Despite a major winter storm sweeping across the East Coast, the 2026 Search Associates Cambridge Job Fair once again demonstrated the power of in person recruiting in the international school community.
More than 150 school leaders and over 200 candidates traveled to Cambridge, Massachusetts, many arriving just ahead of the snowstorm that would bring more than a foot of snow to the Boston area. Thanks to the flexibility, professionalism, and positive spirit of both recruiters and candidates, the fair maintained strong energy and momentum from beginning to end.
Throughout the event, schools and candidates engaged in meaningful conversations, scheduled interviews, and built relationships that will shape the upcoming academic year in international schools around the world. Many job offers were extended during and immediately following the fair, continuing Cambridge’s long-standing tradition as a place where connections turn into opportunities.
A highlight of this year’s fair was the candidate workshop series, which provided practical guidance and created a sense of community among attendees. Sessions included The Art of the Interview: How to Level Up Your Job Search, Job Search Q&A, and Evaluating Job Offers: Your Path to a Confident Yes, all designed to help candidates navigate the recruitment process with confidence. The fair also included a leadership-focused session for recruiters and administrators titled Next Steps in Leadership: A Workshop for Aspiring and Current Heads, led by the Search Associates Consulting Team.
For many attendees, the value of the fair extended beyond interviews alone. Taryn, Virginia, U.S. noted: As a candidate wanting to learn more and find employment, attending the Cambridge fair is a must. The experiences and knowledge gained are so valuable when finding a job location and position that is the right fit. This opportunity also gave me great insight to explore job opportunities that I may not have considered prior to the fair.
Recruiters echoed the importance of meeting candidates in person. Peter Locke, American School Foundation Mexico City, commented: Attending a fair is so valuable for in-person interactions in a way that virtual interviews cannot capture. Many times candidates move through our hiring process much faster when we have the chance to meet them in person, and they often become the candidates we ultimately hire.
Even as travel disruptions began to affect departure plans, the atmosphere remained supportive and collaborative. Recruiters showed flexibility with interview scheduling; candidates remained focused and engaged, and the Search Associates team worked behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly despite the weather challenges.
The Cambridge job fair continues to reflect what makes the Search Associates community special: a shared commitment to connecting great educators with great schools.
We are grateful to every school leader and candidate who made the journey to Cambridge this year and helped make the event such a success.
