Getting Started on LinkedIn

Why It's Not Just Another Social Media Platform

When you’ve made the decision to leave teaching and explore new careers, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Perhaps your CV is ready, but where do you send it? You've looked at job boards, but the roles don’t seem to match your skills. It can feel like you're standing on the outside, looking in at a world you don't understand.

This is often where well-meaning people suggest, "Have you tried LinkedIn?"

For many of you, this might sound like a new-age social media site or just another thing to add to your already endless list of to-dos. You might even feel a sense of dread at the thought of putting yourself out there. But for a teacher in career transition, LinkedIn is a game-changer. It's not just a place for sharing professional photos; it's a powerful tool that can save you time, grow your network, and, most importantly, redefine who you are to the professional world.

So, why is LinkedIn a non-negotiable part of your career change strategy? Let's break it down.

From Teacher to Professional: A New Identity

For years, your professional identity has been a teacher. But as you transition, you need to confidently re-introduce yourself as a professional in a new field. LinkedIn provides the perfect platform to do this without having to explain your journey a hundred times.

Instead of your profile saying "Teacher at Your School," you can reposition your skills and experience to speak the language of your target industry. A hiring manager isn't looking for a teacher of English; they're looking for a professional with expertise in communication, curriculum design, and project management. On LinkedIn, you can tell that story from the first sentence of your headline. It's the first step in helping recruiters and hiring managers see you as a solution to their problems, not as a teacher trying to escape.

A Smart Way to Job Hunt

The scattergun approach to job hunting - firing off dozens of applications to random jobs - is exhausting, demoralising and ineffective. LinkedIn offers a smarter, more targeted way to find a role that’s right for you.

You can use the platform's job search features to filter by industry, location, and even company culture. More importantly, you can use it to research the companies you're interested in and find people who work there. Instead of applying for a job in the dark, you can start building connections and gaining insights into a company before you even submit your CV. This saves you an incredible amount of time and energy and dramatically increases your chances of getting a response.

Effortless Networking (Yes, Really!)

The word "networking" can feel daunting, conjuring up images of formal events and awkward conversations. For teachers, who are used to the familiarity and safety of the school environment, this can be a huge obstacle.

LinkedIn makes networking almost effortless. You can grow your professional network from the comfort of your own home. You can connect with people in roles you find interesting, follow companies you admire, and engage with content from industry leaders. This subtle, consistent interaction builds a network of professional relationships that can lead to invaluable advice, insights, and even job opportunities you wouldn't find on a traditional job board. It’s about building a web of connections that can guide and support you throughout your transition.

Finding Your Tribe

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, LinkedIn allows you to find your tribe. As a career-changing teacher, you often feel alone in your journey. You might not have colleagues to talk to about the intricacies of job applications or the challenges of transitioning.

On LinkedIn, you can find other teachers who have made a similar transition. You can follow people who share content about career change, remote work, or professional development. This gives you a source of inspiration and validation that you're not on this journey alone.

What if I’m Not Ready to Be Seen?

It's completely normal to feel apprehensive about being visible online, especially if you're still teaching and haven't handed in your notice. Depending on your relationship with school leadership, you may not want your colleagues to see that you're actively looking for a new job.

The good news is that you don't have to be highly visible to get value from LinkedIn. You can use it as a powerful research tool without broadcasting your intentions. You can create a profile and set it to private, which means your connections won't be notified of your changes. You can also turn on "Open to Work" confidentially so only recruiters see it.

The platform is an incredible resource for learning about different roles and industries. You can spend time researching companies you admire, following people who have jobs you're interested in, and exploring what skills are in demand - all while remaining in the background. Start by thinking about it as a private research library for your career change.

Ready to Get Started?

LinkedIn can seem overwhelming at first, but it is an essential tool for your career change. It's the platform where you can begin to own your new professional identity, job hunt with purpose, and build a network that will support you long after you’ve left the classroom.

Inside our community, we have a clear, step-by-step course that teaches you exactly how to get started on LinkedIn. We'll guide you through setting up your profile, finding the right connections, and using the platform's features to accelerate your career change.

Ready to stop feeling like you're on the outside looking in? Let’s get started…

Categories: : Teacher Career Change Tips