Zen Educate Content Team
27 Mar 2025
5
min read
Looking for your next teaching job but not sure where to start? Whether you’re a newly qualified teacher, an experienced educator, or exploring a career change into teaching, teaching recruitment agencies are a common route to finding that next role. But are they the best option when it comes to finding work?
This guide will help you understand how teaching recruitment agencies work, when you might want to use them, and how to maximize the benefits they offer while navigating potential drawbacks. We’ll also cover a potentially better way to find roles.
What Are Teaching Recruitment Agencies?
Teaching recruitment agencies connect teachers and education professionals with schools and educational institutions in need of staff.
They operate exactly how typical recruitment agencies do; They source roles from schools that are hiring and then outreach to teachers that could fill the roles, or find teachers from their database.
They’re equipped to address many hiring challenges, including last-minute staffing gaps, hard-to-fill vacancies, and hiring for niche roles.
How Do Teaching Recruitment Agencies Make Money?
Teaching recruitment agencies typically earn revenue through fees paid by schools or educational institutions for successfully filling a position. These fees are often a percentage of the hired teacher's annual salary and are negotiated between the agency and the employer.
Some agencies may also charge retainer fees, meaning schools pay them a fixed amount upfront to secure their recruitment services. Additionally, agencies might receive higher fees for fulfilling urgent or highly specialized placements.
Teachers should be mindful of how these financial arrangements might influence the role selection process, as agencies may be more inclined to prioritize placements that maximize their profit.
Why Teachers Might Use a Recruitment Agency
If you’ve wondered why so many teachers turn to recruitment agencies, here are some key reasons:
Access to More Opportunities: Recruitment agencies often have exclusive access to vacancies that aren’t publicly advertised on job boards.
Time-Saving Assistance: From formatting your resume to arranging interviews, agencies take care of the time-consuming parts of job hunting.
Guidance for Career Changers: For professionals transitioning into education, they offer personalized guidance, certification support, and role-matching expertise.
Flexibility: Agencies allow you to explore a variety of contract types, including full-time, part-time, temp, or supply teaching jobs, to accommodate your schedule
How Do Teaching Recruitment Agencies Work?
Understanding the process of these agencies can help you decide if using one is the right move for you. Here’s an overview of how they operate.
Connecting Teachers with Schools
Recruitment agencies act as intermediaries between teachers and schools. Once you register, they assess your qualifications, teaching experience, lesson planning abilities, and even your specializations. Using advanced matching systems, they connect you with schools that suit your needs and career goals.
Types of Teaching Roles Offered
Teaching recruitment agencies offer a variety of roles. A few common ones include:
Permanent Teaching Contracts: Ideal if you’re looking for long-term stability in one school.
Temporary Teaching Roles: Short-term positions for teachers who value flexibility.
Supply Teaching Jobs: Perfect for educators who enjoy variety and want to work at different schools.
International Teaching Assignments: Opportunities to teach abroad, often with added benefits like housing and relocation support.
Why Teachers Might Use a Recruitment Agency
If you’ve wondered why so many teachers turn to recruitment agencies, here are some key reasons:
Access to More Opportunities: Recruitment agencies often have exclusive access to vacancies that aren’t publicly advertised on job boards.
Time-Saving Assistance: From formatting your resume to arranging interviews, agencies take care of the time-consuming parts of job hunting.
Guidance for Career Changers: For professionals transitioning into education, they offer personalized guidance, certification support, and role-matching expertise.
Flexibility: Agencies allow you to explore a variety of contract types, including full-time, part-time, temp, or supply teaching jobs, to accommodate your schedule
Why You Might Want To Consider a Different Way to Find Your Next Role
Working with teaching agencies is not always the right decision for all educators, for a number of reasons.
Possible Fees: Some agencies may charge fees, typically to the hiring school. This results in potentially lower salaries being paid to teachers.
Limited Control Over Placement: Agencies may prioritize their clients’ preferences (i.e. the schools') over yours.
Quality Varies Between Agencies: Not all agencies deliver the same value. Researching their reputation and reviews is essential.
How to Choose the Right Teaching Recruitment Agency
Choosing the right agency can make or break your experience. Here’s how to find one that aligns with your needs.
Factors to Consider
Specialization: Some agencies focus specifically on education staffing. Look for those that specialize in your teaching level (e.g., K-12, higher education, international).
Reputation: Read online reviews and testimonials to see what other teachers say about their experiences.
Support Offered: Does the agency offer additional services such as resume reviews, interview coaching, or certification assistance?
Contracts and Fees: Ensure the agency’s terms are transparent and align with your expectations.
Questions to Ask When Selecting an Agency
Do you specialize in my teaching field (e.g., elementary, high school, subject-specific)?
How many schools do you partner with in my preferred region?
Do you charge any fees to teachers?
What is the average time frame for placement?
Can you provide references or success stories from other teachers?
Zen Educate: A Better Alternative to Traditional Teaching Agencies
The Zen platform's smart matching system connects teachers with roles based on proximity, skills, and experience, reducing administrative hassle.
With Zen, you can also guarantee the highest quality of support and professional development. Our team will match you with the perfect role based on your profile & preferences.
