Making a career change is a daunting but exciting step, and one of the most crucial steps is crafting a resume that highlights your skills and experiences in a way that convinces potential employers that you’re the right fit for the job. Writing a resume for a career change can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can make a great first impression on hiring managers.
In this article, we’ll go over some tips and examples for writing a resume for a career change.
- Identify Your Transferable Skills. One of the most important things you can do when writing a resume for a career change is to identify your transferable skills. These are skills that you’ve developed in one career that can be applied to another. For example, if you’re transitioning from a career in marketing to a career in sales, your skills in communication, strategy, and customer service can be applied to your new role. Highlight these skills in your resume, as they can help you stand out to potential employers.
- Tailor Your Resume to the Job. When making a career change, it’s important to tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for. This means focusing on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. Look at the job description and requirements, and use them to guide your resume. If the job requires specific technical skills or knowledge, make sure to highlight those in your resume.
- Emphasize Relevant Experience. When making a career change, you may not have direct experience in the new field, but you can still highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate your abilities. For example, if you’re transitioning from a career in finance to a career in education, you can highlight your experience managing budgets and finances, as well as any volunteer work or extracurricular activities that show your passion for education.
- Use a Summary Statement. A summary statement is a great way to introduce yourself and explain your career change to potential employers. In a few sentences, you can summarize your skills and experiences, and explain how they make you a great fit for the job. This can help you make a great first impression and stand out to hiring managers.
- Highlight Education and Training. If you’re making a career change that requires new skills or knowledge, highlight any education or training you’ve received in the new field. This could include certifications, degrees, or training programs. Emphasize how your education and training make you a qualified candidate for the job.
Examples of Resumes for a Career Change
Here are a few examples of resumes for a career change, which demonstrate some of the tips we’ve covered.
Marketing to Sales If you’re transitioning from a career in marketing to a career in sales, your resume might look like this:
Summary statement: “Experienced marketer with excellent communication, strategy, and customer service skills, seeking a career change to sales.”
Skills: Communication, Strategy, Customer Service
Relevant Experience:
Developed and executed marketing campaigns that increased sales by 25%
Managed relationships with clients, resulting in a 95% client retention rate
Coordinated events and conferences that increased brand awareness and generated new leads
Finance to Education If you’re transitioning from a career in finance to a career in education, your resume might look like this:
Summary statement: “Detail-oriented finance professional with a passion for education, seeking a career change to become a teacher.”
Skills: Budget Management, Analysis, Attention to Detail
Relevant Experience: Managed budgets and finances for a large corporation, resulting in a 10% increase in profits Volunteered as a tutor for underprivileged youth, helping them improve their grades and achieve their academic goals Organized educational workshops and seminars for employees
When it comes to listing your work experience, it’s important to focus on transferable skills that can be applied to your new career. These might include skills such as project management, problem-solving, or communication.
In addition to highlighting your transferable skills, it’s also important to show how your previous work experience is relevant to your new career. This can be achieved by focusing on specific achievements or responsibilities that are relevant to the new position.
For example, if you’re looking to transition from a marketing role to a project management role, you might highlight your experience managing cross-functional teams or your success in delivering projects on time and within budget.
Lastly, don’t forget to mention any relevant education or certifications that you may have earned in preparation for your new career. This could include courses or training programs that you’ve completed, as well as any professional certifications or licenses that you’ve obtained.
Career Change Resume Example
Let’s take a look at an example of a career change resume:
[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email]
Objective: To secure a project management position where I can leverage my skills in team leadership and project planning to drive successful outcomes.
Education:
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
XYZ University, Anytown, USA
Graduated: May 2018
Bachelor of Science in Marketing
ABC University, Anytown, USA
Graduated: May 2014
Experience:
Project Manager
XYZ Corporation, Anytown, USA
June 2018 – Present
- Manage cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and deliverables
- Create and maintain project plans, schedules, and budgets
- Communicate project status and risks to senior leadership
Marketing Manager
ABC Company, Anytown, USA
May 2014 – June 2018
- Developed and executed marketing campaigns to drive brand awareness and lead generation
- Collaborated with sales team to develop sales enablement materials
- Managed social media channels and website content
- Conducted market research to inform marketing strategy
Certifications:
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
Project Management Institute
Skills:
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Budgeting and financial analysis
- Communication and stakeholder management
- Strategic planning and execution
As you can see from this example, the resume starts with a clear objective that sets the tone for the entire document. The education section follows, highlighting the candidate’s MBA and undergraduate degree in marketing.
The experience section then focuses on the candidate’s current role as a project manager, emphasizing their skills in team leadership, project planning, and stakeholder management. The candidate’s previous experience as a marketing manager is also listed, with a focus on transferable skills such as strategic planning and execution.
The certifications section mentions the candidate’s CAPM certification from the Project Management Institute, further demonstrating their commitment to their new career path. Finally, the skills section highlights the candidate’s most relevant hard and soft skills, ensuring that the reader is left with a clear understanding of the candidate’s strengths.
Conclusion
Writing a resume for a career change can be a challenging task, but by focusing on your transferable skills, relevant experience, and education, you can create a compelling document that highlights your potential as a candidate. Remember to tailor your resume to the specific position you’re applying for, and to clearly communicate your objective and achievements.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job in a new field!
One product that could be helpful for someone looking to make a career change is the book “What Color Is Your Parachute? 2022: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success” by Richard N. Bolles. This book has been a go-to resource for job seekers for over 50 years, offering practical and actionable advice for finding a job that aligns with your values and skills. It includes exercises and strategies for self-discovery, networking, and job searching, all of which can be especially useful for someone making a career change. With its 2022 edition, the book is up-to-date with the latest job market trends and tips for navigating the changing landscape. For anyone looking to make a career change, “What Color Is Your Parachute?” is a must-read, and can be purchased on Amazon to start making strides towards a fulfilling new career.
Disclosure: Some of the links to products on this blog are affiliate links (paid link). It simply means, at no additional cost to you, I’ll earn a commission if you click through and buy any product.