Switching Careers? Show ‘Em What You’ve Got!
By Dana Leipold
Switching careers or fields is one of the best things you can do for your career and your mental health. It can be tough, however, to convince hiring managers to take a chance on you. Make sure you don’t fall into the trap of using the same resume that worked in your previous career when you’re pursuing a new one. Here are some pointers to help you move in a new direction:
1. Research the field you’re trying to break into.
The best way to get started is to learn as much as you can about the field you're trying to break into. You need to know what hiring managers want from their workers. Network with people in the industry and look review job opening. Learn about the skills and other credentials that are important in your new career.
2. Highlight your transferable skills.
You may not have the desired experience, but you probably have skills that are transferable from your former career. For example, a teacher could leverage communication skills used daily in the classroom and transfer them to a new career in sales: delivering presentations, facilitating group discussion, persuading people, and writing reports. Write down a list of your most marketable and related qualifications.
3. Write your new career-focused resume.
Now that you’ve got a solid foundation, you can put together your new resume. A chronological-style resume that leads with a qualifications summary is the best approach. The summary should emphasize your most related credentials so hiring managers can easily see that you are qualified for your new goal. Be sure to mention your new career objective. Your work history should focus on the skills, tasks, and accomplishments that are most related to your new career.
4. Craft a knockout cover letter.
Keep your letter focused on how your motivation, enthusiasm, and passion for your new career would benefit the employer's business. In combination with your retooled resume, your cover letter will serve as a good introduction and pique the hiring manager's interest in interviewing you.
Dana Leipold is a professional writer who helps individuals reach career goals with high-impact resumes. She also publishes resume and interviewing tips aimed at gaining a fulfilling employment experience. Visit www.excellent-resumes.com to subscribe or request a FREE resume critique. Mention Unlimited Mom and get a discount on any service.
