This January 13—16, in the heart of London, Search Associates brought together recruiters from 170 schools to meet 685 candidates. The topic: over 1,200 vacancies! Senior Associate and host Gez Hayden made every effort to ensure that all participants, especially first-time job fair attendees, would easily navigate such a large and busy event. It starts with the team!
When a fair is big, Senior Associates rally! Harry Deelman, Bob Barlas, Diana Kerry, Julie Ryan, David Cope, John Ritter, Bridget McNamer, along with Executive Assistants Margaret Deelman, Rebecca Steadman, Emma Rayner, and former Head of School Tony Race, formed an advisory team providing ample support to all participants. An innovation this year was the availability of all advisors in the hotel lobby during the registration period. Many candidates commented that connecting with their advisor before interviewing began helped them get their job fair bearings. One candidate exclaimed,
"My first job fair…It's busy and intense but I'm learning so much. I have offers – yeah! - and it is so, so good to be able to talk to an experienced advisor for feedback…"
Candidates appreciated the ability to consult with their advisor later as well in the tranquil sanctuary of the advisor's hotel room. They also welcomed two presentations: a panel discussion and Q&A session on Trends in International School Recruiting conducted by four eminent heads of school and Senior Associate Julie Ryan's workshop on 10 Tips for Interview Success.
As the only curriculum-specific job fair concentrated mainly on International Baccalaureate and British International curricula, the London January Fair is very highly focused. Candidates arrive confident that the ratio of schools matching their curriculum experience, and their ambition, will be high. Schools rely on the rigorous pre-screening that Fair Organiser Gez completes to ensure the attending pool of candidates has relevant curriculum experience. Recruiters know that their four days will be focused and effective.
A very welcome and convenient feature of this job fair is the range of accommodation available. The job fair hotel, The Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre--where the recruiting action happens--is physically connected to the Millennium Bailey's Hotel. Candidates, in particular, appreciated the economical accommodation option provided by the Bailey's, with no need to brave the wet and cold London January weather! Wonderfully located in the heart of London's Kensington, and a few steps away from the Piccadilly Line tube, both the Millennium and Bailey's Hotels have the advantage of easy transport connections, plenty of local places to eat at all budgets, and a number of attractions to explore for those with time before or after the job fair.
Gez and his staff anticipate a 50% placement of candidates who attended, following Search London January 2017. That's well over 300 international positions filled and many lives changed! To learn more about Search Associates' 11 fairs around the world, including the upcoming Search London-Spring, click here.
