Finding English Teaching Jobs in Cambodia
Cambodia's hiring process is unlike most countries — the best jobs are found in person, not online. Here's exactly how the job market works, where to look, and what to do when you arrive.
Cambodia hires in person — not online
This is the single most important thing to understand about teaching jobs in Cambodia. While online job boards exist and are worth checking, the majority of teaching positions are filled through in-person interviews with candidates already in the country. Schools in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap expect to meet you face-to-face before making an offer.
This means the most effective strategy is to arrive, find short-term accommodation, and begin visiting schools directly — CV in hand, documents ready, and dressed professionally. Most teachers who take this approach find work within 1–2 weeks.
Why in-person hiring works in your favour
Schools prefer to hire teachers they've met. This means a confident, professional in-person visit to a school often beats a well-polished online application. If you can demonstrate enthusiasm, good English, and basic teaching knowledge in a short meeting, you're competitive — even without extensive experience.
How to find a teaching job in Cambodia
Arrive with your documents ready
Print at least 10 copies of your CV before you go. Bring originals and copies of your TEFL certificate, degree (if you have one), and passport. A clean, simple CV works better than an elaborate one — schools want to see teaching qualifications, English proficiency, and availability. Include a professional photo on the front page; this is standard practice in Cambodia.
Research schools before you arrive
Use Facebook groups, expat forums, and job boards (listed below) to identify schools in your target city before flying. Note which ones have posted recently, what they're looking for, and what their reputation is in the expat community. Having a shortlist of 10–15 schools to visit makes the in-country job hunt much more efficient.
Walk in to schools and introduce yourself
Arrive dressed smartly and ask to speak with the director of studies or hiring manager. Hand over your CV, mention your TEFL certificate and availability, and ask if they have or expect any openings. Even if there's nothing today, schools keep CVs on file — and teachers leave mid-contract more often than you'd expect, creating sudden vacancies. Visiting 3–5 schools per day is achievable.
Use Facebook groups to accelerate
Join expat teacher Facebook groups for Phnom Penh and Siem Reap before you arrive. Jobs are posted regularly, often before they appear on official boards. Groups like "Teaching English in Cambodia" and city-specific expat groups are active and responsive. Post your own introduction — "newly arrived TEFL-certified teacher looking for positions" — and you'll often hear from schools directly.
Vet the school before signing anything
Ask specifically: Do you hold a current business license? Do you arrange work permits for foreign teachers? Can I speak with a current teacher about the role? A school unwilling to answer these questions clearly is a red flag. Legitimate schools are used to these questions and answer them without hesitation.
Best job boards and resources for Cambodia
📋 Bong Thom
Cambodia's most widely used jobs board. Teaching positions are listed regularly across Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Free to search. Updated frequently.
bongthom.com
📋 Teast.co
TEFL-focused jobs board covering Cambodia and the wider region. Good for language centre and private school roles. Also publishes useful guides and salary data.
teast.co/jobs/cambodia
📋 TEFL.com / ESLcafe
International boards with Cambodia listings. More useful for international school roles that are advertised before candidates arrive in country.
tefl.com · eslcafe.com
👥 Facebook Groups
"Teaching English in Cambodia," "Expats in Phnom Penh," "Expats in Siem Reap" — active, frequently updated, and where many unposted vacancies get shared first.
Search Facebook directly
🏫 Direct to schools
Walking into schools in person remains the most effective strategy. A shortlist of 10–15 schools in your target area, visited across 3–4 days, will almost always turn up interviews.
In-person — no URL needed
🌐 TEFL placement programs
Structured TEFL programs like those run by Destination TEFL in Cambodia include job placement as part of the package — removing the uncertainty of the independent job hunt entirely.
TEFL Heaven · destinationtefl.com
Warning signs to watch for
🚩 Red flags that indicate a problematic school
- Won't discuss work permits — every legitimate school knows how this works and talks about it openly
- Asks you to work on a tourist visa — this is illegal and puts you at risk of deportation
- Charges you fees to place you — reputable schools don't charge teachers to find them work
- Vague about salary or payment schedule — get all terms in writing before you sign
- Won't let you speak to current teachers — a school with nothing to hide will introduce you to colleagues
- Orphanage volunteering that charges a fee — a widely documented issue in Cambodia; avoid any volunteer placement that charges you to work with children without thorough vetting
Want placement handled for you?
TEFL Heaven's Southeast Asia programs place teachers directly with vetted schools — no job hunt, no uncertainty.
How long will it take to find a job in Cambodia?
In Phnom Penh, most teachers with a TEFL certificate find a language centre or private school position within 1–2 weeks of active in-person job hunting. In Siem Reap the market is smaller but also less competitive — expect 1–3 weeks. International school roles take longer (4–8 weeks) due to more formal hiring processes. Budget for 4–6 weeks of living expenses while you job hunt.
Can I find a job before I arrive?
For some international school roles, yes — these are advertised online and the hiring process can happen remotely. For language centres and most private schools, no — they hire in person. Trying to secure a language centre role online before arriving is usually ineffective. The system is built around in-country hiring, and schools often won't commit to a candidate they haven't met.
What should I wear to school visits?
Smart casual at minimum — clean, pressed clothing, no shorts or sandals. Cambodia is a conservative country and schools expect professional presentation. For formal interviews at international schools, dress more formally. First impressions matter significantly in Cambodian professional culture.