Feeling Stressed? 7 Ways to Overcome TEFL Job Search Fatigue

The global job market has seen shifts across nearly all professional sectors, and education is no exception. While there’s an increased demand for online English teachers, the market is also more competitive than ever. If you’re a TEFL/TESOL course graduate or English teacher on the job hunt and you find yourself feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or unusually stressed by the process, it’s likely that you’re experiencing TEFL job search fatigue. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid or overcome this natural part of the job search and make the most of your time and energy.

1. Make job searching part of your routine – but only dedicate so much time to it per day

Setting the expectation that you should always be job searching will quickly lead to frustration and burnout. Instead, a more effective strategy is to job search during a specific part of your daily routine.

For example, you could devote two to four hours to your TEFL job search first thing in the morning.

Browse the latest positions on the Bridge Job Board.
Research or apply for any promising openings.
Follow-up on past applications or inquiries.

That way, by lunchtime you’ve already done something productive that you can be proud of. This also means that you’ll have more time to spend with family or friends or even engage in activities you love. You don’t need to spend eight to ten hours a day on your job search for it to be effective; a few focused hours can be enough.

2. Set small, achievable goals and celebrate them

When you’re in the middle of job hunting, it’s easy to think that getting an offer is the only measure of success. However, that’s not true. Acknowledging small goals along the way will help you stay motivated during your job search and avoid burnout. Some examples of these small milestones can include:

Completing an application for a job that you really want
Getting an interview
Writing a thank-you note or email to the interviewer

Pro tip: keep a notebook or a document on your computer to keep track of these important steps.

3. Take this opportunity to add professional development to your credentials

One of the advantages of job searching is that you may have additional time that you won’t have once you find a job. If that’s the case for you, then it’s the perfect time to empower yourself by exploring the benefits of professional development through courses that enhance your resume with new skills and qualifications.

These additional skills can show a commitment to lifelong learning, lead to jobs in certain teaching niches, and give you relevant talking points during your interview. Some ways you can add professional development to your resume are:

Upgrade your TEFL/TESOL certification to at least 120 hours. Most reputable TEFL/TESOL jobs require that teachers hold an internationally-recognized TEFL/TESOL certificate of at least 120 hours, so if your current certificate is fewer hours than that, upgrading to meet this standard will result in more opportunities.
Specialize your TEFL/TESOL training. Want to stand out from other applicants? Show employers you’ve gone the extra mile to excel in your field by adding an area of specialization to your general TEFL/TESOL certification. Bridge Specialized Certificates, for example, are 30-60-hour professional development trainings in high-demand areas, such as Teaching Young Learners & Teens or Teaching English Online.
Learn new skills with Bridge Micro-credentials. These courses are another great option for professional development while you’re job searching because they only take 10-30 hours to complete. Many are focused on very targeted topics that can give you an edge in the job market, including Teaching English Online to Groups, Materials Development for the EFL Classroom, and Teaching IELTS Exam Prep.

Explore Bridge’s vast library of online TEFL courses to get started with your professional development.

4. Highlight your achievements by updating your resume

Another way to maximize your time during your TEFL job search and avoid burnout is to take the opportunity to make your resume shine. This is often the first impression you’ll make on employers, so remember to continually update your resume by doing the following.

Add your Bridge digital badges to your resume. You’ll receive one for every Bridge course you take, and putting these on your resume (as well as your LinkedIn profile, email signature, and other places) will showcase your achievements and expertise to potential employers.
If you earn Specialized TEFL/TESOL Certification or Micro-credential certificates, add these courses to the “Education” or “Certifications” section of your resume to highlight the professional development you’ve completed.
Check that your resume is formatted in a way that makes the important information (such as job titles) easily scannable by hiring managers who are pressed for time.
If you’re applying for online positions, emphasize any previous remote working experience you might have or knowledge of digital tools or software like Zoom.

Need more inspiration as you update your resume? Check out this article: How to Make a Stand-Out Online Teacher Resume.

5. Join a supportive community – focus on success stories and inspiration

Tapping into a group of people who are actively engaged in job searching can be a source of support, information, and advice and help you avoid TEFL job search fatigue. Don’t listen to negative voices that tell you there aren’t any jobs available. Instead, place your attention on the people that are finding jobs and thriving. Remember that if someone else can find a TEFL job, you can, too!

Explore the “Teacher Success Story” in the BridgeUniverse bulletin, where you’ll also find valuable job search tips, teaching advice, and information about English teaching companies hiring qualified teachers. (You can sign up in the sidebar or at the bottom of this post if you’re on mobile.)
Browse stories of recent Bridge alumni who are currently teaching English abroad and online, such as this ESL teacher who got a job teaching Business English online with a company in France.
Join Facebook groups like Bridge TEFL/TESOL Jobs Facebook Group to ask questions, take part in discussions, and make friends with like-minded people who know what the TEFL job search process is like.
Do an online search for TEFL bloggers or YouTubers and connect with them online by leaving a comment or even sending them an email or a direct message.

Discover how to build an online ESL community of practice to foster collaboration and support.

6. Remember to take care of yourself

Avoid burnout when TEFL job searching by prioritizing your own self-care, which includes physical, mental, emotional, and social health. As a job seeker, you might feel like you don’t have the time to tend to yourself. However, the better you are at taking care of yourself, the more energized you will be in your job search.

Many of the tips for avoiding burnout when teaching English online can also be applied to the job search. Try these simple but effective self-care activities:

Schedule a weekly video call to connect with friends or family.
Spend time outdoors.
Set aside time for a favorite hobby.
Relax with a bath, a good book, or other activity that’s rejuvenating for you!

Explore the Health, Safety, and Mental Attitudes while Teaching English Online micro-credential course to learn practical techniques for prioritizing your physical and mental health and that of your students.

7. Consider taking your career into your own hands as an independent English teacher

Did you know there are three main ways to teach English independently?

Freelance work for a company: Contract with an online teaching platform or company while maintaining flexibility in your schedule and student base.
Working through an online teacher marketplace: Use platforms that connect independent teachers with students, allowing you to set your rates and choose your clients. Learn how to stand out on online teacher marketplaces and attract more students by optimizing your profile.
Being a teacherpreneur: Build your own business by creating a unique brand, finding your niche, and directly marketing your services to students.

While TEFL job search burnout can be frustrating, it may also be the perfect opportunity to explore the freedom and flexibility of teaching independently. If you’re a self-starter and enjoy marketing yourself, working as an independent English teacher might be the right path for you.

Is there a local market of potential students you could connect with through flyers or targeted social media ads? Do you have a special area of expertise, such as business, medical, or engineering English, that you could use to attract an ESL niche audience?

Even if you’re still pursuing a traditional TEFL job, finding independent students in the meantime can boost your confidence, supplement your income, and help you gain valuable teaching experience. Plus, as an independent teacher, you have distinct advantages, such as flexibility, control over your rates, and the ability to tailor your lessons to meet your students’ needs.

Pro Tip: Learn the essential business and marketing skills needed to succeed as an independent English teacher through the Bridge Teacherpreneur Academy.

If you’re experiencing TEFL job search fatigue, you’re not alone, even though you might feel stuck. By following the tips above, you can make the most of your time, gain confidence, and perhaps even chart a new career path as an independent teacher.

Are you looking to land a job teaching English online? Don’t Make These 5 Mistakes When Applying to Online Teaching Jobs.