From Teacher to Industry Professional:

As a teacher, I had been in the education field for 10 years before deciding to transition to a new career. This was a big change for me, and I quickly learned from several networking chats that developing a strong personal brand can make the process a bit smoother. "Brand" is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days, but many people are not really sure what it entails. From my conversations and research a personal brand is the image and reputation you create for yourself in the eyes of others. It’s what sets you apart from other candidates and makes you stand out to potential employers.

Here is some advice on how to create a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, based on my own experience. The following suggestions can help you create a unique brand that reflects who you are and what you can offer:

The first step in creating a personal brand is to identify your strengths and values. As a teacher, you have a wealth of skills and experiences that can be transferred to other industries (a future blog post on solely this topic coming in the future). For me, it was important to think about what I was good at, what I enjoyed doing, and what I valued most. This helped me create a unique brand that reflects who I am and what I can offer.

When identifying your strengths, think about the skills and experiences that you have gained throughout your career. Consider what makes you unique and sets you apart from other candidates. Your values are the principles that guide your decision-making and shape your behavior. By understanding your values, you can ensure that your personal brand aligns with your beliefs and philosophy.

Once you’ve identified your strengths and values, the next step is to create a compelling narrative that showcases them. This is especially important for those of us making a career change because we need to be able to articulate why we are leaving teaching and what we are looking for. My narrative describes what I loved about teaching and what I learned during my time in the classroom. Then I discuss what I found limiting about teaching and why I want to move into a new industry. Finally, I explain the important elements I am looking for in a new role that teaching did not offer me. I found it helpful to make my narrative concise, authentic, and relevant to the industry or job I was interested in. It should also be tailored to the needs of potential employers, highlighting how your skills and experiences can benefit them.

Your narrative should tell a story about who you are and what you can offer. It should be engaging and capture the attention of potential employers. Your personal brand is not just about what you can do, but also about who you are as a person. By creating a compelling narrative, you can show potential employers that you are more than just a list of skills and experiences.

We live in the age of social media, whether we like it or not. I was someone who was always reluctant to engage with popular platforms because they simply did not interest me. However, throughout this process, I have learned that having a strong online presence is crucial. For me, this meant creating a professional website and online portfolio that showcased my skills and accomplishments. It was a great way to highlight my teaching experience and how it could be applied to my new career. I also made sure my social media profiles, particularly on LinkedIn, were up-to-date and professional, reflecting my personal brand.

Your online presence is an extension of your personal brand. It is where potential employers will go to learn more about you and your qualifications. Make sure your online presence is consistent with your personal brand and showcases your strengths and values.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a personal brand. Make sure that your brand is consistent across all of your online and offline platforms. This includes your website, social media profiles, resume, and cover letter. Use the same tone and style in all of your communication, and make sure your personal brand is reflected in everything you do.

By being consistent, you can build trust and credibility with potential employers. They will see that you are authentic and committed to your personal brand, which can make you stand out from other candidates. 

Creating a strong personal brand can make a big difference in your career transition. By identifying your strengths and values, creating a compelling narrative, establishing an online presence, and maintaining consistency you can create a unique brand that sets you apart from other candidates and resonates with potential employers. Remember that your personal brand is an ongoing process, and it takes time and effort to build a strong and authentic brand that reflects who you are and what you can offer.

Hopefully, these tips can help you. Happy hunting!

-Ryan