Jeanne R. Fitzgerald Career Development Coach/Program Manager - Career Center, University of South Carolina
Y
ou already know the perils of displaying questionable content on such sites as TikTok, Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram. However, as a teacher candidate, you may wonder, “Do I really need a LinkedIn profile?” The resounding answer is YES especially since LinkedIn has approximately 675 million users.
Networking and Social Media
I’m a Teacher Candidate - Do I Really Need a LinkedIn Profile?
You want to be one of them. Here’s why. Seventy-percent of employers do research candidate profiles on social media. Data also show that 57% have found content that excludes candidates.With so many employers using social media to eliminate candidates, why not give them a reason to include you? Imagine this: You are on the job hunt. That well-written resume, cover letter, and completed job application for your dreams has landed you an interview. You successfully navigated your way through the interview process, including delivering an engaging demonstration lesson. You pass the reference check. It sure feels as if all your hard work is about to pay off. What you don’t know yet is that the committee has narrowed the field to you and two other candidates. How will they decide who is selected for the position? They just might turn to social media - any media - to learn more about you. You have already removed questionable posts and pictures that could be misconstrued and hurt you in the job search process or even eliminated your accounts. What you might not have considered is how an effective LinkedIn profile can actually have a positive influence on your candidacy. For example, you can use LinkedIn to showcase your professional knowledge, related experiences, creativity, love for children, and passion for teaching. You can also upload documents and media, which demonstrate classroom initiatives, group projects, volunteer work, differentiated lesson planning, fliers, newsletters, and photo collages. You can grow your professional network by connecting with individuals and following organizations dedicated to the education field. All of these are effective in demonstrating your commitment as an educator to a potential employer. Think of it this way. You won’t know if the interview committee examines the social media of their candidates. However, if they do, wouldn’t you want to be the one using LinkedIn to your advantage? (Use additional articles in the Job Search Handbook to help you create and enhance your LinkedIn profile.)
NOTES
49 American Association for Employment in Education
