“Good evening teachers. I am just venting. I have been to 6 interviews since March this year. Both permanent and substitutes. I have prepared, used different documents and also done research. I have mastered confidence and public speaking. But I have never won even one post. At this point I don’t trust myself anymore. I have lost confidence. I don’t know if I should continue applying or just leave it because maybe I am not answering the way they want. I don’t know what to do anymore.”-Anonymous Post
Dear colleague,
First, thank you for being honest and vulnerable in sharing your story. What you are experiencing is something many teachers and professionals can relate to, even if they don’t always speak about it openly. Rejection after multiple interviews is painful, and it can begin to chip away at your self-confidence. Please know that you are not alone in this, and that rejection does not mean you are unworthy or incapable—it often simply means the timing, context, or match wasn’t right.
Here are some thoughts I’d like to share with you:
- Reframe Rejection
Each interview you’ve attended is not a failure—it is practice and progress. Every time you prepare documents, do research, or present yourself before a panel, you are sharpening your skills. The fact that you’ve been shortlisted six times shows that your application does stand out. Many people don’t even get that far.
- Reflect on the Feedback Loop
Sometimes it’s not about confidence or knowledge, but about alignment with what the panel is looking for. Consider:
Have you asked for feedback after interviews? Even a short note from the panel can guide you.
Do you adapt your answers to highlight specific skills required by that particular school or post, or do you use the same answers everywhere? Tailoring can make a huge difference.
- Work on Your Narrative
You mention that you’ve mastered confidence and public speaking—that is a huge strength. Now think about your story. Schools want to see not just qualifications, but who you are as a teacher:
Why did you choose teaching?
How have you impacted learners in the past?
What specific value would you bring to their school?
The more personal and concrete your answers, the more memorable you will be.
- Guard Your Confidence
Rejection can feel like proof that you are “not good enough.” But the truth is: interviews are highly competitive, and many factors are outside your control. Sometimes it’s budget, sometimes it’s internal candidates, sometimes it’s politics. None of that takes away from your ability or worth as an educator.
Remind yourself daily: your value is not determined by the outcome of one interview panel.
- Don’t Stop Applying
It may feel tempting to stop applying out of discouragement, but stopping would close the very doors that could lead to your breakthrough. Instead, adjust your approach:
Ask mentors or colleagues to do mock interviews with you.
Join teacher professional groups to share experiences and tips.
Consider volunteering for short-term opportunities that strengthen your CV and keep you active in the classroom.
Final Word
Colleague, please don’t let six rejections define your journey. Sometimes, the seventh interview is the one that changes everything. Continue applying, continue preparing, but also allow yourself to learn and adapt along the way.
Your persistence will pay off. Remember: the fact that you’ve been called to six interviews already means schools recognize your potential. Now it’s only a matter of time before you find the right fit.
Hold on a little longer—you are closer to your opportunity than you think.
👉 To my readers: Have you also faced multiple rejections in teaching interviews? What strategies helped you push through? Share your experiences—you might encourage someone who is feeling like giving up.
