Teachers of LinkedIn: A guide to getting started with your transition to EdTech

When it comes to teachers who want to transition to a job at an education company or to #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 ed-tech jobs you are dreaming of.?

The key to a successful start on LinkedIn is not to be intimidated by the number of educators on the platform OR by the process of building your profile. Here are a few of my suggestions and things to remember as you navigate the platform for the first time.

The EdTech industry is small.?

In my latest 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's my point?

Our circles run small - be intentional in all you do and think before you post. Stay positive, don't come to LinkedIn to vent, and use the platform to share and, more importantly, support others.

But before discussing posts and commenting, let's return to the basics.

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 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 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:?

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.?

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, ensure people know 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.?

Banner

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? You can 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.?

About Us

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 of the About Us, 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.?

Request 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 ed-tech 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 ed-tech company. 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 ed-tech job you are looking for.?

About Classroom to Boardroom

Classroom to Boardroom is a course and coaching program developed by Carrie Conover for teachers who want to move their careers outside the classroom. This course provides a step-by-step plan to help teachers get their first job outside the classroom while providing mentoring, community, tools, lessons, monthly coaching calls, and a job board that makes it easier for students to prep for, identify, and successfully interview for their ideal EdTech job. Learn more at CarrieConover.com/classroomtoboardroom.?