Read on my website / Read time: 4 minutes
A lot of transitioning educators think they know their target job.
Then I ask one simple question:
What makes you excited to spend your days working as a [target job]?
And the person I'm speaking to rambles.
Not once.
Not occasionally.
The last 6 meetings in a row.
That is the giveaway of what the REAL issue is.
When folks come to me, the issue usually is not, “I have no idea what I want.”
It is, “I recognize the title, but I struggle to confidently explain why they should hire me."
It's normally followed by "I know I can do the job but nobody will give me a chance.”
And that matters WAY more than you realize.
Because if you cannot explain your target job in one sentence, you are not ready to apply for it yet.
So today we’re cleaning that up.
Why This Matters to You
Let me say this directly to you:
If you can’t explain the job clearly, a hiring manager won’t be able to see you in it.
Hiring managers are asking themselves one question:
“Does this person understand the role?”
When your materials say:
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“Looking to leverage my skills in a new industry”
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“Seeking customer-focused opportunities”
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“Passionate about making an impact”
- "Inclusive-based practitioner"
It means you’re not clearly seeing yourself in their role.
And this is WAYYYYY too risky to employers.
Common Solutions and Why They Won't Work
Here’s what most people try first:
1. Apply broadly and see what sticks.
“I’ll just apply to CSM, implementation, ops, project management… something will land.”
Usually, nothing does. Because your resume shifts tone every time.
2. Focus only on the title.
You say, “I want to be a Customer Success Manager.”
But when someone asks, “What does a CSM actually help customers do?”
There’s either a long pause or a "I think I know" explanation.
3. List transferable skills without context.
“Communication.”
“Leadership.”
“Organization.”
EVERYONE says they have these. That's cool but is it the kind of comms, leadership, or organization your next employer actually needs??
A Better Approach for You
Here’s the rule:
If you can’t explain your target role in two clean sentences, pause the applications.
Not forever. Just long enough to get clear.
Use this formula:
“I help [who] achieve [outcome] using [method or tool]. I've done this by [examples from your work].”
That’s it.
Copy it. Paste it. Fill it in.
Here are 10 REAL examples from former teachers:
Customer Success Manager
A Customer Success Manager makes sure customers get value from a product, keep using it, and want to stay.
“I help schools actually use the software they buy so it doesn’t just sit there unused. I’ve done this by training teachers on new (SaaS, SMS, LMS, etc) platforms and following up to make sure everyone is successfully using the app. ”
“I can help customers feel confident using a new platform by guiding them step-by-step from setup to results. I’ve done this by onboarding new hires to new grading systems (name them) and walking teams through new tech tools (name them), specific to their individual needs.”
“I specialize in helping folks stick with a product because they’re seeing real value from it, not just logging in once. I’ve done this by running regular check-ins with 6 other employees and providing just-in-time support for those who I know are not yet getting the full benefit of the program.”
Implementation Specialist
An Implementation Specialist is the person who helps a customer get the product set up and launched correctly.
“I thrive when I help new users get up and running with a new system without feeling overwhelmed. I’ve done this by rolling out new curriculum platforms school-wide and building simple startup user guides for staff.”
“I help teams switch to new software by facilitating kickoff meetings and making sure all devices are configured properly, both on the tech side and the data migration side. I’ve done this 3 times for a department of 8 and provided open-door troubleshooting during rollout.”
“I love helping organizations move from their old system to a new one without the typical lengthy spin up time. After going through 4 SaaS system-upgrades over the past 6 years, I’ve done this by coordinating more efficient timelines with my administrators, communicating updates to each team, and providing ongoing troubleshooting during the change.”
Learning and Development
A Learning and Development specialist helps employees learn how to do build new skills and get better at their jobs inside the company (as opposed to the external customer.)
“I help employees learn new skills in a way that actually makes them want use what I provided, not just in a one-and-done training. I’ve done this by designing multi-week learning plans aligned to what the site's priorities were and checking in for understanding before we moved to the next priority.”
“I help teams get better at their jobs by creating practical, easy-to-follow training, fully aligned to the district and site's employee learning goals. I’ve done this by building custom professional development sessions and monitoring ongoing tool usage + accompanying outcomes after each session.”
Operations
An Operations professional makes sure the internal business runs correctly and efficiently behind the scenes.
“I help teams get more digitally organized so work stops falling through the cracks. I’ve done this by creating tracking systems for student data using (these specific software tools), learning asset inventory using (these tools), and setting up clear communication processes using (these specific software tools).”
“I help organizations clean up messy processes so operations run smoother day to day. I’ve done this by upgrading our site resource scheduling systems and implementing new standardized procedures for (add your own outcome or "why" you did this here, ie. shared device management/support staff scheduling/physical location checkin and checkout procedures) .”
Notice what this does?
The first sentence shows you get it.
The second sentence proves you know how to do it.
Now read one of those out loud and imagine saying it in an interview.
Feels different, right?
Pick your role, pick your explanation, and practice, practice, practice.
TL;DR:
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If you can’t define the role clearly, your materials won’t either
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Vague goals create vague applications
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A one-sentence "positioning statement" literally sharpens everything in this process. Your understanding of the role, your materials, your interviews, and most importantly, your chances of getting the job.
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If it’s fuzzy, pause and refine
Your Next Steps
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Choose one target path. Not three. One.
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Use the formula I gave above and draft your sentence.
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Tighten it until it feels specific and concrete. Let the examples above guide you.
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Let that sentence guide your resume, LinkedIn, and networking conversations.
And I mean this:
Before you hit apply again, get this sentence right.
If you want feedback on your sentence, hit reply to this email and send me yours. Be sure to include your target role too.
I’ll give you a real gut-check. If it's clear, we celebrate. And if it’s not, I'll tell you that too.
(If you're reading this on my website, click here to start getting these newsletters so you can reply directly to me too.)
P.s.
When you're ready to take the right steps in the right order to get your corporate job, that’s what the my Career Change Accelerator™ is for.
Hope this gives you a better idea of what was holding you up.
See you next week.
Steph Yesil
Find me on LinkedIn, Get My Career Change Kit,
Book a 60-Min Strategy Call
