Understanding Why Candidates Don't Get Hired
Getting passed up for a teaching position can be discouraging, but understanding the common reasons why candidates aren't selected can help you improve your approach and increase your chances of success. Below are the most frequent obstacles that prevent teaching candidates from securing positions, along with actionable solutions to overcome them.
1
Content Exam Not Passed
This is the #1 reason why applicants enrolled in the program are passed up for a teaching position. A principal may want to hire you, but is unable to because you have not passed your content exam. School districts must have highly qualified teachers in their classroom, and without passing your certification exam, you cannot be recommended for a teaching certificate.
✅ Solution:
- Make passing your content exam your top priority before applying for positions
- Use test preparation materials and practice exams
- Schedule your exam early to allow time for retakes if needed
- Consider study groups or tutoring if you're struggling with content
2
Wrong Content Exam Passed
This affects teaching candidates each year during the hiring cycle. You may have passed the Core Subjects and Science of Teaching Reading exams, but you are offered a high school English position at the local school. Since this position does not match your certification exams, a certificate cannot be recommended and the district will be forced to hire another applicant to fill the open teaching position.
✅ Solution:
- Only apply for positions that match your certification area
- Clearly state your certification area on your resume
- Consider taking additional certification exams to expand your opportunities
- Verify position requirements before submitting applications
3
Not Fully Certified or Clinical Teaching Not Completed
Clinical teaching is one of the best ways to acquire hands-on teaching experience, create networking opportunities, and become fully certified. Becoming certified will help make your resume stand out from the crowd when human resource personnel or principals are hiring for a teaching job. Candidates who are already certified have a significant advantage over those still in the process.
✅ Solution:
- Consider completing clinical teaching to gain experience and full certification
- Complete all program requirements as quickly as possible
- Be upfront about your certification status during interviews
- Highlight any classroom experience or volunteer work you have
4
Passive Job Search Approach
Simply sitting by the phone and waiting for a call back is an ineffective job search strategy. You must remain proactive during the hiring season. The main goal is to be called in for multiple interviews. You must be creative in getting your name known in a district or school. In most school districts, you have the option to mail or fax your portfolio to a principal to help you stand out from the crowd.
✅ Solution:
- Apply to multiple positions across various districts
- Follow up with principals and HR departments after submitting applications
- Attend job fairs and networking events
- Send your portfolio directly to principals when possible
- Visit schools in person to introduce yourself (when appropriate)
- Check job postings daily and apply immediately to new openings
5
Inability to Speak Education Language
Completing the online curriculum and classes is essential to ensure you have the necessary knowledge base for an interview. You will need to "talk the talk" to make it into a school district's applicant pool. During a face-to-face interview with an HR Director or principal, they will expect you to answer basic questions about Bloom's Taxonomy, lesson plan format, differentiated instruction, assessment strategies, and other educational concepts.
✅ Solution:
- Complete all coursework and study materials thoroughly
- Review the high dollar education words on the Resume Basics page
- Practice answering interview questions using proper educational terminology
- Stay current on educational trends and best practices
- Be prepared to discuss TEKS, STAAR, differentiation, and classroom management
6
Weak Resume or Portfolio
Your resume is often the first impression you make on a hiring committee. A poorly formatted, error-filled, or generic resume will quickly land in the rejection pile. Similarly, not having a professional teaching portfolio or bringing incomplete materials to an interview shows lack of preparation.
✅ Solution:
- Use professional resume templates designed for educators
- Have multiple people proofread your resume for errors
- Tailor your resume to each position you apply for
- Create a comprehensive teaching portfolio with lesson plans and artifacts
- Bring multiple copies of all materials to interviews
7
Poor Interview Performance
Even with excellent credentials, a poor interview can cost you the job. This includes arriving late, dressing inappropriately, giving vague answers, showing lack of enthusiasm, failing to ask questions, or displaying poor body language. Principals want to hire confident, prepared, passionate educators.
✅ Solution:
- Practice common interview questions with friends or family
- Research the school and district before the interview
- Dress professionally and arrive 20 minutes early
- Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer
- Show enthusiasm and smile throughout the interview
- Provide specific examples from your experience when answering questions
8
Lack of Follow-Up
After submitting applications or completing interviews, many candidates fail to follow up. A thank-you email or note demonstrates professionalism, reinforces your interest, and keeps you top of mind with the hiring committee. Not following up can make you appear disinterested or lazy.
✅ Solution:
- Send a thank-you email within 24 hours of every interview
- Personalize each message with specific details from the interview
- Follow up on applications after one week if you haven't heard back
- Keep notes on each interview for reference in follow-ups
- Express continued interest without being pushy
9
Limited Classroom Experience
Candidates with little to no classroom observation, volunteer work, or substitute teaching experience are at a disadvantage. Principals want to see that you've spent time in real classrooms and understand what teaching actually involves on a day-to-day basis.
✅ Solution:
- Complete all required observation hours and document them well
- Volunteer in classrooms before completing your certification
- Work as a substitute teacher to gain diverse experience
- Tutor students before or after school
- Assist with extracurricular activities or summer programs
- Be prepared to discuss what you learned from each experience
10
Unprofessional Online Presence
Many districts now check social media profiles and conduct Google searches on candidates. Inappropriate photos, controversial posts, or unprofessional content can quickly eliminate you from consideration. Your online presence should reflect the professional educator you aspire to be.
✅ Solution:
- Google yourself and see what appears in search results
- Review and clean up all social media profiles
- Adjust privacy settings on personal accounts
- Remove or hide inappropriate photos, posts, or comments
- Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your qualifications
- Consider creating a professional teaching blog or portfolio website