Teachers in Transition

Teachers in Transition – Episode 241: You’re Not Alone: Building a Career Transition That Works for You

• Vanessa Jackson

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In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the themes of creativity, resilience, and unconventional problem-solving using cars as a metaphor for teamwork and thinking outside the box.

Vanessa also discusses the reality of career success, highlighting that it’s rarely a straight path. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, recognizing one’s value, and making small but impactful adjustments. Drawing from her recent car-buying experience, she relates how many job seekers - especially career changers - struggle with being overlooked because employers focus on surface-level qualities instead of long-term potential.

She shares a few clever life hacks—like using a tension rod to keep grocery bags upright and a binder clip to keep phone chargers in place—illustrating how small, strategic changes can have a big impact.

Finally, she reviews in detail the Build Phase of career transition, guiding educators through essential steps like crafting a resume, optimizing LinkedIn, building a network, and organizing a job search. 

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The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzspout

Are you a teacher who is feeling stressed out and overwhelmed? Do you worry that you're feeling symptoms of burnout - or are you sure you've already gotten there? Have you started to dream of doing something different or a new job or perhaps pursuing an entirely different career - but you don't know what else you're qualified to do? You don't know how to start a job search, and you just feel stuck. If that sounds like you, I promise you are not alone. My name is Vanessa Jackson; and I am a career transition and job search coach, and I specialize in helping burnt out teachers just like you deal with the overwhelmingly stressful nature of your day-to-day job and to consider what other careers might be out there waiting for you. You might ask yourself, What tools do I need to find a new career?  Are my skills valuable outside the classroom?  How and where do I even get started?  These are all questions you deserve answers to, and I can help you find them.  I’m Vanessa Jackson. Come and join me for Teachers in Transition.  

***Hi!  And Welcome back to another episode of Teachers in Transition. I am your host, Vanessa Jackson – I’m a career transition and job search coach who specializes in helping educators just like you. I taught in a middle school classroom for 25 years, left teaching to work in the corporate America world of staffing. Now, I provide tips and suggestions to help with stress and mental health, hacks to help your day, and tips for job-hunting and career transition.  Today on the podcast we are going to talk about creativity, resilience, and the unconventional ways we navigate life—whether it's finding a new job, solving an everyday problem, or even carrying a VW Bug across a parking lot.

One of my favorite stories about my dad is one he never would have told himself. My dad was a master storyteller and an incredible teacher—always leading by example, even when the lesson was unexpected.

I remember one time, we were under my car, and he was teaching me how to change the oil. "Don't drop the wrench in the oil," he warned me, "because if you do, I'm going to make you reach in and get it." And then - of course - he promptly dropped the wrench in the oil. Without hesitation, he sighed deeply and reached in to retrieve it. That was my dad. Always willing to teach, always leading the way—even when it meant getting his hands dirty.

But the story I want to share today isn’t one he told me—it came from Betty, the mother of one of his friends. She recalled a day back at the Astrodome, way back when it was still new and the concept of clearing the parking lot efficiently hadn’t quite been figured out yet. Traffic was a mess. As she and her husband sat in their car, inching along, she noticed four young men lifting a VW Bug. Yes—lifting it. Carrying it over the curb and setting it down in the street, completely bypassing the gridlock. She turned to her husband and said, “Would you look at those idiots carrying that car?” Followed shortly by "Oh my dear word, those idiots are our son and his friends!"

I love this story for so many reasons. First, the sheer audacity of it—who even thinks of carrying their car to escape traffic? But more than that, it's a perfect metaphor for teamwork and problem-solving. You cannot pull off shenanigans on that level without someone at all four corners of the Volkswagen. It’s a lesson I used to tell my students:  we have to hold up our corner if we are going to be part of a team.   
 
As I’ve aged, I think I would add a nugget about the importance of not trying to do things alone - we can’t accomplish great things alone - we need three other people to help carry that VW Bug if we are going to find success.

And while we’re talking about success…

I hope you've all seen that meme that illustrates what people think success looks like: a straight line from point A to point B. And then the second image shows the reality—a tangled, scribbly mess of loops and setbacks.  Sometimes they show that “straight” (you can’t see my air quotes, but I’m using them!) line from the side and you see all the pitfalls and holes along the way. 

The truth is, no journey—especially a career transition—is ever a straight shot. Some days, you feel like you're making headway, and other days, it feels like nothing is changing. But the only constant in the universe is change. Things will inevitably shift—we just don’t get to control when.

What we do control is how we react to the process. And that’s where breath comes in.

Think about your breath during meditation (or even just your breath you are breathing -you inhale, you exhale, you don’t die... Your belly expands, then contracts. Growth works the same way. You can’t expand forever. Sometimes, you have to let go, exhale, and make space for something new.

Last weekend, we took a trip to replace a vehicle. Now, my philosophy on buying cars might be a little different from yours. We drove 200 miles to a dealership that had a few vehicles meeting my criteria, and one hit the sweet spot.

Out the door, we spent less than $7,000. It wasn’t a pristine vehicle, but the engine and transmission were solid. The mileage was higher than a big dealership wanted to deal with, so they offloaded it to an independent lot where it sat for several months—ignored because people couldn’t see past the cosmetic damage – the rock chips, a couple of dents, and a very sad bed liner insert.

That truck reminds me of many job seekers - especially those transitioning careers. You’ve been down the road. You’ve seen a few things. You’re battle-tested, and you know you can get the job done. But often, hiring managers only see the surface. They overlook experience in favor of something shiny and new. This is why it’s important to overlooks older dates on your resume.

Here’s the thing: that truck still has plenty of life left in it – once it gets new tires. And so do you. Don’t let someone else’s inability to see your value at first glance make you doubt it yourself.

And moving on to our hack – our hacks are designed to make you like better in one shape form or fashion – today’s hack is a great hack for your CAR.  We all spend a fair amount of time in our cars and sometimes the most brilliant solutions are the simplest ones. You ever see a hack so good that you smack yourself on the head and think, "Why didn’t I think of that sooner?" Well, I’ve got a couple of those for you today—both for your car and your life.

First, if you use reusable shopping bags for carrying lots of stuff back and forth or even just regular plastic bags, you know the struggle of them tipping over and spilling everywhere. The fix? A tension rod across the back of your trunk or  your SUV. It doesn’t even need to be super tight—just enough to keep those bags upright – thread it through all the handles. 

Second, do you ever lose your phone charging cord in the black hole that is your car’s seats and console? A simple binder clip attached to your air vent keeps it in place and easy to grab. No more digging around!

Now, let’s zoom out—because these small fixes apply to more than just your vehicle. Sometimes, the smallest tweaks in your job search, mindset, or daily routine can make a huge difference. Think about it: what’s the one simple change you can make today that would make your life easier?

And in today's segment on career transition and job hunting, I continue reviewing the  components of going from teaching in the classroom to working outside the world of education  Those five steps are Decide, Clarity, Build, Refine,  and Attract. 
 
 Transitioning out of the classroom and into a new career requires a strategic and structured approach. One of the most critical steps in this journey is the Build phase. This is the stage where you actively construct the foundational pieces needed for a successful transition. Without a solid foundation, the job search process can become overwhelming, chaotic, depressing, and ultimately ineffective.

What Does the Build Phase Include?

Resume Development
The first major component of the Build phase is crafting your resume. Your resume serves as the marketing tool that highlights your skills, experience, and value to potential employers. Since no two jobs are identical, it is essential to create a strong initial resume that can be easily customized for different roles. I call mine the “Everything Resume Template,” and I think of it like Legos. Identifying specific job families or career paths you are interested in will make tailoring your resume more efficient and targeted. Its easier to tailor for one or two types of jobs than it is – 12. 

LinkedIn Optimization
In today's digital world, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job seekers. During the Build phase, you should focus on constructing  the framework a professional and engaging LinkedIn profile. This includes writing a compelling headline, crafting a strong summary that reflects your skills and aspirations, the background, your headshot,  and ensuring your work experience section is optimized with relevant keywords. A well-built LinkedIn profile increases your visibility to recruiters and help you establish professional connections in your desired fields.

Cover Letter Templates
Just like your resume, your cover letter should be tailored to each job application. However, having a strong base template can save a LOT of time and effort. Your template should highlight your transferable skills, demonstrate enthusiasm for the role, and showcase your ability to meet the employer’s needs. Customizing each cover letter by adjusting key phrases and examples make your application more impactful.

Career Research and Targetting
Speaking of keywords, how do we know what keywords to use?  Well in our career research and targeting, we research potential career paths.  
Researching potential career paths is a crucial step in the Build phase. It helps you understand industry expectations, required skills, and potential salary ranges. You learn all of the important keywords that are used in many job descriptions. And By gaining clarity on your target roles, you can focus your efforts on building a strategy that aligns with your goals. We go over multiple job boards, company websites, and professional networking groups to gather insights on job requirements and employer expectations.

Networking and Relationship Building
Building a strong professional network can significantly enhance your job search. Engage with professionals in your field of interest, join relevant groups, and participate in industry discussions. Informational interviews are another excellent way to learn more about a career while expanding your network. I talk about information interviewing in episode 232 and our founder, Kitty Boitnott talks about how to set up informational interview in episode 107 of Teachers in Transition.  I’ll link to both of those in the show notes.   The more connections you build, the more opportunities you will uncover.

And Job Search Organization
An organized job search is an effective job search. Creating trackers to monitor your applications, follow-up dates, and interview schedules will help you stay on top of the process. Spreadsheets are amazing (I love a good spreadsheet)!  Spreadsheets or project management tools like Asana or Trello can help you streamline this aspect of your transition.

And Personal Preparation for Change
Transitioning careers is not just about finding a new job; it’s about mentally and emotionally preparing for a significant shift. It’s important to set realistic expectations, build resilience, and develop strategies for managing stress during the process.

If all of this feels overwhelming, know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. This is exactly why I help individuals in a one-on-one setting—to guide them through each step of this phase (and all of the others) and position them for a career that aligns with their skills, education, and financial goals. The right preparation now will make all the difference in securing a fulfilling role outside the classroom.

So, what are the big takeaways from today? Whether you’re lifting a VW Bug out of traffic, navigating the ups and downs of a job search, or figuring out the best way to keep your groceries upright, the lesson is the same:

  • Look at problems from a new angle. Sometimes, the best solutions aren’t the most obvious ones.
  • Remember that success isn’t linear. Growth requires both expansion and release.
  • Don’t underestimate your own value. Just because someone else doesn’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
  • And finally—small tweaks can make a big impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a tension rod or a binder clip.

Thank you for joining me on Teachers in Transition! If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.  The best way to help a podcast grown and to help other people is to suggest it to a friend.  

And as always, remember, it is taking up to a YEAR in the white collar job search right now so the best time to start your job search and career transition was about sic months ago.  The next best time is now. 

That’s the podcast for today! If you liked this podcast, tell a friend, and don’t forget to rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in weekly to Teachers in Transition where we discuss Job Search strategies as well as stress management techniques.  And I want to hear from you!  Please reach out and leave me a message at Vanessa@Teachersintransition.com  You can also leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099. 

I’ll see you here again next week and remember – YOU are amazing!