The Honest Interview: Navigating the “Other Applications” Question

Let’s be honest. The job search process, especially for exciting roles teaching English abroad or in new cities, is rarely a single-shot endeavor. You’re exploring opportunities, casting a wide net, and hoping for the perfect fit. Then, in the interview, the question arrives.

“Have you applied to any other companies?”

Your heart might skip a beat. You want to be transparent, so you offer a polite, “Yes, I have, but this position is my top choice.” You expect this to show you’re in demand and serious about your career. Instead, you notice a subtle shift—a flicker of disappointment on the interviewer’s face. Suddenly, you’re second-guessing your entire strategy.

Was honesty the wrong policy? Should you have pretended this was your only application?

First, take a deep breath. That reaction you perceived might not be disappointment in you, but a reflection of the interviewer’s own pressures. Hiring is a competitive process for employers, too. They’re investing time and hoping their chosen candidate accepts the offer.

Why Honesty is Still Your Best Policy

In the world of TEFL and international education, integrity matters. Building a career on a foundation of small lies is a shaky start. Most experienced hiring managers can sense insincerity. Claiming you’ve only applied to their school when you have a dozen other tabs open on your browser can come across as naive or disingenuous.

The key isn’t what you say, but how you frame it.

The phrase “Yes, but this is my first choice” can sometimes sound like a well-rehearsed line. It puts the focus on a ranking they can’t verify, rather than on your genuine interest in their specific opportunity.

Reframing Your Answer for Success

Instead of focusing on a “choice,” pivot to “fit.” This shifts the conversation from competition to alignment.

Here’s a more powerful approach:

• Acknowledge Briefly: “Yes, I am actively exploring several opportunities in [City/Country] to find the right long-term fit.”
• Pivot to Them: “However, I was particularly drawn to apply here because of your school’s focus on [mention something specific: their teaching methodology, their cultural immersion programs, their reputation for teacher support].”
• Reiterate Your Interest: “That’s why this interview is so important to me—I believe my skills in [your skill] align directly with what you’re looking for.”

This approach does three things:

1. It’s honest without oversharing.
2. It demonstrates you’ve done your research about their organization.
3. It turns the question into a chance to reaffirm your suitability for the role.

Reading the Room (Without Overthinking)

Remember, an interviewer’s momentary expression is not always a verdict. They might be thinking about their timeline, their own competition for talent, or simply processing your answer. Don’t let one micro-expression derail your confidence.

Your goal is to be the candidate who clearly articulates why this job, at this school, is the ideal match for your career goals. When you anchor your answer in specific, researched details about the employer, your honesty becomes a strength, not a liability.

So, the next time that question comes up, see it as an invitation. An invitation to move beyond a simple “yes” or “no” and to clearly articulate why you’re sitting across from them, and why that matters.