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Career Change Résumés & Cover Letters
By: Kevin Donlin
Career changes are common today. And challenging.
If you're like most people trying to switch careers, you've had a hard time writing an
effective résumé and cover letter. Because to do so, you have to prove you
have the skills and/or experience to do a job that's very different from what you've done
before.
Here's how to make that career switch by writing a résumé and cover letter that
get results.
1. Consider taking a half-step toward a new career.
Let's say you're an administrative assistant...who wants to be a lion tamer. You can
certainly try to move right into lion taming and write a résumé that
emphasizes those skills.
But another way would be to get a job as an administrative assistant at a company employing
lion tamers. Once inside, you can try for an internal promotion to lion taming after
you've had a chance to learn from those on staff.
2. Avoid functional résumés.
The functional résumé, which usually lists "skills" or "areas of
expertise," followed by a sparse career history, is the kiss of death.
Why?
It's used by job seekers to hide something in their past, which is a red flag for most
hiring managers.
So, what résumé format works best?
3. Try a hybrid format
Write a résumé that mixes relevant skills, achievements and experience, with
your most valuable points near the beginning.
You could lead with a tailored objective, like this: OBJECTIVE "Position in lion taming
where skills in communication and a strong knowledge of animal control will add value."
Then, follow with a PROFILE section, where you define and develop the 2-4 skills or areas
of expertise you offer. These can come from anywhere in your career—a degree you
completed last month or a hobby that makes you an expert.
If room allows, follow with a SELECTED ACHIEVEMENTS section, where you can include 2-4
bullet points describing the best things you've done related to your target job. You can
include achievements from paid or volunteer work, hobbies or education.
Then follow with your EDUCATION/TRAINING or EXPERIENCE section, depending on which is more
relevant to your new career.
Be sure to include dates, explain any gaps and write in language that fits your next job.
4. Use your cover letter to really state your case.
If you show enthusiasm in your cover letter and make it easy for the reader to see that
you have the potential to succeed in a new career, your chances of doing so are much
improved!
Taken together, a résumé that makes it easy for employers to see your
relevant skills, combined with a hard-hitting cover letter, can help make your career
change a success.
Best of luck to you!
Kevin Donlin
President
Guaranteed Résumés
About the Author
Kevin Donlin owns Minnesota-based Guaranteed Résumés and writes a bi-weekly
column providing job search and resume writing advice. Reach him at the
Guaranteed Résumé web site: www.gresumes.com.
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