Transitioning Educators: Think Before You Write Online
We often have conversations with children and teens about how they behave online. We remind them to be good digital citizens, protect their online reputation, and be careful what they post because anything can be screenshotted and shared. Well, these lessons apply to you, too. You probably know better than to post certain pictures and say unsavory things, but there’s more to how you present yourself.
The EdTech space is a tiny world. And let me tell you, people in the industry talk. It is a tight circle.
While I’m not in the game of calling people out or hurting people’s reputations (who has time for that?), I want to be honest with you that people are watching, reading, and noticing when they see or receive messages in bad taste.
Here are a few tips to keep you on the right side of the EdTech hiring space.
Take the chip off your shoulder
I know teaching has beat you up, and you have experienced things in the workplace that no one should experience.
Teaching has likely been very difficult at times. However, you cannot bring anger, frustration, bitterness, negativity, or criticalness into your job search (especially the LinkedIn world). It will not fly in this space, and it can quickly ruin your chances of a company hiring you.
I don’t screen my Classroom to Boardroom students; anyone can enroll and take my course. I see most of the C to B members one time a month during our group coaching call, but I am screening their behaviors and attitudes all of the time.
How do they interact with me? What is their tone? When they have a question, how do they ask the question? How do they treat others within the group? What’s their body language on Zoom? What type of activity are they participating in on social media?
Why am I doing this? Because when my connections in the industry come knocking on my door for top talent, I know immediately who to recommend.
I recommend it based on personality, attitude, listening skills, teamwork, and hunger for something new. And companies trust me.
Outside of the Classroom to Boardroom family, I’m also noticing other educators. I’m seeing so many great contributions to the LinkedIn space from current and former teachers. And many of them reach out to me privately.
If they send me a thoughtful, positive, professional message. I notice it.
If they send me an entitled or pushy message, I notice it.
And this goes back to that chip that on the shoulder.
Here’s the hard truth: no one wants a bitter, angry, burnt-out teacher on their team.
They want to hire a teacher that can work through the trauma, bitterness, anger they may have from years of teaching. They want to hire a teacher that’s ready to try something new with a fresh, positive, innovative perspective.
So, as hard as this may be, you have to look yourself in the mirror and work through any negativity you are feeling and observe how you write and communicate with people on LinkedIn. This goes for your own posts, your comments on other people’s posts, and in people’s DMs.
Be careful in your DMs
Every once in a while, I get a message from an educator in my private inbox on LinkedIn that makes me go, huh?
And I think to myself:
If this person is writing to me in this tone, how are they interacting with others on LinkedIn?
Potential employers? Potential colleagues? Potential customers?
Your interactions in DMs tell me a lot about you. They tell recruiters a lot about you. They tell hiring managers a lot about you. So be very careful with your words.
I say this for two reasons.
The first is that people are busy. I often get messages from strangers asking for connections or for me to review their resume, or they ask how I can help them and don’t have an inkling of what I offer. I’m honored they turn to me for these things, but do your research before you reach out to someone. Review their website and their profile. Don’t ask a question you can find for yourself, and don’t expect free help from someone who charges for their time.
The second is that your message is likely going to be ignored if you’re pushy, rude, demanding, or cynical. A short and sweet, genuine message that (quickly) introduces yourself and why you’re reaching out is well-accepted. I want to respond to those messages. I’m far less inclined to respond to a lengthy message exploring their entire backstory and asking for multiple things.
Yes, you are one in thousands, but don’t panic
Thousands of teachers are leaving the profession and scouring LinkedIn for a leg-up in the search for a new job. I know it’s scary, and this may cause you to feel panicked and behave in a way you may not normally behave. But your words, DMs, emails, and posts make a big impression on potential hiring managers, coaches, and recruiters.
Stay calm. Be yourself and figure out the right way to use LinkedIn as a transitioning educator.
Just as we teach our children to be careful online, you need to be careful online too. Be professional, be courteous. Be a positive, supportive part of the community.
Companies want team players, they want energy, they want grit, and they want positive people. There’s room for critical thinking and feedback once you are on the job and have established yourself.
Until then, make sure you put your best foot forward with everyone you interact with on email and social media, especially on LinkedIn. You never know who is watching; that could be the bridge to your dream job outside the classroom.
