TEFL Job Interviews: Insider Tips For Success From A Recruiter

Hands up if you enjoy a job interview?!

If you’re anything like us (and most people we know), just the thought of a job interview is enough to have us shaking in our boots.

Lucky for you, we have a fair bit of experience when it comes to job interviews – TEFL job interviews, to be specific. 

We thought we’d pick the brains of one of our very own TTA alumni who has taught English for many years around South East Asia. As you can imagine, George has had his fair share of TEFL job interviews, but now he’s the person who gives the interviews!

Let’s see what he has to say to help us through the interview process to get a job teaching English abroad. Take it away, George!

Hi everyone! I’m George, and I’ve been working in education for more than seven years across different parts of Southeast Asia (China, Vietnam, Indonesia). For the last four years, I’ve held Academic Manager and Director roles, so a big part of my job has been recruiting and developing teachers.

Read more: What Is A Director Of Studies And Should You Be One?

I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates (yes, really!), and I’ve hired and managed over 50 teachers – and counting. Some job interviews have been fantastic. Others, not so much. So, I thought I’d share a few key job interview tips that can help you stand out and hopefully nail your next TEFL job interview.

Let’s dive in.

What recruiters look for in TEFL candidates

Attitude

Skills and experience matter when it comes to TEFL job interviews, but I would argue that attitude trumps them both. You can train someone to teach better. It’s a lot harder to train someone to be positive, open-minded, or motivated. If you bring the right mindset, everything else is easier to build.

Commitment to CPD

Recruiters love to see candidates who are curious, reflective, and always learning. It tells us you’re serious about growing as an educator.

I once interviewed a teacher from the Philippines who shared her entire learning journey with me: what she had learned, how she applied it in the classroom, and what she wanted to explore next. I hired her and she went on to win Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years, which didn’t come as a huge surprise to me!

Read more: What Is CPD And Why Is It Important?

Communication skills 

This one’s super important. If you can’t communicate clearly and confidently in the interview, it’s hard for us to imagine you managing a TEFL classroom. Don’t worry about being super ‘polished’ – just aim to be clear, thoughtful, and authentic.

Top Tip: If you’ve got dreams, goals, or passions – talk about them. Show us what lights you up. We can’t guess what you’re all about unless you tell us.

Common TEFL interview questions & how to answer them

“What is your teaching philosophy?” 

This is a common teacher interview question – or something along these lines. Don’t stress if you haven’t nailed it down in one sentence, or if you are still discovering – just be honest about how you like to teach, what your classroom looks like in action, or what kind of learning experiences you aim to create.

Example:

You might say, “I really enjoy student-centered learning.” Great! But take it a step further – what does that actually look like? Do you use pair work, role-plays, open-ended questions? Give us a peek inside your classroom. 

“What makes you want to be a teacher?”

If you can’t explain why you want to teach, it might raise red flags. You don’t need to be poetic – just be honest and intentional.

Recruiters love to hear things like:

• “I’m passionate about helping others grow.”
• “I enjoy working with people and supporting their development.”
• “I’m excited to build my own skills through teaching.”

Only say these kinds of things if you really mean it though! 

“What are your strengths and areas for improvements?”

Be real! It’s totally okay to say you’re good at something – just be ready with an example.

Example:
“I’m great with time management – I make use of timers in the classroom to keep track of activities and time left over.”

When talking about weaknesses, don’t be afraid to share. Reflective teachers are good teachers. In fact, teachers are expected to reflect on their classes regularly! Bonus points if you talk about how you’re working on it.

In one TEFL job interview, I had a candidate tell me that they wanted to improve their classroom instructions, and shared strategies they were trying out. That kind of self-awareness? Impressive.

Top Tip: Before your interview, ask yourself:

• What motivates me?
• What do I want to achieve as a teacher?

Giving this some thought before the interview will help you project a thoughtful, intentional persona.

 Read more: The TEFL Interview: Common Questions And Tips

How to demonstrate your teaching skills

These days, it’s pretty common for recruiters to ask for a short teaching video, or even a live teaching demo, as part of the interview. 

I’ll admit that it can feel awkward “teaching” a pretend class with your interviewer acting as a student. You’re not the first person to do it, and you definitely won’t be the last. Take a deep breath, get into “teacher mode,” and imagine your students are right there with you.

Here are a few things recruiters love to see during a demo:

1. Start with energy

• Greet your “students” warmly.

• Use a quick ice-breaker or question. (What’s your name? How are you? Etc..)

• Smile and show your enthusiasm—it’s contagious!

 

2. Keep it clear and structured

• State your lesson objectives at the beginning.

• Use clear transitions so we know when you’re moving on.

• End with a quick recap or review.

 

3. Use the space

• Don’t be a statue – move with purpose.

• Use gestures, facial expressions, and proximity to guide attention.

• If you’re online, make eye contact with the camera and check your lighting/background.

 

4. Differentiate like a pro

• Include visuals, sounds, movement – whatever you can to appeal to different learning styles.

• Ask questions that cater to different ability levels.

 

5. Show classroom management

• Give clear instructions.

• Check for understanding (even if it’s imaginary!).

• Show how you’d handle disruptions calmly.

 

6. Reflect in real time

• Mention how you’d assess understanding.

• Briefly note how you adjust your lessons based on your students’ needs

Top Tip: Don’t overthink or over-plan. Just walk us through your process clearly and confidently. 

Biggest red flags that could cost you the job

Being late to the interview

Teachers (and all staff) are expected to be punctual and reliable. If you can’t arrive at the interview on time, will you arrive at your classes on time? 

Vague or generic answers

We want to know you. If you give buzzword-heavy answers without real examples, it doesn’t tell us much.

For example:

• Saying “I’m passionate about teaching” is fine.

• But saying “I’m passionate about teaching because I love creating lightbulb moments through interactive activities like…” is way better.

Too much focus on travel

I am super passionate about travel, and I completely understand why people want to live abroad. I’ve been doing it for more than seven years after all! But remember, recruiters want teachers, not just tourists.

If your whole motivation seems to be, “I want to see the world,” it can feel like the teaching part is an afterthought. Keep the focus on education – what excites you about teaching, learning, and the role you’re applying for. That said, do feel free to ask the recruiter questions about the city/country they are based in if it is a location that you have not yet visited. 

Final tips: what to do before, during & after the interview

Before:

• Don’t be late. Obvious, but worth repeating. If online, make sure the meeting link works as well as your computer and Wi-Fi! 

• Research the school or company. You don’t need to memorise everything about them, but knowing a bit shows initiative and helps you tailor your answers.

• Prep a few questions to ask. Interviews should be a two-way street. If you’re not given a chance to ask questions, that’s a red flag.

During:

• Be yourself. It’s okay to be a little nervous, in fact it’s normal! Smile, breathe, and let your personality come through. You’re not a robot—you’re a real person who’s going to be working with students!

• Keep it professional. Personal stories can be great, but make sure they’re relevant. (Yes, I’ve had candidates overshare. Please don’t tell me how you got your girlfriend pregnant unless the job is in family counseling!)

• Give examples. If you talk about your teaching approach or philosophy, show us what that looks like in action.

After:

• Send a thank-you note. A short email saying thanks for the opportunity goes a long way. It shows professionalism, maturity, and interest. Don’t overdo it – one email is enough.

• Reflect on the experience. Even if it didn’t go perfectly, take a moment to think about what went well, what you’d do differently, and how you can improve for next time. Every interview is a learning experience!

A final word

I hope this guide gives you a clearer picture of what recruiters are really looking for and how you can confidently show off your best self in interviews.

Just remember:

• Bring the right attitude.

• Be prepared to share stories and examples.

• Show us who you are – not just what’s on your resume.

Those are some great tips from George! And remember, if you’re still looking for a job don’t forget to check out our Jobs Board!

Read more: TEFL Contracts: Your Complete Checklist