As part of our commitment to supporting the career advancement of educators and nonprofit professionals through our search and human capital consulting services, Associate Partner Ron Rapatalo and I hosted a webinar on Tuesday, May 7th. Over the course of the 1-hour session, we discussed current opportunities & challenges in the education job market, how to advocate for the skills and experience you need in your current workplace and in your next role, and what resources/support you need to advance in your careers.
Below are a few of the takeaways & lessons we discussed:
• Culture, Capacity & Wellness — The three core components people are looking for in today’s job marketplace and how the most sought-after opportunities require you to be strategic, focused, highly self-aware, and in your best form when undergoing the process.
• Be Balanced Around Time Invested in Your Search — Consistency is key, but you also have to be mindful of the time an effective job search takes and how much time you have to invest. Ensure you meet 60-80% of the qualifications outlined before you apply.
• Understand the Steps and Skills Needed For Each Role — Bullet points in a job description are drafted with prioritization in mind. Highlight the impact and experience that align directly with the top 5-7 bullet points outlined in the job description.
• The Importance of Having a Mentor or Sponsor — The culture of the K-12 Education sector has been and continues to be highly relationship-based, so consider getting a mentor within your organization, industry, or even the city where you live and work. If you are more senior, consider being that mentor or sponsor to a younger, less seasoned professional. You can learn a great deal about yourself through this process.
• Think ‘career lattice’ vs ‘career ladder’ — Unlike in other industries, especially the corporate world, careers in education can zig-zag or move in a variety of ways depending on your career aspirations. Having varied experience (3-5 years) in a role or organization is viewed more favorably than someone who moves through roles or organizations quickly.
• Seek Out Opportunities Where You Can Leverage Social Capital and gain Professional Growth — Education models that provide great training and access to a network and legacy such as Relay Graduate School of Education, the Surge Institute, or UnboundEd’s Standards Institute, are viewed by recruiters as proxies for candidates’ capacity and competency.
• Other Parting Thoughts — In the next few issues of this newsletter, we will explore the six (6) takeaways and lessons mentioned above in more detail. If you are actively or passively looking for your next role, be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming newsletters and feel free to engage with us through our social media channels or by scheduling a meeting or call with Ron or me.
