The international teaching sector recruited over 693,630 educators in 2024 alone, according to ISC Research. That sounds like a lot of opportunities until you realise how many teachers are actually competing for each position.
If you’ve been applying without hearing back, the issue might not be your qualifications or classroom experience. Rather, the problem is that most teachers don’t know how schools filter through applications and what makes hiring managers stop scrolling.
This article breaks down why the competition has intensified. We’ll also cover which specific mistakes get your resume binned, and the exact steps that help you land interviews when others don’t.
Let’s start with what changed in the international job market.
Why the Teaching Feels Like a Competitive Market
The world needs about 44 million additional teachers by 2030 to achieve universal primary and secondary education, according to UNESCO’s global report.
But at the same time, the teaching job market has become more competitive, because schools can now access candidates from every continent. When a school posts an opening, they’re now comparing you against educators from dozens of countries who all meet the basic requirements. Which means you’re no longer competing locally.
Take a look at what else changed for the market to become competitive.
The Global Talent Pool Has Expanded
Online job boards like TES and Search Associates connect employers with thousands of teachers worldwide. For example, a position in Singapore might get applications from someone teaching in Manchester, another in Vancouver, and a third currently working in South Africa. That’s the reality of how far your competition extends now.
On top of that, remote interviews removed the old barriers (no more expensive flights just for a 30-minute chat). Hiring managers can now screen candidates from different time zones in the same week, which means they interview far more people than they could five years ago.
Schools Want Proven Classroom Impact
Job seekers used to get by listing their qualifications and years of experience. But now employers want evidence of what you achieved with students. When two candidates have similar qualifications, the one who can demonstrate classroom impact gets the interview.
They’re looking through resumes for measurable outcomes like improved test scores, successful behaviour management strategies, or a curriculum you developed that other teachers adopted.
These specifics tell hiring managers more than generic descriptions of your teaching role ever could.
Remote Hiring Changed The Job Search
Video interviews mean schools can screen more candidates than before. They can easily interview twenty teachers in a week without anyone leaving their homes. This accessibility benefits schools but makes your job application one of many they’ll review in a single afternoon.
Schools also research candidates on LinkedIn and social media before they even read your full job application. If your professional online profile doesn’t exist or looks outdated, you’ve already lost ground to someone else.
Job Application Mistakes That Cost You Interviews
Many teachers have the right qualifications and years of experience, yet still don’t get interview calls. The issue is rarely the content of the resume, but rather the way that information is presented.
Here are some avoidable mistakes that often cause applications to be dismissed.
1. Using the Same Resume for Every School
Sending identical applications to different schools is the fastest way to get ignored (we’ve all been guilty of this at some point).
Each school has different priorities in its job description. So when you don’t adjust your resume to match what they specifically asked for, hiring managers assume you didn’t bother reading their requirements.
Pro Tip: Take ten minutes to reorganise your skills section and highlight the experience that matches their job posting. This small effort makes you stand out immediately.
2. Listing Duties Instead of Candidate Experience
Most resumes we see list responsibilities like “taught Year 7 mathematics” or “managed classroom behaviour.” Yes, these descriptions tell employers what you did, but not whether you were any good at it.
Instead, we suggest writing “developed a play-based curriculum that improved literacy skills for 85% of reception students.” That second version shows your actual classroom impact.
3. Not Providing Good References
In our years of connecting teachers with international schools, we’ve noticed that weak references cost candidates more interviews than any other mistake.
A good reference might say, “Sarah redesigned our science curriculum, and student engagement increased by 40%.” But a weak one just says “Sarah was a great teacher who worked hard.”
That’s why, before you list someone as a reference, have a conversation with them about what potential employers typically ask and make sure they know to mention specific situations.
4. Skipping the Cover Letter
Many teachers don’t bother with cover letters because they assume nobody reads them. That’s totally wrong. In fact, hiring managers notice when you skip this step, especially in a competitive job market.
Your cover letter shouldn’t repeat what’s already on your resume. Use it to explain why you’re interested in their specific school and teaching role. Keep it short but personal. Three paragraphs that show you researched the school will always be better than a generic template you found online.
5. Ignoring the Small Details of the Job Description
Job descriptions usually contain clues about what schools actually value. When they mention “leadership skills” three times or emphasise “professional development,” they’re telling you what’s most important to them.
Hiring managers often use applicant tracking systems to filter job applications first. These systems scan for keywords from the job description before a human even sees your resume. The teachers who get interviews are the ones who noticed these and made sure their resumes addressed those specific points.
Pro Tip: Double-check your application before submitting. Spelling mistakes or incorrect school names indicate carelessness. When employers are choosing between dozens of candidates, those small errors give them an easy reason to move on to the next resume.
6. Not Building Connections Before You Apply
Reach out to current teachers at the school through LinkedIn to learn about their company culture firsthand. Don’t hesitate, because most educators are happy to answer questions about what it’s really like to work there.
Another way is attending education recruitment fairs, where you can meet hiring managers face-to-face before submitting applications. These events let you make a personal impression that separates you from hundreds of other candidates.
You can also follow schools on social media and engage with their posts. Some hiring managers notice when the same name keeps appearing before they see that person’s job application.
Hiring Process After You Submit Your Application
Once you’ve sent off your application, the waiting begins while it’s screened, ranked, and sent out to a hiring manager. The hiring process varies between schools, but understanding the typical timeline helps you stay patient without missing opportunities.
This is the usual behind-the-scenes process.
Schools Take Time to Review Applications
Most international schools take two to four weeks to review applications (though it feels like forever, we know). They’re sorting through hundreds of resumes and looking for candidates who match their specific requirements.
So don’t panic if you don’t hear back within the first week. Schools typically wait until they have a full batch of candidates before they start the interview process.
Following Up Shows Interest (But Don’t Overdo It)
Following up once after ten days shows interest without being pushy. You’re walking a tightrope between showing enthusiasm and becoming annoying, so one polite email is enough.
If you send multiple emails or call repeatedly, hiring managers will notice for the wrong reasons. They’re busy reviewing other candidates, so keep your follow-up short and professional.
Pro Tip: Mention the job title and the date you applied, then ask if they need any additional information. Don’t demand a status update or ask why you haven’t heard back yet.
Rejections Don’t Always Mean Never
If you don’t hear back within a month, the position likely went to someone else. Many schools don’t send rejection emails to every candidate, especially when they receive hundreds of applications for open positions.
Some hiring managers keep strong applications on file for future openings, though. So stay connected with schools you’re genuinely interested in. Follow their recruitment processes and reapply when new jobs appear.
Your second application often gets more attention than your first because they recognise your name and remember your previous interest in the position.
Your Next Teaching Job Overseas
In a competitive market, strong qualifications alone aren’t enough. Your success depends on how clearly you present them and how well you understand what the schools are looking for in the global market.
To win this competition, you can begin by revising one section of your resume today. Maybe pick the teaching job you want most and rewrite your experience to match their specific requirements. That single change can make an unpredictable difference and land you an interview.
And if you need guidance for your teaching application, visit us. Having guided hundreds of teachers through overseas placements, The Edvantage connects qualified educators with international opportunities. With us, your next teaching role abroad isn’t as far away as it feels right now.