The Biggest Mistake I See Future Expat Teachers Making…

Each year, tens of thousands of teachers from Ireland, the UK, America, South Africa, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, and other parts of Europe make the move abroad to teach at one of the 13,180 registered international schools worldwide (Source: ISC Research July 2022). As an experienced expat teacher, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, an Expat Career & Money Coach, and the founder of Empowering Expat Teachers, I have helped 100s of teachers find great teaching jobs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and China, and the biggest mistake I see future expat teachers making is that they start looking for a great teaching job abroad too late in the year! Are you planning to teach abroad next academic year? If you've answered yes, then you need to start prepping now-YES, NOW!

Unlike many other countries (e.g. the UK, Ireland, America, Australia, and South Africa), recruitment for international schools starts A LOT EARLIER (e.g. from October 2022 for many international schools in Asia and for leadership roles, with a September 2023 start). Now is the time to start your research, ready for the international schools that will soon start advertising their vacancies! Ask yourself, "What countries would I like to live in? What are my expat teaching career goals? What kind of international schools would best suit my teaching experience and strengths?" 

If you would like a timeline with a list of tasks to do each month from now until next August, to help you find and secure a great teaching job abroad (whether you want to move to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Singapore, or anywhere in the world), download my helpful "Timeline to Getting a Teaching Job Abroad" PDF graphic here!

My name is Sorcha Coyle and I’ve taught in the Gulf (Qatar and Dubai) for the past 10 years. I also run Empowering Expat Teachers, whose mission is to empower future and current expat teachers to lead personally, professionally, and financially rewarding lives. In October 2022, I left teaching and became a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and a fully qualified Expat Career & Money Coach. If you haven’t already, join the supportive EET FB group here and follow me on IG @sorchacoyle_eet for lots of research, CV, and cover letter tips!

Download the Timeline!

Sorcha x