How to use LinkedIn as a teacher (without spiraling into overwhelm)
If you’re a teacher considering a career change, someone has probably told you to “get on LinkedIn,” the magical portal to your dream job! 🙄
So you get on the platform.
Buuuut you have a less-than-magical experience.
You don’t know if you’re using it “right.”
You’re overwhelmed by all the content for “transitioning teachers.”
You compare yourself to everyone else.
You feel pressure to search the job postings / build your network / post your own content…O...M...G.
If LinkedIn has felt like a necessary evil for you as you figure out the next steps in your career, you're not alone.
The teachers I work with range from avoiding LinkedIn like the plague to using it regularly but with a lot of questions, reservations, and frustrations.
Why teachers should use LinkedIn (Yes, even you)
Here's the thing.
LinkedIn does offer a lot of value to teachers exploring career options beyond the classroom.
Lauren Quinn of Leaving Teaching nailed it in her blog post, Do I Really Need a LinkedIn Profile?
Her answer: yes.
And I agree with her.
But LinkedIn doesn't have to be a drag and a waste of your precious time.
It can be a source of inspiration, discovery, and hope.
Here are some LinkedIn tips that will help you use the platform effectively (and even have a little fun)! 🥳
How to use LinkedIn as a teacher considering your career options: Explore now, worry about jobs later
Put the job listings on hold (for now)
If your first move on LinkedIn is scrolling job postings while quietly panicking, let’s try something new! 😀
Stop browsing postings for a week. See my post Stop Scrolling through Job Postings for more reasons why.
Instead, treat LinkedIn like a giant career catalog, where you get to learn about what people are doing for work and discover new career possibilities you hadn’t thought of or never even knew about.
Make a simple profile and connect with people
If you’re new to LinkedIn, just dip your toes in.
No need for a fancy profile yet. Make a basic profile that includes your background, and start connecting with people you know.
While you’re at it, peek at their profiles to see what they're doing for work, how they describe it, and what skills they list. No pressure—just observing.
Use LinkedIn as a research tool
LinkedIn is like a massive library, and you get to do a research project! Whoo-hoo!
Search for Careers: Look up careers or specific jobs you’re curious about and browse the profiles of the people who do it. What’s their background? How do they talk about their work? How did they get where they are? If they post, what do they post about?
Search for Fellow Alumni: Check out what other graduates from your schools or programs are doing. This is a great way to see what your peers are up to outside of teaching—and maybe even get a few new ideas.
I made you a 3 min demo on how to use LinkedIn as a research/career exploration tool…
The REAL value of LinkedIn: Exploration
If you are considering leaving the classroom, but don't know what's next, LinkedIn is a go-to tool for exploring the different directions you could take your career.
There's no pressure to pick a direction, make a decision about where you're headed, or apply for a job you're not even sure you'd like.
You're simply exploring your possibilities.
As you use LinkedIn to explore career pathways, you’ll start noticing career directions that get you excited and get more clarity about what steps you need to take to get there.
Let me help you explore your career possibilities through LinkedIn!
Do you have questions about using LinkedIn for your career exploration? I’d love to help you expand your use of LinkedIn from just a job board to an exploration tool that actually helps you figure out what's right for you and your career.
Post your questions in the comments below or email me at coach@lauralitwiller.com.
We also use LinkedIn extensively as an exploration tool in Teachers at a Crossroads: my online course & community for exploring career change.
I'm Laura, a career clarity coach for teachers feeling stuck.
I help you explore career possibilities beyond the classroom so that you can make a confident choice about what's next, based on your strengths, values, personality, and what you want most for your life.
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