9 Secrets Every Transitioning Teacher Should Know
Jun 21, 2023
If you're a teacher thinking about transitioning to a new career, there are some secrets you should know to make the process smoother and more successful. Get ready for the real talk...
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Use AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify your job search process.
Use it to help you customize your resume and cover letter, research the company, prepare for your interview, and negotiate your offer. Those who know how to use AI to their benefit will replace those who don’t. -
If you are only focused on your background but not the company’s needs, you’re losing out on interviews and offers.
Most job seekers think companies care about their backgrounds. That’s not true. Companies care about hiring the person they trust to bring the most Return On Investment (ROI) to the role. -
You are allowed, even expected, to negotiate your salary.
According to Career Builder, 55% of people do not negotiate their salary and end up losing upwards of $500K over the course of their careers. Before any interview, check the salary range for your position using popular services like Glassdoor and Indeed. There is nothing worse than investing tons of time into an interview process just to find out that the company is lowballing you. Get the pay you deserve. -
If you need experience, you need to create a path to building those experiences.
Worried you don’t have enough experience for that other job? Hard truth time: reading a book or taking a course won’t qualify you for that other job. Employers don’t care that you studied the job. They want to know how your knowledge translates into results. Volunteer, freelance, build case studies for your favorite companies, become a content creator (start small and build your expertise). You’ll need to show your next employer that you can do the job they need you to do, not just tell them about your past and hope it fits.
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Recruiters and hiring managers need to understand your value in <30 seconds.
On LinkedIn and any other social media your potential employer can (and will) look at, do NOT use “seeking opportunities” or “transitioning teacher” in your headline, job title, or about section. Recruiters are not searching for those terms nor are hiring managers going to be reassured that you can do the job they need you to do. Your digital presence needs to be professional and crafted for the job you want, not the job you have.
Take the guesswork out of optimizing your LinkedIn profile with my QuickStart guide.
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Applying to hundreds of jobs that might be a fit is never a good idea.
“I have applied to 100s of jobs in the past month and nothing!” I’ve heard countless transitioning teachers say these exact words and it breaks my heart. Here’s the thing- the only way to reach that kind of number is by neglecting to tailor your application materials and to “spray-and-pray.” Without a strategy that includes the type of job you want, your non-negotiables, and easy ways to tailor your resume, all you’re doing is wasting your precious time and energy. Don’t be that person. You are smarter and deserve better than that.
Want to take your teacher resume from "how?" to "WOW!"? Check out my free guides:
How to Optimize Your Teacher Resume to Match Any Job Description
5 Easy Steps to Quantify Your Teacher Resume
Why You Need to Start Using STAR Resume Bullets Right Now + Real Teacher Examples
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If you want to land more offers, before you even apply for a job, study the company like you are the owner.
The more you know about a target company, the more relevant your application materials and interview answers will be. Read up on products, product reviews, the company’s mission, values, funding, leadership team, industry news, and team culture. Use popular websites like Google, Glassdoor, and even ChatGPT to research. -
If you see a role posted online and there is an “applicant count” included, ignore it.
Do not let it dissuade you from applying. Just because 300 people have applied doesn’t actually mean any of them are the right fit for the role. -
If you meet 100% of the requirements of a job posting, you are overqualified.
You won’t have any room to grow, and you’ll likely be underpaid. Go for the jobs where you meet 70%+ of the requirements and get excited for the career path you’ll be able to carve for yourself.
