How to Build a Stand-Out LinkedIn Profile For Transitioning Educators
When it comes to teachers who want to transition to a job at an education company or EdTech, LinkedIn is the place to be. More than 14 million educators are currently on LinkedIn, because it is the best platform for leveraging your network, identifying opportunities in the industry, and getting connected to the kind of EdTech jobs you are dreaming of.
The key to getting started on LinkedIn is not to be intimidated - by the sheer number of educators on the platform, or by the process of building your profile.
The EdTech industry is small
In this YouTube Video, I refer to a LinkedIn post called 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon For the EdTech Industry. Followers tagged people currently working in the industry, and I was able to discover a connection with every single one of them.
What does this mean for your LinkedIn profile? Despite the millions of educators on LinkedIn, most of these educators are not actively looking for EdTech jobs themselves, and the reality is that only a few of them are going to be vying for the same positions at the same EdTech companies you are.
People will be looking at your profile and observing what you do and how you present yourself on the platform. Creating a strong and appealing profile is essential to making a good impression.
Your LinkedIn profile does not have to be perfect
The reality among teachers looking to transition from the classroom to an education or EdTech company is that the chances of a recruiter finding your profile, reaching out, and getting you an interview that lands you a job are very slim.
The majority of EdTech jobs are instead awarded to individuals who have a connection to the company or the recruiter already. For example, many of my Classroom to Boardroom participants get positions because of recommendations from myself or a former C to B members or due to intensive networking that creates critical connections to their desired jobs.
What does this mean for your LinkedIn profile? Work on creating a profile that is 80 percent complete by filling out the first four sections: picture, headline, banner, and About Us section. Then, build upon your profile with strong connections and knowledge offered by courses and upskilling.
Here is a look at how to create those first four sections of your LinkedIn profile:
Your LinkedIn Profile Picture
Your profile picture is the first impression people will have of you, so make it a good one with a strong photo that exudes energy, warmth, and confidence.
Here are a few tips for creating a strong and appealing profile picture:
Face the camera directly, so your face is entirely visible.
Take an up-close photo because LinkedIn profile pictures are small.
Make sure to dress professionally - Strive for business dress.
Smile! Energy and confidence will create a good impression.
Writing a good LinkedIn headline
While the headline tells people at a glance about who you are and what you want, you do not need to overthink this element of your profile. The most important consideration is honesty: Write a headline that accurately reflects you and your career goals.
For example, are you looking for a job in customer success? Do not imply that you have customer success experience (unless you do). But, make sure people know that you desire a position in this field. An example of an accurate and honest headline could be the following: "Teacher of the Year transitioning to customer success."
Once you have an honest headline, you do not have to spend hours worrying about perfecting it. Simply move on to the next step in your profile: The banner.
Should you use LinkedIn banners?
The banner can likewise be a simple but honest visual portrayal of who you are. For example, do you love math? Include math symbols. Are you a teacher of the year? Use a photo of yourself with related images or text. You can easily create banners for free on a program such as Canva. Just follow these tips for making it effective:
Keep it simple and not distracting.
Ensure that it reflects what you are passionate about.
Check to make sure it looks good on both computers and mobile devices.
Writing your LinkedIn bio
The About Us section of your LinkedIn profile is a valuable opportunity to flesh out the achievements on your resume. Here are a few tips for making it a powerful part of your profile:
Use data
For example, do not just say you led a student attendance initiative. Provide details on the steps you took and the specific successes you achieved. Show not only that you undertook leadership and projects but also that you succeeded in tangible and measurable ways.
List strategic skills
In your skills section, you should list a few of the skills you want recruiters to see. So, choose skills that relate to the job you want to get. And remember to be honest about your skills and experience.
Using LinkedIn Recommendations
Recommendations from others can be a powerful way to earn recognition on your LinkedIn profile, because these recommendations provide insight into your connections, your work ethic, and your skills and passions.
The best way to get recommendations is to ask for them from people you know and have worked with. You can even offer to write the recommendation for that person, so all they need to do is tweak it and add it to your LinkedIn profile.
A list of strong recommendations can boost your image and make a difference in the job search process. My pursuit of recommendations from business leaders, for example, played a key role in my ability to land my first EdTech job when I left the classroom.
Creating a LinkedIn profile isn't the only way to transition from teaching to a job in education or EdTechcompany. You will also want to access resources, education, connections, and community through online groups and courses. In Classroom to Boardroom, every module focuses on the transition you are making, access to one-on-one training, and a community of educators who are making the same transition as you, you can set yourself up for a successful move to the EdTech job you are looking for.
