From Vision to Visibility: Phase Two of Your Job Search

In this series, we began by asking Will You Stay or Will You Go?, offering a job-seeking timeline and key reflection prompts to guide your thinking. In Phase One, we focused on reflection and getting clear about your professional identity, needs, and aspirations. Now, it’s time to take that clarity and turn it into action. The August–October window is no longer the early phase of recruiting; in many ways, it's the primary phase. Schools are planning, hiring conversations are starting, and candidates who are prepared can engage with intention instead of urgency.

At this stage, successful job-seeking is not just about whether you stay or go, it’s about how you move forward with purpose.

Get Clear: Am I Ready to Go?

Start by returning to the essential question: Am I ready to make a move or am I open to staying, under the right conditions?

For some educators, remaining at their current school might feel viable if certain aspects were to change: stronger leadership, clearer roles, a more sustainable workload, or access to deeper professional learning. But it’s important to pause and ask: Are those changes possible in this environment? And just as importantly, what would it take to create the kind of conditions where I can truly thrive?

This phase isn’t only about assessing what’s missing, it’s about determining whether your current context has the capacity or willingness to evolve in ways that meet your professional needs. Revisit the reflections you explored earlier this year. What did you identify as your non-negotiables? What do you need more of, or less of, to feel energized, valued, and supported in your work?

Moving forward with confidence requires more than noticing what’s not working; it means being honest about what’s possible where you are, and clear about what you’re moving toward, whether that’s a renewed commitment to your current school or an intentional step in a new direction.

Define What You’re Looking For

If moving on is the right decision for you, you’ll begin to explore new opportunities and shift your focus from leaving to arriving somewhere new with purpose.

Consider:

• What kind of school culture aligns with your values and professional identity?
• What leadership styles help you grow and do your best work?
• What types of learners, communities, or regions do you feel drawn to support?
• Do you want to replicate the role you currently have, or are you seeking a chance to grow, specialize, or lead?

This part of the process is about alignment, not just opportunity. Go beyond a school’s name or marketing language. Look for evidence of how they live their mission, support staff development, and prioritize values like innovation or Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). Use your own values and vision as a lens for evaluating options.

TIE’s school profiles, recruitment platform, and webinars are all designed to help you engage with schools at a deeper level, so you can move toward roles where your strengths and purpose align.

Choose Your Job Search Tools and Platforms with Intention

As hiring begins to accelerate, it’s tempting to sign up for every platform and pursue every opportunity. But an effective job search isn't about doing more, it's about doing it well. The most successful candidates aren’t just the most visible; they’re the most intentional.

Start by asking yourself:

• Will I manage my search independently or partner with a recruiter?
• Am I using my professional network to gain authentic insights into schools I’m considering?
• How am I showcasing my expertise and impact? Am I simply telling or am I showing?

This is where your choice of platforms and tools becomes critical. With so many entry points—job fairs, search agencies, LinkedIn, and specialized platforms like TIE—what matters most is how strategically you engage with them.

TIE’s Evidence-Based Portfolio offers a unique advantage in this landscape. It allows you to move beyond static resumes and generic applications, and instead present a dynamic, contextualized portrait of your professional practice.

Audit Your Digital Presence

This is also a key moment to assess how you're showing up online. Often, recruiters will view your LinkedIn profile or personal website before ever seeing your resume or portfolio.

Ask yourself:

• Does my LinkedIn reflect who I am professionally, and where I want to go next?
• Is my summary aligned with my current goals and values?
• Is there consistency in how I represent myself across platforms?

Your online presence should reinforce and complement what’s in your portfolio—together, they tell a complete, compelling story.

From Reflection to Action

This phase of the journey is about momentum: making informed decisions, choosing your strategies, and positioning yourself effectively. Schools are looking, hiring conversations are underway, and your clarity now can make all the difference in how you show up and what you pursue.

At TIE, we’re here to support you through it—with tools, insights, and a platform designed to help you lead your own search with confidence. Visit www.tieonline.com to begin your job seeking journey.