Why you might not hear back after applying to teach abroad

Are you a qualified teacher excited about the opportunity to teach abroad—but wondering why your application didn’t receive a response? You’re not alone.

At our agency, we receive a high volume of applications for international teaching jobs, and while we’re genuinely encouraged by the enthusiasm of teachers around the world (especially from South Africa), we want to offer some insight into how our recruitment process works and what might influence the outcome of an application.

We’re a teacher recruitment agency—not the hiring school

First, it's important to understand our role. We’re a recruitment agency that works on behalf of international schools. We don’t make the final hiring decisions or set the requirements—we simply help schools find the right candidates based on strict, school-led criteria.

Each school has its own set of expectations depending on curriculum, visa regulations, and staffing needs. This means we can only shortlist and present candidates who meet the specific qualifications outlined by the school. If your profile doesn't match, we're unfortunately unable to proceed—even if you're an excellent teacher.

We genuinely understand the dream

We know that teaching abroad is a goal many educators have, and we deeply respect the effort that goes into each application. The desire to explore new countries, grow professionally, and make a difference internationally is something we admire and encourage.

That said, because we work to serve schools' needs first, we ask teachers to read job listings carefully and apply only when they meet all the criteria listed.

No fees charged—but our resources are limited

We’re proud to say that we do not charge teachers a fee for our services. Our recruitment is funded by the schools we work with. This means you can apply freely and with peace of mind.

However, because we are funded by schools and not teachers, our team works within limited capacity. With so many applications coming in, it’s just not possible for us to respond personally to each one. Every application is acknowledged automatically, but if you don’t hear from us after a certain number of days, it means your CV was not shortlisted for that particular vacancy.

We know it can be discouraging to receive no follow-up, but please know that we do review every application—and silence is not a reflection of your ability or value as a teacher. It simply means that, at this time, your experience or qualifications did not match the criteria set by the school.

Taking the time to read requirements and putting together a good CV are essential

Why wasn’t my teacher CV shortlisted?

We know it can be frustrating not to receive feedback, so here are the most common reasons why teacher CVs aren’t shortlisted for international teaching jobs:

• Missing or unrecognised qualifications

  Most schools require a recognised 4-year teaching degree (such as a B.Ed or a combination of a relevant degree plus PGCE). Teachers who only hold diplomas or short-course certificates unfortunately do not meet this threshold. TEFL certificates do not count as a 'top-up' to a non-teaching degree

• Insufficient teaching experience

  For most roles, at least two years of full-time teaching experience after graduation is required. Teaching practice or internship hours completed during your studies do not count toward this.

• Mismatch between degree and teaching phase/subject

  For example, a teacher qualified in the Intermediate phase applying for a Foundation Phase role will not be eligible. Schools look for current experience and qualifications that are directly aligned. Put plainly, a teacher has to have a teaching degree major/phase that is the same as their teaching experience

• Language of Instruction

  Experience in non-English-medium schools can be a concern, especially when applying to international schools where English is the language of instruction.

• School type and Curriculum gap

  If a teacher’s experience comes from schools that are vastly different from international school environments (e.g., schools with significantly different standards or no exposure to international curricula), schools may feel the learning curve is too steep.

• Citizenship restrictions

  Some positions are only open to South African citizens due to visa regulations and school preferences. Please always check the eligibility criteria on each listing.

• Presentation and professionalism of CV

  Poor spelling and grammar, unclear formatting, or a CV written in a language other than English can also result in an application being overlooked. First impressions matter and remember that the person reading a CV may have no knowledge about teaching so it is important to include key information such as: subjects and grades taught, professional development, experience with SEN students etc. SA-Recruitment has a CV template available on their website.

Your passion is valued, even if we can't move forward

If your CV isn’t shortlisted, please don’t take it personally. We know how much passion and hope goes into applying for these roles. Your work as a teacher is meaningful, and we recognise the incredible value you bring to your students every day.

We encourage you to:

• Review job criteria carefully before applying

• Stay subscribed to new listings

• Keep developing your experience in ways that align with international school expectations

You can always check our website to view our latest vacancies and see the specific requirements listed.

Final thoughts

We appreciate every teacher who reaches out to us. Even when we can’t respond individually or progress your application, please know that your interest matters and is seen.

We’re here to support teachers who meet the criteria our schools set, and to help make the transition to international teaching jobs as smooth and rewarding as possible. Thank you for understanding—and for the incredible work you do in education.

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