The Need

Finding and selecting a superior new chief school officer is the single most important responsibility of a school board. Moreover, an overseas school requires a leader who is sensitive to the needs of the diverse cultural groups and who has had specific training and experience in the development of quality educational programs. In meeting these needs, ISS also accommodates the uniqueness of each school with personalized service, guaranteed.

Because each school has individual considerations, each search is organized in consultation with the school board and acknowledges the specific needs of the school. The ISS consultant then begins a series of steps to ensure that candidates who represent the best possible match with the profile developed by the search committee are presented to the school board.

Step 1:  School Visit

At the invitation of the governing board, the ISS consultant visits the school to receive input from the faculty, students, parents, and other members of the school community. The consultant explains the search process to the constituent groups and makes them aware of the role they have in the selection process, especially during the interviews of the finalist candidates. Most importantly, the consultant meets the board to determine the type of leadership sought, to formulate specific qualifications for the position, and to set a realistic timetable.

As a basic resource, the consultant uses the ISS Select Administrator Candidate Bank. This large pool of administrator candidates contains up-to-date, active files of highly qualified and experienced chief school administrators who have developed complete dossiers for ISS. To supplement this resource, ISS also conducts an extensive advertising campaign using both U.S. and international media.

Step 3:  Candidate Interviewing

The ISS consultant conducts interviews with the most qualified candidates in the Princeton ISS office, at the three major ISS recruitment conferences held in the U.S. and overseas, and at other national and international administrator conferences.

Step 4:  Presentation of Candidate Lists

The ISS consultant presents complete dossiers and narrative appraisals for each recommended candidate and is a resource for the on-site interviews of the finalist candidates.

Additional Services

If requested, as part of the Administrator Search service, the ISS consultant will provide the board with information on interview procedures, on the terms of the contract for the successful candidate, and on the announcement to all candidates of the board's decision.

Administrator candidates: Review the items below for information and suggestions about how to make the administrator search process work for you.

1. Administrator Recruiting: A Summary of the Process
2. Twelve Suggestions for a Successful Search
3. Resume Suggestions
4. Helpful Reference Tips
5. Writing Letters of Interest
6. E-mail Letters of Interest
7. Selecting Director Search Semifinalists
8. Preparing for Finalist Interviews
9. When to Move On

Board / Search Committee members: Review the items below for information and suggestions of how to initiate and implement a successful search for a new administrator.

1. Initiating the Recruiting Process
2. Administrator Recruiting: A Summary of the Process
3. Interview Suggestions

Click here for more information about Administrative Openings.

For more information about:
Superintendent/Head searches, contact Dr. Ralph Jahr, Vice President; rjahr@iss.edu
Principal searches, contact Joan Adams, Vice President; jadams@iss.edu
Phone:  609.452.0990; Fax:  609.452.2690