Speed dating for schools

I haven't been on here for a few days because I've been at a recruiting fair for teachers.  Well, actually it was a recruiting fair for schools looking for teachers, which adds up to about the same thing.  When I described the sign-up process for teachers with schools, one of my sons said it sounded like speed dating, and he's not so very wrong.  It is a lot like the phenomenon.  You get two minutes or less to introduce yourself and hand in a resume, then book an appointment for an interview.  If the school happens to be in a country that is very popular (this year it seemed to be Switzerland), you line up and hopefully all the interview times haven't been taken by the time you actually get to the table.  Then the games begin.
If you think the Olympics are wild and crazy in terms of events, you've never experienced a job fair of this nature.  Think of it, 500 teachers, all in the same boat - so to speak, competing for the gold (or a job depending on how you want to look at it) in a variety of venues (in this case schools).  Some win, some lose, some have personal bests (offers that might interest you but you finally decide not to accept for whatever reason), and in the end you come away with a gold (the job you really want at the school you really want), silver (a job you want in a school that maybe wasn't your first choice) or bronze (a job in a school because by now you are feeling despirate), or just come home (and start the process all over again - somebody must want you - somewhere - please?!).  Now that you've signed up, the next fun event is the interview.  Herein lies the true challenge.  Are you at your top form?  Do you have all the requirements for the job?  Do your references make you glow in the dark as opposed to just glimmering?  To continue the analogy of the Olympics, this is the real test in your event.  The schools, who have half an hour or less to decide your fate, will gush over your resume and references, show a great deal of enthusiasm, and in the end hire someone else.  Why?  It's one of those mysteries much like judging in a skating competition.  Very subjective, very quirky, very mysterious, using some formula that even the best minds in the world would have trouble solving and would give a supercomputer a nervous breakdown.  Which brings us to the next question, why bother?  Why not just go online, apply and have a Skype interview?  Saves everyone time, money and hassle.  Some schools do.  It's a good way to find who they want without all the rush and race, however, many schools prefer - still, to do marathon interviewing.  Candidates are no different, wanting to make contacts - forgetting, of course that in a week or less the directors have forgotten your name, and have seen who knows how many others at who knows how many fairs.  In one day, you literally race from one interview to another and by the time you get to your last interviews you're so exhausted you have no idea what's coming out of your mouth.  So the final question for this blogger is, would I do it again?  The answer has to be no.  It's an experience, but one I think I can firmly say I'll pass on.  Until next time.