Read on my website / Read time: 4 minutes
This issue is brought to you by:
Find $60K+ EdTech Jobs Built for Teachers
Edskip helps educators find high-paying roles in EdTech with curated listings. Free and premium access.
* I may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase using this link at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I’ve tested and truly believe in.
This sentence probably makes you freeze:
“Lead with the business problem you solve.”
I hate reading that. It's way too vague. People say that and don't actually tell you how to figure yours out. Plus, it feels unfair because you've worked so damn hard and still aren’t sure what that even means.
So let’s strip this down to something you can actually freaking use.
What a “business problem” actually is
Something that costs a company time, money, trust, or growth if it is not handled well.
That’s it.
Companies hire people to:
• reduce friction
• prevent mistakes
• create consistency
• help others perform better
Teachers do this constantly. You just don’t call it that.
Why “teacher” is not a business signal
When you lead with “teacher,” companies don’t think:
“She solves problems.”
They think:
• cLaSsRooM
• KidS
• HaLl PaSSes
• tAkInG AttEnDanCe
That doesn’t mean they don’t value you. It means they don’t know where to place you.
Your job is not to convince them teaching matters. Your job is to make your value obvious in their language.
Stop asking:
“What jobs can teachers do?”
Start asking:
“What problems did I solve over and over again?”
Then name those problems clearly.
Below are very specific translations from teaching to business problems. These are not hypothetical. These are real. Pick yours and run with it.
Common Teacher Experiences. Real Business Problems.
Find yours and start using it everywhere.
1. “I taught students how to understand difficult material.”
Business problem:
People don’t understand information fast enough to use it correctly.
Business language:
“I deliver complex information in clear, usable ways so people can act without feeling stuck.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I created _______"
Where this fits:
• Learning and Development
• Training
• Enablement
• Content
• Operations
2. “I managed a classroom.”
Business problem:
Groups don’t perform well without structure and clear expectations.
Business language:
“I create systems that keep groups organized, accountable, and moving toward shared goals.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I created _______"
Where this fits:
• Program coordination
• Operations
• Team enablement
• Project support
3. “I worked with parents, administrators, and staff.”
What you're actually saying is: "Everyone wanted something different and I had to keep the peace."
Business problem:
Stakeholders have competing priorities and poor communication creates friction.
Business language:
“I manage stakeholders, align expectations, and keep communication clear across groups.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I created _______"
Where this fits:
• Program management
• Client success
• Implementation
• Account coordination
4. “I planned events like assemblies, showcases, or testing days.”
Business problem:
Events fail when logistics, timing, and communication slip.
Business language:
“I plan and execute multi-part events with tight timelines, multiple stakeholders, and zero room for error.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I led the _______"
Where this fits:
• Event operations
• Program coordination
• Internal communications
• Ops roles
5. “I analyzed student data and adjusted instruction.”
Let me guess:
“But it wasn’t business data.”
Doesn’t matter.
What actually happened:
“When I ignored the data, results suffered.”
Business problem:
Decisions fail when data isn’t used to change behavior.
Business language:
“I use data to diagnose issues and adjust strategy to improve outcomes.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I _______"
Where this fits:
• Operations
• Program evaluation
• Customer success
• Performance support
6. “I supported struggling students.”
Business problem:
People disengage when systems don’t meet them where they are.
Business language:
“I identify barriers to performance and create targeted support to improve retention and outcomes.”
Supercharge it:
"...as proven by the times when I pivoted to _______"
Where this fits:
• Customer success
• Retention-focused roles
• Support
• Enablement
How to identify your business problem
Use this exercise. It works.
Finish this sentence honestly:
“Things fell apart when I wasn’t paying attention to…”
Examples:
• communication
• expectations
• timelines
• follow-through
• understanding
• accountability
Now ask:
What happened when those things fell apart?
That answer is the business problem you solved.
How to use this everywhere
Once you can name the problem, you lead with it.
Not:
“I’m a former teacher with 10 years of experience.”
But:
“I help teams stay aligned and deliver results by creating clear systems and expectations.”
Use this in:
• your LinkedIn headline
• your About section
• your resume summary
• interviews
• networking conversations
This is why some former teachers get interviews quickly and others don’t.
A final reality check
Companies are not avoiding former teachers.
They are avoiding people who make them work too hard to understand where they fit.
When you stop leading with your past role and start leading with the problem you solve, you're going to get callbacks.
If you’re stuck, don’t ask:
“What job should I apply for?”
Ask:
“What breaks when I’m not in the room?”
That answer is your next job.
Steph Yesil
Find me on LinkedIn, Get My Career Change Kit,
Book a 60-Min Strategy Call
(My January is nearly booked up. February is about to open. Get ready!)
