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How to Write a Resume when Changing Career?
Adam Smith
Certified Professional Career Coach
August 15, 2022, 3:13 pm

How to Write a Resume when Changing Career?

The crisis is a time of finding new opportunities and making non-standard decisions. Not surprisingly, during this period many people decide to radically change their careers. Especially now, when some areas still cannot boast of a full exit from quarantine.

If you have already chosen a specialty that meets your desires and capabilities and are in a hurry to plunge into the search for a promising job, we advise you to slow down. After all, a career change still needs to be described in the resume. But how to do it right?

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Education

A career change is almost always impossible without education. So, if you do not have proper diplomas, certificates of successful completion of courses, etc. – you need to do this before writing a resume. In addition to gaining new skills, attend profile conferences, and stay up to date with news in your chosen career field.

It will also be useful to meet people who have been working in this direction for a long time, who may have reached the top, and will be able to share this experience with you. It is better not to put a block with education at the beginning of the resume, because a diploma out of the profile can motivate a recruiter to close your resume, and not know that you have the necessary skills to work.

Desired position

When changing professions, it is naive to think that you will get the same level as in the previous job. Most likely, you will again have to go all the way from the bottom to the desired position. Aim for a position that does not require much experience in a similar job. You may also have to lower your salary expectations. With the help of the Internet, you can analyze what salary is offered in a new area for you and which one to specify for you.

A career is not about experience

If you are new to one field but have great achievements in another, then talk about your career, not through the prism of work experience, but focus on success. It is especially important if your experience in solving specific problems will be useful in a new area. Tell in your resume what tasks you faced in the past work, what decisions you made to perform them, and what results you managed to achieve personally and for the company as a whole.

Universal skills

The same goes for the skills needed for the new field. Write down your skills and think about which ones are key in the new field. It will be a big plus if the key skills from the past and the desired job intersect. For example, if you worked as a publicist, but decided to move to the organization of events - you will benefit from organizational skills and communication skills. Or if you have decided to switch from the economic sphere to the journalistic one, you will be glad to be greeted in a financial publication.

Goal

The resume does not need to fully state the reason why you are changing your major. However, so that the recruiter does not have unnecessary questions and wants to invite you for an interview despite your lack of experience, you need to talk about your motivation.

Add a "Purpose of Resume" section and tell a short story about yourself and explain why you are suitable for this position. Of course, keep in mind that you can't help but wonder about the reasons for such drastic changes. So, you can start preparing an answer to it in advance. Please remember that an employee who changes his field of activity due to a conflict with colleagues or management or just wants to work where they are paid more – does not inspire confidence in anyone.

For the most part, it is difficult to find a candidate who fully meets the requirements of the vacancy. Do not be afraid to knock on the closed door, make useful acquaintances, and realize the dream of a successful career in a new field.

Tips on Writing a Resume for a Career Change

Changing careers can be a significant life transition. It can also be an excellent opportunity to start fresh and reinvent your career. When you change careers, it's important to remember that your resume will reflect your current and new positions.

If you're changing careers, it's essential to consider how much time and effort it will take for you to build out a compelling resume. Here are some tips for writing a resume when changing careers:

State a clear career objective on your resume for changing careers

The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of job you want. This is the most critical step in writing your resume. You need to write a clear and concise summary of your experience and skills to help employers understand the position you are looking for in the job market. An objective statement is an excellent way to start your resume because it tells the employer exactly what type of position you are seeking.

Write the best intro for a resume when changing careers

The first thing that should be on any resume for changing career is an introduction that tells why you want to change career paths and why someone should hire them. You can do this by briefly describing what makes you great at what you do and why hiring managers should want to hire you. This can include experience or education but be sure to include any achievements that show off skills and abilities that make you stand out from other applicants. If possible, include links to relevant work experience or education so hiring managers can learn more about those experiences if they choose to investigate further.

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Determine your relevant skill sets

Include a list of relevant achievements and skills, but make sure that they are related to the position you want. Also, consider whether any noteworthy achievements outside of work can add value to the application.

Conclusion

For many people, making a job change is a leap of faith. In exchange for a more fulfilling existence, you're giving up the security and familiarity of your previous job.

Consider whether or not your Resume shows that your talents and expertise are transferable to this new employment before sending in your application. Transferable talents should be highlighted in resumés when changing careers. Take the opportunity to show that you're a quick learner. Convince employers that you have the necessary expertise to succeed in a new role.

FAQs

How do I write a resume for a career change?

If you're trying to change careers, then you must show how your previous work experience relates to the new career path that you want to pursue. For example, suppose you are applying for an IT position at a law firm and have worked as an accountant. In that case, it might make sense to include this background on your resume so potential employers can better understand your qualifications for this position.

What is a good objective for a resume when changing careers?

Your goal should be clearly stated at the top of each page of your resume (or at least as close as possible). It should be easy for hiring managers to see because they'll be scanning information pages.

How do you describe a career change path?

The way to describe a career change path is to talk about what you've done and learned. You can also talk about why it makes sense for you to move into a new career.

How to correctly set a goal for a career change on your resume?

An essential step to a successful resume is setting your goal for your target position. This can be as broad or as specific as you'd like, but it should be realistic and achievable.

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