ITP - 026: Recruiting Season and Job Fairs

Greg: Welcome to the International Teacher Podcast with your host Greg, the single guy, and Matt, the family guy. We’re recording episodes from around the globe to tell you about the best career in education. That’s right, it’s teaching overseas. We’re glad to have you.

Matt: Good afternoon, good evening, good night, ladies and gentlemen. This is the International Teacher Podcast. I am Matt, the family guy, and with me as always is Greg, the single guy, and Kent, the cat guy.

Greg: Oh my God, Matt. It’s three of us this time. This is the first one with Kent.

Matt: Listeners are in for a treat. You’re going to hear our first threesome together, and it will not disappoint.

Greg: I’ll just say I’m a little nervous. This is my first threesome, so you guys treat me gently. I’m nervous talking about it that way. I think the listeners need to understand we’re all in different buildings right now. Just go with it and let’s read off each other’s cues. It’ll turn out great.

Matt: One hundred percent. This is the first time we’ve actually all been on here at once because life is always going on with the three of us. There’s always something happening. Kent has been amazing stepping in for episodes, and when I’ve managed to be awake to record, I’ve jumped in. Greg’s been the stalwart of the whole operation.

Matt: One of the big things we’re talking about today is our birthday. Greg, Kent, we are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the International Teacher Podcast. This is a big deal. April 2nd is when we rolled out our very first one. We had no idea what podcasting was even about back then. And how many countries have we reached now?

Greg: Let me look that up while you guys chat.

Matt: Kent, when I think about the number of downloads, we’ve hit the thousands. We’re over the 5,000 mark at this point, which is crazy. For a few guys with some basic tech tools and a dream, that’s a lot.

Greg: You know who we have to thank for that, Matt? Our listeners. And my mom.

Matt: Absolutely. All the people out there who’ve listened regularly and given feedback. What a cool experience. I didn’t think we’d ever do something like this.

Kent: First of all, happy birthday to the podcast. I’ve enjoyed being a part of it. I’m happy to be here. I’d like to thank all the listeners, particularly the ones who’ve reached out and said a few words to us. Aside from a couple of comments, it’s been great. We’ve even had a few listeners join us on the podcast. It’s been a great year.

Matt: Yeah, absolutely. We’ve talked to multiple teachers. We’ve interviewed an author. Greg and Kent, you guys interviewed another author besides Andrew, right?

Greg: Well, I’m an author.

Matt: Wait a minute. What a year. You’ve launched a podcast and now you’re a published author?

Greg: Of course I am. I’ve got a book out. The really cool thing is I still don’t know how many books I’ve sold. I think my mom’s the only one besides Kent. It’s called Finding the Right Fit—there’s a subtitle I forgot—but it’s on Amazon. Google my name and you’ll find it along with the podcast. The print version comes out April 15th, so it’s good timing to talk about it now.

Matt: And we also had the millionaire expat author episode.

Greg: Yeah, and thanks for the shameless plug. I don’t usually talk about myself. I just want to sell more than one copy. So Kent, what did you think?

Kent: I love the book. Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a 20-year international teacher, there’s something in it for you. I’ve enjoyed it, and I’m going to review it on Amazon and tell everyone what a great book it is.

Greg: I think I included some stories about Matt. Maybe the sinking boat story, or maybe I didn’t. Matt, I’m not sure if I included you.

Matt: I’m okay with that. I’m not offended.

Greg: You’ll be in the next one.

Matt: I’ll read it when I get to the cabin this summer. I just can’t do Kindle.

Greg: You’ll get a signed copy when you get home. You and Kent both.

Greg: We’ve hit 85 countries now. So share the podcast. Hit the like button—if there is one. Follow us. We can build an army and make a difference.

Matt: I’ve got a question about podcasting. What has surprised you about the process from when you started to now?

Kent: I’ll jump in. The number of coworkers and friends saying, “You podcast? Tell me more.” People are interested. Many have become listeners. That level of interest has been pleasantly surprising.

Greg: For me, it’s the listeners. I remember when we had 20 downloads in the first couple weeks. Nobody knew we were there. We published a few episodes quickly because we had recorded them already. Now we have listeners reaching out, giving shout-outs, and asking to be on the show.

Greg: Can I read a message we got yesterday? This is from Laura: “I listened to your podcast, took the jump, and signed up to teach at Colegio Maya in Guatemala City next year.” That’s incredible. She’s asking about recruiting and what happens after you land the job. I think she has to come on the show.

Matt: Yeah, those questions are great because they’re real. That period after getting a job can be stressful. If it’s new, you don’t know what you’ve gotten into. But most of the time it works out, and you get great stories and life lessons.

Greg: We need to get Laura on. If not, we’ll cover those topics anyway, but it would be better with her perspective.

Kent: You never forget your first time. That letter captured all the emotions of getting your first international job. It’s like being on cloud nine. Eventually you come down, but that excitement is incredible. Listeners like that are the lifeblood of the podcast.

Matt: And most guests say the same thing at the end—just jump in and do it. Don’t overthink it.

Greg: We hope you won’t regret it. We might need legal counsel on that statement.

Matt: If you’re a lawyer listening, reach out. We’ll give you a shout-out.

Greg: Another thing that surprised me is I never listened to podcasts before this. Now I listen to a lot and have been a guest on about ten different podcasts. I reached out cold to a podcast called Crying in My Car, and it worked out. I’ve been trying to grow our presence that way.

Matt: I’d love to be on a podcast someday. It probably sounds vain, but it’d be cool. I just feel like I have nothing intelligent to say.

Greg: Not true. You know more about sports than anyone I know. You could talk to anyone about anything.

Matt: My dream jobs are third-string catcher and bench coach. Nobody ever blames the bench coach.

Kent: Why do benches need coaches?

Matt: First base and third base coaches get blamed, but not the bench coach.

Greg: Unless the manager gets ejected, then the bench coach takes over.

Matt: Fair point.

Kent: Is there a bench coach in every sport?

Greg: I’m going with yes.

Matt: Think of any sport—it probably applies.

Greg: Matt, what have you learned from the podcast?

Matt: Honestly, just that people actually listen. I got a message from a friend I hadn’t talked to in decades who listened to seven episodes on a road trip. I was shocked. I thought this would just be a fun side project.

Matt: I also didn’t expect people to be so interested. I tend to downplay it, but people want to hear about it. I need to do a better job talking about what we’ve built.

Greg: We’ve had to learn to promote ourselves—not bragging, but sharing.

Matt: One unexpected thing—I’ve been including the podcast in job applications to show personality. Some MLB teams have our podcast now. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been hired.

Greg: Imagine a broadcast: “He’ll be up next inning—he’s listening to the International Teacher Podcast.”

Matt: Or they bring in a lefty because he’s the right fit.

Greg: The right fit—available on Amazon.

Matt: You guys are brutal.

Greg: Give us your radio voice.

Matt: You want the late-night DJ? “It’s 1:30 in the morning and I’ve been doing Red Bulls since 5 p.m. We’ve played the entire Loverboy collection…”

Greg: Perfect. Talking into the night.

Matt: What is going on? Who put these three on a microphone?

Greg: It’s April. This is what happens.

Matt: What do you want to see in year two?

Kent: I predict we’ll be invited to an international teacher event to do a live podcast.

Greg: I’d like to triple or quadruple our listeners and keep publishing every two weeks.

Matt: I want more real-life content. If we end up at Oktoberfest, people should see that side too.

Greg: There would definitely be some police stories.

Matt: Of course.

Greg: September—live from Munich.

Matt: One night only.

Greg: Germany reminds me—Matt’s son learned the word for ambulance and kept yelling it in Munich. People loved it.

Matt: Germany was a great time.

Greg: I’ve interviewed at German schools and never got hired. I must have done something wrong.

Matt: We know what you did.

Greg: What bands came out of Germany in the 80s?

Matt: Scorpions.

Greg: Falco. Nena.

Matt: Great music.

Greg: Let’s talk spring break. Kent?

Kent: I went to Bahrain—about 30–40 minutes away. It’s known as one of the freest economies in the Middle East. Small island, great time. I also ended up doing a bit of work, but overall it was a good balance.

Matt: Bahrain is great. I’ve played softball tournaments on the Navy base there. It’s like stepping into the U.S. once you’re inside. One time we played at night and the heat index was 133 degrees.

Greg: I stayed home. Saving money for a trip to Wisconsin.

Matt: We drove to Dubai—about nine hours. Did Lego Land Water Park. No crowds, rode everything multiple times. It was amazing.

Matt: Then we went to Ski Dubai—indoor skiing. It was incredible. They even have penguins. My kids had barely seen snow before and went crazy.

Matt: They learned to ski in minutes. Then there was an incident—my son was on the chairlift when something sparked and shut down. I went into full panic mode, ran up the hill, and found him scared at the top.

Matt: After about 20 minutes, they got things moving again. He came down, gave me a huge hug, then immediately went back to skiing.

Matt: Overall, it was handled well. Nobody got hurt. I’d absolutely go back.

Greg: That reminds me of skiing in Beirut. I ended up skiing in the mountains there—completely unexpected. People were lining up just to ride the lift and drink tea at the top.

Greg: We only got two runs, but it was surreal—snow mixed with sand.

Kent: I was in Scotland once. Took a chairlift up and got caught in a storm halfway. I hate heights, so I was miserable, but the whiskey at the top helped.

Greg: Some say it’s not fear of falling—it’s fear of wanting to jump.

Matt: I think it’s fear of landing.

Greg: If you want entertainment, get Scottish kids in your classroom.

Matt: That’s one of the best parts of international schools—so many cultures.

Greg: I think it’s time to wrap up.

Matt: If you want to reach out, email us at [internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com](mailto:internationalteacherpodcast@gmail.com) or find us on Instagram at ITPExpats.

Matt: This is Matt, the family guy, signing off.

Greg: This is Greg, the single guy. See you next episode.

Kent: Thanks, guys. Take care.

Greg: Best job, boys.