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Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

• Benjamin Laker,
• Vijay Pereira,
• Abhishek Behl,
• Zaheer Khan

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

• Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
• Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
• Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
• Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

• Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
• Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
• AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
• ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.  

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• Wharton Online

How to Write a Career Change Resume [With Template]

Starting a career in a new field is exciting, but getting your foot in the door often presents a challenge. If you’re worried about your application being overshadowed by candidates with more experience than you, don’t underestimate the role that a well-written resume can play in the hiring process. Even if you don’t have the work experience an employer is looking for, your resume can effectively convey why you’d be a great fit for the job. 

According to iHire’s 2020 Talent Retention Report , 66% of survey respondents have recently considered changing careers. The report also found that not knowing how to write a career change resume was a commonly cited roadblock for would-be career switchers. 

In this guide, we explain what a career change resume is and how to write one. We’ve also included a free template, so you can get to work on crafting a resume for your dream role.

How to Write a Resume for a Career Change

In general, most best practices for writing a resume also apply to career change resumes. However, there are a few areas you’ll want to be sure to emphasize when writing a resume for a new career path. While a traditional resume focuses heavily on work experience, career change resumes focus more on transferable skills.

In terms of how your resume is structured, a combination resume format may be the way to go. This type of resume places an equal emphasis on both skills and experience. Instead of starting the resume with your work experience, combination resume templates typically begin with an objective and a summary of relevant skills. 

The steps listed below can help you adapt your existing resume into one that is tailored for career switching. 

1. Craft a resume objective  

A resume objective is a short summary of your professional experience, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. 

Resume objectives and summaries are often considered optional, especially if you are trying to save room on your resume, but this section is crucial for those looking to change careers. The hiring manager may not make an immediate connection between your experience and the role you’re applying for, so your resume objective is essential for helping convey why you’re interested in this industry. 

Your objective should be no longer than a couple sentences. If it takes up more than two or three lines on your resume, try to shorten it.

2. Include a skills summary 

If you’re in the midst of changing careers, you’ll want to feature your skills prominently on your resume. In fact, we recommend listing them above your work experience. 

In the skills summary section, list a few skills you want to highlight, and add bullet points underneath each skill that provide examples of when you’ve used this skill. 

Not sure what type of skills to include in this section? Scan the job description for the position you’re applying for and use some of the required skills as your starting point. Some soft skills—such as leadership skills —are applicable for almost any job. Including some of the same keywords as the job description can help ensure that your resume makes it past automatic review filters.

In some situations, you might also choose to make a separate section for “Technical Skills.” In this section, you can briefly list your proficiency with various industry tools or software. This can be a great way to capture additional keywords from the job description, without having to list full examples of when you’ve used each tool. 

3. Focus on the most relevant work experience 

For a career change resume, the work experience section is all about transferable skills. You don’t necessarily need to list all of the responsibilities you had at your old job. Instead, focus on the responsibilities that are the most relevant for the new position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re a customer service representative hoping to land a job in digital marketing, you may choose to narrow in on your ability to find creative solutions for your customers. 

Here are a few tips for describing your work experience:

• Connect your work experience back to the skills listed in your skills summary section
• Focus on achievements, providing numbers and data whenever possible
• Tailor your descriptions to each job you apply for, working in keywords from the job description

If you’re running out of space on your resume, keep in mind that you don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had. Stick to your most recent two or three jobs, and leave older, irrelevant jobs behind. 

Related: How to Successfully Navigate a Midlife Career Change and Avoid a Crisis

4. Highlight your education (including certificates) 

Whether or not your education is directly related to the job you’re applying for, it’s still important to include this section on your resume. If you have limited professional experience, you can bolster your resume with some descriptions of your academic achievements, such as your GPA or relevant coursework you’ve completed. 

For example, imagine you have an undergraduate degree in history and are applying for a role as a business analyst. If you took any courses in business or analytics during college, be sure to mention them. They might not have been a part of your degree, but they show that you’ve had an ongoing interest in understanding how businesses operate. 

If you’ve earned any certificates outside of a degree program, be sure to list these, too. Online programs and certificates offer a way to expand your knowledge in a specific subject area, without the time commitment of a full degree program. They can show employers that you are serious about your professional development and would like to gain more experience in a particular industry. 

Related: Top 10 Most In-Demand Online Courses from Wharton Online Right Now

5. Add in notable projects and accomplishments 

Dedicating a section of your resume to projects and accomplishments isn’t always necessary, but if you’re changing careers or do not have much work experience, this can be a valuable way to round out your resume. You can use this space to highlight any personal achievements that are not directly related to work or school—for example, personal projects, volunteer work, or involvement in industry-related clubs or organizations. 

If you choose to include a section for projects or accomplishments, make sure that everything you list ties back to a key skill or characteristic that is relevant for your desired career path.

Career Change Resume Example 

Now that we’ve covered some tips for creating a resume tailored to a career change, let’s explore an example. We crafted this resume for a customer service representative who is applying for a digital marketing specialist position. 

Name and Contact Information 

Abigail Jacobs 

Philadelphia, PA

267-555-0176 | [email protected]

linkedin.com/in/abigail-jacobs-example

Driven and hardworking professional with a proven track record of increasing customer satisfaction levels. Looking to leverage my problem-solving skills and build upon my 3+ years of customer service experience by transitioning into the digital marketing space.

Professional Skills 

Problem Solving

• Developed creative solutions for unsatisfied customers at Platinum Auto Insurance and Accelerate Call Center
• Lead brainstorming sessions with team members to improve customer satisfaction metrics

Communication 

• 3+ years of experience in customer services roles, frequently communicating with customers both on the phone and over email 
• Completed a B.A. in Communications and was an active member of the Public Speaking Club while in college 

Organization 

• Used Excel to organize and track customer service metrics, and compiled these metrics into weekly reports for management 

Technical Skills 

• Microsoft Word
• Google Suite 
• Google Analytics 
• Google Search Console 

Work Experience

Senior Customer Service Advisor

Platinum Auto Insurance | Sept 2019 – Present

• Resolved over 100 customer complaints per week, communicating with customers via phone and email 
• Tracked KPIs for each ticket and delivered weekly customer satisfaction reports for management, consistently exceeding target satisfaction ratings by 5-10%
• Collaborated with team members to identify creative solutions for customers

Customer Service Representative 

Accelerate Call Center | Jul 2018 – Sept 2019 

• Responded to 50+ calls per day, answering questions from customers and redirecting to other departments as needed 
• Demonstrated written communication skills by revamping customer service phone scripts, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings 

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

University of Pennsylvania | Jun 2018

• Completed courses in advertising and social media

Digital Marketing Certificate 

Wharton Online | Mar 2022

• Completed a six-week program from The Wharton School
• Learned about topics such as marketing analytics, customer relationships, social media, and e-commerce marketing 

Personal Projects

Marketing Assistant for Public Speaking Club 

2017 – 2018

• As a member of the Public Speaking Club at University of Pennsylvania, assisted the club with creating a monthly newsletter
• Managed social media accounts for the club, consistently posting content and engaging with followers 

Marketing Consultant 

2020 – Present 

• Assisted a friend with the creation and management of photography business website
• Used Google Analytics and Google Search Console to measure the performance of website content 

Career Change Resume Template

We’ve adapted this example into three different template formats, with the hope that it can serve as a jumping off point for your own career change resume. Click on the links below to download the template:

• Microsoft Word .DOCX
• Google Docs (click on “File > Make a copy” to save to your own Google Docs folder)

Stand Out From the Crowd With Wharton Online

If you’re looking to switch careers in the near future, an online certificate program can help set you up for success. In addition to gaining valuable insights into a specific industry, you’ll be able to list your certificate on your resume and LinkedIn. This can give you a competitive edge during your job search. 

Wharton Online offers certificate programs in subjects such as leadership and management, asset and portfolio management, and digital marketing. All of our courses are conducted 100% online, giving you the flexibility to complete coursework on your own schedule. Explore our online programs today , or reach out to us with any questions. 

For more tips on how to navigate a career change, download our free guide, “ The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings .”

Download our eBook: The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings

Job-hopping is a growing trend among young professionals, and for many good reasons. Download our free eBook, “The Career-Switching Handbook for 30‑Somethings,” for the latest career-switching tips, strategies, and data.

Download the eBook

The Wharton School is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU.

Career Change Resume for 2024 [9+ Examples]

Thinking of switching careers?

It might feel a lot like taking a leap of faith. 

You’re stepping into the unknown - that alone takes a lot of courage and determination.

You might even feel like a recent graduate all over again.

You have 0 experience, entering an entirely new field, competing with people who’ve been doing it forever!

That sounds pretty scary.

But here’s the thing:

As long as you’re armed with the right resume, the transition can be a piece of cake.

And luckily, we’re here to help and guide you through the process.

So, if you’re thinking of breaking into a new career industry, be sure to read on.

• How to pick the best resume format for a career change
• How to create a skill summary and wow the recruiter
• How to show off transferable work experience
• 3+ other ways to impress the recruiter (even if you have 0 relevant work experience)

Choosing the Best Career Change Resume Format

A big part of creating an effective resume is choosing the right resume format to tell your story with.

You need to structure your resume in a way that best shows your transferable skills and experience.

And when it comes to switching careers, the combination resume format does that best.

Here’s why:

This format places equal emphasis on skills and important work experience . 

This way, you can show you have the right industry transferable skills , even if you haven’t had the actual job title.

The format is ideal for people:

• Making a career change with transferable skills or work experience.
• With some employment gaps.
• With a diverse range of skills and experience .
• Applying to both creative and traditional roles.

And here’s what you include within this format:

• Contact information
• Resume objective or summary
• Skills summary
• Work experience
• Certification

Now, we’re going to go over each of those sections and explain how to write them step-by-step.

Here’s what you need to know:

How to Add Your Contact Information the Right Way

Your contact information is arguably the most important part of your resume.

Even if you’re the most qualified person in the world, it’s not going to matter much if you misspell your email and the HR manager can’t contact you.

So, here’s what you should include in this section:

• First name, last name 
• Phone number - Make sure to include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Something professional like [[email protected]].
• Location - The company needs to know if you’re located in the region or if they may have to sponsor your relocation.
• Title - Either your current professional title or your new desired one. We’d recommend including the job title you’re applying for word-for-word.

Once you’re done, we’d recommend that you double-check, even triple-check everything. You wouldn’t want to miss your chances of landing the job because of a typo, would you?

• Got an online portfolio? You can also mention the links here. For example, if you’re a developer, you can include a link to your GitHub profile. If you’re a writer, a Medium link, and so on...

All clear? Good!

Now, let’s cover how to write a successful career change resume objective or summary.

Impress the Recruiter With a Career Change Resume Objective or Summary

So you’ve got your contact details down.

Now, you need a reason for the HR manager to continue reading the rest of your resume.

So, how do you get the recruiter to stop and read your career change resume when they only look at resumes for 6 seconds on average?

The answer: by using a resume objective or summary.

Both of these sections explain why you’re the best person for the job and act as a preview to the rest of your resume.

Here’s how the two differ:

Your resume summary shows your best accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Your resume objective highlights how your current skills are relevant and will transfer to your new position.

As someone going through a career change, you can include either one.

But as a rule of thumb, if you were working in a related field and have some transferable skills, go for a resume summary.

On the other hand, if you were working in a completely unrelated field, go for a resume objective.

Check out these examples to get a better idea of what both of these might look like:

Career Change Resume Summary Example

• “Customer support specialist with over 4+ years of experience in over-the-phone technical support looking to leverage communication skills as a Sales Agent at Company XYZ. Excellent track record of delivering quality support, with an average rating of 4.6/5 over the past 2 years.”

A career change resume summary helps the HR understand how your skillset from your previous job can translate into your new one.

In that case, it’s best to mention:

• Your current relevant skills or experience.
• How your background can help you excel at the current job.

Career Change Resume Objective Example

• “Organized and hard-working employee looking to join XYZ as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my skills in Photoshop, graphic design, and creative copywriting to help XYZ with their marketing efforts.”

See the difference here?

Even though the person doesn’t have any relevant work experience, their resume objective still shows how their skill set is relevant to the new job.

Show Off Your Know-How With a Skills Summary Section

Your resume summary / objective is only an introduction. Now, you need to show the HR what you’ve got.

To do that, you need a good skills summary section.

Skills summary is a must-have section for just about any career change resume.

It puts more emphasis on your skill-set, as opposed to your work experience. This allows you to show how you’re a qualified candidate, even though you haven’t done the job before.

Here’s what a sample skills summary section might look like for a front-end developer.

Career Change Resume Skills Summary Example

• Built an online personal portfolio and resume website using HTML, CSS, JS.
• Created an online JS/jQuery quiz game that takes multiple answers and shows results to the user.
• Built a beautiful weather app with Angular 8 from scratch, designed UI with Sketch.
• Created responsive website templates (that are also mobile friendly) using modern CSS techniques and JS libraries.
• Worked with design and development groups to create applications from mock-ups in Sketch, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Familiar with Git, XDebug, and Chrome Developer Tools.
• Debugged over 10 JS web apps for a SaaS project.

Simple enough, right?

You list out each of your key skills, and then back it up with how you’ve used it in the past.

Now, you might be thinking, “what about the work experience section?” Do I just skip it, and use a skills summary instead?

Nope - you still need to list your work experience.

In this case, though, you’d want to use it to show off your transferable skills. Here’s how:

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Transferable Skills

Let’s take a different example and say you’re moving from a job in sales to copywriting.

A resume you’d use for sales compared to a more creative field like copywriting is probably going to be a bit different.

But what do both of the roles have in common?

Well, for one, they both require you to have excellent communication skills. You also need to be good at understanding your target market and conveying complex information in simple language.

And that’s the common thread you want to focus on in your work experience section.

So, when listing your previous jobs, think of some transferable skills that you bring to the table that are going to be relevant.

Even unrelated jobs have some universal skills that are helpful everywhere.

To give you a better idea of what we mean, let’s look at some examples:

Sales Executive

Company X - 11/2016 - 04/2019

• Created and presented pitch deck that secured a $500,000 deal - largest for Company X to date.
• Boosted sales for the most underperforming product by 40% by developing helpful and instructional material for prospects.
• Created and edited sales materials, scripts, and technical documents for accuracy and consistency.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Shows transferable skills and achievements.
• Highlights only the parts from the experience that are related to the new role.

While the above example doesn’t talk about product descriptions or ads, communication materials and sales scripts do show that the candidate can write.

So, for a copywriting position, it’s going to be relevant and worth mentioning.

Now, compare that to the career change work experience below:

• Cold-emailed 100+ prospects daily.
• Closed 14+ deals in 2019 so far.
• Hit and exceeded company KPIs for the past 2 years in a row.

Sure, this example is good. But only if the candidate is applying for a sales job.

For copywriting, though, none of the skills mentioned are going to come in handy.

So, when listing previous job positions, you should focus only on what’s relevant.

Now that you know how to properly list work experience, let’s move on to the next section: Education.

Make Your Education Section Shine

Your education section is going to be an important requirement for just about any position above entry-level.

Listing education on your resume is pretty straightforward.

All you have to do is list your latest educational entry (e.g. college degree), and then include all the important stuff below it.

For example, you can include things like:

• Name of degree (Minor - optional): e.g. B.A. International Business Administration.
• Name of educational institution: e.g. University of Groningen.
• Years attended: e.g. 2015 - 2019.
• Location of the program (optional): e.g. Groningen, Netherlands.
• GPA (optional): 3.84 (only include if you excelled).
• Courses that are relevant to the job (optional): e.g. Advanced Business Finances.
• Exchange programs (optional): e.g. exchange program in Florida, U.S.

Here’s what the full listing for this educational entry might look like:

You might be wondering, what if I don’t have the right education for the job? Maybe, you have an M.A. in Philosophy, but you’re applying for a job in marketing. Do you still list it?

The answer is a definite yes.

Even if the degree is not relevant at all, it still shows that you’re passionate about learning and education.

In some cases, you might even be able to show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s say, for example, you have a B.A. in English Literature , and you’re applying for a job in marketing. 

You could stress on how your degree gave you amazing writing skills (a must-have for most marketing roles), like so:

B.A. in English Literature.

University XYZ - 2014-2018

• Excelled in creative writing courses
• Part-time as a reporter for the university website

PS - Do you still have some questions on how to list your education section? Maybe you’re wondering what else you can include? Check out our full guide on how to list education on a resume with 13+ real-life examples.

Done with your education section? Awesome!

This brings us to the next section on your career change resume.

How (and Why) to List Skills On a Career Change Resume

When it comes to the skills section, what most recruiters want to know is if you can actually do what the job ad asks for.

And like with the other sections till now, relevance is key.

You should only ever list skills that are appropriate to the job you’re applying for.

To find out what’s relevant, start by scanning the job listing.

Most job ads usually include a list of requirements or skills they expect for a good candidate to have.

So, all you have to do is mention those exact skills on your resume.

Let’s take a look at an example.

Career Change Resume Skills Example

Assuming the job ad is for a junior front-end developer who has:

• 2-4 Years of professional experience using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
• Up to 1 years of visual design experience focusing on strong UX/UI.
• Good communication skills and team-player

You’d want to list the following skills:

• Communication Skills
• Team-Player

So, all you have to do is mention these skills, and you’re good to go!

• Not sure which skills are a must-have for your role? Check out our complete list of all must-have skills for any given field or position!

Showing Career Certifications on a Resume

When you’re switching careers, certifications are an amazing way to show you’re serious about your craft.

This shows you’re willing to put in the work and that you’ve already taken the first steps.

When listing certifications though, make sure they’re relevant to your field.

For a marketing role, here’s what that might look like:

• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certified, 2019.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification, 2018.
• SEMrush Content Marketing Toolkit Course, 2018.

And here’s an example done wrong:

• TechCamp Python Bootcamp, 2019.
• Udemy JavaScript 101 Course.

For a marketing role, those certificates are completely irrelevant and aren’t even in the same field.

While they might be impressive on their own, that doesn’t mean they make you a better marketer.

Listing Personal Projects

Another great way to show that you’re the right person for the job is to list personal projects.

This can be just about anything:

• Founding a sports team in university
• Project you did for business class
• A Part-time online store you created on Etsy
• Passion-project for wood-working
• And whatever else you love (that’s relevant for your new career)

Pretty much anything that can make up for your lack of experience in the field counts.

But of course, keep in mind that your projects should be relevant to your new job.

Getting into coding? Here’s what your projects section could look like...

Make sure to stick to relevant projects, though.

The HR manager cares about your CODING experience, not about the fact that you started a basketball team in college.

Now, compare that to:

• Excelled in Anthropology and Archaeology classes at University X.
• Self-taught knitting pro.

You shouldn’t list projects just for the sake of standing out or filling up space. 

The more irrelevant information you mention in your resume, the more likely it is for the recruiter to accidentally skip out on all your must-have sections.

• Still have some space on your resume? You can also include the hobbies & interests section. Check out our guide to learn how (and why)!

How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter

Done with your resume?

But wait, before you get too excited - you’re still not done.

You need to back up your resume with a career change cover letter.

And no - it’s not like the usual cover letter you’re used to writing. 

When you’re switching careers, you want to use your cover letter to highlight WHY you’re switching fields and WHY your skills are a good match for the new role.

To do this, make sure you bring up a ton of examples and call out any key statistics or measurable results to draw upon, if possible.

To help you craft the best career change cover letter, check out the example below:

Here’s what’s done right with this cover letter:

• Addresses the reader (i.e. “Dear Doris” or if you can’t find their name, “To Whom it May Concern.”).
• Makes it clear they want to transition into a different career (from marketing and retail sales into public relations in this case).
• Shows they’ve done the research and the letter is tailored to the company's products and brand.
• Provides specific examples and achievements (“raised more than $ 10,000 for the event.”).
• Ends on a confident note and provides a call-to-action (and where to contact them).

Think your cover letter game is lacking? Check out our complete, step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

If you're thinking about a career change, and want to join a community of global professionals who are also re-designing and reframing their careers, then consider Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator.

Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator program is a 4-week highly interactive “virtual retreat” for professionals seeking to redefine their career trajectory and be more intentional about designing their next steps.

Through original workshops, weekly live sessions, practical tools, frameworks and peer-to-peer conversations with a global and diverse community of professionals, they will help you identify the core tensions between the lifestyle you want and the career trajectory that aligns your values, interests, and skills.

Key Takeaways

To recap, going through a mid-career transition probably sounds intimidating. 

But if you craft your career change resume focusing on transferable skills and experience - then you’re good to go!

Just make sure you follow these main key tips while working on your resume:

• Use the combination resume format to highlight your transferable skills and work experience.
• Include all the essential career change resume sections - contact information , resume objective or summary , skill summary , work experience , soft and technical skills , certifications and personal projects.
• And while doing so, highlight only what’s relevant to your new position.
• Finally, make sure you attach a tailored cover letter to your resume and mention WHY you’re switching fields and what unique skills you’re bringing with you.

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you land your dream job, every step of the way. Be sure to check out our career blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice and more actionable tips.

Suggested Reading:

• How to Get Your Resume Layout Right [3 Free Templates]
• How to Write an ATS Resume
• 20+ One-Page Resume Templates [Free Download]

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11 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

Marketing Manager

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

• Career Change Resumes
• Changing Careers To Resumes
• Changing Careers From Resumes
• Career Change Resumes for Teachers

Noah breathed a sigh of relief as he found a few accounting job descriptions that intrigued him. After spending years in various financial roles and racking up some impressive creds as a financial analyst, he felt confident in this career switch. But was he as prepared to  make a resume as he was for his career change?

Noah’s confidence went up when he found our library of career change resume examples and time-tested hints. Plus, he knew he’d be able to expand upon his career objective and add even more value by making a cover letter ! The notes he took while preparing his application materials even helped him navigate a victorious interview.

Whether you’re looking to change careers in accounting, teaching, or any other profession, check out our handy resources to build your own success story like Noah did!

Career Change Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• A summary merges your background with the opportunities you’re seeking. In other words, a summary demonstrates how your experience has prepared you for your new field. However, you should only use a summary if you’ve had  at least 10 years of experience.
• Choosing a  professional resume template  and  resume format  can help make your resume look professional and cohesive without much effort.

Multiple Career Resume

• The keywords you include will help tie your expertise together and prove that you have the right abilities for the job. 
• Start by listing hard skills (aka technical, learned skills) listed in the job description. If you don’t have a lot, then simply use soft skills like “analytical” and collaboration.”
• Whatever jobs you’ve held, find a common thread between them and the new job, then sew that thread into every job experience. It’ll be a subtle but powerful tool to increase credibility despite multiple career changes. 

Career Change To Accounting Resume

• If you’re applying to be an accountant but it wasn’t your most recent role, be sure to add a certifications section highlighting that you are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Career Change To Administrative Assistant Resume

• Enhance your career change to administrative assistant resume with a short summary that shows recruiters where to draw parallels between your past experience and target title.

Marketing Manager Career Change Resume

• There are numbers everywhere; look for percentages relating to your skills, like how you boosted efficiency or increased sales from last quarter. The sky’s the limit!
• If you can’t find (or don’t have access to) percentages, then use plain numbers relating to how many team members you worked with, how many clients you took on, or how many referrals you gained.
• Things like only using active verbs and avoiding personal pronouns might seem minor, but they make reading your resume easier, which is huge for recruiters and hiring managers.
• And speaking of details, always  double-check your resume  for proper grammar, punctuation, and overall flow.

RN Career Change Resume

• An objective is only two to three sentences, so make sure each word packs a verbal punch by showing off your years of experience, skills, and desire for the role you’re seeking.
• For example, mentioning your adherence to HIPPA guidelines can demonstrate to hiring managers that you will stick to the rules. On the flip side, explaining how you used active listening to assist patients will show your compassion and customer service skills.

Journalist Career Change Resume

• Start by keeping your resume to a single page. Otherwise, you’ll overwhelm hiring managers (who will likely toss your resume into the recycling).
• It’s best to use reverse-chronological formatting on your resume to keep your most relevant job history at the top. While other formats are necessarily wrong, they aren’t standard, and they’re harder for hiring managers (and the ATS) to read.
• In your contact header, include your email address (make sure it’s a professional email), your phone number, and your location. 
• Consider adding a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile if you have a LinkedIn account.

Mechanical Engineer Career Change Resume

• Consider asking a friend, relative, or even a career advisor from your alma mater to scan your resume for errors and discrepancies.
• Nothing tells a recruiter you’re not the right person for the job like saying you’re great at “time management.” 
• Put color in your section headers (or company titles) and your contact header. This will add visual interest without being overwhelming.
• If you’re applying to work at a conservative financial firm, you may want to stick to traditional colors rather than pastel pink or lavender.

Teacher Career Change Resume

• Look for ways to connect your previous duties to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
• Many skills  indirectly  transfer from one job to another. Consider your collaboration skills: your ability to work well with fellow teachers will help you work on team projects at your next job.
• Of course, if you have any skills, projects, or experience in your new field, include them, and explain how you’ve mastered them in your career change cover letter .
• Using a  resume template  is invaluable here, as you can easily scooch sections to the side, adjust your margins, and fix your font type to give you some extra wiggle room.

Teacher to Project Manager Resume

• The work experience bullet points to occupy the largest share of your CV—no more than four bullets for each role. As for your contact info, education, skills, hobbies, and certifications, a side column will do the trick. The cherry on top is restricting the entire resume to one page.

Teacher to Human Resources Resume

• But more importantly, mention the relevant transferable skills you bring to this entry-level role, a requirement Elijah executes well in his teacher to human resources resume. Better yet, let your bullet points show how you used these proficiencies in previous teaching roles.

Related resume guides

• Engineering

Career Change Resume: Examples and Tips from Experts

By Biron Clark

Published: November 8, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you want to change careers, you’re going to need a great resume to show employers why they should take a chance on you.

You need to convince them that you’ll succeed in their role, even if you’ve done different work in the past.

And while you can do some of this convincing in the job interview, you aren’t going to get interviews if your resume or CV isn’t great , too, so it all starts here!

Don’t worry if this sounds intimidating – this article has everything you need to write an effective resume for career change…

I spoke to multiple professional resume writers, coaches, and other experts and put together this list of resume tips for career changers, as well as real-life examples of resumes that got interviews.

Here’s what you need to know…

Career Change Resume/CV Format

The best resume format for a career change is the chronological resume (also known as “reverse chronological resume”). With this format, your resume or CV lists your work experience in the order it happened, starting with your most recent or current position at the top.

This is what most hiring managers and recruiters are used to seeing and prefer to see, so it’s the best format to use when switching careers (or in any job search, for that matter).

So the first thing to do with your resume is to make sure you’re using this format. Put your most recent position at the top of your “Work Experience” section , and then go backward from there. You’ll see examples of this coming up – don’t worry.

The bottom line is: You aren’t going to hide something or “sneak” through the process by using a less-common (and more confusing) resume format like a functional resume.

This will just confuse and frustrate the hiring manager or recruiter .

So rather than trying to hide gaps in your experience, you should tailor your experience to be as relevant as possible for the job you’re applying to. That’s how to approach resume formatting as a career changer.

Career Change Resume Objective (And Why NOT To Include This)

You should not include a resume objective when changing careers (or on any resume, in fact). A resume objective is an outdated section that should be replaced with a resume summary section – a brief intro summarizing your experience, skills, accomplishments, and anything else you’d like to share.

Coming up next, we’ll look at examples of how to write this “summary” section as a career changer.

Writing Your Resume Summary for Career Change

Rather than a resume objective, you should include a brief Summary section to show employers what you’ve accomplished and how you can help them in their role.

I asked multiple experts for tips and examples of how to write a resume summary for a career change, so here are some tips from coaches, resume writers, and other experts.

Career Change Resume Example: Switching Careers from Business Development at a Skilled Nursing Facility to Medical Device Sales 

This section is contributed by: Virginia Franco – Executive Resume Writer at Virginia Franco Resumes

When writing a summary section for a career change, think about what you bring to the table that aligns with the role you seek, and what makes you less of a hiring risk for the hiring manager or interviewer.

In the example above, my client wanted to pivot from a business development role at a skilled nursing facility into medical device sales. In writing his summary, I:

• Chose a headline that contained some keywords related to the role he currently held AND the role he was targeting.
• Created a tagline that spoke to his success in Skilled Nursing using language that was industry-neutral.
• Identified a few differentiators that would make him appealing to a hiring manager and help outweigh the fact that he was new to the role and industry.

In this case, the fact that he:

• Knew lots of key players meant he could hit the ground running and build a sales funnel fast
• Was multilingual but raised in the U.S. meant he could interface well with many cultures – important in the area where he lived, and in working with surgeons that are often from other countries.
• Kept abreast of the industry and trends meant he was passionate about the industry and that he embraced continual learning.
• Established trust by working to overcome obstacles in a creative fashion meant that he was a problem solver – a trait that would make him attractive to a hiring manager.

In other words, I worked to make him seem like a candidate that was a risk worth taking!

Career Change Resume Example: Changing Careers from Medical Device Sales to Advertising & Technology

This section is contributed by: Austin Belcak – Founder at Cultivated Culture

When your changing careers, one of the biggest resume challenges is getting visibility on the transferable and relevant experience that you have.

Maybe you worked on a relevant project two jobs ago, maybe you took a course that’s buried in your education section, or maybe you’ve been working on a side hustle but are worried about leading with that vs. your current job.

Using resume objectives is a good way to combat this issue.

Resume objectives allow you to cherry-pick the most relevant work experience from your career, education, and side projects and feature it right at the top of your resume. This gives you the chance to lead with the most relevant transferable experience so you make sure it’s seen instead of getting lost in the mix.

This is the exact tactic I used when I was switching careers from medical device sales into advertising/tech.

My day job was in healthcare, it didn’t offer much in the way of traditional skills, but I had been spending nights and weekends learning digital marketing. I took courses, got certified, and even started doing a bit of freelancing. I wanted that to show at the top of my resume so I used an objective to highlight that ahead of my current role:

Tip: Target Everything for the Role You Want

This section is contributed by: Sarah Johnston – Former Recruiter, Executive Resume Writer, and Job Search Coach at BriefcaseCoach.com

When writing a resume for a career change, it’s important to target your resume for the role that you want. I recommend finding a few job descriptions that interest you and scanning for keywords and themes. Use the target job title or skill set in the header to frame the resume.

The Ladders did an eye tracking study that found that recruiters and hiring managers only spend 7.4 seconds scanning a resume before deciding to pass or read more. The heat map showed that better-performing resumes have keywords at the top to immediately draw the eye.

Attached is the top of a career changer sample resume. This hypothetical job seeker is wanting to transition from an account manager role to being an executive assistant . The resume plays up her transferable skills and includes a header that references the job that she wants.

As a former corporate recruiter, I am not a fan of functional resumes. Recruiters are taught to scan resumes chronologically. When you take the experience out of context or “order,” it often gives the recruiter the impression you are trying to hide or fudge experience.

Tip: Use Bullets to Stand Out

This section is contributed by: Madeline Mann – Human Resources Leader & Career Coach, Creator of Self Made Millennial

Consider writing your resume intro or summary in bullet format, as this makes it easier for people to quickly scan it.

The first couple of bullet points should emphasize the most important keywords from the job description.

Get creative with how you integrate these terms into your summary. For example, use phrases like “experience with” and “knowledge of” to indicate tasks that you have become familiar with inside or outside of your job.

Personal projects, volunteering, and education should all contribute to what you describe here. If the most prominent keywords in the job description are tasks and concepts that you are unfamiliar with, that is a sign that you need to build those skills on your own time. Here is a video on how to build these important skills without getting hired.

The next couple of bullet points should focus on the most relevant accomplishments to the role you are pursuing, which may not be from your most recent role.

This is where the magic of the summary section comes into play. Pull in early-career achievements, side projects, and unpaid work where you did tasks that are more closely aligned with your new career. For example, if you are a Psychology Lab Assistant, and you want to be a Building Manager, many of your lab tasks won’t translate.

But, five years ago you were the treasurer of your sorority (budgeting is a keyword), and you handled many contractors to ensure the house was renovated and maintained (knowledge of the trades is a keyword). While that experience may be buried due to it being 5 years ago and not a paid position, it can hop to the top of your career change resume as a highly relevant accomplishment in the summary.

The summary section is an opportunity for you to truly spell it out for the hiring manager where your transferable skills will be too well-matched to ignore!

Editor’s note: Bullets are also a great way to make your resume work history section stand out. This article explains how to do this with 22 resume bullet examples. 

Career Change Resume Work History Section: Samples and Tips

After a brief summary or intro paragraph, you’ll need a powerful employment history section to continue to impress the recruiter or hiring manager. Use the tips below to help you write yours.

Write Your Resume by Working Backward from the Job Description

This section is contributed by: Kyle Elliott – Career & Life Coach and Resume Writer at CaffeinatedKyle.com

The key to a successful career change resume is to work backward from the job posting. I encourage clients to literally pull language from the posting of the job they are targeting, then massage it until it truthfully reflects their experience. You really want to speak the language of the industry you are moving into.

In the example below, my client was targeting sales roles. However, she has several years of impressive experience from working in higher education that we wanted to include on her resume. So we repositioned her earlier experience as a “customer experience manager” role, pulling language directly from the job postings she was targeting.

Add Keywords to Get Past the ATS

This section is contributed by: Susan P. Joyce – Publisher of Job-Hunt.org

When your goal is a career change, be sure that your resume contains the relevant keywords for the career you want. Without these keywords, your resume will not be found in a recruiter’s search of the applications and resumes stored in the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Analyze the job description and pay attention to the job’s requirements as well as the nice-to-have skills. Make a list of the skills and other job requirements you meet. Those terms are typically the terms that will be used most often when the employer is searching for qualified job candidates.

If you have acquired skills or experience outside of work, don’t be afraid to include them, too. These include skills you have acquired while volunteering or participating in other non-work activities, especially if those skills are required for this job (and, thus, important keywords).

One of the best places to start including keywords on your career change resume is your “Skills” section.

The Skills section provides a quick way to show employers that you have the skills they’ve listed on their job description.

For example: Assume the job requires hard skills like QuickBooks or SQL, and you have experience with them or have certifications from training you have taken. Include the appropriate term in your Skills section, like “QuickBooks” or “QuickBooks Certified”.

Then, in the “Experience” section of your resume , include those skills in the descriptions of your past jobs (or volunteering) where you acquired and/or used those skills. This will show the employer when and where you demonstrated your skills, which they always want to see!

Repetition of keywords is usually a good thing when the repetition is natural, relevant, and appropriate. So, having these important terms in both the Skills and Experience sections of your resume will help your resume be found.

However, simply repeating keywords at the bottom of your resume is not smart or useful.

Career Change Resume Templates

You should now have a general idea of how to format and write your resume or CV for a career change.

If you need a great starting point and don’t want to create your resume from scratch (or if your existing resume is outdated and doesn’t look great) then this job search resources page has multiple free resume templates that are great for changing careers.

After clicking the link above, scroll down to the section titled: “ATS-Compliant Resume Templates.” All of the templates on that page are free to use and download.

Recap: How to Write a Resume for Career Change

If you’re planning on switching careers, you should write your resume to make your experience seem as relevant as possible for the job you want next.

Always think of the employer’s perspective when deciding what to put on your resume and what to leave off.

Write your career change CV or resume based on the employer’s job description and you’ll be much more likely to win the interview.

That’s how to get a new job in a new field. Employers want candidates who can step into a role, learn the position quickly, and succeed. They want low risk.  The more you can show similarities between what you’ve done and what the employer needs for this job, the better!

To summarize: Your CV or resume for a career change will be most successful if you start with the employer’s needs in mind, work backward, and think carefully about how to position your own experiences – both professional and personal – to make yourself seem capable of stepping into their job and being a success!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

Read our Resume Essentials Guides

10 best free resume builders, what to put on a resume: 9 things to include, sample list of accomplishments for resume (35+ examples), top 14 resume skills to add on your resume + examples, does a resume need an objective, resume summary with no experience: examples for students and fresh graduates, resume keywords: 80+ verbs and power words to use, previous work experience examples for a resume, 24 resume summary examples that get interviews.

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The ultimate guide to writing a career change resume.

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Changing careers doesn’t have to be difficult. It all starts with a resume crafted to highlight your ... [+] transferrable skills.

Your resume is one of the most critical tools during a career transition. Crafted thoughtfully, a career change resume can effectively highlight transferable skills and experiences from your old career to the new one, showcasing you as a prime candidate for your dream job .

Career change resumes offer a different narrative of a person’s experience versus someone looking to advance in their current industry. Transferrable skills are the most important to highlight.

What Success Looks Like In A Career Change

A successful career change doesn’t necessarily mean starting over. It can involve leveraging existing skills in a new context or applying knowledge from one industry to another. Success is about finding a role where you can make a meaningful contribution, and it often requires a blend of determination and strategic planning. The story you tell so far in your career that paints you as the right person for the job is vital to your resume being seen by the hiring manager.

Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Your Career Change Resume

It’s a fine line between highlighting what makes you unique and ensuring your document aligns with industry expectations. Here’s how to do it right.

Identify Your Transferrable Skills

Before opening a Word document or choosing a resume template, the first step is to take stock of your skills. Begin by closely examining your previous roles and jotting down the skills they entailed. Try categorizing them into hard skills—like technical skills and software proficiencies—and soft skills—such as communication and leadership abilities.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, brainstorm your narrative.

What is your career change story? Who’s the audience that will be listening to it? These are the overarching questions that will guide your resume writing process. You’ll want to combine your reasons for changing careers with your past experiences and future aspirations.

When crafting your career change narrative, consider these critical questions to create a cohesive and compelling story:

• What motivated your career change? Reflect on the reasons behind your decision to shift careers. Was it a pursuit of passion, a need for a new challenge or an inevitable industry change affecting your previous role?
• How do your past experiences contribute to your new direction? Evaluate how your previous roles have equipped you with unique skills and perspectives that will benefit your target industry or role.
• What accomplishments in your career thus far can illustrate your suitability for this new path? Identify specific achievements that demonstrate your capability and readiness for the change.
• How have you prepared for the transition? Consider any additional training, courses or self-led learning you’ve undertaken to bridge any skill gaps.
• What are your long-term goals in this new career? Define what success looks like for you in this new field and how you plan to achieve it.

Choosing The Right Resume Format

The format of your resume is dependent on your career trajectory. A functional resume may be the best way to draw attention to your skills if you’re making a big career leap. A hybrid resume, which combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats, can also work well for career changers, as it allows you to detail your skills while still providing a job history.

Elements Of A Stand-Out Career Change Resume

The typical resume sections are still relevant: Skills, competencies, accolades, experience, volunteer work, education and training. For career changers, add a snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of a snapshot as your elevator pitch. Instead of explaining what you are looking for, you highlight your top accolades, position and projects you’re currently working on; it shouldn’t be any longer than three sentences.

For example, “I’m Jane Doe, a marketing professional who brought the newest Target campaign to 100 million Instagram accounts. I’ve excelled in connecting influencers with top brands and have hosted over 150 brand activations.”

Make sure to include all the important elements on your resume to make you stand out. Having a short ... [+] story or narrative of who you are also helps.

Words and Phrases To Include In Resume

When it comes to the actual writing, it’s essential to use language that speaks to both your old and your new career. Choose words and phrases relevant to the job you’re applying for, but also aim to include industry-specific terms from your previous career to highlight the breadth of your experience.

• Cross-functional expertise: Demonstrates the ability to work across various departments, enhancing team synergy and project outcomes.
• Quick Learner: Indicates your capacity to rapidly acquire new knowledge and skills, reducing the learning curve in a new role.
• Innovative Thinker: Shows your capability to think creatively and bring new ideas to the table, driving progress.
• Versatile Professional: Indicates a broad skillset and flexibility, positioning you as a candidate capable of handling various responsibilities

Do’s And Don’ts Of Resume Etiquette

• Do focus on your achievements and how they demonstrate your capabilities, not just the tasks you’ve performed.
• Do quantify your accomplishments with numbers or percentages whenever possible to add weight to your claims.
• Don’t include unrelated job experiences that don’t align with the position you’re targeting.
• Don’t gloss over any employment gaps resulting from your career change. Instead, use these gaps to explain how you spent that time productively, such as through continuing education or volunteer work.

Your career change resume aims to get your foot in the door for an interview. Invest time in perfecting your career change resume, and you’ll find that employers will be more than willing to listen to the rest of your story.

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Career Change resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for career changes

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your career change work experience, include the relevant key skills needed for your career change, detail your education & relevant career change certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for a career change resume.

If you’re ready for your next professional challenge, you’re in good company—a recent study found that more than half of workers are looking to make a career change! 

There are a lot of decisions that come with a career change, but one thing’s for sure: you’ll need a strong resume that highlights your transferable skills and shows why you’re the right candidate for a new industry.

Luckily, we’re here to help. This complete guide will help you understand the best ways to approach your career change resume and will provide plenty of adaptable sentences that you can modify for your own application.

Resume guide for a career change resume

Accelerate success with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples cover over 500 professions, and our resume builder makes creating a compelling resume easier than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding career change resume example will cover the following:

How to write a career change resume

• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your relevant experience
• Listing education and qualifications
• Picking the right resume design/layout

The very first step in writing your career change resume is understanding what sections to include. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Every person’s career change will be a unique journey, but we have some general advice to help you navigate this pivotal moment. The first step is to research and make sure you have a complete understanding of your new career. 

Decide where you want to go before you jump into the job market. Maybe you already have a dream career in mind. You should still investigate both the skills you need to embark on your new career and the state of the job market. 

If you are ready for a change but aren’t sure what direction to head in, some basic research will help. Think about careers that have overlapping skills with your current position. You may be able to take a step in another direction while using the abilities you already have. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the jobs with the highest growth potential through 2030, median salaries, and information on skills and education needed to enter the fields. 

Consider the reasons you want to change careers as well. Are you burned out ? Is your industry waning? Do you want more flexibility? Are you looking for a higher salary? Make sure your new targeted career will offer the opportunities you seek. One great way to do this is by connecting with professionals already working in the new field and asking them about the realities of the industry.

Optimize for the ATS

Almost all HR departments use ATS software to evaluate candidates and filter out resumes that don’t contain enough keywords from the job description. If you’re applying to jobs online, make sure to consider these three tips to increase your chances of beating these automated software scans: 

• Read the job description carefully and place skills and qualifications important to the employer throughout your resume.
• Use common section titles like “ Education ” or “ Employment History ” which can be easily parsed by the ATS.
• Choose a clear and easy-to-read layout without any complicated images which could confuse the ATS.

For most career changers, the reverse chronological resume format remains the go-to choice. This format focuses on your professional journey, listing jobs in your employment history section from newest to oldest. Recruiters find it easy to scan and see your most relevant experience up front. Each position should have descriptive bullet points highlighting achievements.

However, if you're a recent grad or truly lack experience in your new field, consider exploring the functional and combination resume formats. These offer more flexibility, allowing you to showcase your skills or education above your work history, making them well-suited for emphasizing transferable skills over traditional experience.

Every career change resume should contain a well-organized header that makes it easy to find your name and contact information. As you’ll see on our adaptable career change resume sample, there’s no need to go overboard with fancy colors or formatting. 

The most important goal is that your contact information is easily accessible. You should adapt the style of your header to the job you’re applying to. Here are the essential points to include:

• Full name & title . List your first and last name. Use the title of the new role you are pursuing instead of your previous career.
• Professional email address . Use a clean format like [email protected] . Don’t use a quirky, unprofessional email address.
• Phone number . List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location . List only your city and state . Don’t list street address or zip code. It’s both outdated and unsafe. Note 'Willing to Relocate' here if applicable.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth : Not necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details : Marital status, social security number, passport number , etc.

Jessica Anderson

Digital marketer

201-000-0900

[email protected]

Jess Anderson

Career changer

A summary is one of the most important sections on your career change resume as it will allow you to speak directly to the employer and explain how your previous career has set you up for this move.

These 3-5 sentences should highlight your biggest accomplishments and tell recruiters how that will translate into your new chosen field. In either case, make sure you are attentive to keywords and phrases . Do not force them into your summary but use them appropriately. Be proud and show off your professional personality and passion without exaggerating.

Remember to use as many powerful action verbs and job-specific information as you can. Highlighting your key attributes and talents that prove your qualifications and accomplishments is crucial. 

Need inspiration for your summary? Check out our related resumes: 

• General resume example
• Self-employed resume example
• Traditional resume example
• Freelancer resume sample

You can find adaptable career change resume example summaries below:

Highly motivated project manager with 5+ years of experience in managing complex software development projects seeking to leverage analytical skills and problem-solving abilities to transition into a data analyst role. Proven track record of data collection, analysis, and reporting to optimize project timelines and budgets. Eager to contribute data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making.

Results-oriented marketing manager with 7 years of experience developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. Seeking to leverage strong communication, relationship-building, and negotiation skills to excel in a sales manager role. Proven ability to understand customer needs and translate them into actionable strategies. Passionate about exceeding sales targets and building strong client relationships.

Compassionate registered nurse with 10 years of bedside experience seeking to leverage clinical expertise and patient advocacy skills to make a broader impact on public health. Highly motivated to transition into a public health specialist role and contribute to preventative healthcare initiatives. Proficient in data analysis, communication, and community outreach.

Your employment history or experience highlights your biggest professional successes and accomplishments. Each bullet point should tell of a challenge, your actions to solve it, and the results you achieved. Use data and details wherever possible. 

Start by creating subheadings with your previous role, the employer’s name, dates worked, and location. Underneath, add 4-5 bullet points that describe your professional responsibilities, achievements, and transferable skills needed for your career change.

If your new career overlaps your current career, use the employment history heading and focus on the transferable skills you can demonstrate through your jobs. Recruiters want to see a pattern of growth in expertise and responsibility, so think of your employment history as the story of your professional development. 

When your career change takes you in a completely different direction, the experience heading may serve you better. Here you can include your involvement in activities that are not work-related but are relevant to your new career. In either case, keep the ATS in mind. Use strong action verbs that describe you as a go-getter. 

Take a look at these bland bullet points:

• “Responsible for completing assigned tasks.”
• “Developed skills in various areas.”
• “Worked on projects with a team.”

Now check out these more engaging options:

• “Increased team efficiency by 20% through implementing a new project management system, reducing task completion time by an average of 1 day.”
• “Developed proficiency in 3 new programming languages (Python, Java, C++) within 6 months, increasing personal coding output by 40%.”
• “Successfully led a cross-functional team of 5 in developing a new marketing campaign, resulting in a 15% increase in customer acquisition.”

Here's the employment history section from our career change resume example:

Preschool Teacher at Little Seed School, Seattle  August 2012 - June 2019 

• Created developmentally appropriate lesson plans and activities for students ages 2-4.
• Worked to create and maintain a welcoming and stimulating environment for students.
• Maintained excellent communication with parents regarding their child's progress.
• Addressed any concerns from parents in a professional and courteous manner.
• Actively participated in school events and planned the first Spring Auction for the preschool.
• Attended workshops to learn about different educational approaches and tools.
• Recorded observations as written assessments of student performance.

HR Receptionist at Maxwell Publishing House, Seattle  July 2009 - July 2012 

• Assisted the head of HR with all clerical and administrative duties.
• Provided employees with forms and proper insurance applications.
• Answered calls and recorded messages.
• Made copies and handled incoming and outgoing mail.
• Assisted with the purchasing and arranging of supplies.
• Maintained confidentiality of employee files.
• Scheduled and confirmed interviews and appointments.

Administrative Assistant at TV Guide, Seattle  September 2007 - July 2009 

• Served as a reliable Administrative Assistant in the Editorial Department.
• Answered calls and recorded and reported messages.
• Maintained a neat and organized working environment.
• Maintained conference room calendars and scheduled meetings.
• Coordinated travel plans and scheduled appointments.

How to write a career change resume with no experience

It’s likely that you will be attempting to make a career change with limited experience in the new field. Here are a few tips to help you write a more effective career change resume:

• Focus on transferable skills . Show how your previous experience has set you up for success in your new career. You shouldn’t be embarrassed of your past jobs; instead, show how your fresh perspective can serve as a strength and help propel the employer forward.
• Gain new qualifications . You can’t make a successful career change without the basic qualifications needed for the new job. Spend some time in online courses and make sure you have the required certifications listed on your resume .
• Network . Meet with current employees of companies that interest you and research the demands of your new career. These connections could help open doors but can also give you a better understanding of the skills to highlight on your resume.

The skills section is a straightforward catalog and should be tailored to your new career. It is designed as a quick method of getting your top abilities in front of recruiters. Create a Master List of all relevant abilities and choose five or six that best align with the employer’s needs.

Be honest here. Because you are changing careers and may not have as many matching skills as a candidate already in the field, you may be tempted to list skills you are not truly adept at. Avoid this. Recruiters see hundreds of resumes and they are not easily fooled .

Make sure to include any hard skills from the job posting to show that you have the technical knowledge needed for the job. Your soft skills can also be a secret weapon during a career change. Communication , efficiency, and organization apply to nearly every industry and show that you're a well-rounded candidate.

Here's the skills section from our career change resume example:

• Self Starter
• Interpersonal Communication
• Organization Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Leadership Skills

List any degrees, certifications, or licenses you have earned in the education section . As with your employment history, make sure to list degrees from most recent to oldest and include the program name, school, dates attended, and location. 

If you have several certifications or licenses, consider adding a separate section so that they stand out. Drop your high school diploma if you have a master’s degree or higher.

Your skills section is also a great place to include training, certifications, or new qualifications needed for your career change. If you're a few years out of school, consider dropping any academic achievements to make space for professional awards, memberships, or publications if relevant to your field.

Here's the education section from our career change resume example:

Bachelor of Communications, University of Washington, Seattle  August 2005 - May 2009

Your professional look should be neat and clean. The layout and design of your resume are just as important as the text. Why? There are several reasons:

• Recruiters want to be able to scan for your contact information, current job, and other data quickly
• Your resume’s design is a representation of your image
• The all-important ATS may not find data that is incorrectly formatted

But, what makes a good layout? This may seem counterintuitive, but the simpler, the better! You want recruiters to be able to read every word. That means no big text blocks, no fancy fonts , and just a dash of color if any. 

Your accomplishments are what distinguishes you, not any overly fussy design. Legibility takes priority. If recruiters can’t find what they are looking for, they will move on, especially if they would be taking a leap by giving a career-changer a chance.

One way to quickly create a professional layout that stands out to recruiters is by using an expertly designed resume template which can easily be updated as you apply to new positions.

• Make your contact information stand out.
• Vary the lengths of descriptions
• Create a balance of white space to text.
• Have another person proofread for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
• Put information into headers or footers—the ATS can’t read them.
• Downsize the type to gain space.
• Send files in a format other than PDF—different programs may alter your formatting (Word files are notorious for this issue, don’t use them unless the online application system doesn’t give you a choice).

Career change text-only resume example

Self-motivated and enthusiastic worker with vast experience in many different fields. Bringing forth a proven track record of achievement and a reputation for positive collaboration. Confident, hard working, and committed to seeing results in whatever position I am in. Reliable and dedicated to finding a place that will benefit from my superior skill set and energetic drive. 

Employment history

Key takeaways for building a career change resume

When crafting a resume for a career change, showcase how your existing skills translate to your desired field. Focus on transferable skills like communication and project management, and tailor them to the new role's requirements. 

Highlight relevant achievements from past experiences, using data to quantify your impact. Your resume should tell a compelling story of how your transferable skills and experiences position you for success in your new career path.

An online resume builder can make it easy to format a professional resume that puts you on the path to making a successful career change!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

Here’s How to Get Your Resume Ready for a Career Change

Want to change careers? You’re definitely not alone. That’s why we’ve partnered with Squarespace to create this special four-part series on how to navigate the transition, complete with worksheets to guide you every step of the way. Read on for Part 1, then check out Parts  2 , 3 , and 4 .

Whether you’re working from home or have been furloughed or laid off because of the pandemic, chances are good you’ve spent some time lately thinking about your career—and realizing that you may be ready for something new . Maybe you want a job that gives you more flexibility or you’re eager to work remotely from now on. Or perhaps you’ve realized you want to turn something that was a side hustle or a hobby a few months ago into a full-time career.

Whatever your motivation, if you’re considering a career change, you’ll need to tweak your professional materials to reflect your new path. Here are some strategies to get you started.

Create a Resume Website

Your resume is likely only one page long —or up to two, if you have a lot of experience. Online, however, there’s really no limit to what you can include. A resume website gives you a chance to expand on your experience and qualifications and can help set you apart from other candidates. A few things to consider when designing one of your own:

Start With a Template

You’ll want your resume website to look clean and professional. Squarespace makes it easy by letting you search by template type , including “personal and CV” and “portfolio,” for example.

Write About What You Want to Do

Don’t just use your website to discuss your past work experience. Rather, use it to talk about where you want to go in the future. Create an “About” page or put this information front and center on the landing page.

Make a Page for Each Part of Your Resume

The beautiful thing about a website is that you have the space to expand on different elements of your work and personal history. Take advantage and add details that may be missing from your paper resume due to space constraints—especially anything that shows why you’re qualified to make the career change.

Highlight Transferable Skills

One of the hardest parts about making a career switch is showing a recruiter or hiring manager why you’re right for the job—especially if you have little to no actual work experience within the field. That’s where transferable skills come in. These are typically soft skills such as written communication, project management, and the like that you can adapt to the position you’re applying for—versus a hard skill like being an expert in a particular type of software.

Not quite sure which skills to focus on? Do some research by checking online postings for the type of jobs you’re targeting. “Job descriptions should tell you exactly what the employers are looking for, and that’ll give you a good idea of what you need to have,” says Charlette Beasley, a workplace and careers analyst at  FitSmallBusiness . Then, consider your own skill set and how you might rewrite your experience (on both your resume website and your regular resume) to match the requirements.

That said, hard skills count, too. If you notice that many employers are looking for a particular skill that you don’t have, bridge the gap by taking classes or getting a certification that you can then add to your resume. For example, if you’re applying for jobs as a social media manager and all the companies you’re interested in require you to have experience with Hootsuite, you could take a Hootsuite certification course and add that credential to your resume.

Pick the Right Format

When updating your regular resume, the first step is deciding which format to use. As a career changer who might be lacking all of the right work experience and/or skills, the traditional reverse chronological approach isn’t necessarily the only way to go.

You could use a functional resume , also known as a skills-based resume. Instead of having a section for each job, you would create sections for areas of expertise, with bullet points explaining how you have used them in previous roles. However, many recruiters and hiring managers don’t recommend them because they tend to bury important information. “Employers want to see how much experience a candidate has in each role and how long they have stayed in each of their jobs,” says Nancy Spivey, a career strategist at ReadySetResumes.com .

A better option for career changers is a combination, or hybrid, resume , which blends the traditional and functional formats. It has a shorter section focused on skills at the top, with a detailed section covering work experience right below it. “They still show the work history, but also focus on what skills you bring to the table,” Spivey says.

Write a Resume Summary

Regardless of which resume format you choose, consider including a summary statement at the top of your resume. This sounds just like what it is: a short paragraph or set of bullets that summarizes your experience and skill set. For career changers, it can be a powerful tool for explaining to a hiring manager or recruiter why you are qualified for your desired role or industry. 

Think of your summary statement as your elevator pitch. Who are you, what’s brought you to this point, and what skills and strengths would you bring to your new role? For more inspiration, check out these examples .

Add Important Keywords

When researching your desired role, pay attention to the exact language used in job postings. Many of the requirements will also be keywords that applicant tracking systems use to screen resumes. The more you can pepper your own resume with those keywords, the greater chance it will get into the hands of a recruiter or hiring manager.

This is where some of those classes or certifications will come in handy—because if a job description calls for someone with specific technical skills or credentials or proficiency in certain tools or programs, you’ll be able to include those exact words in your resume.

One caveat: Don’t add keywords or experience that you don’t actually have; that will come back to haunt you in the interview.

Not sure what keywords should go in your resume, or what transferable skills you have? Our handy worksheet will help you identify them! Download the worksheet here.

Align All of Your Content

With so many different ways to present yourself, it’s important to be consistent across platforms. “Make sure the message and type of work you’re looking for is mirrored across your resume, website, and LinkedIn so you’re not telling a conflicting story,” says Debra Boggs, a career coach with D&S Professional Coaching .

That means the About section on your website should match your LinkedIn and resume summary statement, and the same keywords should appear in all three places.

Making a career leap can be daunting, but it’s not impossible—as long as your resume and resume website have been created with a pivot in mind. Highlight transferable skills, additional training, and the right keywords, and you’ll be on your way to successfully making a switch.

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How To Update Your Resume for a Career Change in 2024

A guide to writing and updating your resume for a career change in 2024, with a Google Docs template and actionable advice from experienced hiring managers who hire career changers.

3 years ago   •   12 min read

If you’re looking to make a major career change, you might have all kinds of questions about how to pull it off. What if you’re a law enforcement officer looking to pursue an IT career or a high school teacher dreaming of becoming a pastry chef?

One of the biggest mistakes career changers make is they reuse their old resume for new job applications. The problem with this is that your old resume is tailored to the very career you want to get out of! It highlights different skills and accomplishments, most of which aren't relevant to the job you're moving into. The result? Hiring managers think you're not a good fit for the new career, role or industry.

Recruiters are going to have questions if your experience doesn't align with the traditional career path they're used to. Does this applicant have relevant experience? Do they have the right skills? Can they do the job? It's your job to answer these questions.

In this guide, we will talk you through how to optimize your resume for a career change, highlight transferable skills, and tailor your resume to your new industry to give you the best chance at success in your new career.

How to write a career change resume

Writing a career change resume isn't exactly the same as writing a regular resume. There are a few extra steps you'll need to consider when revamping your resume to prepare for a career change:

• Add a job title at the start of your resume. This signals to recruiters that you're specifically targeting their industry and can also help get your resume past automated resume scanners (ATS).
• Highlight transferable skills that are relevant to the industry you're changing to.
• Tailor your resume to the new position by including relevant hard skills and keywords.
• Optimize your work experience to highlight relevant accomplishments.
• Use numbers and metrics to show that you can make an impact with your work, regardless of industry.
• Emphasize promotion and career growth.
• Tailor every section of your resume to your new industry. This might mean tweaking your education section to list relevant courses or qualifications, or including any projects or volunteer work adjacent to the industry.
• Address the career change in your cover letter .

Let's take a look at what a career change resume looks like in action.

A resume example for career changers

Before we dive into exactly what recruiters want to see in your resume, here's a sample template for your career change resume that you can use as a foundation to get started:

You can download this career change resume template in Google Docs or as a PDF from our resume templates page.

Pro tip: Include a resume summary

Although we don’t always recommend including a summary on your resume, it can be a smart strategy for career changers. A well-written resume summary will help explain your career change by providing more context and background information about your history and goals, and will help recruiters connect the dots between your prior work experience and the new type of work you want to do.

What should your summary include?

So how do you write a summary if you are changing careers ? Your goal is to provide an overall picture of your background and experience in two to six lines of text. Use a tailored job title and mention one or two of your most notable achievements, especially if they’re relevant to the job you’re seeking. Browse our list of resume summary examples for inspiration.

Resume summary template

If you’re new to writing a resume summary, you can model yours after the following template or use our resume summary generator . Just remember to personalize the blank fields with your information:

Former [Current Job Title] transitioning into a [Desired Job Title] position after [earning relevant degree or certification]. Proven track record of doing [X, Y, and Z transferable skills]. [Summarize a major achievement in the format of Action Verb + Accomplishment + Metric].

Here’s an example of how this summary template would look on a real resume:

If you want to find out if your career change resume highlights your transferable skills and relevant accomplishments, upload it to the tool below — it’ll let you know if you’ve shown enough transferable skills and achievements.

Read More: How to write a resume summary if you're changing careers

How to optimize your work experience section for a career change

Your work experience is one of the most crucial parts of your resume - and the first section recruiters oftusuallyen want to read. Here are a few ways you can maximize your work experience section as a prospective career changer :

• Decide what previous experience to include on your resume
• List quantifiable accomplishments in bullet point format
• Use keywords to tailor your resume
• Focus on accomplishments that are relevant to your new career

1: Decide which past work experience to include

When you're navigating a career change, figuring out which past work experiences to include on your resume can be challenging. Should you include everything or just the experience that is relevant to your new career path?

The answer lies in the transferability of your skills. If you've had past experiences where you developed skills directly applicable to your new career, you definitely want to include them. For instance, if you're moving from marketing to sales and you've had a past job where you worked closely with a sales team, it's relevant and should be included.

However, showing progression and continuity in your career is also important. So, even roles that are less relevant to your new job can still be included. You can condense these into an "Other Experience" section, focusing less on the role duties and more on the transferable skills you developed.

2: Use bullet points to explain your experience

On any resume, when writing about your previous work experiences, you should always include brief bullet points that illustrate your accomplishments. Provide specific examples of what you achieved in your past roles, and quantify those examples with specific numbers, as in the examples below:

• Implemented new training initiatives for retail associates that increased quarterly sales by 35%
• Wrote and published 10 articles on the company blog, boosting company website traffic by 50% over 6 months

Bullet points make it easy for recruiters to scan your resume and find the information they’re looking for. For maximum impact, they should include details and data to support your claims about your abilities.

Read more: How to write resume bullets that get interviews

3: Tailor your experience with keywords

A brilliant way to target your resume to each specific job application is to include relevant keywords and skills that recruiters in that field are looking for. But how do you find the right keywords for a brand-new job?

• Read the job posting thoroughly and note the skills they mention. Aim to address each skill with a separate bullet point on your resume.
• Use our skills and keywords finde r to browse the industry you're interested in, or type a specific job title into the search bar to get a targeted list of keywords for your resume.
• Upload your resume to our Targeted Resume Tool. This will analyze your resume and the job description you're applying to and tell you what your resume is missing.

Once you have a list of essential keywords, list those skills in your skills section (if they're hard skills like a specific software or programming language), and show how you've used those skills in your work experience through quantified examples and results-orientated phrases.

Read more: How to tailor your resume to a job

4: Emphasize accomplishments that relate to your desired position

One mistake career changers make frequently is to highlight achievements or skills that aren't relevant to the industry they're trying to break into.

Always spin your bullet points to highlight skillsets that your new role or industry is looking for, e.g. if you're breaking into marketing from a customer support role, highlight your experience creating marketing materials or communicating with customers to improve sales.

Here are some examples of how to "spin" your resume accomplishments for different industries:

The field you want to break into : Business analysis

Skills to highlight : Business strategy and data analysis

Old accomplishment : Identified steps to decrease rates of returns and frauds, resulting in 75k in cost savings.

New accomplishment : Implemented new procedures that resulted in annual cost savings of $75k by developing an analysis of current business processes and identifying areas for improvement.

Here's another example:

The field you want to break into : Digital marketing and social media

Skills to highlight : Advertising and customer outreach

Old accomplishment : Sold over 65 company credit cards as part of promotions by answering questions and directing customers to the website, increasing sales by 8%.

New accomplishment : Promoted the company’s marketing programs and digital advertising, resulting in 8% increase in sales and 15% increase in web traffic.

Read more: How to list your work experience on your resume

How to optimize your skills section for a career change

When you're changing careers, it's not just about having skills; it's about showcasing the right skills and demonstrating quantifiable achievements tied to those skills in a way that the hiring manager can't ignore. Your skills section is vital to any resume, but especially for career changers, to show a recruiter that you understand the skills required for the new position and ensure your resume gets past ATS. Here are some tips on creating a competitive skills section:

1: Identify competitive skills

Start by listing your skills, but don't limit yourself to the ones you've used in your old job. Think about your personal qualities, hobbies, or even skills you've developed during your free time or through additional education.

2: Match your skills to the job description

Once you've got your list, pull up the job posting and identify the skills they specifically mention in the job description. Match your skills and their related achievements with those listed in the job description. Remember, even if your experience is in a totally different field, there is always a transferable skill hidden somewhere.

3: Focus on hard skills, not soft

While soft skills are always important, hard skills take center stage in your skills section when you're making a career change. These are the tangible, technical skills that directly relate to the job you're applying for.

Your soft skills , like ' good communicator ' or 'team player ', should not be listed in your skills section. Instead, use your work experience section to demonstrate these skills through concrete examples, metrics, and quantifiable achievements.

4: List your skills by industry

As your skills will likely cover a range of industries, it is best to organize your skills section by industry or category, so a recruiter can easily pick out your relevant skills. Here is an example of how to list your skills by industry:

5: If you’re missing an essential skill

If you find you're lacking a crucial skill, consider enrolling in an online course or professional development program to bridge the gap. Demonstrating your initiative to learn and adapt will make a positive impression on potential employers, and you can always include an ‘in-progress’ qualification on your resume to show your continued education.

How to tailor your resume to your new industry

Diving into a new field can be daunting. But fear not! By strategically emphasizing transferable skills and relevant qualifications, you can make a strong impression on potential employers and show dedication to your new field.

1: Emphasize transferable skills

Transferrable skills are not specific to one industry and can be 'transferred' to another. Unlike the hard skills mentioned earlier, transferable skills aren't generally keywords you want to list at the end of your resume, but instead, should be illustrated through specific bullet point examples.

Transferable skills will form the backbone of your career change resume. Unlike technical skills, which you might not have mastered yet, or industry-specific experience, transferable skills are always relevant.

Here are some examples of bullet points that demonstrate commonly required soft skills:

• Leadership : Led the transition to a paperless practice by implementing an electronic booking system, resulting in cost savings of labor by 30% and office overhead by 10%.
• Teamwork : Collaborated with community outreach team to organize monthly fundraising events, raising over $50,000 in donations within three months.
• Communication : Collaborated with a team of 10+ remote developers and senior leadership team to assess project outcomes and prioritize future features.
• Initiative : Overhauled service delivery processes, leading to a 70% increase in customer satisfaction.‌‌

2: List relevant courses and qualifications

It’s wise for career changers to list relevant education or certifications on their resumes. You may not need to go back to school, unless you’re trying to enter a specialized field (such as law or medicine), but it might be beneficial to take a quick class or two to give you a jump start in your new career.

Certain fields, such as project management, IT, or finance, might require a specific certificate. If you complete these qualifications before applying for jobs, potential employers can see that you’re serious about your new choice of career and that you’ve already taken steps to make it happen.

Here is an example of how to list certificates and qualifications on your resume:

Example of how to list your certificates and qualifications on a career change resume.

Read more: How to list certifications on a resume

3: Include projects and volunteer work

If your work history is more sparse than you’d like, or if your job experiences don’t adequately reflect your relevant skills, you can also showcase other projects and volunteer work . Projects are an excellent way for career changers to show hiring managers that they have practical skills for the new role and allow you to include keywords for the new job on your resume.

Let’s imagine you are seeking a job as a software developer, and you spent one month last summer developing a phone app. Here’s how you might showcase this project on your resume:

InstaGrub Developer - Technologies used: Python, Redux, PostgreSQL, Express.js - Designed architecture and user interface of mobile app for grocery delivery - Enabled users to purchase food from 15+ grocery store chains

The same can be said for volunteer positions. Volunteering may not always be financially realistic, but you can build experience and get your foot in the door in a new area of interest. It also shows recruiters that you are committed to your new chosen field.

Read more: How to list projects on a resume

Pro tip: Address a career change in your cover letter

A cover letter is a great way to make a strong first impression on a hiring manager and provide background on your career transition.

When addressing a career change in your cover letter , start by openly discussing your transition and connecting it to the desired new role. Then, highlight your transferable skills, express your passion for the new field, and reassure the employer of your commitment to this career path.

Read more: Sample cover letters

The best format for a career change resume

Reverse chronological order is the most common format for your resume, where you detail your most recent work experience first. Recruiters prefer this format as it shows clear career progression and makes your most recent experience easy to find.

However, for a career change, you may want to rearrange your work experience into two sections, titled "Relevant Experience" and "Other Experience", to better highlight your transferable skills without leaving gaps in your resume.

Functional resumes, which focus on skills over chronological experience, are typically not recommended due to their lack of clarity and potential to appear vague.

Do employers care about previous unrelated experience?

Yes and no. If you have some experience (including volunteer work, projects, or education) related to your new field, it's okay to leave off older work experience that is no longer relevant. Remember that your resume doesn’t have to provide a complete picture of your work history, just your most recent accomplishments.

If you lack any relevant experience or qualifications, then yes, it's a good idea to include all of your work history on your resume to show your career progression and focus on the more relevant parts by splitting your work history into "Relevant Experience" and "Other Experience".

What if my skills aren’t directly relevant to the new career?

If your previous skills don’t directly apply to your new career, don't panic! First, look beyond the obvious. It's easy to underestimate the transferability of your skills. For instance, you might not think that your time management skills as a project manager would matter much in a sales rep career, but managing multiple leads, follow-ups, and deals at once requires good time management. Most jobs will have at least one transferable skill you can highlight on your resume.

If you genuinely feel you lack any relevant skills, consider taking additional training (like online courses), starting a side project, or participating in an internship.

How do I make myself stand out amongst candidates who have direct experience?

To stand out, focus on your transferable skills, major achievements, and willingness to adapt. Show how your unique experiences bring a fresh perspective. Include instances where you've excelled or driven results in past roles, even in different industries, and remember to mention any relevant training or certifications that equip you for the new position.

What other information should I include?

We’ve covered the essential sections that your resume needs: your summary, work experience, relevant education and hard skills. Some job seekers like to include other sections, such as language proficiency ; feel free to include this information as long as it relates to the job and enhances your application. If it’s not relevant, it’s best to leave it out.

I'm struggling to get started – do you have any other tips for career changers?

In a word: Networking! Take time to reach out to people you know in your new field. Find events and ways to meet new people, connect with them on LinkedIn, or set up informational interviews . The more people you know, the easier and faster it will be to launch your new career.

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How to write an effective career change resume (with examples)

By Tomás Battaglia March 7, 2024

Updated June 27, 2024

The average person changes jobs an average of nine times during their career, and there are many reasons why someone might want to change the role that they work in. They might want to pursue a more challenging career path, be looking to earn a higher salary, experience a better work-life balance or simply want to explore new interests.

In today's dynamic job market, a career change demands more than courage; it requires a strategically crafted resume showcasing your transferable skills, relevant experiences, and determination. 

Whether you're stepping into a new industry or seeking a different role within your current sector, this guide is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to create a compelling resume that captures the attention of hiring managers. More than just wanting to change, it is crucial to adapt. There is no point in crafting a different CV if it is not tailored, especially for this moment of transition in your career.

We'll walk you through every step of creating a resume that not only highlights your past achievements but also shines a light on your potential. Get ready to transform your career aspirations into reality with our expert tips and actionable advice.

Feeling stuck? Consider your options and make an industry change

Transitioning to a new industry can be overwhelming, especially when skills development is necessary to align with your desired role. Securing the ideal job opportunity necessitates a dedicated level of effort and commitment. If you want develop more soft skills and expertise, stretch assignments can be a valuable approach to take.

 Taking gradual measures to evaluate your alternatives and potential career paths is beneficial. This approach lets you gain insight into your capabilities and establishes a coherent understanding of how they align with your chosen industry.

Consider your reasons for a new career 

Before you begin the process of looking for a new job, give yourself some time to assess why you want to do that:

• Boredom or lack of satisfaction. If you don't find satisfaction and meaning in what you do during your working day, your thoughts will most likely wander to other employment opportunities.
• Money and benefits. Salary and benefits are often the primary reasons many people start a job search. Perhaps through communications with peers within your industry or after reading articles on the internet, you've determined more lucrative opportunities do exist.
• New interests. Many people make career changes throughout their lives as new interests, values, and passions develop. 
• Job sustainability. You may have noticed that technological advancements could potentially phase out your current role or even lead to the closure of the company you work for.

How should I write a specialised career change resume?

Embarking on a career change is a significant life decision that necessitates a tailored approach in every step, especially regarding your resume objective. Here are a few ways to prepare your CV for a career change and pursue your dream job.

It's all about the transferable skills

In a career change scenario, your previous experience in the new field might be limited. While this can be daunting, it’s also an opportunity to make your case. This is where transferable skills come into play. These universal skills you've acquired in your current or previous work experiences are relevant to a wide range of positions, such as leadership abilities, communication skills, project management, and problem-solving capabilities. 

Shifting focus from titles to talents

Traditional resumes often emphasise job titles and specific industry experiences. However, in a career change scenario, the focus shifts from past job titles to the talents and competencies you bring to the table. Often, different industries have their way of referring to the same skills or expertise. Researching CVs from professionals in the job market you want to migrate to can help with that. It's not about lack of experience, it's about showing potential employers what you can do for them, not just what you have done in the past.

No elephants in the room

Employers might have reservations about hiring someone without direct experience in their industry, and that is justified. Your job here will be to show the recruiters that you can be a jack of all trades and change careers with ease. By carefully aligning your skills and experiences from the previous role with the requirements of the new role, you can alleviate doubts and highlight why you are a strong candidate, despite your unconventional path. This includes using strategic positioning and persuasive language to draw parallels between your background and the needs of the potential employer.

Showing that you can adapt fast

Making a career change is a bold move that requires adaptability and a willingness to learn. A resume objective tailored for this transition demonstrates your commitment to your new career path and objectives. It shows employers that you have not only recognized your passion for a new field but have also taken concrete steps to prepare yourself for this shift. This can include relevant training, certifications, or projects you've undertaken to gain the necessary skills and knowledge.

Optimise for Applicant Tracking Systems

In today's job market, many resumes first need to get past an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before they reach a human reader. A specialised career change resume is optimised with relevant keywords and phrases that match the job description. This ensures that your resume passes through these systems and increases your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

Key elements when writing a career change CV

Creating an effective career change resume involves more than just listing your job history. You could do a series of things to enhance the chances of a recruiter noticing you and your CV. Here are some do's and don'ts to remember as you craft yours.

1. Objective statement or professional summary

The goal here is to capture your career goals while also explaining why you are transitioning to the new field. All of this should be done in a way that feels natural to the reader, with a brief statement combining transferable skills, career aspirations and how you plan to bring value to the desired new role.

A great tip here would be to customise this section to each job accordingly. Making every CV directly address specific needs for the role and the employer can make a huge difference and go a long way.

A marketing specialist aiming to transition into the tech industry might say, "Driven marketing specialist with over five years of experience in developing successful brand strategies, seeking to leverage analytical and project management skills in a product management role within the tech sector. Eager to apply my background in market analysis and team leadership to drive successful product launches and innovation."

A teacher looking to move into corporate training could write, "Passionate educator with a decade of experience in curriculum development and student engagement, aiming to transition to corporate training. Skilled in creating compelling educational content and fostering a productive learning environment, I am excited to apply these skills to help your organisation develop its talent and enhance employee skills."

2. Skills section

In this section, the main objective should be highlighting your current abilities that are relevant to the new career you envision. Hard and soft skills are your bread and butter here. Having a great mix of key skills that are valuable to the new industry can have a major impact on how the recruiter will receive your CV. Think beyond technical skills to include leadership, communication, problem-solving, and other adaptable skills.

As mentioned in the previous element, you should always tailor your CV to each job opportunity you want to apply for. That being said, use the job description as a guide to identify which skills to emphasise and ensure they align with what the employer seeks for that role.

For someone transitioning from finance to data science, the skills section might highlight: "Analytical Thinking, Financial Modeling, Python, Data Visualisation, Strong Communication, Problem-solving, SQL." This showcases a blend of hard and technical skills relevant to data science alongside transferable soft skills.

A retail manager moving to customer success in a tech company might list: "Customer Relationship Management, Team Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Salesforce, Strategic Planning, Empathy." Here, the emphasis is on transferable soft skills and some technical knowledge relevant to the new role.

3. Professional experience

This is the part of the resume that needs to show (with examples) how your previous job roles have prepared you for this career change. A good way to do that would be to focus on achievements and responsibilities from past positions most relevant to the new job. Describing the experience while emphasising the results, relevant achievements and how they relate to the potential role can be a good way to do that.

Bring numbers and results where possible to show the direct impact of your work. Growth, gains, increases, and revenue incomes are always welcome to add colour to your CV. You can also use action verbs to pack a punch on your achievements. Great examples are: converted, applied, developed, operated, solved, and constructed.

A project manager in construction looking to move into software project management might detail: "Managed a team of 20+ to deliver projects on time and within budget, achieving a 15% reduction in costs through efficient resource management. Looking to apply project management expertise and collaborative skills to lead software development projects."

An HR professional aiming for a career in UX research could illustrate: "Conducted comprehensive employee satisfaction surveys and implemented feedback mechanisms, increasing employee engagement by 25%. Eager to apply my understanding of user needs and feedback analysis to enhance product usability and customer satisfaction in a UX research role."

4. Education and other certifications

This is often an overlooked section of resumes, but it sure can make you stand out from others. The goal here is very straightforward of showing your formal training and qualifications. Degrees, courses, workshops and other certifications that are relevant to your new field have to be displayed well here. Don’t forget to list the most important ones first. Keep in mind that the range of time a recruiter spends reading a resume is not long, so you have to make sure the main information comes first.

If you’ve taken courses relevant to your new career, list them here, even if they didn’t lead to a degree or certification. This shows your commitment to your professional development and learning and growing in your new field.

An individual transitioning to digital marketing from sales might list: "Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Google Digital Marketing Certification; Course in SEO and Content Marketing from Coursera." This shows a mix of formal education and self-directed learning relevant to the new field.

Someone moving into the cybersecurity field from a non-technical background could highlight: "Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; CompTIA Security+ Certification; Cybersecurity Fundamentals Course (edX)." This demonstrates a commitment to acquiring the technical skills needed for the new career path.

5. Additional sections

This is optional, but also a good way to show some characteristics about you in an indirect way. Here you can display that you are a team player, your volunteer work experiences (that can demonstrate your commitment to the community), projects you’ve been involved in (either personal projects or professional ones that can demonstrate skills in the desired new field), and languages that you master (multilingual abilities can be a significant asset in many industries).

Crafting a career change resume is about painting a picture of yourself as the ideal candidate for your new field, despite not following a traditional path. Thinking outside the box and mentioning different projects and endeavours can be a great way to start the conversation and catch the eye of the recruiter.

A software developer transitioning to environmental science might include: "Volunteer Work: Regular participant in local river clean-up projects; Developed a community app for reporting illegal dumping. Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish, Intermediate French." This section showcases a personal commitment to environmental issues and relevant projects, plus multilingual abilities.

An accountant moving into the non-profit sector could mention: "Projects: Led a fundraising campaign for a local animal shelter, raising over $10,000. Volunteer Experience: Treasurer for a community food bank, managing finances and budgeting." This illustrates skills and interests that align with the values and needs of the non-profit sector.

Do's and don'ts when writing a career change resume

Transitioning to a new career involves presenting yourself in a way that highlights your relevance and fit for the new role, despite lacking direct experience. A career change resume requires a strategic approach to emphasise your transferable skills, adaptability, and readiness for the challenge. 

Here are some essential elements to include in your career change resume to make a compelling case for your candidacy.

Focus on transferable skills:

We can’t stress this enough. Highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to your new career path. This shows you’re versatile, experienced and willing to adapt to the new position.

Customise your resume for every job:

Tailor your resume to each job posting description, emphasising the most relevant skills and experiences. While you’re at it, search for the appropriate keywords for each. This takes some time to do, but it definitely will make a difference in the hiring process.

Include a cover letter:

A career change cover letter gives you additional space to explain and express your enthusiasm for the new field. You can also detail why you’re making the change and how you plan to achieve your goals with the company.

Avoid the temptation to explain all the reasons for your career change or justify any employment gaps. You can discuss it in the cover letter , but don’t extend yourself too much. Keep your resume focused on your skills and qualifications.

Ignore your achievements:

People often overlook their previous achievements if they aren’t related to the new desired field. Even if your past work doesn’t directly translate to your new career, your achievements can still demonstrate your ability to succeed. Don’t be shy!

Underestimate soft skills:

Soft skills ultimately can make a difference . Things like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are highly valued in all fields. Make sure to highlight those and, if possible, bring cases where you demonstrated them in your past experiences.

Embrace your next career chapter with Airswift

Embarking on a career change is a bold step towards fulfilling your professional aspirations. As you step forward into this exciting new career phase, remember you don't have to do it alone. Airswift is your dedicated partner in this journey of transformation. With over 35 years of experience in pioneering workforce solutions globally, we specialise in turning career aspirations into reality. Our deep industry expertise and unwavering commitment to your success make us the ideal companion as you explore new horizons. Our extensive network and comprehensive job board offer various opportunities tailored to suit your new career direction. We invite you to leverage our resources, expert guidance, and support services to empower your career transition. At Airswift, we're not just helping you find a job; we're helping you build the future you envision.

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Writing a Resume for Career Change: How to Navigate a Successful Transition

3 Key Takeaways

• A resume for a career change should bridge the gap between your past experiences and your new career path.
• Your career change resume should not only be tailored to every role you apply for but also concentrate on transferable skills and relevant experience.
• Teal's AI Resume Builder can help you customize your resume for each job application by aligning your experience with the specific requirements of the job.

You've been through it all—the contemplation, the deep conversations, the sleepless nights—and you've finally decided to make a career change.

And whether you've dedicated just a few years or what seems like a lifetime to your current profession, you know deep down that now is the time. You're ready to look for your dream job.

But, let's be honest, switching careers is both exhilarating and scary. It requires careful planning, self-awareness, and the ability to articulate all that you've done in a way that highlights just how successful you'll be in a new career.

Now that you've set your mind on this new direction, crafting a resume for a career change becomes the crucial first step in taking control of your future and embracing the exciting possibilities ahead.

Understanding the importance of a career change resume

If you're on a career change journey, you may have quickly realized a traditional resume may only partially showcase that you're the right fit for a new industry or field.

So how can you create a document highlighting the things that'll make you successful?

By creating a career change resume.

A career change resume differs from a traditional one because it aims to bridge the gap between your previous experiences and a new career path.

While a chronological resume (the type most commonly used) highlights a continuous progression in a single profession, a career change resume focuses more on communicating relevant skills (especially transferable skills or soft skills), knowledge, and achievements in a new context (even if you use a chronological resume format).

The challenge in creating a document like this is presenting past experiences that align with a new industry's needs and expectations. This is where you'll need to emphasize your adaptability and potential for success in unfamiliar territory.

Former educator Rebecca Dershowitz pivoted to a career in SaaS as a Content Marketing Coordinator. When it came to creating a career change resume, Rebecca says,

"As I shifted my career from education to SaaS, I realized that relying solely on my work experience wouldn't set me apart as the most competitive candidate. Early on, I recognized the importance of briefly explaining my career change and incorporating my transferable skills to showcase my collaboration skills, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities. After that, I focused on the impact of those skills in my role as an educator. Once I started, I also began tailoring my resume to align with specific job descriptions—highlighting how my transferable skills and previous experiences complemented the requirements of each position I applied for."

How to explain a career change on a resume

Explaining a career change on a resume is important to show prospective employers you have a clear and thoughtful approach to your professional development.

Below are some strategies for effectively explaining the "why" behind your career change.

Use the professional summary: Begin your resume with a concise, professional resume summary that briefly explains your career change. Emphasize the skills and experiences where you excel that will help contribute to your success.

Highlight transferable skills: Clearly demonstrate how the skills and experiences from your previous career are transferable and relevant to the new field. Focus on those you can apply in both contexts and showcase how they align with the new role.

Showcase relevant education and training: If you've pursued additional education or training related to your new career, make sure to highlight it prominently.

Address the career change in the cover letter: Use your cover letter to explain more detail. Share your genuine interest in the new field, your passion for the work, and the reasons behind your decision to transition (as long as they're positive).

How to explain a gap in work

If you're navigating a career change and have a  gap in your resume , your approach should be transparent yet strategic. You can do this by: 

Using your cover letter:  Briefly acknowledge the gap in your cover letter and focus on how you've used this time proactively. 

Prioritizing hard skills at the top of your resume : The top section of your resume, just below your professional summary, should list the hard skills you've acquired, especially those relevant to the new industry.

Focusing on upskilling : Create a resume section for "Certifications." If you pursued courses, workshops, or certifications during your employment gap, list them here.

By adopting these strategies, you showcase growth, adaptability, and readiness for your new career path.

Tailoring your resume for a career change

In creating a career change resume, tailoring your content is vital. Hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employers want to see how your background aligns with their specific job requirements. 

Tailoring—customizing and adapting your professional summary, skills, and work experience for every job application—allows you to address the unique demands of a desired field or role strategically.

Wondering how to tailor your resume to a job ? Below are some actionable steps you can take.

• Include transferable skills:  Emphasizing skills that are applicable across industries helps demonstrate versatility and relevance. (For example, strong communication, problem-solving, leadership, and project management skills are valuable in almost any role.)
• Downplay irrelevant experiences:  Your work experience may not directly align with your new career path. By minimizing the focus on unrelated roles and responsibilities, you can create more space to showcase relevant accomplishments. (One way to do this is to use a functional resume format. More on that later.) 
• Address gaps:  You might be worried about facing concerns regarding your lack of direct experience. Addressing these concerns through a well-crafted career change professional summary will build confidence about your potential to excel in the new role.
• Incorporate keywords:  Incorporating industry-specific keywords and skills can grab attention and increase your chances of being noticed by a hiring manager or recruiter. Often, companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for digital filing systems. Then, those on the hiring team can search those systems for specific keywords that align with the role they're looking to fill. 

Pro Tip:  Teal's Job Application Tracker and  AI Resume Builder  extract the top keywords for any job description so you can quickly customize your resume with the right keywords for every job application. 

Steps to write a resume for a career change

Landing a role in a new industry or field requires a strategically crafted resume—one that highlights your transferable skills and aligns with the specific needs of your targeted position.

Below is a step-by-step guide to write a career change resume that grabs attention and showcases your potential to excel in a new job.

Step 1: Self-assessment and identifying transferable skills

The importance of self-assessment.

Understanding your unique skills, values, interests, and personality traits is crucial to aligning your experience with your career goals.

Knowing yourself helps you make informed decisions about what to include and omit—crafting a more effective and tailored resume.

Ways to conduct self-assessment

• Conduct a skill inventory:  Analyzing your skills, including hard (technical skills) and soft (interpersonal skills). Look at your previous roles and pinpoint what can apply to a new position.
• Ask for professional guidance:  Consult a trusted manager, mentor, close friend, or colleague that can provide personalized feedback on areas of strength and impact.
• Take an online assessment:  Use an online assessment (like the free Teal  Work Styles Assessment ) to give you an overview of what energizes and drains you.

Step 2: Researching the new industry or role

How to research a new industry.

• Use online resources:  Websites like Glassdoor and forums like Reddit can provide insider insights into industries, specific companies, and overall experiences and expectations.
• Network:  Talking to professionals currently working in an industry can offer realistic expectations (and unadvertised job opportunities!). If you don't feel comfortable reaching out to others quite yet, take to LinkedIn and search for topics related to the industry you're interested in.
• Take a course:  Online courses and relevant certifications (both paid and free) can give you a deeper understanding of what you'll need to succeed in your new field. Courses and certifications can also help you improve or add some of the skills hiring managers and recruiters are looking for.

How to research a specific role

• Job descriptions:  Analyzing multiple job descriptions for the type of role you're interested in will give an overview of what skills and experiences are most valued across the industry.
• Professional network connections:  Connecting with professionals in the role you're interested in on a social networking site like LinkedIn will give you more insight into the ins and outs of the role and industry.
• Informational conversations:  Talking to professionals in the role—whether at a company you're interested in or in the same position at a different company—can give you detailed insights (and provide connections).

Step 3: Writing a career change professional summary

Your resume summary (also known as your professional summary) is often the first thing people see when they look at your resume.

Sitting at the top, the "Professional Summary" section is your elevator pitch. It's a brief overview of your qualifications that encourages the reader to dig deeper into the rest of your career history. 

How to write a career change professional summary

• Focus on skills: Be specific about how your previous experiences apply to the new role. Include things like communication skills and organizational skills and how you used them to create impact and as a complement to any hard skills. (If you don't know where to start, check out these soft skills for your resume for over 200 examples.)
• Be open and honest: Let the reader know you want to change careers and express your passion or interest in the new field. 
• It's equally important to exclude any negative details about why you might be leaving your current field. But, as this question may surface in an interview, be sure to have an answer that focuses on the positive experiences you gained in your previous job or industry.
• Be concise: Write a focused and compelling career change resume summary to make a strong impression. No one needs to (or has time to) read your entire autobiography.

4 professional summary career change resume examples

Example 1: Special education to marketing coordinator

Example 2: Videographer to social media manager

Example 3: Backend engineer to project manager

Example 4: Financial planner to data analysis

Using a career change resume objective instead

It's important to note, that when writing a career change resume, it's also acceptable to use the resume objective format as your resume summary. A resume objective is more of a mission statement that includes your overall career goals.

For example, a resume objective for a career change could look something like, "Motivated educator transitioning into a customer success role looking to become a team leader, utilizing my strong problem-solving skills, empathy, and passion for customer satisfaction to exceed expectations, drive customer loyalty, contribute to the company's growth, and establish myself as a leader in the industry."

Step 4: Highlighting relevant skills and experiences

Your relevant skills and experiences are the bread and butter of your career change resume. After all, this is how you showcase your true potential to perform successfully in a new job.

Highlighting your skills and experience goes beyond including a list of words. (Although that's important, too.) When possible, it's crucial to showcase how you've used those skills and experiences to create impact.

Data, numbers, and metrics that showcase results offer a concrete look at how you've used your relevant skills and experiences. Think of them as tangible evidence of your skills, indicating: "This person is who they say they are. And they can do the things you need them to do!"

So what are some ways to highlight relevant skills and experiences?

Use specific examples in your work history achievements  

Include examples of how you've used relevant skills in your previous role. For example, imagine you're a social worker who wants to transition to a career in copywriting. In this case, you could include an achievement like,  "Authored over 300 comprehensive court reports within two years, showcasing a strong ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely."

Include volunteer experience and projects  

If you have volunteer experience or projects relevant to your new role, they can help fill experience gaps. 

Maybe you volunteered at the local animal shelter, and beyond working with the animals, you spearheaded a fundraiser that brought in financial donations. On your career change resume, you could include this in a professional summary: 

"Detail-oriented administrative assistant with over 10 years of experience managing client communication and project coordination. In addition to my professional experience, I've demonstrated initiative and leadership in the community by spearheading a fundraiser at the local animal shelter resulting in $10,000 in financial donations. This experience and my ability to understand and meet client needs have fueled my desire to transition into a sales role where I can leverage my knack for relationship-building and results-driven approach."

Create a dedicated "Skills" section

A dedicated resume "Skills" section should highlight a combination of soft and (when applicable) hard skills. Often, when changing careers, this section sits just beneath your professional summary and serves as a snapshot of your overall strengths.

Imagine you're a sales rep with experience in various industries who wants to transition into a new role in healthtech as a customer success manager. Your "Skills" section could look like this:

• Account Expansion
• Adaptability
• Communication Skills
• Contract Negotiation
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Customer Advocacy
• Customer Relationship Management
• Data Analysis
• Empathy and Active Listening
• Feedback Collection and Analysis
• Negotiation Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Problem-solving
• Project Management

Step 5: Do's and Don'ts for addressing gaps or lack of experience in a new field

When addressing gaps or lack of experience, it's key to approach the matter honestly (and with a positive attitude). 

• Do Highlight any relevant transferable skills you have that align with the role. 
• Don't oversell yourself: Avoid exaggerating or embellishing your abilities, and be truthful about your capabilities.
• Do Emphasize any relevant certifications or self-directed learning.
• Don't ignore opportunities for continuous learning; embrace it as an opportunity to grow and learn. (And then talk about this in an interview!) 
• Do include relevant projects and volunteer work that highlight your incredible skills.
• Don't include skills, certifications, or experience you don't have—this can be extremely detrimental to your professional reputation. 
• Do include a well-crafted cover letter. A cover letter offers more space for you to dive into the reasons behind your career change, including your motivations and enthusiasm. 

Step 6: Formatting your resume for a career change

The final step in creating your transitioning resume is choosing a career change resume format. Formats suitable for a career change resume are: 

• Chronological:  The most widely recognized format, a chronological resume, details your work experience in reverse chronological order. If you opt for this version, make sure your transferable skills are evident within your "Professional Summary," "Work History," and "Skills" sections.
• Functional Resume:  A functional resume allows you to group your experiences by skill rather than a job, helping to showcase your relevancy for the new role.
• Hybrid Resume:  This combines the chronological format with a strong skills section just under your professional summary, providing a well-rounded view of your experiences.

Managing multiple career change resumes with Teal

Once you've settled on the details you want to include in your resume, use the Teal AI Resume Builder to create multiple versions of your resume for different jobs—quickly. 

For example, one company might focus more on leadership potential, while another focuses on adaptability. With Teal, you can pick and choose which skills and experience align most with a particular role and add or remove those elements with the click of a button. 

To streamline the process further, Teal's Resume Syncing feature allows you to easily make changes to one resume. Then, those changes can automatically propagate to all of your other resumes if you choose (which means you don't have to update each version individually every time you manually edit).

Tips for writing a resume for a career change

•  Use strong action verbs and quantifiable achievements whenever possible
•  Leverage your network and get professional feedback
• Tailor your resume to the job description for each job application
• Save multiple resumes in one central location for ease and accessibility
• Include a career change cover letter
• Be honest and confident

Create your career change resume with Teal

Congratulations on taking the brave and incredible step to change careers! It's an exciting time in your professional journey—one that's filled with new possibilities and challenges. 

Crafting a career change resume that showcases your potential in a different industry is the key to making this transition successful. Remember to be honest and positive, and highlight your transferable skills and relevant achievements to demonstrate just how successful you're going to be. 

To make the process easier,  sign up for Teal for free today  and use Teal's AI Resume Builder to save time and effort and to create a resume that stands out as you confidently embrace this exciting new chapter. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i highlight transferable skills on a career change resume, what is the best resume format to use for a career transition, should i include a summary or objective on my career change resume.

Kayte Grady

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How to Write a Resume If You’re Changing Careers in 2024 (+Example)

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 6 min read

Changing careers is both scary and exciting. While you're happy about starting a new adventure, you may also wonder where to begin. Well, updating and tailoring your resume is always the best start for a career change. 

At first, the prospect of starting from scratch all over again may seem daunting. But remember that you're not alone in this. People change careers all the time for all kinds of reasons, and they do so successfully. 

What's more, you won't really have to start from scratch, will you? After all, now you have all the skills you've acquired during your career up until now. You just need to be able to demonstrate that you can also make use of them in your new professional path. 

So if you're among those who are brave enough for a career change , we've got tips and advice for how to write about your skills and abilities in your resume so you can land a job in a new field.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Are you ready for a career change? 

1. choose the right resume format, 2. open strong with a resume objective, 3. emphasize transferable skills, 4. make your past work experience relevant, key takeaways: career change resume.

First of all, are you really sure that you're ready for a career change? Or are you just temporarily fed up and rather than a new professional calling, you need a nice long vacation (or a sabbatical )? 

There are some “signs” that can help you determine it.

Take a look at these four common reasons why people decide to make a career change :

• Low career satisfaction. There's nothing really wrong with your workplace, but you just know that the job you do now isn't your calling. 
• Low salary. Half of the respondents would be willing to change a job if they were offered a higher salary, according to a FlexJobs survey . And you may be among them. After all, a good salary can easily make you feel satisfied in a position that you otherwise wouldn't consider staying in long-term.  
• Bad work-life balance. Do you have enough time for family, friends, and hobbies? Or do you have to work constant overtime and long weekends? We should work to live and not the other way around, right? 
• Bad workplace relationships. There's a difference between not being friends with your colleagues, and dreading coming to the office every morning because of that one mean colleague, or a rude boss.

Are any of these reasons on your list as well? If yes, it truly may be the right time to move on. 

Here's how to do that:

Introduce yourself with a BANG!

Create a new resume for your new career right now.

Once you've truly made up your mind about changing careers, it's time to take concrete steps. 

In this case, you should start by tailoring your existing resume to the needs of your newly chosen career path.

Most likely, you'll have to re-arrange your resume sections in such a manner that you'll be able to make your transferable skills shine through and push less important information towards the same end of the document.

What will help you do this is choosing the most appropriate resume format . 

Generally, there are three common resume formats: 

• Chronological resume format. This is the standard type of the resume. The work history is the primary section of this resume format. Simply list your current/most recent job first and then continue in reverse-chronological order.
• Functional resume format. This format lets you put more emphasis on your skills and most important accomplishments. The reverse-chronological list of your work experience is seen as less important. Place it at the bottom of your resume and describe it in less detail.
• Combination resume format. The combination of the previous two types. You still want to place your work experience below skills and accomplishments, but you describe it in bigger detail (as you would in the chronological resume).

At the end of the day, the functional (or the combination) format is the best choice for your resume if you're switching careers.  

These two resume formats will let you highlight the skills you've developed over years of hard work, while putting less emphasis on the fact that they have been gained in a different industry. 

After you've successfully chosen the right resume format, let's see what else you can do to impress the recruiter at your new workplace. 

HR managers are busy people. They don't have much time to go through each resume in detail, as they receive dozens or hundreds of them. 

What's more, many of these resumes may come from people who, unlike you, have plenty of industry-related experience.

Because of that, you want to catch the hiring manager's attention from the get-go. This will allow you to take control of how they interpret your lack of experience .

Do so by putting a well-written resume objective at the very beginning of your resume .

However, your resume objective should do much more than just make the recruiter pay attention to the rest of your resume. 

A good resume objective can also help you to:

Explain your lack of experience in the industry

Address the elephant in the room before they even notice it's there. As a career changer, you need to take control of your story as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might see you simply as someone who lacks the necessary skills — and you know there's more to you than meets the eye. After all, you've gained success in your previous career. There's no reason why you should be less successful in the new one.

Communicate your motivations 

Why would anyone want to change careers? In the end, employers are going to ask you about your motivations at some point. The sooner you explain your "why", the better. Just like everybody else, hiring managers are more inclined to trust those candidates whose motivations they can understand and relate to. However, never say anything negative about your past employers . Rather articulate your reasons in a way that emphasizes future growth and opportunities.

Emphasize your transferable skills

You need to look for intersections between your old and new career. Take a look at the job advertisement and emphasize any points where the two overlap. Even if you're transitioning into a completely unrelated field, you should be able to fall back upon your soft skills like leadership, communication, or even your language skills.

Show that you've already embarked on a new career

Chances are you've already come in contact with the field you want to transition into. Ideally, you've even acquired several related hard skills. Emphasize them in your resume objective to show you're serious about pursuing your new career.

How does this advice translate to reality? Take a look at this resume sample below: 

Career Change Resume Example

This resume was written by our experienced resume writers specifically for this profession.

Now, let's take a closer look at the resume objective and see if it follows the guidelines we've just outlined:

Career Change Resume Objective Example

Certified Human Resources Associate aiming to leverage an extensive background in experience in digital marketing to develop a career in human resources.

Knowledge of multiple HR software programs, such as Bamboo HR and Zenefits.

Results-oriented and self-driven professional with exceptional communication and leadership skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to change.

Looking for a human resources-related job within a company that offers flexibility and opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Here's a rundown of the strongest points made in the resume objective above:

Pros: 

• Engracia ' s background in digital marketing and her goal to transition to HR is clearly presented right at the beginning.
• The focus is on relevant hard skills and certifications, such as being a certified human resources associate and proficiency in HR software such as Bamboo HR and Zenefits. 
• The last two points highlight the soft skills and personal motivation for a career switch. Both of these bullet points are extremely important when trying to move into a different field, so if applicable, you should include them in your resume objective as well. 

Cons:  

• The resume objective may be a little too long. If the text was divided using bullet points, it would have been easier to read. 
• Placing the “Skills” section right after the resume objective instead of “Work experience” may have worked better for a career change resume.

This brings us to the next point.

As you probably know, there are two types of skills : hard skills and soft skills. 

• Hard skills can be: computer skills, writing skills, management skills, technical skills.
• Soft skills can be: leadership, time management, listening, problem-solving.

In your previous career, you probably gained (or perfected) skills from both categories. But unlike hard skills, most soft skills are easily transferable. 

This will come in handy once you're changing careers, as most of your earned hard skills may no longer be relevant. 

However, there's no need to worry. Despite the name, hard skills are usually easier to learn than soft skills. 

Also, 67 percent of HR managers said they'd hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking.

Career Coach Advice

“When re-positioning your work history for a role in a different industry, focus on describing how you used your soft skills and the results you achieved by applying them. Your soft skills will be the most transferable, and often transcend niche industry specific experience, making you attractive to hiring managers in other industries.”

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, Accredited Career Coach and Founder of  Tribe and Seek

How should you include the transferable skills on your resume?

1. First, take a look at the job advertisement . Have you acquired any of the listed hard skills in your previous career? If your answer is yes, bingo! Make sure you include them in your resume.

2. Second, think of any soft skills that could be useful in your new career. Even in more technical jobs, dealing with people is a necessity. Because of that, leadership, negotiation, and communication skills are in high demand in every industry. If you have them, they for sure belong on your career change resume. 

3. Third, avoid buzzwords at any cost . Everybody is flexible. Everybody is hard-working . Today, it's hard to find a single person who's not an out-of-the-box thinker . Unless these words were used in the job advertisement you're responding to, don't use them. Rather focus on skills that are listed in the job ad or skills that are highly relevant for the specific job position.

3. Finally, complement your “ Skills ” section with a strong work experience section . Anyone can say they have leadership skills. But if you tell them about how you've already led a team in your previous job, they'll have one more reason to take you seriously.

Here's an example of a career change skills section:

Career Change Skills Section Example

Languages: Spanish, English, French

Computer skills: ActiveCampaign, Moz, Hubspot Marketing, BambooHR, Zenefits

Interpersonal skills: adaptability, communication skills, change management, leadership skills, negotiation skills, project management, team work, time management

So — what did Engracia do right here? 

First, she divided her many skills into various sub-sections. This always increases readability and can help you to draw attention to more important information that you want to highlight. 

Second, the hard skills that she has included are relevant to the HR field. Therefore, she's demonstrating that although she's never worked in the field before, she already possesses the abilities necessary for succeeding in it. 

Don't disregard your past accomplishments just because you've decided to transition into a different field. 

Your past work experience can say a lot about who you are and your work ethic. 

Let's take a look at the career change resume example from before and see how Engracia included her work experience:

Career Change Work Experience Example

Online Marketing Specialist 09/2017 – 11/2019 APPR Group, Inc., Barcelona, Spain

– Recruited, trained, and coordinated 5 summer marketing interns and maintained relevant documents and files. – Co-managed the annual digital marketing budget and completed detailed reports on the performance of existing online promotional campaigns. – Awarded employee of the month for completing all assigned tasks and projects ahead of schedule. Special recognition for team work and leadership abilities.

As you already know, Engracia sought to transition from digital marketing to HR. 

Because of that, she first mentioned how she recruited and onboarded summer interns in her previous position. This way, they demonstrated that they already know how to employ the skills necessary for the job they sought to transition into.

Additionally, Engracia was well-aware that HR involves plenty of administrative work. So, she didn't forget to mention that in her past position, she "maintained relevant documents and files" and "completed detailed reports" .

All that remained was to convince potential employers that she's dependable and has a way with people. She did that by including the fact that she was awarded an employee of the month for timeliness and teamwork. 

Pro tip: Ultimately, you want to make use of your past experience to show that you’re already familiar with some aspects of the new industry and that you’re a reliable and proactive employee who’s eager to learn. 

Now that we've covered the basics, let's see the final things that you can do to ensure that your career change resume will land you an interview: 

• It's a good idea to do some work related to your new career before actually transitioning into it. Attend related courses, take a part-time job, or try job shadowing and volunteering in the desired field. Then include it in your resume. 
• A good place to start are these 30+ best online courses to get a job which include courses provided for free by institutions like MIT, Harvard University or top companies like IBM (e.g. AI Chatbots without Programming course by IBM ).
• Tailor each resume to a specific job opening. Sending a generic resume rarely leads to success. 
• Double-check, proofread , and avoid typos. 
• Use bold text. Highlight any essential and the most impressive parts of your resume information that needs to get noticed by the recruiter. 
• Be critical when deciding what's relevant. You don't have to include everything that you've ever done. Focus on the most relevant things and the biggest achievement of your past career. 

And that's it! If you'd like more general tips on how to write a resume, refer to our complete guide . 

Not a fan of writing?

Kickresume’s AI writer tool will write the first draft of your resume for you.

So, for a quick recap let's look at how to write a resume if you’re changing careers.

The functional resume format is the best choice for your resume if you're switching careers. It places your skills to the forefront and will, thus, let you highlight the skills you've developed over years of hard work, while putting less emphasis on the fact that they have been gained in a different industry. 

A well-written resume objective can help you 1.) explain your lack of experience in the industry, 2.) communicate your motivations, 3.) emphasise your transferable skills, and 4.) show that you've already embarked on a new career.

In your previous job, you probably gained both hard and soft skills. Lucky for you, unlike hard skills, most soft skills are easily transferable. This will come in handy once you're changing careers, as most of your earned hard skills may no longer be relevant. Hard skills are, however, easier to learn.

Highlight specific achievements, tasks, or experiences that demonstrate how your previous roles have prepared you for success in your new field. Connect the dots between your past and future roles to showcase your adaptability and the value you bring to the table in your career transition.

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 2019.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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Breaking news, 10 expert-recommended online resume writing services to use in 2024.

In the mix of college assignments and perhaps your 9-to-5, piecing together an attractive resume for employers can be a difficult feat.

Not only is this one-pager the bread and butter of what will lead to a first-round interview (fingers crossed!), but it’s an excellent portrayal of your skillset, employment history and unique skills that help a company’s HR department gauge if you’re the right fit.

Let’s cut to the chase — more specifically, let’s answer the question, “ How can I make my application stand out? ” One of the most influential steps is, without a doubt, rendering your resume to tip-top shape. And fortunately, there are some of the best online resume services like TopResume and Resumble out there to help.

Best Overall: TopResume

Best budget: resume companion, best optimization for applicant tracking systems: resumeble.

• Best Customizable : Brand Resumes
• Best with Career Consulting: Top Stack Resumes
• Best for Quick Hiring : ZipJob
• Best One-on-One Collaboration : Upwork
• Best for Cover Letters : ResumeSpice
• Best Budget : Craft Resumes

Whether you’re a senior in college applying for your first full-time job or you’ve been in the biz for years and are looking to segue into a different role, we rounded up the top online resume writing services you can use to help get your application in tip-top shape. Plus, we’ve enlisted Shannon Conklin, director of career and leadership development at The College of New Jersey to help!

Hop to her picks below or check out our FAQ for more details on things to look for when picking the right resume builder for you.

• Packages with unlimited resume revisions
• Free resume review
• 60-day interview guarantee
• Several customers who wrote reviews on Trustpilot mention having poor communication with their resume writers

TopResume is a beloved favorite — and for a good reason. It has four different packages depending on your career goals, some of which include unlimited revisions, a LinkedIn makeover, a cover letter and two interview prep sessions.

“TopResume continues to be a solid option,” Conklin shared. “It has strong descriptions, where the website and interface are easy to navigate to understand its process, its three packages, as well as testimonials.”

She also loves TopResume’s FAQ section, coupled with the various packages, that make its process clear and timeline. “There is also plenty of mention about AI and ATS technology,” she added. “If you need a resume quickly, one that accounts for technology, and a budget of only about $150, it looks like this service would be one to strongly consider.”

With TopResume, you’ll also get a 60-day interview guarantee. If you don’t get twice as many interviews, the platform will rewrite your resume for free. It’s pretty top tier, to say the least, and is a minimal investment for those hoping to find free resume-writing services.

• Self-directed service
• Template-based
• Must renew a subscription to edit resume in the future

“Resume Companion is a clean website with a clear message — build a resume quickly!” Conklin highlighted. “It offers templates, examples and advice on how to craft a resume, as well as a cover letter, as a self-directed service within about 15-minutes.”

What’s more, the service also makes it clear it offers a variety of templates based on industries and functions. “This can really help if you are trying to transition to a new field or your resume needs to be updated to reflect the latest in your industry,” she added.

With Resume Companion, you’ll be able to build your resume step by step, from selecting a professional template to answering a few simple questions to have your experience and skills added directly to your digital file. Namely, if you’re not much of a writer, you’ll appreciate its pre-written work experience bullet points to craft your resume in minutes and then apply away.

Not to mention, it’s only $8 a month, so if you want a one-and-done service, this one’s your best bet. Keep in mind that you will have to renew your subscription to edit in the future, but it’s a great budget-friendly option to pursue if you don’t want to be completely in the dark.

• 4-day turnover on resume drafts
• Three free revisions with standard resume package
• Only the premium resume package includes a job guarantee

Resumeble is not only has a fun name, but it includes a resume and cover letter in its baseline package. If you’d like to upgrade, you can receive a LinkedIn write-up, a second resume version, thank you and follow-up notes and cold emails to recruiters.

“Have you applied to dozens of jobs, only to never get through?” Conklin questioned. “If this resonates because your resume is not optimized for ATS platforms, Resumeble might be the choice for you. Mention of ‘ATS,’ as well as their outcomes and ROI, are weaved throughout its site.”

Conklin told The Post that she’s seen many clients apply to dozens and dozens of companies, only to be vetted out due to ATS. “When that happens, I often advise networking to complement a revised, ATS-optimized resume.” she tipped off. “This brings me to one other noteworthy element to their various packages, they support your full professional profile; resume to LinkedIn to recruiter communication support.”

For those who want to spend less than $200 for online resume writing services, this all-in-one option is fairly priced, making it one of the best affordable resume writing services. If you’re only looking to refresh your LinkedIn, you’ll just pay a one-time $99 fee. For just your resume, it’s a one-time purchase of $129 for the service.

Best Customizable: BrandResumes

• Has a self pace job search course
• Helpful step by step resume building guide
• Some customers who reviewed the service on Trustpilot report time delays in receiving their resume

BrandResumes made the cut as one of our top choices for online resume services for a few reasons: it’s one of the platforms best for ATS keyword optimization and formatting for interviews, LinkedIn branding and a customizable interface. If you buy the deluxe package, you’ll have your resume distributed across the 60 top job boards (including industry-specific ones), so you’ll spend less time applying.

“Learning the fundamentals of resume writing is a skill that will carry you throughout your career, and BrandResumes offers courses and resources to accomplish just that,” Conklin highlighted. “Once you understand how to format a strong bullet point, or the style you find reflects your story and values, you can start crafting various resumes to appeal to different audiences and fields.”

BrandResumes also offers resources to launch your own resume writing business — a tool that can be valuable for career experts seeking professional resume writing services. “If you’re seeking to dig into how to revamp your resume, or you find yourself (like many in HR or career services) consistently asked to help a friend or family member with their materials, this service will align with your goals,” she added.

Best with Career Consulting: TopStack Resume

• Pay only after you’re satisfied with the resume
• According to TopStack Resume’s site, resume complete takes up to 2 weeks

TopStack Resume is a force to be reckoned with in the career development sphere. Notably, it’s one of the only services that provides career consulting. So, in addition to resume and cover letter formatting, you have the option to partake in one-on-one sessions with a career advisor.

“Five steps is all you need to follow for your resume review by TopStack,” Conklin put it simply. “The simplicity of this service and the range of offerings (from a resume for $139 to career consulting for its Premium Package ) can be valuable for any job seeker or career explorer.”

Moreover, if you find yourself in need of more career support, maybe you’re changing fields or returning to work after time off, this is a strong contender. “Be mindful of your budget and timeline, so you take full advantage of a career consultant; a solid service should focus on the process, as much as a strong career outcome,” she added.

Plus, TopStack Resume is unique in that it has a team of well-qualified writers to ensure your one-pager is the best it can be. At a fair price point, you can always upgrade to add on more benefits in the future.

Best for Quick Hiring: ZipJob

• Fairly priced for the quality and swiftness of deliverables
• Optimizes for ATS so you’ll have better odds of visibility before your resume lands in human hands
• May be more difficult to ask for revisions if need be, due to the service’s robust turnaround time and automation

While no resume writing service can guarantee you landing your dream job, ZipJob has a unique offering in one of its packages that makes it a standout from the rest.

Ideal for candidates who are rapidly seeking their next role in a flash, ZipJob combines expert resume writers with the exact same tech employers to optimize your one-pager. The kicker? Its most popular plan, Fast Track, includes a professionally written resume, ATS optimization and direct writer messaging — but that’s not all.

Impressively, the Fast Track package for $189 also includes a cover letter and a 60-day interview guarantee. That’s how confident ZipJob is that you’ll get hired, and get hired quickly.

For $299, its Premium package includes a LinkedIn profile update to help maximize your chances and expedited delivery for super speed. If you want swiftness but don’t wish to compromise the quality of your application, you won’t have to worry with ZipJob.

Best One-on-One Collaboration: Upwork

• Several projects to choose from with unique writing strengths you may desire
• Typically budget-friendly
• Some options will have your resume written in only one business day
• Price points vary and quality of work varies depending on which project provider you select, so take caution and read reviews before working with a given person

Individual-driven platforms like Upwork allow you to shop around for a resume writing service that matches your specific needs and budget. Similar to platforms like Skillshare where talented, qualified creators host a course offering or a service, Upwork allows you to select from a variety of different projects where you’ll have one-on-one attention. Consider it akin to being matched with an online counselor.

Generally budget-friendly, most of Upwork’s providers only take one business day to deliver. The majority of providers also have thousands of positive, near-five-star reviews, so it’s surely a service to consider.

The one downside to Upwork is that quality of work may differ slightly, though that’s a given with its platform structure. This differs from some other services like TopResume where the company at large has its own writing structure, so it’s just something to take note of. However, for its affordability and speed, it’s a great dip into the pool of resume writing and related services, without spending more on a professional-grade platform.

Best for Cover Letters: ResumeSpice

• The baseline package offers a lot more than competitors, including phone consult, optimized draft and two edits
• Cover and thank-you letters are added to packages at an additional charge

ResumeSpice is ready to add that much-needed spice to your resume. It doesn’t just provide three different package options, but it specifically tells you which one would work best for you. For example, if you have no more than two years in the workforce, you should select its baseline package ($449). This package includes a phone consultation, an eye-catching resume format, keyword optimization, a personalized draft, two rounds of revisions based on your feedback and finalized versions in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats.

“Solid service is evident across ResumeSpice, and its focus on Executive Resume stands out from others,” Conklin pinpointed. “If you find yourself wanting to get to that next level in your career, you really do need to consider an executive coach with an eye towards that goal for your materials.”

You might, for example, realize you have decades of experience and are unsure where to start to consolidate — Conklin offered. “This is one of the most frequent concerns when making this transition, and a third party like ResumeSpice can be an invaluable resource and sounding board,” she added. “Finally, its site is clear in terms of turnaround, which shows they value your time and manage expectations — a positive sign on what you can expect service-wise.”

ResumeSpice offers other à la carte services, too, including cover letter help, LinkedIn profile revamping, interview preparation and career coaching.

Best Budget: Craft Resumes

• Unlimited revisions
• 5 day delivery
• Some reviewers mention time delays

Craft Resumes has an engaging, user-friendly interface that makes resume-building a fun, less stressful process. With ATS keyword optimization and a dedicated writer on your resume, rest assured that it will be in a healthy state to pass along to recruiters and job posters.

“Craft Resumes cleary focus on the ‘craft’ and design of writing resumes, where a distinguishing factor that caught my eye is their unlimited evaluation ‘at any reason’ for four days,” Conklin said, recommending the service. “This is valuable for job or graduate school seekers and career explorers, as you’ll likely have questions once you find an opportunity of interest.”

Similar to other services here, there is a one-on-one aspect that can be quite valuable, especially if you have the time. “There are also a variety of services and prices, not just resume writing,” she noted. “This is helpful for you budget, and evolving needs. Often times once you get a resume underway you start to realize that you’ll want other materials to be updated and aligned with your personal brand.”

For its most popular package, The Basic, you’ll have access to a single writer and unlimited revisions (which is a score compared to some other services on this list), strong and optimized words, unique formatting and a cover letter to increase your chances of landing an interview. However, Craft Resumes has other great packages worth exploring.

Best Resume Writing: Let’s Eat, Grandma Resume Service

• Consultation included with every package
• Executive Concierge Service that includes 10 days of unlimited revisions
• Quality writers and customer service, based off reviews
• No academic CVs or federal resumes

Humorous name aside, resume service Let’s Eat, Grandma has a laser focus on punctuation (as you can tell because nobody intends to write that they’d like to eat their grandmother on a professional document) — as well as resume formatting. What’s great about this platform, specifically, is its vast packages, ranging from drafting your resume to offering cover letters and networking services to help boost your career trajectory.

“Let’s Eat, Grandma hones in immediately on its ‘custom-tailored’ approach,” Conklin said. “While every resume review should be tailored to account for your story (as mentioned above), it’s clear this is a value of this service. Client outcomes are also front and center, where a mix of employers and schools are listed; this is notable if continuing education is a goal of yours.”

With four packages available, and FAQs on the homepage highlighting its range (i.e. academic, federal government and more), Conklin appreciates how it’s clear that this service is distinguishing itself from others, especially given the range of specialty materials they can help you create. 

What’s more, you’ll be assisted by a team of highly skilled writers who create targeted documents to help boost your chances of getting an interview. They’ll also speak to your unique strengths — and, therefore, amplify them on your resume — to tie your entire professional portfolio of experience together. They also have a package tailored for executives, making the platform a solid option for those needing executive resume writing services.

Which resume service is best?

The golden question, right? This depends mostly on your career goals. A range of services are available, and many are now even offered through LinkedIn. 

“When considering a resume service, it is important to consider the extent of guidance you are seeking,” Conklin, who has 15 years of experience in higher education — told The Post.

“Are you overhauling your resume? Are you transitioning industries and need to consider a different format or approach? What are your financial resources to pay for one, or should you explore services offered from your alma mater or current institution if you are a current or graduate of higher education?,” she questioned.

You’ll also want to consider the resume services’ reputation, Conklin suggested: Are there reviews or endorsements of a service, especially if you are paying for one? What is the background, and is the resume service aligned with your industry of interest? 

Is it worth paying for a resume service?

“It depends on the service and one’s circumstances as to whether it is ‘worth’ paying for the service,” Conklin said. “There are very reputable services out there, especially for more experienced career seekers. If you’re transitioning to a new field, or you are seeking to move to a senior or executive level, it could definitely be worth the cost.”

As a preliminary step, Conklin advised to really make sure you are an informed consumer when considering a resume service, and if you should pay or if you have a network or connections you can leverage for advice first. 

How much does it cost to have someone write your resume?

“When an individual pays for a resume service, there may be a flat rate, or it is calculated on an hourly rate and requires at least two sessions,” Conklin explained. “For example, it could cost $150 for a single session.”

However, there are resume services that can significantly exceed that rate and are part of a package that might include a quick return and other support, from LinkedIn to interview coaching, that is over $600, she highlights.

What to include on your resume, according to an expert

“Your story is the focus of your resume, and it is critical to be honest and reflect on how you want to tell that, ultimately,” Conklin noted. “The order also depends on the stage of your career (early, mid, senior, executive) and the industry you are seeking.”

In academia, for example, you’ll see a curriculum vitae (CV) that is pages long to reflect one’s research, publications, and roles held. In financial services, you would have a one-page resume until you have significant work experience. Or, in the creative fields, you may have a one-page resume and then an online portfolio or website that exhibits your work to complement your resume, she explains.

“No matter the field you are pursuing, you always want to make sure you list your experiences in reverse chronological order, you include your education/training, think of the keywords and skills (and make sure those are prominently displayed and included), and also think of what is most relevant,” she listed. “The most relevant should be at the top.”

It is also key to consider Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), automated review systems that scan resumes as part of an organization’s vetting process. “The format could align or cause issues with an ATS system,” Conklin added. “This is why it’s important to do your research, leverage any connections you have to gain insights into a field and their preferred format and get advice on keywords, skills and experiences to include.”

“If you do your homework, you should find clues to answer the questions above and guide your resume writing approach,” Conklin shared.

How we chose resume services

At Post Wanted, here’s what we keep in mind when researching and hand-selecting resume services:

• Customization : The best online resume services offer tailored resumes with personalized resume writing, in contrast to generic templates you can find for free.
• Consultation : Some services offer a one-on-one consultation with your writer so they can scope out your specific attributes, career highlights and other aspects to your curriculum vitae you want to spotlight.
• Comprehensive Packages : In addition to resumes, some services offer cover letters, LinkedIn profile optimization and career coaching. To some, this is worth the investment, though it may come with a higher price tag.
• ATS Optimization : A great benefit to online resume services is the focus on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), as human recruiters typically use this software use these screening systems before it lands in their hands.
• Turnaround Time : For some, there’s no time to be wasted when it comes to hunting for a new job. Looking at flexibility and speed is important; some services offer rush options for individuals who need a complete and optimized resume quickly.

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Hunting for a headline-worthy haul?  Keep shopping with Post Wanted .

How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets You a Job Interview

Learn to avoid the biggest mistake job seekers make and write a cover letter that truly makes an impact.

Customers Interviewed by:

Most job seekers don’t know how to write a proper cover letter. They believe a cover letter is just a “here is my resume” note. This is a wasted opportunity!

In this article, you’ll discover the secret to writing a professional cover letter that’s truly effective. It’s not hard to do and will give you a significant edge over the competition. We’ll walk you through the process in a few straightforward steps and provide examples to help you along the way.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in and create a cover letter that opens doors to your next opportunity.

What is a cover letter and do you really need one?

A cover letter is a short document (around 300 words) that accompanies your resume. Your cover letter should not simply repeat what your resume says . Instead, it should complement your resume, highlight your personality, and potentially address any weaknesses that could otherwise prevent you from getting an interview.

But do you really need a cover letter in 2024? The short answer is YES.

“Over 80% of hiring managers read a cover letter and 60% of applications require one as part of the application,” says career coach Madelyn Mackie . “Even hiring managers and recruiters who say they never read cover letters may find themselves drawn in by a particularly compelling letter.”

In fact, Jobscan analyzed nearly 1 million job applications and found that including a cover letter with your resume makes you  1.9 times more likely  to be invited for an interview compared to those who left out a cover letter.

What’s the biggest cover letter mistake?

The biggest mistake job seekers make when writing their cover letter is to focus only on themselves .

“It’s not about you,” says career coach Susan Schwartz . “It’s about what you can do for them. Talking to them about what they care about—not about what you want—is what’s going to make them want to read your letter. And to hire you!”

According to Schwartz, this is the best way to write a cover letter:

Paragraph 1. A single sentence (maximum two) stating the PROBLEM that the company faces. What is the issue/need/opportunity that this role will address?

Paragraph 2. what solution do you offer how are you the answer to their need again, keep it to a sentence or two., paragraph 3. explanation: what experience do you have that supports your assertion that you can help this paragraph can be 3-4 sentences, but keep it short., paragraph 4. call to action: suggest next steps. not “thank you” but let’s plan to discuss this next week..

Since hiring managers often spend less than 20 seconds on an application, your cover letter needs to grab their attention and get them to look at your resume. By highlighting how your experience matches the job, you make it easier for them to see you as a great fit for the role.

Now let’s examine each of these steps in more detail.

How to write a strong cover letter step-by-step

Now that you know the basics of what to include in your cover letter, let’s go through the process from start to finish to see how you can write a cover letter that will make you stand out from the rest of the candidates.

1. Do your research

Before writing your cover letter, research the company to understand its current challenges and goals. Visit the company website, read their latest news and press releases, and follow their social media channels.

Don’t skip this step! It’s crucial for writing a cover letter that truly resonates with a potential employer and sets you apart from other candidates.

After you’ve researched the company, carefully read the job description. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What specific problems or challenges is this role designed to address?
• How do my skills and experiences align with the job requirements?
• Am I a good fit for the role?
• What unique value can I bring to the company in this role?
• Are there any keywords or phrases that I should incorporate into my cover letter?

After researching the company and the role, you’re ready to start writing your cover letter.

2. Write your opening paragraphs

Many job seekers make the mistake of being too wordy in their cover letters. You’re not writing a novel. Use short words in short sentences. Remember, a hiring manager is going to quickly scan your application, so you need to get right to the point.

Here are some examples of how to start a cover letter:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I’ve noticed that NexGen is working hard to stand out in a crowded digital market, and keeping your brand top-of-mind for customers can be tough.

That’s where I come in—I specialize in creating engaging content and smart SEO strategies that boost online presence and drive customer engagement.

I understand that Weissman is seeking to maintain its innovative edge in the dancewear industry while consistently meeting sales and margin targets.

I am confident that my experience and passion for design can help Weissman continue to create stunning, market-leading dancewear.

I understand that Timmons Company needs motivated individuals to manage sales territories and boost product visibility in retail grocery stores around Quincy, IL.

I am excited to bring my self-motivation and sales-oriented mindset to your team, ensuring your products not only maintain their shelf presence but also thrive.

3. Prove you can do the job

Now you need to provide evidence that you’re the right person for the job. The best way to do this is to highlight your relevant experience and achievements. Here are some things you should focus on:

• Specific Accomplishments : Share examples of your successes, such as increasing sales, leading projects, or improving processes.
• Relevant Skills : Highlight the skills that match the job requirements, like planning, organizing, technical proficiencies, or specific industry experience.
• Problem-Solving : Discuss times when you successfully tackled challenges, such as resolving issues, managing conflicts, or implementing solutions.
• Industry Knowledge : Demonstrate your understanding of the field and awareness of current trends and standards.
• Team Collaboration : Mention how you’ve effectively worked in teams, mentored others, or collaborated across departments.

Remember to keep it concise. Your letter isn’t meant to tell your whole story; it’s about making a compelling case that you understand the key aspects of the job.

Your goal is to leave the reader eager to learn more about you. Here are some examples:

“Over the past five years, I’ve led digital marketing campaigns that ramped up organic traffic by 40% and bumped up conversion rates by 25%. I’ve worked with diverse teams to create compelling content that resonates with audiences and used data analytics to refine strategies for maximum impact. My experience with social media management and email marketing also ensures a holistic approach to your digital marketing needs.”

“With over ten years in apparel design, specializing in activewear and dancewear, I have a proven track record of developing designs that resonate with customers and drive sales. My expertise includes conducting global trend research, selecting inspiring materials, and leading teams to transform creative concepts into market-ready products. I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and have experience with CLO3D, ensuring that my designs are both innovative and technically sound. My leadership skills have been honed by mentoring junior designers and managing cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative and efficient design process.”

“With several years of experience in CPG retail sales and merchandising, I have successfully managed sales territories, maintained product placements, and executed promotional strategies. My ability to plan and organize, combined with proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with iPads, positions me well to contribute effectively to your sales team. I am adept at thinking on my feet and delivering results in dynamic environments, ensuring that products are always tagged, rotated, and optimally displayed.”

4. Conclude with a call to action

When wrapping up your cover letter, it’s crucial to include a strong call to action in your closing paragraph. This isn’t just about expressing gratitude—it’s about setting the stage for the next steps in the hiring process.

Instead of a simple “thank you,” aim to propose a specific plan, such as scheduling a meeting or a call to discuss how you can contribute to the company.

Here are some examples of how to end a cover letter :

“Let’s discuss how I can help NexGen Creative Agency achieve its sales goals next week. Please let me know your availability for a meeting.”

“How about we chat next week about how I can help Weissman shine even brighter? Let me know when you’re free.”

“Let’s plan to discuss how my self-motivation and sales-oriented mindset can boost product visibility for Timmons Company next week. Please let me know your availability for a meeting.”

There is no need to add anything more. Time is valuable, so hiring managers won’t spend it on a cover letter that isn’t concise and to the point.

Expert tips for writing a cover letter

We’ve gone over the basics of how to write a good cover letter. Here are some expert tips for formatting and how to make your cover letter even better.

Format your contact information correctly

Before diving into the content of your cover letter, it’s important to format the contact details and header correctly. You’ll need to include your name, full address, phone number, and email address.

Here’s an example:

Personalize your greeting

To whom should you address your cover letter to? “For maximum impact, see if you can find the hiring manager or recruiter for the role, and send your letter to them,” says career coach Susan Schwarz . “Addressing your letter to a specific person will significantly increase the likelihood of someone reading it.”

Check the company’s website or LinkedIn profile to find the name of the hiring manager. However, if you can’t find a specific name, “Dear Hiring Manager” will suffice.

To end a cover letter, you can use “best regards” or “kind regards” followed by your full name.

Show your personality

While it’s important to maintain a professional tone in your cover letter, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. But remember, you don’t want to overdo it—keep it concise and relevant .

Here are some ways to show your personality in your cover letter:

• Briefly mention a specific project or experience you enjoyed.
• Highlight a distinctive skill or trait that sets you apart.
• Talk about how your values align with the company’s mission or culture.
• Describe a unique volunteer experience.

Emphasize your adaptability

According to LinkedIn , the top “skill of the moment” is adaptability . This means being open to new ideas, ready to pivot when needed, and always looking for ways to improve. In a world where the only constant is change, being adaptable can set you apart.

Here’s an example of how to incorporate adaptability into your cover letter:

“In my previous role as a CPG retail sales merchandiser, I consistently demonstrated my ability to adjust to changing market conditions, customer preferences, and sales strategies. This adaptability allowed me to increase sales by 25% in a highly competitive market.”

Show enthusiasm

Research shows that 40% of employers would not hire a candidate if they lacked enthusiasm. Remember, you’re much more attractive to employers when you’re on fire .

Here’s an example of how to show enthusiasm for the company you’re applying to:

“I’ve long admired Weissman’s commitment to the dance community and the artistry of your costumes. Your dedication to empowering performances and celebrating creativity is inspiring, and I’m excited about the opportunity to join your passionate team.”

Balance professionalism with friendliness

Try to strike a balance between a professional and friendly tone. Don’t use overly formal language, but make sure your writing is polished and error-free. Use humor sparingly, as it can be easily misinterpreted.

This approach helps you come across as both competent and personable, making you an ideal candidate.

Cover letter do’s and don’ts

• Do personalize . Address your cover letter to a specific person whenever possible.
• Do be concise . Keep your cover letter to one page.
• Do show enthusiasm . Mention specific reasons why you want to work there.
• Do include measurable accomplishments . These are achievements that can be quantified , such as increasing sales by a percentage.
• Do show your personality . Share brief anecdotes or unique experiences relevant to the job.
• Do be professional yet friendly . Avoid overly formal language.
• Do proofread your cover letter. A single mistake can damage your chances of getting an interview.
• Do include a call to action. Suggest scheduling a meeting or a call.
• Don’t be too formal . Strike a balance between professionalism and friendliness.
• Don’t overuse humor . Humor can be easily misinterpreted or come off as unprofessional.
• Don’t repeat your resume . Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it.
• Don’t include irrelevant information. Focus only on what’s most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Don’t use clichés . Phrases like “I am a hard worker” or “I think outside the box” are overused and add little value.
• Don’t make excuses . Avoid explaining gaps in employment or other potential negatives.
• Don’t forget to tailor each letter . Customizing each cover letter will help it pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Cover letter examples

Here are a few cover letter examples that show how to highlight your skills, show your personality, and match your experiences with the job.

Cover letter example for someone with no work experience

Starting your career can be challenging, especially when you don’t have much experience to showcase. But don’t worry—a well-written cover letter can highlight your strengths and potential.

• Addresses the company’s needs : The letter begins by acknowledging the challenges the company faces, demonstrating an understanding of the industry and the company’s needs.
• Offers a solution : The candidate clearly states how they can provide value by offering a fresh perspective and innovative ideas.
• Highlights relevant experience : Even with limited work experience, the letter mentions a successful internship project that aligns with the job’s requirements.
• Shows enthusiasm and passion : The mention of a passion for sustainability and eagerness to contribute to the company’s efforts showcases the candidate’s genuine interest.
• Proposes next steps : The call to action is clear and professional, suggesting a meeting to discuss how the candidate can contribute, which shows initiative and confidence.

Cover letter example for someone changing careers

Changing careers can be a bold and exciting move, especially when you have a strong foundation of transferable skills. The following example of a cover letter demonstrates how to effectively highlight your previous experience and enthusiasm for a new industry.

• Engaging opening : Starts with a bold question that captures attention and sets the tone for the rest of the letter.
• Clear value proposition : Quickly establishes how the candidate’s project management skills can benefit the finance industry.
• Relevant experience : Highlights a specific project that showcases the candidate’s ability to improve efficiency and manage complex tasks.
• Expresses enthusiasm : Shows genuine excitement about the career change and the specific company.
• Call to action : Concludes with a clear and confident call to action, suggesting a meeting to discuss how the candidate can contribute to the company’s success.

Cover letter example for someone re-entering the workforce

Re-entering the workforce after a significant break can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase your resilience and the valuable skills you’ve developed during your time away.

The following cover letter example demonstrates how to effectively address employment gaps while highlighting your strengths and enthusiasm for the role.

• Strong opening statement : The cover letter begins with a compelling statement about the importance of adaptability and innovation, setting a positive and forward-thinking tone.
• Addresses employment gap : It acknowledges the employment gap upfront, providing context without dwelling on it, which demonstrates honesty and transparency.
• Highlights relevant experience : The letter emphasizes past accomplishments and specific projects, showcasing the candidate’s skills and ability to deliver results.
• Shows enthusiasm for the role : The candidate expresses excitement about re-entering the workforce and aligns their values with the company’s mission.
• Proposes next steps : It ends with a clear call to action, suggesting a meeting to discuss how the candidate can contribute to the company’s success.

Generate a perfectly crafted cover letter in seconds

If you’re still having trouble writing your cover letter, try Jobscan’s AI cover letter generator . It analyzes both your resume and the job ad to create a completely original cover letter customized for the job you’re applying for.

To learn more about how the cover letter generator works, watch this brief video:

You can try Jobscan’s cover letter generator for free below:

Key takeaways

Follow these key takeaways to write a compelling cover letter that sets you apart from other candidates and opens doors to new career opportunities.

• Write with the employer’s needs in mind. Explain how you can address their specific challenges and contribute to their goals.
• Keep it brief . Use short sentences and paragraphs to make it easy for hiring managers to scan quickly.
• Address your letter to a specific person . If you can’t find a name, “Dear Hiring Manager” will suffice.
• Showcase your relevant experience. Use specific examples to demonstrate your abilities.
• Inject your personality. Share brief anecdotes or unique experiences relevant to the job.
• End with a strong call to action . Suggest a meeting or a call to discuss how you can contribute to the company’s success.
• Proofread your letter. A single error can torpedo your chances at getting an interview.
• Show enthusiasm. Showing excitement and a willingness to learn can make you a more attractive candidate.

A cover letter should be one page long, consisting of three to four paragraphs. The total word count should be around 250-400 words.

When you don’t have a specific name, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern,” as it is considered old-fashioned.

When emailing a cover letter, use a clear subject line like “Application for Content Developer – [Your Name].” Paste your cover letter into the email body. Attach your resume.

Yes, a cover letter is necessary because good first impressions are important. By highlighting your qualifications and showing enthusiasm for the role, you can gain an advantage over someone who doesn’t send one.

Employers look for personalization in a cover letter, showing that it’s tailored to the specific job and company. Highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements. Include specific achievements that demonstrate your capabilities and contributions.

Yes. Providing specific examples of your achievements helps demonstrate your skills and qualifications, making your application more compelling to employers.

A cover letter starts with your contact information, first and last name, the date, and the employer’s details. Begin with an introduction about your suitability for the role. Include a brief section highlighting relevant experience and skills with examples. Conclude by asking for an interview.

The primary goals of a simple cover letter are to make a good impression, get someone to read your resume, and offer you a job interview. It also shows you have good communication skills, which are highly valuable in today’s workforce.

The opening sentence should state the problem the company faces or pose a thought-provoking question to grab the hiring manager’s attention.

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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How To Write a Resume for Your First Job

Imagine yourself stumbling across your dream job listing. You’re reading through the responsibilities and job tasks and you find yourself getting more and more excited as the list goes on. Then, it’s time to apply. But you have no real-world job experience. You’re just a student! How will you ever write a resume for your first job when you haven’t had one yet?

Knowing how to write a resume for your first job does not come naturally. In fact, it feels like a daunting task. If you have little applicable experience yet, or you’re just entering the workforce, how can you prove you’re the right fit for the position? 

Resumes are an excellent way to tout your knowledge, training and (if applicable) skills in the field. You can create an attractive resume highlighting your candidacy without any direct experience or prior work history.

We’ll show you how to write a resume for your first job so you can kick off your work experience with preparedness and confidence.

• Do you need a resume?
• What should you put on a resume?

Crafting a resume with no experience

Finalizing your first job resume, quick guide: write your first resume in 6 steps, do you need a resume for your first job.

While a resume may not be required to apply for your first job, it is highly recommended that you do so, and it will undoubtedly set you apart from the other applicants. A resume reflects your professionalism and commitment to the job application process. It showcases your knowledge, skills, training and prior experience in an easy-to-digest and relatively standard format, making it easy for potential employers to decipher between candidates to choose the best person for the job.

Even for entry-level positions, when many applicants don’t have a prior work history, sharing a resume will give you a competitive edge when written persuasively.

The role of a resume in job applications

A resume plays an important role when applying for jobs. It serves as an introduction to potential employers and those in the company who will decide whether or not to move forward with your application. It also provides a summary of what you bring to the table for those who will be interviewing you during the application process.

The resume is essential for showcasing your skills. A well-crafted and persuasive resume can highlight your achievements and knowledge, even if you have limited work experience in the field you’re applying to. Because your resume is the first contact point between you and a potential employer, it’s crucial to understand how to write a resume for your first job – and how to write it well.

What should you put on a resume for your first job?

There are a few things every resume must include – and those are some of the most essential details.

Contact information

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the most important part of your resume – sharing your contact information. Start by listing your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Without your contact information, potential employers will have a hard time contacting you, which can prevent you from getting an interview.

Why share a link to your LinkedIn profile ? LinkedIn is now an essential part of the job search market. It serves as a shareable resume in addition to showcasing your network. Employers can see if you have any professionals in common from work or personal life, which may help build your credibility as a candidate.

Be sure to act professionally on LinkedIn. Share relevant news and insights to highlight your interest and knowledge of an industry, but be wary of getting too personal or engaging in inappropriate dialogue. Behave on LinkedIn as you would in an office setting with colleagues.

Educational background and achievements

Start by listing your educational information, such as schools attended, graduation dates and relevant academic achievements or awards. Include your major and minor, field of study and GPA. If you were enrolled in courses, projects or study abroad programs relevant to the job, include details to show your knowledge and interests.

Skills section

While you likely have some combination of hard and soft skills, a skills section will showcase the hard skills you’ve learned to prepare you for the job. Soft skills are best to be included in the bullet points to describe your accomplishments in your experience section.

• Hard skills include specific technical skills you’ve learned along the way. For example, computer proficiency, language skills, lab skills or specific training or certifications.
• Soft skills , or human skills, include job aspects that apply to many (if not all) job roles. These include communication, teamwork and problem-solving. If you’re particularly adept in any of these, showcase them and be prepared to share real examples of these skills in action.

Extracurricular activities and volunteer work

Employers look for candidates who go the extra mile to be involved in extracurricular activities. This demonstrates your commitment to becoming a well-rounded human being. Highlight clubs, sports or volunteer activities that you were involved in, especially emphasizing leadership roles or particular responsibilities you had in these activities. This extracurricular activity showcases your ability to multi-task, prioritize time and develop skills and interests.

Example Resume & Writing Guide

See a real-life example of a strong resume, including tips for gathering your own persuasive experience and skills using our Resume Writing Guide !

As a young adult or new graduate, you may wonder how to write a resume for your first job with no real-world experience. Don’t fear – there have been many in your shoes before you!

What does a resume look like for a first job?

Your resume should be straightforward with a clean and concise design. It should be easy to read with a simple flow highlighting information from most important to nice-to-have details. Do not go overboard with design details, fonts or graphics. 

Furman recommends that you use Microsoft Word to build your resume as it can be easier to make changes to a Word document than it is to change a template. However, you can use free resume builder tools online to build your resume in standard formats.

• Myperfectresume.com
• Resumenerd.com

Using strong action words and job-specific keywords in your resume for your first job will significantly impact you. Describe experiences and achievements using strong action verbs, such as:

• Collaborated
• Volunteered

What to put on a resume with no experience?

You can learn how to write a resume for your first job that impresses potential employers, even without relevant work experience, by emphasizing relevant coursework. Doing this demonstrates skills learned in a classroom or group project setting. Highlight personal or academic projects showcasing your abilities, such as experiences where you took the lead as a group or team leader.

Before submitting your first job resume, review and edit the document for mistakes or improvements.

Proofreading and editing

Attention to detail is critical to potential employers. Check your resume for typos and grammatical errors. Mistakes on your resume may eliminate you as a candidate, especially if grammatical adeptness or attention to detail is essential to the job.

Similarly, ensure a consistent design throughout your resume. Stick to one format, using one legible font and minimal design details. A professional resume appearance can set you apart from other applicants’ resumes that may appear messy or disorganized.

Seeking feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from friends, mentors or even career services at schools or community centers. A peer review from your fellow students, teachers or mentors can provide invaluable input on skills you may be forgetting, plus the extra set of eyes can help detect errors and typos.

Career services at your school or library also serve as an excellent third-party validation and review resource. Furman’s Malone Center for Career Engagement offers in-depth career preparation services for students, such as resume and cover letter assistance , career fairs and networking , personalized advice from advisors and interview prep – just to name a few.

Webinar: Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch

Watch the free Polishing Your Resume & Preparing Your Pitch webinar for an in-depth look at creating your resume and preparing a pitch to potential employers straight from a Furman career advisor.

Now, do you feel ready and excited to write a resume for your first job? We hope you jotted down notes specific to your experience as you read through the post, but in case you didn’t, writing your resume can be simplified to these simple steps.

• Start with your contact information , including full name, phone number and email address. Consider adding a link to your LinkedIn profile.
• List your education experience , including relevant projects, courses and extracurricular activities.
• List both hard skills and soft skills relevant to the job.
• Explain your roles and responsibilities in your projects and extracurricular activities, especially those where you acted in a leadership capacity, using strong action verbs.
• Proofread and gather feedback.

If this is your first time writing a resume for your first job, approach the process with confidence and positivity. Your attitude will shine through the resume, so stay positive!

The perspectives and thoughts shared in the Furman Blog belong solely to the author and may not align with the official stance or policies of Furman University. All referenced sources were accurate as of the date of publication.

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