How Soon Can You Get A Job After A TEFL Course?

Lauren Johnstone

October 21, 2025

Introduction

When can you get a job?
Influencing factors
Typical timelines: what’s normal?
How soon can you get a job?
Tips to speed up your job search

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Let’s be real. The reason people take TEFL courses to get that prized TEFL certificate is to get a job. And if your end-goal is employment, an obvious question is: how soon can I get a job after I get TEFL-certified?

And we could say, you can start teaching immediately. Because you could (especially if you’re looking at teaching online). But if you’re thinking of teaching abroad, there are a few more steps to consider.

First of all, there’s a difference between getting a job and starting teaching. You can start applying for jobs even before you’ve finished your TEFL course #truestory.

[If you’re wondering how long it takes to complete a TEFL course, check this out: How Long Does A 168-Hour TEFL Course Take?]

But applying for a job is just the first step of many. Actually, it’s not even the first step!

How soon can you get a job after a TEFL course?

Many new TEFL graduates ask similar questions, like…

Is it easy to find a job after I’ve completed a TEFL course?

Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer for this one.

Personal preferences balanced against practical considerations can impact the speed at which you find yourself teaching in the TEFL classroom.

Confused? Don’t worry, we’ll explain.

Factors influencing your TEFL job timeline

I have a TEFL certificate, now what? Many new graduates ask this question as they begin their job search.

There are a few factors influencing how long it will take to find your first TEFL job:

Location, location, location

You can drastically reduce the timeline to your first TEFL job by opting for online ESL teaching positions.

Online applications are generally much quicker than applications for teaching jobs abroad. Basically, you can start teaching online as soon as you want to, give or take a few days or weeks to find the right platform for you, or to source students.

I started teaching online about two months after I completed the course, and in very little time, delivered my first lessons to students from Italy, Spain, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Singapore and more!
– Lucy

lucy workspace

Or by choosing a location with a high demand for TEFL teachers. This means having several options on your desired country list and various locations within them.

Countries with a high demand for TEFL teachers include:

China: A large demand due to population size and economic growth.
South Korea: High salaries and strong education focus.
Japan: Popular for experienced teachers with good pay.
United Arab Emirates: Lucrative opportunities in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Spain: High demand in schools and language academies, popular for cultural experience.

Teaching jobs in big cities are highly desirable because of access to utilities, resources, transport, activities and networking opportunities.

But don’t rule out smaller towns and rural areas, as there is much to be gained, like increased savings and personal development.

I live in a small village called Rodoszyn, about eight kilometres south of Świebodzin in western Poland. What makes the area truly special, though, are the nearby lakes where I spend much of my free time. It’s a kind of rural paradise that offers a welcome counterbalance to hours of online teaching. – Adrian

Type of teaching job & hiring seasons

If you’re set on teaching at a public school abroad, you’ll have to wait for the hiring window to open and go through the application process, which generally takes several months.

TEFL hiring windows vary greatly by region, school type, and country. For example, Central America has two hiring seasons: January-February and June-July, but specific countries like Costa Rica and Mexico generally hire throughout the year.

Public, private and international schools have clear-cut hiring seasons (for example, Japan’s JET Program requires December applications), aligned with their academic terms. Some academic years start in January, others in August. Schools will start to recruit teachers a few months before these dates to allow sufficient time for the application and visa processes.

So if you’re aiming to teach at an elementary or high school abroad, understanding these hiring cycles is crucial for timing your job application process effectively.

Private language institutions generally hire year-round and may be less stringent when it comes to document requirements.

For example, a TEFL job at a hagwon (private language academy) in South Korea may be easier to land than a public school job in Seoul, which is highly competitive.

Since hagwons are not governed by the government, they have more flexibility in their hiring. They can set their own requirements and make quicker hiring decisions, speeding up your application process.

I found a job in Seoul about seven weeks after completing the course, and before I knew it, I was on a plane headed to Incheon airport! I found a position at a hagwon. I researched the school and talked to former tutors, so I knew I had made a good decision. – Fiona

fiona and her students in seoul

Fiona with some of her students in Seoul

Language schools — such as International House and the British Council — operate in loads of countries all around the world. These schools welcome language students on a weekly basis, so there are no set academic terms. This means that teachers can start teaching any time of the year.

Not every TEFL job requires a year-long commitment or months of waiting for hiring cycles to open. If you’re looking for something more flexible, there are short-term teaching opportunities, like TEFL internships, summer camps and volunteer opportunities.

I feel that volunteering in a developing country like Cambodia will not only be much-needed help for these sorts of countries, but also the perfect, no-pressure environment to practice your new teaching skills.
– Andy

andy with his students

I taught classes of refugees and asylum seekers from the Katsikas camp, near the city of Ioannina in Northern Greece. The shared experiences and laughter as we stumbled along, constantly learning about each other’s different cultures and expectations of English class, are something I will always cherish. – James

andy's students in greece

Qualifications & experience

Schools generally don’t look at your TEFL certificate in isolation. It’s the total package that counts, so your educational background and work history play a role in getting hired.

Some countries require a Bachelor’s degree (for visa purposes) while others don’t. It usually doesn’t matter if your degree is in Anthropology or Business Science, though some higher positions require English or Education degrees.

Whether it’s online, in-person, volunteer, or formal, any experience will strengthen your resume.

Even unrelated professional experience, such as customer service, hospitality or childcare, is valuable. These roles develop transferable skills such as communication, patience, and adaptability, which are highly valued in the TEFL classroom.

Coming from a hospitality background really helped me interact with the kids, and the 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course gave me the skills and confidence I needed to become a great teacher. – Roxy

Can you get a job with just a TEFL certificate? Yes!

If you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree or much experience, your job search might take longer, as you’ll need to be more selective — or factor in some time to volunteer or intern to build your CV.

There’s still room for you to grow in the TEFL space. Plenty of countries and online teaching platforms hire non-degree holders. Once you’ve gained teaching experience, doors to better-paying roles often open.

Schools and language centres outside of the major cities are not so strict with requirements for English teachers. However, I had to agree to a salary deduction as I did not have a Bachelor’s degree. – Mark

Locations open to non-degree holders include:

South America: Brazil and Ecuador
Asia: Cambodia and Indonesia
Europe: Greece, Poland and Spain
Africa: Egypt and Morocco
Middle East: Turkey and Lebanon

… and many more!

Level of preparation

Being organised makes a great first impression and can boost your chances of getting hired faster.

Preparation is not just about reviewing common interview questions and rehearsing model answers; it also means updating your CV and having your documents in order.

Age

Being older can lengthen your TEFL job timeline.

We all know that being an older teacher comes with valuable life experience, but this is not always prioritised. Often this has to do with legalities around a country’s retirement age, but sometimes it comes down to a preference (or bias) for younger energy.

This means that older TEFL graduates may need to adjust their expectations as the job search may take a little longer.

Being over 50 years of age has limited my employment prospects in South Korea, as there is a strong bias towards young (and good-looking) teachers… – Nicky

Countries with age-related visa restrictions:

China: under 55 for women, under 60 for men
South Korea: under 62
Japan: under 65
Taiwan: under 65
Indonesia: under 60
Vietnam: under 60

Popular TEFL destinations like Cambodia, Mexico and Poland have no official TEFL age limits. Thailand’s pretty relaxed too.

Typical timelines: what’s normal?

Patience is needed between the job application and your arrival in a foreign country, as this can span several months. But when does the wait become too long, and when is it a sign that something is off?

Let’s compare hiring timelines for Japan’s JET Program for 2025 (timelines may vary slightly annually) with South Korea’s Spring intake for the English Program in Korea (EPIK):

JET timeline – main intake

Application: September-November
Document screening: December–January
Interviews: Late January–Early February
Interview results: March–April (provisional acceptance)
Placement notification: May (find out your assigned city or prefecture)
Visa process & pre-departure orientation: June–July
Departure to Japan: Late July–Early August

EPIK timeline – Spring intake

Application: August–January
Interview: October–January
Document submission: October–January
Final acceptance/Notice of appointment: October–January
Visa process: December–February
Flight booking: January–February
Orientation: Late February
Contract start: Late February

The JET Program has a longer application process, taking about nine to ten months, compared to EPIK’s six to seven months.

In contrast, a typical application timeline for a private language academy in China is about two to three months.

english teacher salary in japan

The interview process

The interview stage can add anywhere from a few days to several weeks to your timeline, depending on the school and position.

For competitive government programs like JET or EPIK, you’ll typically have one formal interview with a panel. You might wait 4-8 weeks for the result, as they process hundreds, or even thousands, of applications.

Private language schools often move faster, with interviews scheduled within days of application and decisions made within 1-2 weeks. Some schools conduct multiple interview rounds: initial phone or video screening, formal interview with hiring managers and a demo lesson.

If you’re applying from a different time zone, scheduling can add a few extra days as you coordinate availability. Being flexible with your schedule and responding promptly to interview invitations keeps momentum going.

However, the interview is just one piece of the puzzle. After receiving a job offer, you’ll need to gather and submit various documents before your contract is finalised.

This post-interview documentation phase is where many teachers underestimate the timeline.

Visa processing & document preparation

One of the biggest time factors in your TEFL timeline is visa processing, which can add weeks or even months to your journey. Processing times vary significantly by country:

China: Z visa typically takes 4-6 weeks.
South Korea: E-2 visa usually takes 4-6 weeks.
Japan: Processing can take 1-3 months (including obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from your employer) and is location-dependent.
UAE: Employment visa processing takes 2-4 weeks.
Spain: Non-EU citizens may wait 1-3 months for visa approval.

Beyond the visa itself, gathering and preparing your documents can add weeks to your timeline. Many countries require:

Police clearance certificates (criminal background checks)
Medical examinations & health certificates: Results can take up to 1 week, and some tests may need to be repeated.
Reference letters & employment verification: Professional references can take 1-2 weeks.
Apostilled or notarised degree certificates: This can add 2-8 weeks, depending on your location and including mailing time.
TEFL certificate authentication: Some employers require your TEFL certificate to be notarised or apostilled. If your certificate is digital, you may need to request a physical copy first.

(Disclaimer: Timelines are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances and countries.)

The key takeaway?

Don’t wait for a job offer to start these processes.

Start requesting background checks and gathering documents as soon as you start your TEFL course. Browse job boards in your downtime from studying – you never know what opportunity you might find!

Financial preparation & relocation

Even after you’ve secured a job and received your visa, there are practical considerations that affect when you actually start teaching. Financial preparation is one of the biggest factors.

Start-up costs for teaching abroad typically include:

Flight tickets ($500-$2,000 depending on destination)
Initial accommodation (first month’s rent + deposit: $500-$1,500)
Living expenses for the first month ($500-$1,500)
Visa & document fees ($200-$500)
Travel insurance ($50-$150 per month)

Most teachers need to save $2,000-$5,000 before departing, which can add 2-6 months to your timeline if you’re starting from scratch.

Some schools offer housing allowances or reimbursement for flights, but payment often comes after arrival.

Contract start dates

Booking flights and coordinating your departure with your school’s start date adds another layer of timing.

Schools typically want teachers to arrive 1-2 weeks before the term begins for orientation and settling in.

How soon can you get a job online after a TEFL?

And what about the timeline for an online teaching job?

Well, that’s a completely different story. It’s dependent on a few things: the platform, application volume, hiring cycles, and so forth.

A teaching platform like Cambly can see you teaching within two to three days, while others like italki may take up to two to three weeks.

Tips to speed up your job search

Start early. Apple before your TEFL course ends, and gather documents right away.
Stay flexible. Don’t limit yourself to one location and consider online teaching while you wait for your ideal position abroad.
Do your research. Stick to legitimate job boards and vet recruiters carefully.
Market yourself. Highlight your skills, knowledge, and experience — especially in your cover letter.
Be prepared. Keep your CV, cover letter and certificates ready.
Tailor your applications. Ensure your resume and cover letter flow logically and spotlight what’s most relevant to the job.
Build experience. Volunteer, tutor, or teach online while job hunting to strengthen your resume.
Network. Join TEFL forums, Facebook groups, and professional organisations to connect with others in the field.
Invest in professional development. Short courses, workshops, or additional certificates can boost your profile.

There are plenty of factors that influence how quickly you can land your first TEFL job, and figuring out the right strategy for you is key.

Many TEFL graduates wonder, “How long did it take you to find your first TEFL job?”

If you’re set on a specific teaching program, you may need to wait for the next intake, but that gives you time to prepare your documents and ace your interview. If gaining teaching experience is your main priority, you could be in the classroom in just weeks.

Imagine you could be just like TTA alum Will:

I started the TEFL course in March, and in August, I was already in Brazil, sipping on Caipirinhas in the sun every weekend!

tta will

Don’t waste another minute wondering about timelines. Browse destination guides, explore our TTA Job Board, and speed up your TEFL timeline.

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