"When I'm looking through jobs, how do I know what role I fit?"
When leaving education for the corporate world, guessing what role fits is not an option. You need a clear, tactical approach to assess roles, determine your fit, and take decisive action. Follow these exact steps to cut through the uncertainty and target the right job with precision.
Step 1: Define Your Non-Negotiables
Before even looking at job postings, lock in your must-haves:
- Daily responsibilities: Do you want to lead, collaborate, or work solo?
- Work environment: Remote? Hybrid? Structured? Flexible?
- Core motivators: Career growth? High income? Mission-driven work?
Write these down. Every role you evaluate will be judged against this list.
Step 2: Dissect Your Transferable Skills
You already have the skills—now, label them in corporate terms. Here's how:
- Lesson planning → Project management: Planning complex, multi-step processes.
- Parent-teacher communication → Stakeholder management: Navigating priorities and expectations.
- Analyzing student performance → Data-driven decision-making: Using metrics to inform strategy.
Write a list of 5-7 skills you mastered in teaching. These will form the foundation for matching roles.
Step 3: Deconstruct Job Descriptions
Stop reading job descriptions like a teacher. Start analyzing them like a strategist:
- Highlight every action word (e.g., manage, lead, implement). Can you confidently perform these tasks?
- Pinpoint the required technical and soft skills. Match them to your list from Step 2.
- Evaluate the key responsibilities. Do they align with the skills you’re ready to use and the growth you want?
If you see a 60-70% match between your skills and the job requirements, it’s a fit worth pursuing.
Step 4: Run the “Fit Test”
For every job that catches your eye, answer these questions:
- Do I already have the core skills needed for this role?
- Am I genuinely excited about the work?
- Can I close any skill gaps quickly with online training or self-study?
If you can’t answer “yes” to at least two of these, move on.
Step 5: Validate Your Fit with Insider Intel
Don’t guess—confirm. Conduct informational interviews to get the truth about the role.
Use LinkedIn to connect with people in the job you’re targeting. Ask them:
- “What’s the biggest challenge in this role?”
- “What skills do you use most often?”
- “What does a successful transition into this role look like?”
Their answers will give you real-world clarity on whether you’ll thrive in the position.
Step 6: Tailor Your Application Using This Info
Once you’re confident in a role, craft an application that eliminates doubt about your fit:
- Rewrite your resume in corporate language. For example:
- Before: "Created lesson plans for diverse learners."
- After: "Designed and implemented training programs for diverse audiences."
- Highlight measurable results:
- Before: "Improved student test scores."
- After: "Boosted outcomes by 20% through targeted data-driven strategies."
- Write a cover letter that directly connects your skills to the job description. Be specific and concise.
Step 7: Execute with This New Knowledge
Take action, track your results, and adjust as needed:
- Apply selectively. Target jobs that meet your non-negotiables and pass your fit test.
- Track your progress. Use a spreadsheet to monitor applications, responses, and next steps.
- Refine and repeat. Use feedback from rejections and interviews to sharpen your approach.
Your Key Takeaway
This process isn’t just about guessing what role fits—it’s about systematically identifying, confirming, and pursuing opportunities where you know you’ll thrive. Follow these steps with precision, and you’ll eliminate doubt and land a role that fits you perfectly.
Need more hands-on guidance?
Join my Elevated Careers Career Change Accelerator to streamline this process and get the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
Stop guessing—start achieving.
I hope these steps bring you the clarity you need as we glide into 2025.
See you next week.
