying, "What God has for me, it is for me".  That position was not for me, and I'm going to trust that HE will lead me where he wants me to go.

Mia called me about five minutes later and apologized profusely. I told Mia, although I was a little upset, I'm thinking positively and believe something greater will come along.  She began to inform me of other partnerships through Teach Away.  Mia informed me of ESOL schools in Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Egypt, as well as private schools in Qatar.  She assured me that I should hear something by the end of the week about those positions.  Some of those positions have interviews coming up soon, either in-person or Skype.  In the meantime, I'm going to continue to have positive thoughts and pray.

Until next time...