Are you opting for a career change? It can happen due to two reasons – going for a  totally different career field by choice, or you want to take on new challenges. Whatever be your cause for switching career, the first thing you need to do is write a fresh and relevant resume. Before you do, understand that using the same methods to draft it that landed you an established job would not be sufficient now. As hiring managers have limited attention span, it is necessary to put your best foot forward and market yourself appropriately. Following tips give an insight on how to write a good career change resume and secure a job in a new field.

Career Change Resume

Create a strong first impression

Take efforts to write a captivating cover letter. It is the first thing that the hiring managers are going to read. It gives you a chance to convey how the past work history and skills make you a suitable candidate for the job. Even if you have little or nil experience of the new field, and are competing against individuals who have worked in a similar background, the cover letter is an opportunity to stress on how you can achieve an effective transition in the new role.

Mention Transferable skills

Understand the role by reading the job description. Analyze skills you have gained relevant to the new position that can convey you as a perfect match for the role. For example, if you have decided to move from the team leader to teacher, find out the things that are common in both the profession. It could be strong presentation skills, ability to convey your thoughts in simple language and capacity to hold attention of audience. To compare your skills with the applied job, use these resume samples.

Use a resume objective 

An objective can be used in top section of your document to specify the type of job you are looking for. While this statement is going to be about you, its main purpose is to sell yourself to the hiring managers. Write an eye-catching objective statement that helps recruiters connect the dots and make them understand how your previous career has given you skills that are apt for the new job.

Decide on format 

There are many types of resume formats available. When you are switching to a new field, it is important to revamp your resume as per a specific format that is most convenient to you. It could be a chronological resume in which your past work experience is highlighted in reverse order along with a qualification summary. Or it can be a functional resume where priority is given to your experience and skills rather than the organization you have worked for. One can also use a combination of both the types to make the right impact.

Mention valuable experiences 

Include the description about key projects that helped you develop transferable skills. It can be training or volunteer work you have done in the previous company. If you have little experience of the new field, emphasize work done beyond the office hours. For example, if you are working at a customer care center and are looking forward to moving in website design, include the website you might have designed for a local restaurant during your graduation years. Demonstrate your passion for the new career and tell how you have made use of opportunities to improve your skills.

Do not include unnecessary information 

You might have worked in a variety of projects in the past, but not all should be included on the resume. Even if you have accomplished many tasks in your previous organization, highlight only those that are relevant to the new field.

A career change can occur when there is a scarcity of jobs in the current industry, increased competition, or no progress in the pursued field. Regardless of any reason, an individual must concentrate on writing a proper career change resume that is bound to catch the recruiter's attention and make him/her fix an interview.

When you opt for a different position in your field or have decided to switch your career, a cover letter can play a huge role in securing a job. Since you are shifting to a completely new domain, you may not have the relevant experience required for the job profile. This is where you can use your cover letter to exhibit your strengths and make the most of the opportunity. However, you must know how to capitalize on your transferable skills and convince the hiring manager on why you are the best fit for the job.



A cover letter's objective is to demonstrate why you qualify for a particular position. However, when you are changing your field, you must focus on points that will help you rise above experienced candidates. In this type of cover letter, you should stress on your transferable skills that will be useful in your new position. Apart from this, you must state your superior performances for which you were applauded in a former field. And last but not the least, express your passion for the new role. Writing an effective career change cover letter can help you communicate your desire to work in a particular industry the right way. You can refer to following cover letter format to convince your employer.

Full Name
Residential Address
City, State, Zip code
Contact Information -
Phone number
Email Address

Date

Recruiter Name
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip code

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (Hiring Manager name)

It is with great interest and zeal that I am responding to “Production Manager” job opening posted on your company's website. I firmly believe that the abilities and skills that I have developed in my career, until now, can help me in handling responsibilities of the job position. The opportunity which your organization has presented seems very appealing, and I think my proficiency at handling projects makes me a suitable candidate for the role.

I am currently working as a (specify your position) for (state your company's name). I have interacted with people from various departments and public authorities. Because of this, my communication skills have been polished, and I have a better understanding on what needs to be done to ensure things are fulfilled as per client's demand.

In fact, I have recently received the (specify the name of the award)  because of my ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams, accomplish projects according to client's expectations and within a set deadline. My other areas of expertise include -

Problem solving skill

Termed as a useful resource known to keep calm for solving complex problems and making key decisions at crucial points.

Efficient planner and organizer

Have an established track record of handling multiple tasks and prioritizing assignments to meet deadlines. Capable of meeting goals to achieve the company's objective.

Team player 

Described as a competent member of my team who is willing to take extra efforts to achieve company target.

Self starter 

Highly motivated employee and a quick learner who always wants to improve and focus on self-development.

I am assured that my experience and set of skills that I have gained in previous jobs meet your expectations for this role. Hereby, attached is my resume for further information about experience. I am hoping that you find me interesting enough to set up face-to-face appointment. I am sure I will be a valuable member of your team. I believe in your company's motto, and it goes in alignment with my personal and professional values.

You can reach me anytime on my contact number to set up our meeting date as per your convenience. Thank you for taking out time for reading my application. Looking forward to your response and speaking on length about the job opportunity.

Sincerely,

Full Name

The cover letter must not contain the same points that you intend to elaborate in your resume. When you are writing a career change cover letter, try to manipulate how your experience can suit the new position. Include transferable skills and competencies that showcase why you as the right candidate for the position to the employer.

Transferable skills are those soft skills which one has got to learn in his current organization and would be beneficial for his next job. They include communication skills, how to deal with people, problem solving, leadership and many more. When you decide to switch your job, you need to recognize your transferable skills, and highlight them in your resume or when attending the interview.

Identity Your Transferable Skills

How to identify your transferable skills

• Evaluate what skills you require

When you decide for a career change, go through the job profiles of the new occupation. Find out the requirements of the employer? What educational background and skills do they look in the candidate who applies for the job? Go through the blogs which will guide you throughout what additional qualities you would require for the job position.

• Evaluate what you skills you possess currently

After evaluating what skills you require, find out what skills you possess. It's not necessary that you should possess all the skills, which are required. Evaluate your complete work experience and jot down the points, which include transferable skills. The list should have your everyday responsibilities, allotted projects to you, and different tasks you accomplished in your previous organization. Then segregate and find out what all skills were needed for completing these duties. After that you can just judge yourself by the skills you possess and the skills the future company requires. The skills which are required that already possess them are the transferable skills of yours.

Where can you find transferable skills

• Job opening advertisements

On the job portals, you can search for jobs and check, whether you have any matching transferable skills. It is not necessary that you should have all of them, but find out of few of them, which would be relevant to your job which you are applying for.

• Online tools

There are plenty of online tools on which you can search for transferable skills, which are required for a certain job position. So check whether the skills you possess match with the skills required for the job.

• Networking in the industry

You can discuss with the people who are working within the field which you wish to work. One can also go through the employer website, attend various industry events, read trade blogs, which would give you a brief of what skills are needed and suitable for a certain job.

How can one utilize his or her transferable skills

You can analyze your transferable skills and mention them in your cover letter or resume. While attending the interview, you need to elaborate your transferable skills with certain examples of how these skills were utilized. The employers believe in the previous experiences in which you explain how you used those skills rather than just general talks. It is suggested by career advisers that one should use “skills resume” or “ functional resume” when they are depending on their transferable skills instead of experience relevant to the new job.

Display your transferable skills

Be confident and make them believe that you are suitable for the career change. This will only take place if you are successful at displaying your transferable skills. Mentioning them in your resume is beneficial as the employer can just go through the keywords of the transferable skills. You can mention your transferable skills as the key skills in the resume.

So while you are giving a thought for a career change, it is very essential to identify your transferable skills suitable for the career you wish to choose. Transferable skills commonly known as the key skills play an important role in the resume of a candidate.

When you are planning to transition to a new career, you have to draft a cover letter. The purpose of this cover letter is to demonstrate how your transferable skills can go with the new profession. However, convincing an employer to hire you, especially when you are shifting a profession is not easy. You have to take a different approach and perspective to draft it.

Your only aim when drafting a career change cover letter should be to convince the would-be employer to hire you. This crucial document gives an apt explanation to the recruiter regarding points such as why you have opted for a career change. Along with the relevant resume, cover letter also highlights your transferable skills that make you suitable for the position. These points may not be reflected in your resume, and hence, your cover letter must be written with utmost care.

Cover Letter

Following points must be taken into consideration while writing a cover letter for career change:

#01. Opening Paragraph 

Address the career change cover letter to a specific person 

The cover letter must be addressed to the concerned person in a formal manner. Starting the letter by addressing it to a  specific person increases your chances of being noticed by the recruiter. Personalizing the letter can be an effective way to start your document. You can always get authenticate information for the same on the company's site.

Mention the job profile you are applying for 

The candidate must clearly mention the job position he/she is interested in and also give details about how he/she came to know about the job opening. Add reference of the person who gave you the information. It could be consultancy or any on-line job portal.

Sell yourself 

Since you are going through a career change, it is advisable not to mention previous work experience if they are irrelevant to the new job profile. Emphasize the transferable skills that can support you in the job. This will increase your chances of being noticed by the employer.

#02. Middle Paragraph (body)

Justify why you are changing your career to a specific field 

There will definitely be a question on why you are choosing to apply for this particular job opening. Mention your relevant desires and how your experience can assist the organization.

Give a brief description about your experience and skills pertaining to the job

You can mention your previous work if it is related to the position. Also, you can talk about abilities in completing projects within deadlines and your strong network that may be helpful to the organization.

Assist the employer in visualizing why you are the best candidate for the position 

You can include points regarding your background, experience and skills that will be useful in growing the business of the organization. Emphasize on how your experience can be effective in bringing positive outcomes and better results for the firm.

#03. Closing Paragraph

Thank the concerned person 

At the end of your cover letter, do not forget to thank the recruiter for taking out time to read your application and reviewing your resume.

Actuate the next move of the employer 

Take steps to initiate further steps from the hiring manager by adding proactive sentences. Mention you are open to any other questions and are willing to hold additional discussions for the same.

Sign off in a formal style 

Last but not the least, mention your full name, contact details, specifically your phone number and email id where the recruiter can get in touch with you.

Every individual has different reasons for a career change. It can be the changing market conditions, the individual's urge to grow more dynamically or any other personal reasons. To make the potential employer take interest in you, it is essential that you write an appropriate cover letter. It will help in conveying relevant credentials, your transferable skills and how passionate you are about your new career.

There comes a time when ones get bored doing the same job repeatedly and the person start experiencing a strong urge to switch profession. However, what stands as an obstacle in the transition is the questions you have to answer for career change. Since you are starting fresh, employers are concerned about lack of experience and commitment towards the new field. That's where convincing the interviewer that you have made a right decision gets difficult. The best way to relieve employers of their concern is to be ready with answers that can explain your career change decision clearly. Go through the below points to mitigate employers' worries. You can also include your own interpretations, circumstances, and phrases that would relate your situation.

Prepare well for the interview

Before you think about a career change, spend maximum time and effort looking into and finding out about the profession in detail. Discuss about the career with those who are in this field. It will help to gain practical knowledge, and you shall understand how to make the professional switch. The career change which you have made previously is revealed in your resume. Doesn't matter whether the switch is current or in the past, disclose the interviewer the work you did and why that decision of your career change does make a sense for the future.

Show that you are flexible and easily adaptable to new conditions

Explain to the interviewer, the work you did in the previous job and the skills you have gained. For instance, if you were a part of a project in which you gained understanding as a team player, describe how the teamwork made you a better person. If you have supervised others, then speak about monitoring and observation skills. Other skills such as correspondence, critical thinking and data investigation may also be very valuable in your new work profile. Go through the job description you want and make a list of all the matching characteristics and skills you presently possess. Be prepared for a situation during the interview in which you have to discuss about how your experience can be beneficial for your current job applied.

Future oriented

The current situation in the job market provokes individuals to think about a career switch. Upgradation in technology and failing businesses can sometimes make a new career. The most ideal approach to maintain your professional life intact is to move forward. You may also think that it is necessary to take a reverse step when you are thinking of changing profession. You should be able to make the interviewer aware that all of your movements related to career were done deliberately, and you firmly trust that the outcome will be in your favor. Talking about these nuances in an interview enables the company recruiter to understand that you have made these steps for a strong purpose.

“Change” as an opportunity

One of the major ways to succeed in a career change interview is to promote your capacity to adjust to change effortlessly. Employers usually don't prefer people who are hesitant to change; they are looking for candidates who consider 'change' as an opportunity. Their are many high paying career opportunities as well if you adapt it easily. Candidates who are adaptable and versatile are esteemed in the workforce. If the previous career change has occurred several years ago, discuss about the positive aspects of focusing on the new profession.

Keep the following points in mind while attending a career change interview. Show that you are enthusiastic about the job and ready to put in all the efforts to achieve success. Also, address their worries about your capabilities and dedication by stressing why the change makes well for your skills, passion, and goals.