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Career Change Cover Letters

39 professional career change cover letters.

When you plan to change careers, this typically involves composing a career change cover letter. The letter contains details about your strengths, your experience, any transferable skills, and other important information. A cover letter for career change should demonstrate why you’re adequately equipped to handle a different position or role in the company.

Table of Contents

• 1 Career Change Cover Letters
• 2 Parts of a career change cover letter
• 3 Cover Letters For Career Change
• 4 Tips for writing your career change cover letter
• 5 Career Transition Cover Letters

Parts of a career change cover letter

Choosing to change careers is the easy part. But convincing the hiring manager that you are a good match for the new job or industry is another thing. For this, you need to compose an effective and compelling career change cover letter. In your career transition cover letter, you explain why you’re looking to change careers.

In your cover letter for switching careers, you should highlight how you can be an excellent employee in the new industry you’re interested in. If this is your first time to compose such a letter, don’t panic. First, let’s go through the important parts of this letter to help you understand it better:

• Opening paragraph Create an opening paragraph that’s straightforward and simple. This part doesn’t have to be too different from an opening paragraph of a standard cover letter. Use this paragraph in your cover letter for career change to state the role you want to apply for. Also, indicate where you saw the job vacancy. If a personal contact referred you to this job vacancy, mention the name of this person. This helps personalize your letter and it also shows that you have contacts within the industry. In this opening paragraph, you may also mention an important qualification or skill to show how suitable you are for the role. It’s best if you pick one of the skills mentioned in the job description or advertisement.
• Body of the letter In a standard letter, you explain your experience, skills, and attributes in the body. But when it comes to a career change cover letter, the best thing to do is be both upfront and honest from the beginning. Talk about your reason for making a career change. Maintain positivity when you provide these reasons and explanations. Also, use the body of the letter to reassure the reader that you’re genuinely and completely committed to becoming a part of this new industry. Compose a brief explanation about your interest in the new industry and how your past professional experiences make you a valuable asset to the company.
• An explanation of any career gaps There are many reasons why you would explore a new career. Your previous employer may have laid you off, you may have stopped working to raise your children, you may have experienced burnout at your previous job so you want a change, and so on. Although career gaps are very common, you must still explain this in your career transition cover letter. Be as honest as possible when you give your reason for being out of work for a significant amount of time. You don’t have to provide too many details. But you may want to share how you’ve used this time off work to learn more about this new career or industry. This shows that you’re interested and you’re open to learning more. Think about any activities which you’ve done while you didn’t have work which allowed you to improve skills useful to this new industry. Explaining this in the letter is a lot better than when the hiring manager finds out after performing a background check.
• Conclusion Finally, in this part of your cover letter for switching careers, thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your letter. You may also give a statement saying that you’re available for an interview or for a meeting in case the hiring manager has any questions or to provide clarifications. Then end your letter with a proper phrase or word and your complete name. Before printing or sending your letter, make sure to proofread it first. Revise your letter as needed. Only when you’re completely sure that it doesn’t have any grammatical or spelling errors should you proceed.

Cover Letters For Career Change

Tips for writing your career change cover letter

An effective and well-written career change cover letter can help you land the job of your dreams. For this to happen, you should go beyond a “standard” cover letter. There are certain points you must cover in a cover letter for career change to help you stand out against all the other applicants.

Although you may follow the standard format of a cover letter for your career change cover letter, you must include some important pieces of information to make it more effective. Here are some tips to help you out:

• Catch the attention of the reader from the start Make sure that the opening line of your letter compels the reader to continue all the way to the end. Try to avoid using the “typical” opening statements like why you believe that you’re the perfect person for the job, and so on. If you want to make an impression, try asking a question, telling a story or leading with a fascinating anecdote about your previous experience. Whatever you choose to start with, make sure that it’s relevant to the rest of your letter’s contents.
• Highlight your transferable skills This is one of the most important parts of your career transition cover letter. Focus on highlighting your strengths and skills which you can use in the position you’re applying for. This is a lot better than focusing on the specific skills you have which make you great at your current job. Think about these transferable skills that you possess which you can use. You may want to read the job description carefully and analyze the skills required for the position. Choose those which best match your own experiences and skills. You can even share short anecdotes about how you used these skills in your previous job.
• Emphasize your excellent performance in the previous jobs you held Keep in mind that you’re not the only person applying for the job. Most of the other applicants would have the required skills and experiences, especially if they came from a similar position. Since you’re changing careers, you might be the least qualified. That is unless you’re able to explain why it’s the opposite. After highlighting your transferable skills, you should also emphasize how you had been an excellent employee in your previous company. This information is even more effective when supported by tangible achievements or strong recommendations . All of these combined makes you a more desirable candidate in the eyes of the hiring manager. Talk about how well you performed in your previous job and how you succeeded in all the tasks and projects assigned to you. Try to provide these explanations as humbly as possible so as not to appear arrogant. Remember, you want to impress the hiring manager, you don’t want to put them off.
• Express your interest and passion for the industry and the company After talking about yourself, it’s time to talk about the company. This is another way to make an impression on the hiring manager. Talk about how excited you are to work in this new industry. Also, talk about how passionate you feel towards the organization and the job opportunity. Doing this makes you stand out more, especially compared to other applicants who simply want to get the job. Talk about how you researched about the company and this is why you want to become a part of it. Of course, you must put in the effort too. Never say that you researched about the company when you didn’t actually do it. This could lead to an embarrassing situation, especially if the hiring manager asks you questions about the company and you don’t know the answers to them. If you want to invest in a company, you must do the work.
• Bring all of the information together Finally, you must make sure that the entire letter flows smoothly. Read the content from start to finish and try to gauge if all the information connects in a logical and comprehensive way. If you find any lacking information or if you think there are some parts which aren’t necessary, revise your letter. At the end of your letter, include statements which highlight what you can do for the benefit of the company, not what the company can do for you. Talk about how you genuinely want to learn more about the company by being a part of it. Don’t be too eager though as this might come off as fake. Write with your heart so that you can come up with genuine statements. Remember, hiring managers have read hundreds of cover letters. So, think about how you can make yours stand out from the crowd. Then close your letter professionally and with a positive tone. If you want to make a good impression and if you want the hiring manager to remember you out of all the other applicants, you must close strong as well.

Career Transition Cover Letters

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5 Career Change Cover Letter Examples Made for 2024

• Career Change Cover Letter
• Career Change No Experience
• HR Career Change
• Teacher Career Change
• RN Career Change Cover Letter
• Write Your Career Change Cover Letter

Switching careers can be equal parts exciting and daunting. You’re stepping into a whole new path, facing unknown challenges, and rebuilding your personal brand from scratch. There’s a lot at stake here, and to fight this battle and come out on top, you need to pick the right set of weapons.

Step one: a stellar  career change resume  tailored to match the job. Step two, however, is more challenging because you must write a cover letter to wow recruiters and express your excitement at a career change and for the company.

We’re here to help you navigate these murky waters and set the course for the career of your dreams. Our career change  cover letter examples  and free cover letter builder will help you craft a memorable job application.

Career Change Cover Letter Example

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123 Fictional Avenue Tucson, AZ 85743 (123) 456-7890

June 15, 2023

Ingrid Persson Comcast 123 Fictional Lane Tucson, AZ 85743

Dear Ms. Persson:

As a sales manager, I was often told that my natural skillset was more aligned with marketing. While my passion for understanding consumers helped me excel in sales, I’ve always been fascinated by marketing. When I began to manage paid advertising campaigns at Oracle, my interest in marketing was confirmed. My initiative not only increased sales by 28%, but also honed my skills in a cornerstone of marketing: data-driven decision-making.

Comcast’s people-first approach to marketing resonates with my interest in consumer behavior. In my five years as a sales manager, I specialized in analyzing user data to understand the needs of our buyers. I used my proficiency in Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and optimize our marketing strategies. My analytical approach contributed to a 34% increase in conversion rates and a 26% boost in customer retention over two years.

Transitioning to a marketing manager feels like a natural progression, as it combines my experience in sales with my passion for designing targeted campaigns. At Oracle, I bridged the gap between sales and marketing to increase ROI by 29%. I feel confident that I can successfully do the same with my career.

Comcast’s customer-centric culture reflects my core values. I am excited about the prospect of combining my analytical skills and sales experience to develop data-driven marketing strategies for the company. My instinct for buyer behavior will allow me to contribute to Comcast’s continued growth.

I would be thrilled to meet and discuss how my transition from sales to marketing can drive impactful strategies at Comcast. Thank you for considering my application.

Amara Kamau

Why this cover letter works

• For instance, this cover letter points to ways the candidate took initiative to connect sales and marketing. This evidences both interest and experience in the target role.

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Career Change No Experience Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Career Change No Experience cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Memphis, TN 38101 (123) 456-7890

Henry Robinson Walmart 123 Fictional Lane Memphis, TN 38101

Dear Mr. Robinson:

Like a data analyst unveiling patterns that inform business decisions, I seek to transition my career to the sales and marketing manager role at Walmart. Your dedication to delivering remarkable customer experiences profoundly resonates with me, and I believe my analytical acumen could lend a significant advantage to your team.

As the lead data analyst at Sedgwick, I spearheaded a team that scrutinized vast data sets, using sophisticated tools like Excel to analyze patterns and infer decks. Our analysis informed marketing decisions that spiked product sales by an average of 17%. My role called for early notification of discrepancies and proposing solutions, leading to a 66% reduction in inconsistency cases across our spreadsheets.

Project management was a significant part of my responsibilities at Innova Memphis. I led three major product launch campaigns, employing strategic analysis, coordination, and communication skills. The result? A marked 36% improvement in project completion timelines. These instances heightened my ability in advanced problem-solving, making me a better marketing and sales strategist.

As an intermediate data analyst at CrossCom, I deepened my skills in problem-solving, working with intricate amounts of data and changing project requirements. Besides sharpening my adaptability, I remember one time when I dug into an issue that led to uncovering a substantial cost-saving opportunity, saving the company 3% in operational costs yearly.

My decade serving as a data analyst has ideally placed me for this sales and marketing manager role. As someone who has picked insights from raw data to inform successful marketing decisions and sales strategies, I’m convinced I’m a great fit for this position. Looking forward to discussing how my unique skills could contribute to hitting Walmart’s marketing and sales goals.

• Take, for instance, how Aria tells the story of her expertise—meticulous data analysis, project management, and problem-solving and convincingly discusses how these can be valuable assets for the new role. So, extract and communicate those transferable skills.

Human Resources Career Change Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Human Resources Career Change cover letter!

Abigail Clark Wells Fargo 123 Fictional Lane Baltimore, MD 21201 Dear Ms. Clark:

After investing a decade navigating the complexities of human resource management, I’m excited to redirect my professional compass toward the role of a bank manager at Wells Fargo. With the belief that my extensive HR experience equips me with unique vantage points and skills, I’m convinced it has set the perfect foreground for my successful transition into this leadership role.

As a senior HR manager at Truist Bank, my extensive experience entailed gleaning insights from employees’ concerns and suggestions, driving improvements that lowered annual employee turnover by 9%. Now, onto change management; my comprehensive planning and seamless execution of transitions led to the smooth adoption of three major technological upgrades across different departments.

My stint as an HR Specialist at Jhpiego exposed me to the compliance and regulation stream, where I ensured organizational activities adhered to labor laws and corporate policies. The result was a drastic 42% decrease in compliance-related lapses, reflecting the proficiency I’d bring to Wells Fargo.

Starting my career as an HR coordinator at SECU Credit Union, my noteworthy contribution involved instituting a modern, streamlined payroll system that improved efficiency by 27%. It was here that my affinity for numbers found its use in the finance industry, thus, envisioning a future as a Bank Manager.

Transitioning from HR to bank management might seem unusual, but I see it as leveraging my people managerial skills, my understanding of corporate regulations, and my passion for the financial sector to ensure seamless operations at Wells Fargo. I’m excited about discussing how my unique background could positively impact your team.

Zara Jafari

• Such competencies demonstrate that although it’s a career change, you aren’t a stranger to the environment. If the past stints involved the hiring company’s competitor, emphasize that for bonus familiarity points.

Teacher Career Change Cover Letter Example

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123 Fictional Avenue Miami, FL 33326 (123) 456-7890

Nala Dlamini Ultimate Software 123 Fictional Lane Miami, FL 33326

Dear Ms. Dlamini,

Math is the foundation for software engineering, which is exactly why I am excited to bring my background as a high school math teacher to Ultimate Software. I am drawn to the problem-solving challenge software engineering presents.

In addition to teaching high school math, I have taught myself web and mobile development, database management, and the version control system Git. I am certified in AWS and Google Cloud, and built an educational app that streamlined school communication, improving homework submission rates by 23%.

Ultimate Software’s dedication to building better workplaces through technology resonates with my passion for facilitating seamless collaboration. My teaching background has refined my ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner. This, coupled with my technical skills, positions me uniquely as a bridge between non-technical stakeholders and development teams.

I am also excited to optimize data handling processes at Ultimate Software. My experience in gradebook management taught me the importance of strong data management systems, and I am eager to bring that perspective to the team.

I hope to discuss how my transition from a math teacher to a software engineer can bring value to Ultimate Software. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sofia Lopez

Enclosures: Resume Portfolio AWS Certified Developer Google Cloud Certified

• If you’ve earned professional certifications that don’t match your current role but align with your target career, your cover letter is the place to highlight them.

Registered Nurse (RN) Career Change Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Registered Nurse (RN) Career Change cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Phoenix, AZ 76208 (123) 456-7890

Sven Jonsson American Express 123 Fictional Lane Phoenix, AZ 76208

Dear Mr. Jonsson:

I was inspired to transition my career from nursing into sales when I discovered the impact I could make by connecting people with the right product solutions. I am eager to bring my RN background, where relationship-building is paramount, and my skill set in sales forecasting to American Express as a sales manager.

American Express’s commitment to excellence matches my standards as an RN, where attention to detail and customer service were critical. I was often the first point of contact for patients and families. Through tireless care and empathy, patient satisfaction scores increased by 37% during my tenure. Outside of nursing, I also developed an interest in sales. I became proficient in sales forecasting and the HubSpot CRM software in order to better manage professional relationships.

My passion for helping clients was honed by providing both clinical care and wellness product recommendations to my patients as an RN. This role demanded excellent communication skills, empathy, and an understanding of individual needs—skills that are all transferable to sales.

I also bring an innate ability to manage sales territories. In partnership with community health programs, I coordinated regional patient care to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and seamless delivery. This experience equipped me with the acumen necessary to handle sales calls, and I aim to leverage that skill to expand American Express’s reach.

I am excited to align my passion for building relationships and providing exceptional service with American Express’s mission. As a sales manager, I will employ my skills in sales forecasting, CRM, and territory management to foster growth and customer satisfaction. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to discuss how my RN background can uniquely contribute to American Express’s continued success.

Gabriel Costa

• Look for unlikely connections between your work experience and target role, then put the pieces together for recruiters in your cover letter.

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How to Write a Fantastic Career Change Cover Letter

You may think that you’re at a disadvantage when you’re applying outside of your previous career, but when it comes to cover letters, that’s not true. Treat this as an excellent opportunity to be creative and stand out from the crowd.

Here’s the trick: give that job description a good read, then whip your cover letter into shape to mirror it. Try to decipher the company’s core values, be it from the job listing or from its website, and highlight that this mission is important to you too. 

Pinpoint similarities across your past and future roles for this. For instance, if you’re switching from teaching to programming, emphasize your ability to explain complex topics to all kinds of audiences.

Writing a winning cover letter intro

The perfect cover letter begins with a personalized greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name. However, if you absolutely cannot find the recipient (try LinkedIn), you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company Name] Team.” Refrain from using “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam,” as those can be a little outdated by today’s standards.

Avoid generic starters and instead showcase why your past experience is valuable. For instance, if you previously worked in sales and you’re moving to customer service, highlight your ability to forge lasting relationships with clients.

Check out this example of what not to do below. This opening line is definitely on the uninteresting side—the hiring manager might skim your cover letter if it lacks a proper hook.

No, thank you!

“I am writing to apply for the project manager position I saw on your website. I believe this role is a great fit for me.”

Now, the example below is a huge improvement. The applicant immediately makes it clear that they used to have a different career, but they use this to their advantage by highlighting how their background in working with people can have a deep impact on their new career.

Hooked from the start!

Writing the main part of your cover letter

Roll up your sleeves because we’re diving into the main part of your cover letter—the body. Use this space as an extension of your resume that elaborates on your skills and the way they can make an impact on the company. 

Find common ground and share some of your greatest achievements that translate well to your new role. For example, if you’re a marketer transitioning into sales, discuss how spearheading a social media campaign increased your company’s revenue by 18%. 

Use metrics to support your accomplishments. Things like revenue, ROI, click-through rates, open rates, customer satisfaction ratings, budget savings, or efficiency improvements all apply to most industries. Much like in the intro, connect your background to match the company.

Here’s a body paragraph for inspiration:

Ending your cover letter on a strong note

The closing paragraph is the ribbon that you tie on top of a cohesive whole. It serves to reinforce the sentiments you talked about above—but without repeating yourself.

Emphasize your excitement at joining this particular company, and make sure to mention it by name. Pick one or two of your core skills or qualifications and flex a little—express how you will use these abilities to achieve positive outcomes at your new company.

You’re changing industries, so own it, and explain how, for instance, your knowledge of math can help you write complex code.

Lastly, thank the hiring manager for their consideration—you can do this either in the closing paragraph or in your final sign-off. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s with a respectful “Sincerely, [Your Name].”

It’s important to keep this final part respectful. Don’t assume you’ll be hired—instead of showing confidence, it can come off as presumptuous.

“I’m not experienced but I’m a quick learner, so I can’t wait to start growing my career at your company next month.”

This next example has it all—it reiterates your interest in the role, talks about transferable skills, and thanks the recruiter for taking the time to read your cover letter.

This is the way!

When transitioning careers, it’s important to build credibility out of the gate by addressing the right person. Check the job listing and the company website. If that fails, try identifying the hiring manager via LinkedIn.

If all else fails, talk mostly about your education and preparation for the career change, but there are skills that apply to most jobs, too. For instance, working as a programmer and a travel agent means dealing with data and interacting with people.

While you may rely on transferable skills you used in nursing in your future sales role, avoid assuming this new job will have a similar company culture as your last one. Instead, adjust your tone to match the company. For instance, if the job ad and the website are written with humor, you can afford to crack a small joke or write less formally.

5 Steps to Writing a Cover Letter as a Career Changer (With Samples!)

Preparing for a career change can feel like walking up to a ride at Six Flags: It’s exciting, but also somewhat terrifying. What if, for example, some less open-minded hiring manager takes a look at your resume and dumps it right into the “no” pile because they don’t immediately understand why someone who’s spent their career in software engineering is applying for a financial analyst role? That’s where your cover letter comes in.

I know, drafting a cover letter—let alone a compelling one—can be stressful and time-consuming. But cover letters are a potent secret weapon for career changers. While resumes can be a great way to showcase your work experience, cover letters give you the opportunity to explain how that experience will help you excel in your next role. And you always want to do everything you can to help sell a prospective employer on why you’re the right person for the job.

5 steps to a persuasive career change cover letter

Here’s your step-by-step guide to writing a career change cover letter that’ll tell your unique story and help a hiring manager envision how you would benefit their organization.

1. Start strong with a unique opener.

Get the reader’s attention right away by putting the opening line of your cover letter to work! Don’t start with a tired old trope about being the perfect person for the job, and avoid leading with the sentence, “I’m excited to apply for [role] at [Company],” if you want to maximize your opportunity to draw the hiring manager in.

Ask a question, tell a story, or begin with an interesting tidbit about your experience or maybe a short anecdote that leads into why you’ve decided to switch career paths. Just be sure it relates to the specific role for which you’re applying.

2. Introduce yourself—succinctly.

If you could only tell a hiring manager three things about yourself, what would they be? How do you want to market or package your experience?

For example, are you a tech-savvy customer relations specialist eager to flex your talents in a sales role? Are you an exceptionally organized office manager looking to make a move into human resources ? Are you a graphic designer turned software engineer on the lookout for a job where you can blend your creativity with your technical expertise? Use this portion of your cover letter to emphasize those qualities that make you a unique individual and employee.

There’s no need to include your entire life story here, so try to avoid over-explaining your experience with sentences like, “After graduating from college in 2015, I decided to apply for an administrative assistant job…” Instead, try a line like, “I’m an organized, deadline-driven administrative assistant with a talent for wordsmithing executive emails and jazzing up corporate announcements.” Your goal should be to keep your introduction short, snappy, and relevant to the job.

3. Share your career-change story.

This is where you explain the why behind your career change . Were you inspired by a newsworthy event? Have you always secretly wanted to be in this industry? Did working on a side project spark your interest in pursuing it full time? Give the hiring manager a little insight into why you’re so excited about their job opening, despite your unconventional background.

4. Highlight your transferable skills.

This is going to be the meat of your cover letter. Hiring managers are notoriously short on time, so don’t send them on a scavenger hunt to figure out how your experience might make you a great fit for the job—they’re more likely to just throw the indecipherable map away and move on to the next applicant. Instead, connect the dots for them as clearly and concisely as possible by emphasizing your transferable skills and experience.

Bullet points can be effective in doing this in an organized and efficient way. Try pulling out the top three to five skills that are required for this role, and then briefly explaining how your experience relates to each. Even better? Provide evidence demonstrating that your experience created a positive impact or contributed to team or company goals. Hiring managers can’t help but be impressed by hard numbers and facts.

Be realistic here. If you don’t have any familiarity with a particular topic, don’t mention it in your cover letter. Stretching the truth might land you an initial interview, but your fib will almost always catch up with you in the end.

Whatever you do, don’t apologize for the experience you don’t have . Rather than saying, “I know I don’t have any direct experience with employee training…” write something like, “Having worked in a dynamic business development environment for the past four years, I’m excited about the opportunity to leverage my personal experience in a sales enablement role.”

5. Bring it all together.

Think of the final lines of your cover letter as the closing argument. You’ve spent the preceding paragraphs making a case for why you deserve an interview, so use your closing sentences to tie everything together.

And be sure to highlight what you can do for the company, not the other way around. So while you may be genuinely thrilled about the idea of learning all there is to know about digital advertising, now isn’t the time to mention it. Instead, say, “I look forward to discussing how my marketing and public relations expertise might benefit the digital advertising team!”

Sample career change cover letters

Here’s what this advice might look like, depending on where you are in your career and how much experience you have.

Sample career change cover letter for an early career professional

Dear Ms. Alice Chen,

Over the past few months, I’ve volunteered to represent my company at local college recruiting events, and I had no idea how much fun job fairs could be. As I meet with eager students, collect resumes, and chat with soon-to-be graduates about business development opportunities at Sunny Sales Inc., I often find myself thinking, I wish this were my full-time job. So you can imagine how excited I was when I discovered the university recruiting coordinator opportunity with Cloud Tech!

After completing a degree in business administration, I decided to put my outgoing personality and laser-focused organizational skills to work as a business development specialist for Sunny Sales Inc. Over the past two years, I’ve sharpened my communication skills in client meetings, fine-tuned my presentation experience, and sourced more than 300 warm leads. Working in sales has given me an invaluable foundation, and now I’m ready to move from business development to recruiting.

I’m energized by the prospect of applying my interpersonal skills and sales experience to the university recruiting coordinator opportunity with Cloud Tech. I think my enthusiasm for recruiting and ability to learn on the fly will serve me well in this role. I’ve outlined how my skills might fit with your specific needs below:

• Applicant outreach: As a business development specialist, I’m comfortable seeking out new opportunities, making cold calls, and selling potential clients on the advantages of Sunny Sales software.
• Interviews: I make an average of 50 phone calls a day, meet with at least five clients a week, and am at my happiest when I get to interact with a lot of different personalities. I’ve also gotten to participate in 10 interviews as part of a sales panel, resulting in two new hires for our organization.
• Application management: I track my 1,500+ business development contacts as well as activities, pipeline, and 30+ active opportunities in a customer resource management system. As an organized, tech-savvy professional, I think I’d be able to master an applicant tracking system in no time.

I’d love to learn more about your university recruiting strategy for the coming year and to discuss how my experience and recruiting exposure might benefit the Cloud Tech team. Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide, and thank you so much for your consideration.

Sample career change cover letter for a mid-career professional

After you’ve helped a client navigate a tricky IRS audit or file taxes for their new small business venture, you start to feel like you can handle anything a customer might throw at you.

I know I do. In my 15 years as a personal tax accountant, I’ve helped people through some of the most stressful and sensitive financial undertakings imaginable. Doing this with the right balance of empathy and pragmatism can be tricky, but it feels great when I get it right.

I’ve come to realize that working with people, helping them understand complicated or frustrating concepts, and serving as a client advocate are some of the things I love to do most. Getting to use these skills through my accounting practice has been very rewarding, but now I’m ready for a new chapter and am excited about the opportunity to focus exclusively on customer relations as a client services specialist.

Diamond Design has a stellar reputation when it comes to customer service, and I’d be thrilled to join a team that shares my passion for helping others. Here’s a brief overview of how I believe my experience would translate into a client services role.

• Identifying client goals: Understanding customer needs is an essential element of my current role. Over the past few years, I’ve fine-tuned my approach, and have been recognized for my ability to create open dialogue by asking thoughtful questions and soliciting feedback.
• Taking a customer-first approach: As a tax specialist, I approach every account with a solution-focused mindset. This had yielded a 95%+ customer satisfaction rating for the past six years.
• Developing lasting relationships: My commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience has yielded a 75% client retention rate. More than half of my clients have worked with me for five years or longer.

I’d be eager to learn more about Diamond Design’s client service goals and discuss how my background might serve to enhance the customer experience further.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking soon.

Bonus tips for writing a career change cover letter

Here are a few more tips to ensure your career change cover letter does the trick:

• Address your cover letter to the right person or people . Do some research to try to find out the name of the hiring manager . But always avoid “ To Whom It May Concern .”
• Tailor your career change cover letter for each position. Don’t just swap in the position title and company name from your last application. All of the content of your cover letter should show why you’re qualified for this job specifically.
• Keep it to one page or less . Don’t get too caught up in explaining every detail of your choice to change careers or your past jobs until this point. Just tell the hiring manager enough to know they want to invite you for an interview and learn more.
• Edit ! Always reread your cover letter before you send it to check for any errors. If you have time, you can ask someone else to look it over with fresh eyes as well.

As you draft your cover letter, you’ll want to make sure that it emphasizes your unique talents, transferable skills, and passion for this new field. Spelling this out for prospective employers will help them piece together your qualifications—and up your chances of moving forward in the process.

Regina Borsellino contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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Job-seeking individuals tend to settle on the prospective careers that they are most comfortable with. Alongside their own relevant skills and capabilities, it is no surprise that a job-seeking individual weighs their chances and opportunities from one job to another. You may also see career templates .

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Job Application Cover Letter

How to Write A Cover Letter For A New Career

• Business Letter Format – Your cover letter format will be read by professionals, therefore it is only fitting that you write a well-written cover letter. A proper and formal format gives an impact to the overall presentation of your letter, which is dependent on how neatly you outline every part of it.
• Content – You must structure the content of your cover letter accordingly. Use formal language. Your intention to apply for a certain position must also be highlighted through your relevant skills and experiences despite a change of career.

Banking Career Change

Career Change Cover Letter Format

Project Manager Cover Letter

Writing a Cover Letter for a Successful Career Transition

• Enumerate your qualifications. Assure your potential employers that you are capable of all the standard qualifications required for the job.
• Emphasize relevant skills and experiences. Mention your previous job. It might be a good idea to specify your position as well as job description. This way, you show your potential employers the skills and experiences you’ve acquired over the years. Of course, they should be relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Express your willingness. There might be skills that you need to master for a certain job over time. Express that you are more than willing to learn what you have to in order to deserve the position. Assure your participation in any training program.

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• Career Change

Career Change cover letter example

So you used to be a history teacher, but you decided there’s no future in it? If you’re contemplating a career change, more power to you. It’s a bold move, and though it may be a tough transition, this could be the best decision you ever made. Readiness to submit an exceptional career change cover letter is your best strategy for pursuing new job opportunities.

Resume.io is here to help with expert advice and support for every cover letter preparation step. Our job-winning resources include a wide collection of occupation-specific writing guides and free cover letter examples.

Here’s what we’ll talk about in this guide to writing a successful career change cover letter:

• The outlook for anyone changing careers and why a cover letter is critical for anyone changing careers
• Why a cover letter is critical for anyone changing careers
• How a cover letter is structured and organized
• How to write persuasively to get the results you want in each cover letter section: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
• Cover letter writing psychology
• Pitfalls to avoid in writing a cover letter.

For more inspiration and ideas, take a look at these cover letter examples and writing guides in the "other" occupation category:

• Non-profit cover letter example
• First Job cover letter example
• Journalism cover letter example
• Translator cover letter example
• Acting cover letter example

Outlook for changing careers

Since the global coronavirus pandemic many workers have reassessed their careers. Some were forced to since millions of non-essential businesses closed their doors, and some reestablished themselves with different employee norms. 

Many jobs can be done remotely from the safety and comfort of one’s home, but in many fields this is simply impossible. Many migrated from jobs that require face-to-face interaction to those that can be done remotely, although the trend is shifting back toward at least some in-office time.

Of course, people changed careers long before there was a global health crisis. Sometimes people realize they’ve chosen an occupation they just don’t enjoy. Or they may have only recently completed the educational requirements to go into the field of their choice. 

Whatever your personal situation is, your ticket to a new job is an outstanding resume and cover letter, and that’s where resume.io can help. In fact, we’ve already written a guide to how to craft a resume if you’re changing careers. But you’re going to need an excellent cover letter as well — especially if your resume doesn’t reflect much if any experience in the field you want to go into.

For more general advice about writing cover letters, take a look at our comprehensive cover letter guide.

Why do I need a cover letter?

If you’re looking for a job as an accountant and all the experience on your resume is in dog grooming, the recipient could be excused for thinking you’ve sent your resume to the wrong address.

In any job application, it’s always best to include a cover letter with a resume unless you’re specifically asked not to. But it’s especially imperative if you’re contemplating a change of career, because you’ve got some explaining to do. A resume is a strictly formatted, just-the-facts compilation of your work experience, education and skills. It also contains a summary or profile that states your job objective, and this does provide an opening to note that you are seeking a change of career.

However, a cover letter is your personal introduction to someone who has the power to offer you a job. It’s the opening salvo in what you hope will become a person-to-person conversation. And it gives you a much better opportunity to discuss your reasons for changing careers, and to persuade the recipient that you are qualified to work in a field where you may have little or no experience.

A cover letter should almost always be one page only — 200 to 400 words — and these are your objectives in writing it:

• To introduce yourself to a hiring manager, state your job objective, and make a personal appeal to be considered for a job.
• To state your work experience, education, certification, skills and other qualifications that make you the right person for this job.
• To close with a call for action seeking some kind of follow-up that will increase your chances of getting the job.

Some employers, for whatever reason, do not want to be sent cover letters, or their job application systems don’t allow you to upload one. Obviously, you should always follow an employer’s guidelines for applying for a job. But if you have an opportunity to send an email to the decision maker, there’s no rule against using this email to send some of the text you would include in a formal cover letter.

Best format for a career change cover letter

Cover letters may not be as strictly formatted as resumes, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t have to follow a certain structure. Almost all cover letters should contain the same basic components:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting / salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

Let’s take a look at each of them.

Cover letter header

The very top of your cover letter should contain your name, address, phone and email, presented in an attractively designed header, or what people used to call a letterhead. This is critical for several reasons:

• You don’t want to leave any doubts about who you are or how to reach you.
• You don’t want your cover letter to become a “nameless” print-out lost in a stack of papers on someone’s desk.
• The header is your best opportunity to provide some eye-pleasing design elements and white space in a letter that will otherwise consist of only blocks of black text.

Align document styles

Important! You need to use the same fonts, font sizes and formatting styles in your resume and cover letter. You need to give them a “visual brand,” a matching style, so that if someone holds your resume and cover letter side by side, it’s obvious they came from the same person. 

Speaking of fonts, commonly used sans serif fonts (Calibri or Arial, for example) are generally preferred for ease of human reading (as well as avoiding technical pitfalls), with font sizes of between 10 and 12 points.

Goal of the cover letter header: Visually distinguish yourself as the cover letter sender and as someone worthy of a closer look.

Cover letter greeting

“Sup y’all” may be your standard greeting when you write to your family, but that’s not going to work in a formal business letter. “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Xxxxxx:” is your best bet for writing the greeting (also known as salutation) of your cover letter.

For decades, the rules of letter writing have distinguished between formal business letters and friendly personal letters — the former prefer a last name and a colon, while the latter tend toward a first name and a comma. The era of email has relaxed a lot of the rules, often replacing the colon with a comma in business communications, or favoring “Greetings” or “Hello” in favor of the time-honored “Dear.”

Study the style used by the company you’re targeting in addressing its customers on its website or social media posts, and try to match that style. 

Address your letter to an actual person

In most cases, it’s best to address your letter to a named individual. There are many reasons for this:

• People like to read their own names, and if you’ve identified the appropriate recipient for the letter and spelled the name right, that’s a great start.
• A generic “Dear Sir or Madam” may raise suspicions that you’re sending this same letter to 50 employers.
• Your goal in a cover letter is to establish a personal connection with someone who has the power to make hiring decisions at the company where you want to work.

If a job listing doesn’t mention the name of the hiring manager, it may be worth calling the company to find out who that individual is.

But there are exceptions to this rule — for example, some hiring managers, for whatever reason, don’t want to put their names out there. If that’s the case, respect their desire for privacy and address your letter to the entire company, the human relations department or whatever your research determines to be most appropriate.

Goal of the cover letter greeting: Start off on a professional note while personalizing the direct connection you are striving to make with the hiring manager reading your letter.

Cover letter introduction

It’s time to start making your pitch. The cover letter introduction should be one or two sentences that accomplish the following:

• State clearly the type of job you are looking for.
• Preview your experience and qualifications for this job.
• Make your reader want to read on.

If you’re looking to change careers, you probably need to address this right off the bat. Imagine telling your next-door neighbor over the back fence why you want to stop working in sales and become a police officer: “Because in police work, the customer is almost always wrong!”

Your introduction should be an attention-grabbing, well-written paragraph that uses bold and confident language to express your desire to reinvent yourself with a new career path.

Goal of the cover letter introduction: instantly stand out from other job candidates by addressing your key motivations for switching careers and potential assets to this employer.

Dear Ms. Took,

After finishing my marketing degree from San Francisco State University three years ago, my career has been building towards a long-coveted role in technology event management. I honed my people skills as a concierge in the hospitality industry and indulged my passion for technology as a part time tech adviser at the Apple Store Genius Bar.

Cover letter middle section (body)

The central part of your career change cover letter, usually two to three paragraphs, is where you need to make your primary case. Normally it would emphasize your work experience in your field, but if you’re changing careers you’ll need a more creative approach. 

How has your experience in other fields prepared you for work in this one? What are the skills you’ve gained in one line of work that will help you do an excellent job in another?

Here you need to emphasize your relevant work experience, qualifications and skills for the job you’re seeking. Perhaps you have a new college degree, certification or other training. Possibly you’ve realized that your passions and talents are better suited to a new field than the one you were in before. Maybe you always wanted to be a pilot, but you worked as a mechanic until you had the time and money to complete your pilot training. 

You know your personal situation, and you need to present it in a way that emphasizes your fitness to jump from one job category to another.

Goal of the cover letter body: showcase all of the strengths you bring to this position through relevant connections with your background in a different occupation.

For many, that would be a dream job, but my dreams have grown bigger. I now want to spread the word about the cutting edge of technology. In a world of online virtual exploration, there is nothing like demonstrating the latest gizmo to someone who never knew something like that existed.

My hospitality and retail experiences offer the ideal foundation to begin a career in events. The customer service training at the Marriott is legendary and I won seven customer-first awards during my time there. I secured the part-time role at the Peeple Store after the manager commented on my weekly blog. I have learned to talk (and write) about technology in everyday language – something essential for the audience of many events.

The interactions at Marriott and Apple have taught me to be present for every customer, listen carefully to their hidden needs and provide solutions that exceed their expectations. People attending events expect an unrivaled experience – visiting an event often entails sacrificing other pursuits. Great events have to make attendees feel that it was worth it.

As a passionate technophile, I have attended 100+ conferences and product launches and have experienced the best and the worst of the industry. I know that your employee training is fantastic, and I am confident that I have the personal attributes required to succeed - organizational and communication skills aligned with a passion for product.

How to close a career change cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

The last paragraph of your career change cover letter should include both a summary of what you’ve said before and a call to action, or a polite request for an interview. It should be both a satisfying wrap-up and a next step forward. 

Finally, you can’t go wrong by signing off with a simple “Sincerely,” followed by your typed name. It isn’t necessary to actually sign your name unless you’re submitting a printed cover letter.

Making the transition into the events industry is a logical next step and I hope to be able to outline my application further at an interview.

George Krauss

Goal of the cover letter conclusion: End on a confident note with a value proposition that the recruiter should find difficult to disregard without allowing for a conversation.

The psychology of writing a cover letter

Never forget that your cover letter is addressed to a human being, and that your goal is to establish a personal conversation with a person who has the power to hire you. Put yourself in the chair of the person you’re addressing, and try to imagine how s/he would react to your letter. Pay close attention to your tone of voice, considering the employer you want to work for and your position relative to the company. Study your target, and learn what kind of language it uses to address its clients. 

Consider whether you’re applying for an entry-level position, a creative design role or a senior management post. Each of these would suggest a different approach and a distinct tone. What accomplishments, qualifications or skills should you highlight? How will these be perceived by the person you’re addressing? If you were in that person’s shoes, would this letter be a persuasive pitch?

Be specific about your achievements in past jobs, using facts, figures and anecdotes. Consider the STAR method for highlighting each:

• S ituation: A challenge or problem you faced in a past job.
• T ask: What you needed to do to resolve it.
• A ction: The action you took to address it.
• R esult: The positive result you achieved.

Always remember that the purpose of a cover letter is not to convince anyone that you deserve a job. It’s to convince your correspondent that you can help solve this company’s problems by your unique experience, skill set and drive.

Mistakes to avoid in a career change cover letter

Here are some of the worst mistakes you could make in writing a cover letter seeking a career change:

• Failure to address a disconnect between your past experience and your new job objective. You need to be completely transparent that you are seeking a career change, and you should explain your reasons why.  
• A generic cover letter that you send to everybody. Every cover letter should be individually crafted for a specific company and a specific job.  
• English mistakes and typos. The easiest way to turn off a potential employer in a cover letter is with sloppy errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation. If writing is not your expertise, find an editor to proofread and correct your letter.  
• Clichés, word bloat and fluff. Even if you’re applying for a job as a starting guard in the NBA, you don’t need to say you’re a “team player.” There are certain clichés that have become so hackneyed in cover letters and resumes that they become a detriment to the cause. Use fresh, original language — ideally, write something you’ve never read anywhere before. Keep your language lean and focused and always avoid “fluff” — trivial, repetitive language that doesn’t say anything new or interesting.  
• Formatting errors, strange fonts and bad file types. Life would be easier if everyone used the same type of computer, word processing application and file format, yet this is not the case. You may create a cover letter in your favorite text editor on your old Mac that’s completely unreadable on a modern PC. Or it may open in a totally different application, or an updated version of the same application. This might make your text jump all over the place and turn parts of it into garble. This is why resume.io always recommends using familiar fonts and saving your file as a PDF, which preserves your formatting so that your letter will look the same on any computer.

Use a professional cover letter template

If you want to be a lion trainer, go for it! We at resume.io do not have any experience at sticking our heads into lion’s mouths, yet we are experts at crafting professional cover letters for any occupation.

While you’ve been busy learning how to avoid being mauled by a lion, we’ve been studying fonts, formats and file types that work in a cover letter. As Will Rogers said, “Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”

Resume.io offers hundreds of field-tested cover letter templates, while our powerful builder tool can help you sidestep any errors in formatting, fonts or file types. We are also leaders in providing expert advice on how to fill out each component of these documents.

The best way to avoid potentially fatal writing or formatting errors in a cover letter or resume is to start with a template that has been proven successful.

Key takeaways for a career change cover letter

• If you’re seeking a career change, you’re not alone, but you’ll need an outstanding cover letter that explains what you’re up to and why.
• Your cover letter should be your personal explanation to another human being about why you’re seeking a job for which your resume may show little or no experience.
• Understand the structure and contents of a cover letter and follow the guidelines for how to write each part of it.
• Avoid common writing and formatting mistakes in writing this letter. The best way to do that is to use field-tested templates and professional guidance from resume.io.

Best of luck in your new adventure!

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How to write an impactful cover letter for a career change

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How to write a cover letter for a career change

Career change cover letter examples.

8 tips to write a successful career change cover letter

Learning to navigate career changes

As a job seeker, your primary objective is to stand out from every other candidate — and writing a strong cover letter is a great way to do this.

But if you’re trying to change careers, it might seem more complicated. Crafting a compelling letter for a career change needs to put your best foot forward while explaining how your experience and transferable skills make you the best fit. 

Luckily, like any application, cover letters give you a unique opportunity to make a strong first impression on a prospective employer. They’re your opportunity to spin a perceived drawback into a valuable asset, showing hiring managers your unique perspective and ability to make a change.

Let’s start with the basics. Like any other professional communication, every word of your career change cover letter counts. Your relevant skill set, work experience, and communication style let a recruiter, hiring manager, or potential supervisor know what it’ll be like to work with you. 

Here’s how to use your cover letter to make an impact: 

1. Start with a powerful introduction

The first few lines of your cover letter set the tone and pique your reader's interest (or spur disinterest). Skip generic introductions and aim for an opening line that quickly encapsulates the value you can bring to the new job. It can also reflect your unique personality, within reason.

Don’t be shy about identifying yourself as a career changer. It’s an opportunity to showcase important soft skills — such as courage, intellectual curiosity , and a resilient mindset — and connect relevant experiences with valuable transferable skills . With the right framing, it may be the key to standing out as an interesting candidate.

Here’s an example: “As a seasoned journalist, I’m eager to transition into public relations. I've spent the last 20 years sharpening my critical-thinking, research, and copywriting skills, which will serve me well in this new role.”

2. Develop your full character

Your opening paragraph should include your previous role and new career ambition. Next, it’s time to offer a glimpse of your professional drive and explain in more detail what you bring to a career switch, especially if you’ve been upskilling, taking classes, or attending trainings. This is an opportunity to blend your established reputation with your new career goals. If you’re making the change to pursue your passion or do more meaningful work, putting that fact on diisplay creates a fuller image of your personal values , mission, and vision for the future. 

For example: “I currently manage a team of 50 sales representatives in the constantly evolving healthcare sector. The most fascinating and fulfilling part of my job has always been developing a deep understanding of my client’s needs. Acting as a bridge to better service, consulting with them about updating their tools and training to focus on providing excellent treatment to their patients is so rewarding. I’m excited by the prospect of leveraging my social skills and years of experience working directly with healthcare providers to move into software development for the healthcare sector.” 

3. Show some emotion

Carefully placed action verbs and feelings help make your experience jump off the page. Potential employers aren’t just looking for a list of key skills — they want to imagine the person behind them. Choose language that conveys enthusiasm, drive, and work motivation , like “I’ve always been passionate about problem-solving and teamwork” or “I immediately connected with your company’s vision and commitment to sustainability.” 

4. Describe your past performance

Your successes in previous roles are the best predictor of the meaningful work you’ll accomplish in the next one — even if you’re moving to a new industry. Focus on accomplishments that demonstrate flexibility and a learning mindset to help the hiring manager envision a successful transition. You need to make the most out of your letter of interest , portfolio , and resume, so put the highlights on your resume and tell the story in your cover letter. 

For instance: “I oversaw a project to automate sales tracking systems, working with our tech team to evaluate the best strategies for the sales department. The project improved efficiency by 25% and decreased overhead costs by 15%.” 

Metrics quantify the value of your growth mindset and show off important skills like team collaboration , project management , and adaptability. 

5. Align your skills with the job description

Even if you’re at the height of your career, a hiring manager needs to know you can bridge the gap between your current role and the new position. Pay careful attention to the soft and hard skills they mention in the job posting and work them into your career transition cover letter. Don’t embellish for the sake of standing out, but do highlight the skills you can back up with valuable, direct experience. 

6. Write a memorable closing

Your closing is your opportunity to reiterate your excitement about the job opening. Adjectives like “eager,” “excited,” and “thrilled” demonstrate you’re ready to hit the ground running. 

Additionally, your cover letter for switching careers should invite further dialogue with a call to action. For example: “I’m eager to learn more about the role and look forward to sharing how I can bring my unique perspective and years of experience in [industry] to your organization.” 

Before digging into your resume or cover letter, a potential employer may peruse your job application or LinkedIn profile to understand your value as a candidate. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to turn a list of skills and experiences into a well-rounded picture of your character. 

The best cover letters balance highlighting your unique personality and perspective with proving you have what it takes to fill the job description. While your letter should represent you, you don’t have to start from scratch. Instead, build your own using a basic structure and templates for inspiration. You can also ask ChatGPT to generate a first draft for you with strategic prompts .

Here’s a general career change cover letter sample to consider:

Dear [hiring manager’s name], 

Thank you for considering my application for [ prospective job title] at [company name]. 

I’ve spent the last [years of experience] learning the ins and outs of [current industry], where I currently work as a [most recent job title]. I gravitated toward [industry] because of my passion for [the factors that pushed you to your current career]. The most fulfilling part of my career has been [transferable skills relevant to the new job posting]. I’ve built my expertise around [relevant skills], which were instrumental in accomplishing [a notable achievement or project]. 

I’m excited to transition into a new career chapter and follow my calling in [new field]. Reading about your company, I immediately connected with [core value]. I’m thrilled by the prospect of contributing [your vision or skills] and am eager to apply my unique perspective as a [current job title] in a new context. 

Attached is my resume. I’m eager to learn more about the company and how my background aligns with your needs.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue the conversation. 

Sincerely, 

[Your name]

When changing careers, you may feel worried about potential red flags in your resume, like career gaps or lack of direct experience . While your technical abilities are important, many recruiters and hiring managers prioritize soft skills , like leadership, critical thinking, and communication. Here’s a cover letter that balances proven soft skills and highlights your excitement to fill the gaps: 

Thank you for the opportunity to apply for [prospective job title] at [company name]. While I’ve developed my career in [industry], my enthusiasm for [relevant interest] combined with my proven [relevant transferable skills] has prepared me for this career path. 

Over the last [years of experience], I’ve cultivated a solid foundation in [relevant skills], which mirror the dynamic demands of [new industry]. 

I’m attracted to [new industry] because of [your interest or inspiration to switch to a new field]. The [specific aspect of your new field] that [company name] embodies deeply resonates with my personal values and professional aspirations. I’ve spent the last [months or years] learning [valuable technical skills or industry knowledge] through [examples of learning experiences, such as a class, seminar, or networking opportunity]. 

Attached is my resume, which underscores my transferable skills and [relevant coursework or certifications]. 

I’m confident that my adaptability, dedication to quality work, and passion for learning position me to hit the ground running and become a strong asset to your team. I look forward to discussing how my excitement and skill set align with your objectives. 

8 tips to write a successful career change cover letter 

Now that you have some cover letter examples for changing careers, let’s get into the fine print. Here are eight tips to help your career change cover letter lead to an interview: 

• Address the letter to the right person: General salutations — like “Dear hiring manager” — may give the impression you’re copying and pasting the same cover letter across several job postings. Likewise, it signals to the reader that you lacked the initiative and dedication to find out more about the role and the hiring team beyond what’s in a brief job posting. Take the time to learn the hiring manager's name and use it to kick off communications. 
• Keep things short: The objective of your cover letter is to spark a hiring manager’s interest and encourage them to read your resume . Keep your cover letter to a few well-curated paragraphs that balance your unique value with the requisites for the job role. 
• Research, research, research: The company’s website, social media, and other branded materials can provide insight into the organization’s mission and core values. Aligning your vision with the company’s is a great way to capture a hiring manager’s attention and let them know you fit the company culture .
• Explain your reasons for changing careers: The courage to take a chance on yourself and switch careers speaks volumes about your character. It’s nothing to shy away from. Highlight the reasons you decided to make the difficult career decision —  your resilience, fortitude, and decisiveness can provide a competitive advantage over more traditional candidates. 
• Mention new skills: Highlight how you’ve learned about your new industry, acquired technical skills, and prepared for the career switch. Whether it’s a one-day seminar or several months with a career coach , your drive for personal and professional development helps make your case for a smooth transition into a new industry. 
• Source references: Having a list of professional references and their contact information ready to send to a hiring manager is always a good idea. Carefully choose colleagues who can speak to your passion for your new industry and ability to adapt to change.
• Align all your communications: Consistency and clarity are important to hiring managers. When your LinkedIn profile, letter of intent , and resume have mismatched skills and work experience, the person reading them may pass you over for a candidate with a profile that’s easier to understand and imagine in the role. Double-check that all your information is up-to-date and consistent across all platforms and lines of communication. 
• Proofread : An enthralling story about your decision to dive into a new field can be thwarted by a misspelled word or poorly placed comma. Spelling and grammar errors can jeopardize your chances of an interview — hiring managers may worry that a lack of attention to detail could show up in more important areas of your work performance. If you’re not a natural copy editor, double-check your work with a proofreading app like Grammarly.

Learning to navigate career changes 

A career change is a big life decision , no matter where you are in your professional journey. After you’ve settled into your niche, shaking things up at 30, changing careers at 40 or following a new calling in your 50s might feel increasingly overwhelming. 

But it’s never too late to embrace change. Your professional life occupies a big part of your time, energy, and personal identity. You deserve to feel fulfilled — even if that means choosing a road less traveled. Carefully crafting a cover letter for a career change is an effective way to capture a hiring manager's attention from the jump and move one step closer to an exciting new opportunity. 

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15 teacher interview questions and how to answer them, why is there a labor shortage 5 ways it could impact you, drafting an effective reference request email, how to answer 8 phone interview questions to ace your interview, salary negotiation tips: how to ask for what you’re worth, how to quit a part-time job: 5 tips to leave on good terms, how to quit a job you just started: tips and guidance, learn how to reschedule an interview respectfully and professionally, 3 cover letter examples to help you catch a hiring manager’s attention, how to write a great cover letter in 2024: tips and structure, a guide on how to pick a new career, how to change careers: 5 ways to make the leap more doable, tips and tricks for writing a letter of interest (with examples), how to write a job application email that gets a reply, getting a new manager how to (stop panicking and) make the most of it, how & when to write a resignation letter (with samples), chatgpt cover letters: how to use this tool the right way, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Career Change Cover Letter

Cover letter maker.

Shifting careers? Make your transition smooth with our guide on writing Career Change Cover Letters . This comprehensive guide presents practical examples and expert writing tips to help you demonstrate your transferable skills and convince employers of your potential in a new field. Crafting a compelling career change cover letter can be your stepping stone to exciting new opportunities. Let’s explore the benefits of a well-written career change cover letter and how it can set you apart from other applicants.

What is a Career Change Cover Letter? Definition

A Career Change Cover Letter is a specialized type of cover letter written by job seekers who are switching to a new industry or job role different from their previous experience. This document aims to highlight the transferable skills and knowledge the applicant possesses that make them a suitable candidate for the new role, despite not having direct experience in the field. It provides an opportunity for the applicant to explain their motivation for the career change and reassure employers of their potential and commitment to the new career path.

What is the Best Example of Career Change Cover Letter?

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Your Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Employer’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP]

Dear [Employer’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting]. Although I have spent the majority of my career in [Current/Previous Industry], I am eager to transition into [New Industry] and I believe that my strong [mention specific skills] make me a promising candidate for this role.

In my current/previous role as a [Your Current/Previous Job Title] at [Your Current/Previous Company], I have [describe an achievement or responsibility that demonstrates relevant skills]. I believe this experience has prepared me well for the [Job Title] role at your company by demonstrating my ability to [mention a job requirement for the new role].

What attracts me to [New Industry] and specifically to your company is [explain your motivation for the career change and why you are interested in this company]. I am confident that my passion for [aspects of the new job] combined with my transferable skills make me a strong candidate for this role.

I would be thrilled to further discuss how my background and skills would allow me to contribute to your team. I am eager to bring my commitment and drive to succeed to this new opportunity. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Remember to tailor this template to the specific job and company you’re applying to, and be sure to highlight transferable skills and explain your interest in the new industry.

Size: 27 KB

Free Career Change Cover Letters – Copy & Paste

Explore our selection of good career change cover letters that you can copy, paste, and customize to fit your needs. These examples are designed to highlight your transferable skills, showcase your enthusiasm for the new industry, and convince potential employers of your suitability, making your career transition a smoother process. Use these as a springboard to create your own compelling career change cover letters.

1. Career Change Cover Letter No Experience

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Although I have been working in [Current Industry], I am eager to transition to [Target Industry] and believe that my transferrable skills and eagerness to learn will make me an asset to your team.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I have [mention a significant accomplishment or responsibility]. While these skills might not directly relate to [mention a responsibility of the target job], they demonstrate my ability to [mention a quality or trait required for the target job].

I am confident that my experience in [mention a transferrable skill or area of knowledge] and my passion for [mention an aspect of the target industry] make me a strong candidate for this position. I am excited to bring my unique perspective to the [Job Title] role at [Company Name], and look forward to the possibility of discussing my application further.

How to Use: This  no experience cover letter is perfect for individuals who are looking to switch industries but have no experience in their target field. It emphasizes transferrable skills and motivation to learn, which are crucial when changing careers.

Size: 26 KB

2. Career Change Cover Letter for Human Resources

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Having spent [Number of Years] in the [Current Industry], I am now keen to utilize my people management skills in a human resources capacity.

During my tenure as a [Your Current Job Title], I was frequently praised for my ability to handle complex situations with professionalism and a level-headed approach. I believe this skill, among others, makes me an ideal candidate for the position at your organization.

Your company’s reputation for [Company’s Best Feature] has always interested me, and I am confident that my experience in people management and my ability to [a specific HR related skill] can be an asset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my suitability for the position further.

How to Use: This hr cover letter is designed for professionals shifting into human resources. Highlight your people management skills, problem-solving capabilities, and willingness to learn new HR systems.

3. Career Change Cover Letter for Teachers

I am thrilled to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. While my professional experience lies in [Current Industry], my passion for education and mentoring has driven me to pursue a career in teaching.

In my previous role as [Your Current Job Title], I consistently [mention a significant achievement or responsibility that demonstrates a key teaching skill—e.g. communication, empathy, creativity]. This experience, coupled with my desire to inspire young minds, makes me confident that I would bring a unique and valuable perspective to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to have the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name], and I am ready to further discuss my qualifications in an interview.

How to Use: This teacher cover letter is ideal for professionals transitioning into teaching. Emphasize skills relevant to teaching such as communication, creativity, and patience, and express your passion for education.

Size: 24 KB

4. Career Change Cover Letter for Administrative Assistant

I am eager to apply for the Administrative Assistant position at [Company Name]. Despite having spent most of my career in [Current Industry], I have always admired the organizational skills and multitasking abilities that Administrative Assistants exhibit.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I have [describe an achievement or responsibility that demonstrates organizational skills or multitasking]. I am confident that these skills, along with my ability to work in a fast-paced environment, make me a strong candidate for this role.

I am thrilled about the opportunity to bring my unique skills to [Company Name] and support the team in any way I can.

Thank you for considering my application.

How to Use: This administrative assistant cover letter is for professionals transitioning into an administrative role. Highlight your organizational skills, multitasking abilities, and capacity to work in a fast-paced environment.

Size: 25 KB

5. Career Change Cover Letter for Job Opportunity

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. While I have greatly enjoyed my time in [Current Industry], I believe that this new opportunity aligns more closely with my long-term career goals.

Throughout my career as a [Your Current Job Title], I have developed key skills such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill]. These skills, coupled with my enthusiasm for [Target Industry], make me a perfect fit for this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the chance to discuss how my background and skills would benefit [Company Name].

How to Use: This job cover letter is designed for individuals who are seeking a career change due to new opportunities. It emphasizes key transferrable skills and enthusiasm for the new industry.

6. Career Transition Cover Letter

As an experienced [Your Current Job Title] in the [Current Industry], I have spent many years developing skills that I believe would be valuable in the [Target Industry]. This, coupled with my genuine interest in [Target Industry], has inspired me to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].

In my current role, I have gained [mention a transferrable skill or accomplishment] and have been recognized for my ability to [mention a quality relevant to the target job]. I am confident that these skills and experiences make me a strong candidate for this transition role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to your team.

How to Use: This template can be used by individuals who are seeking a significant career transition. It highlights transferrable skills and a genuine interest in the new industry.

7. Career Change Cover Letter for Resume

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. While my resume outlines my experience in [Current Industry], I believe it’s important to highlight how my skills translate to the [Target Industry].

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I have developed a strong skill set, including [mention a key skill] and [another key skill], which I believe could greatly benefit your team. I am eager to bring my [mention a key quality or trait] to a new challenge in the [Target Industry].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my candidacy further.

How to Use: This cover letter for resume specifically emphasizes the skills on your resume that are most relevant to the new industry you are targeting. It allows you to further elaborate on how these skills can be beneficial in your new role.

8. Professional Career Change Cover Letter

I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. After [Number of Years] in the [Current Industry], I am now seeking to leverage my professional experience into the [Target Industry].

Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated my strong [mention a transferrable skill or quality], which has contributed to my success in [Current Industry]. I am confident that these skills, combined with my knowledge and passion for [Target Industry], make me a strong candidate for this position.

I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss my suitability for this role. Thank you for considering my application.

How to Use: This professional cover letter  example is suitable for seasoned professionals seeking a career change. It allows you to highlight key professional skills that are transferrable to your new industry.

Size: 23 KB

9. Short Career Change Cover Letter

I am eager to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. While my experience has been in [Current Industry], I have always been interested in [Target Industry] and have been actively developing my skills in this area.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I have developed valuable skills such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill]. I believe these skills would greatly benefit your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to further discussing my suitability for this position.

How to Use: This brief cover letter is perfect for professionals who prefer a more succinct approach. It highlights your interest in the new industry and the key skills you have developed in your current role.

10. Career Change Cover Letter for Nursing Job

As a [Your Current Job Title] with a genuine passion for healthcare, I am excited to apply for the nursing position at [Company Name]. Though my career has been in the [Current Industry], I have always felt a calling towards nursing.

Throughout my career, I have consistently been recognized for my [mention a quality or trait relevant to nursing]. In addition, I have completed [mention any relevant training or certifications]. I believe these qualities, along with my passion for healthcare, make me an excellent candidate for this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss my qualifications.

How to Use: This nurse cover letter template is suitable for individuals transitioning into nursing. It showcases your relevant qualities, training, and passion for healthcare.

11. Career Change Cover Letter for Job Application

As a seasoned professional in the [Your Current Job Title], I am eager to apply my skills and experiences to a new challenge in the [Target Industry]. I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name].

Over the years, I have developed skills and qualities such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill]. These, I believe, will greatly benefit your team. I look forward to bringing my [mention a key quality or trait] to this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to discuss how I can contribute to your team.

How to Use: This job application cover letter is a perfect fit for a professional transitioning to a new industry. It highlights key skills and qualities that can be beneficial to the new role.

12. Career Switch Cover Letter

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With a successful career in [Current Industry] under my belt, I am eager to take on a new challenge in the [Target Industry].

I bring with me skills such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill]. These skills, coupled with my [mention a key quality or trait], make me a strong candidate for this position.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to further discussing my qualifications.

How to Use: This cover letter is a perfect fit for professionals looking to switch industries. It emphasizes transferable skills and the readiness to take on new challenges.

13. Persuasive Career Change Cover Letter

I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. After [Number of Years] in the [Current Industry], I have developed a robust set of skills that I believe are highly transferable to the [Target Industry].

In my current role, I have proven my ability to [mention a major achievement or skill]. These accomplishments, coupled with my passion for [Target Industry], make me a strong candidate for this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss my suitability for this role.

How to Use: This cover letter is highly persuasive, showcasing key achievements and passion for the new industry. It’s perfect for professionals who are confident about their transferable skills.

14. Career Change Cover Letter for Manager

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With a successful managerial career in the [Current Industry], I am ready to leverage my leadership skills in the [Target Industry].

Throughout my career, I have developed and honed skills such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill], both of which are crucial for a managerial role in any industry. I am confident that these skills, combined with my leadership experience, will prove beneficial in this new role.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further.

How to Use: This  manager cover letter is suitable for managers seeking a career change. It highlights leadership skills and other transferable skills that will prove beneficial in a managerial role in a new industry.

15. Career Change Cover Letter for Information Technology

I am excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. Though my experience has been in the [Current Industry], I have always had a keen interest in the dynamic field of information technology.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I have honed skills such as [mention a key skill] and [another key skill]. I have also pursued additional training in [mention any IT-related training or certifications you’ve obtained]. I believe that these skills and qualifications make me a strong candidate for this role.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to discuss my qualifications further.

How to Use: This template is ideal for individuals transitioning into the IT industry. It emphasizes interest in the field, relevant skills, and any additional IT-related training or certifications.

Career Change Statement Examples

1. “Leveraging a 10-year track record in team leadership, project coordination, and interpersonal communication from the hospitality industry to drive outcomes and increase efficiency in the healthcare sector.”

2. “Seeking to apply my extensive experience in financial management and strategic planning to the dynamic field of healthcare administration.”

3. “Transitioning from a successful career in real estate, where I developed skills in client relationship management and contract negotiation, to the high-growth e-commerce industry.”

4. “Leveraging a deep understanding of software development acquired during my time in the tech sector, I am keen on applying these skills to the burgeoning field of FinTech.”

5. “After spending several years in the marketing industry, I am looking to leverage my creative thinking and strategic planning skills in a career in urban planning and development.”

6. “Seeking to apply my background in customer service to a career in Human Resources, bringing excellent communication skills, empathy, and conflict resolution expertise.”

7. “With a proven track record in sales and business development, I am eager to bring my leadership skills and drive for results into the nonprofit sector to drive mission-driven outcomes.”

8. “Transitioning from a career in academic research to industry, eager to apply problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and a keen understanding of data analytics.”

9. “Following a successful career in the military, I am eager to transition into civilian project management roles, leveraging strong leadership, discipline, and strategic planning skills.”

10. “After a rewarding career in teaching, I am looking to use my skills in presentation, leadership, and mentorship in a corporate training role.”

How Do I Write a Cover Letter for a Change in my Career?

Writing a cover letter for a career change can be somewhat daunting, but it is an opportunity to showcase your transferable skills, demonstrate your passion for the new industry, and explain why you are making this change.

1. Opening: Start by addressing the hiring manager and expressing your enthusiasm for the position. Highlight your current profession and mention your intention to transition into the new industry.

2. Body: In the main body, focus on transferable skills, drawing parallels between what you’ve done and what the new role requires. Also, illustrate with examples where you’ve applied these skills. Be sure to relate these skills to the job requirements.

3. Concluding: Conclude by reiterating your interest in the new field and the specific job you’re applying for. Show gratitude for their consideration and express your eagerness to discuss further in an interview.

How Do You Say You Need a Change in Career?

When explaining your need for a career change, it’s essential to communicate your reasons in a positive and professional manner. Here are a few examples:

1. “I am eager to transition into an industry that better aligns with my professional interests and personal values.” 2. “I am seeking a new challenge that will enable me to leverage my skills and experience in a different context.” 3. “I have developed a strong interest in [target industry] and I am excited about the opportunity to apply my [transferable skills] in this new area.”

Avoid speaking negatively about your current or past industry or employers. Keep the focus on your professional growth and the opportunities that the career change offers.

Tips for Career Change Cover Letter

1. Highlight Transferable Skills: Identify the skills that are relevant to the new industry or role and provide examples that demonstrate these skills in action.

2. Show Passion: Demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment for the new industry. Show that you are motivated and ready to transition.

3. Emphasize Soft Skills: Soft skills like communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability are valuable in many fields.

4. Explain Your Reasons: Briefly explain why you’re making the change. Your reasons should be positive and focused on your future career growth.

5. Customize Your Cover Letter: Tailor each cover letter to the specific role and company. This shows the employer that you’ve done your research and understand what the role entails.

6. Address Any Gaps or Concerns: If you think the employer may have reservations about your application, address these proactively in your cover letter. Explain any gaps in employment or lack of direct experience in a positive way.

7. End Strongly: Finish your letter by summarizing why you’re a good fit for the role and expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to interview. This leaves a strong impression and propels the hiring manager to consider your application seriously.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Write a cover letter for a college student applying for an internship at an educational technology company

Form a cover letter for a high school student seeking a part-time job at a local bookstore.

• Cover Letter Tips

How To Write the Best Career Change Cover Letter (+ Examples) 

So, you want to try something completely new? When you’re thinking about a career change, your cover letter is an essential tool. Your resume will tell the hiring manager about your experience, but you’ll use the cover letter to fill in the blanks.

Frankly, when you're changing careers, you have to work just a bit harder than any other applicants with a more intuitive work history. That means showing that the experience you have is an asset and that it can be transferred to this new role. Luckily, you can do all of this (and more!) by writing a well-thought-out career change cover letter. 

A career change cover letter is an opportunity to start a conversation to explain exactly why you're applying for a job outside of your current field. Get this right, and you will convince any hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the job. But how do you get started?

Here at ZipJob, we give you the resources you need to supercharge your job search. In the following guide, we’ll share seven tips from our professional resume writers on how to write the best career change cover letter. We've also got a career change cover letter example for you to check out.

More common than you might think

First, a word of encouragement: In our fast-paced and rapidly changing economy, people are changing careers at rates that would have been unthinkable just a few short generations ago. In fact, recent statistics show that people have an average of 12 jobs in their lifetime. 

That can create problems for many applicants, however, and you may not be sure how you can use your resume to properly convey the right experience needed for your new career. The good news is that you can take care of that concern by using that other vital application tool: the cover letter.

7 tips for your career change cover letter

Ready to put pen to paper? When you're writing a career change cover letter, it's important to stay on task. This isn't the place to write a heart-to-heart that reads more like a journal entry than a professional document. Instead, focus on what makes you a great applicant. 

To help you along the way, we have some expert-backed tips below:

1. Make sure you use the right words

Changing careers is a big deal. While your resume will have covered your skills and experience, you can use this letter to really sell yourself to the hiring manager. What you lack in experience, you may be able to make up for in the willingness to learn.

While you can use your cover letter to explain why you want a new career, it doesn’t start and end there. This is also an opportunity to share why you are ready to switch things up. With that in mind, use words that excite the hiring manager and show your desire to work in your chosen field. The more creative you are with the language you use, the better here.

2. Be honest about your career change

The biggest mistake you could make here is trying to sneak your way into a new sector. The hiring manager already has your resume, so they know that you don’t have experience in this field. You should never try to bamboozle them into interviewing you on the basis of faux experience. Even if you do make it to the interview level, you will soon get found out. 

Instead, you need to be 100% honest about your career change. Direct your cover letter to the hiring manager and be clear about why you are switching industries. For example, you may have reached the highest heights in your current sector and feel it’s time for a change. On the other hand, you may have a real passion for this new field and want to pursue it. 

Whatever your reason is, now is the time to talk about it. You don’t need to write a short memoir. The hiring manager will ask you more in-depth questions at the interview stage. However, it’s smart to outline your reasoning here so that you fill in the blanks. State that you are looking to move sectors and try to give a compelling reason to the reader now.

3. Emphasize your transferable skills

When you’re writing a career change cover letter, this is vital. Transferable skills are your current talents that would help you succeed in a different position. These skills are often soft skills but may also be technical or analytical skills from your previous profession. Identify what your strengths are. How might those help you in another industry?

You can also approach this from the other side by spending some time analyzing the company’s needs. Look at the job description, the company website, and recent media coverage to identify the core skills that this company requires. Once you’ve honed in on those needs, you can determine which of your skills can help to make you a great candidate for the job.

Of course, you should heavily feature your transferable skills on your resume. Once you've noted them, you can offer more of an explanation in your cover letter about how each skill will apply to this new job. 

Emphasize your relevant skills within the body of the career change cover letter too. That means including specific examples of how they have helped you to achieve certain results and goals in the past. Show the hiring manager what you have to bring to the table. You can do this by identifying the overlap between your two fields and highlighting it clearly. Be brief, but be sure to answer why you're applying and why you're worth interviewing.

Key Takeaway

The key to a career change cover letter is to identify and highlight related and transferable skills.

4. Focus on your results

Results matter more than you think. The number one thing that will push you ahead of your competition are fantastic accomplishments on your resume . Your accomplishments are still valid, even when changing careers: awards, honors, and other results that show you're a high-achieving employee will make you look like a winner. 

Your career change cover letter gives you a chance to explain why it's so impressive that you accomplished something. Try to figure out numbers or metrics – these really stand out on resumes and cover letters. Quantifying your results will show the hiring manager that your hard work achieves big things. This fact will surely grab their attention. 

To showcase those results, you need to emphasize the success that you’ve enjoyed in prior jobs, providing details that help to connect those successes to your transferable skills. From there, you only need to complete the picture by explaining how your prior achievements and transferable skills can offer tangible benefits to the new company.

Always use the STAR method

Showcasing your results and quantifying them doesn’t have to be hard. Make your statements stand out by using the STAR method throughout your cover letter. 

5. Demonstrate genuine passion

Let your passion for the company be on full display so that the hiring manager knows you care about getting the position. Mention something new or interesting the company has accomplished, or relate to the company's core values. You can add your personality to your cover letter – as long as it stays relevant!

Take the time to do your homework so that you have a firm understanding of what the company does and how it hopes to achieve its goal. It’s also worth trying to understand the company culture ahead of time. That will enable you to properly convey your passion for the position in the body of your cover letter. In short, figure out what the vibe is and match it.

6. Tailor your resume to reflect your career change goals

If this is your first time creating a career change cover letter, be sure to review your resume when you’re done so that everything is properly coordinated. It all needs to match up. You don’t want any inconsistencies between those two important documents: your cover letter should only talk about experiences that are also mentioned on your resume.

To keep your message clear, make any resume changes that are needed to keep it aligned with the message on your cover letter. Remember, it’s the little things that often make the difference between success and failure. 

If your resume isn't tailored for your career transition goals, check out this article next: How To Tailor Your Resume For Different Positions

7. End with a strong conclusion 

When you’ve done all of the above, it’s time to sign off. The end of your cover letter is a good chance to reaffirm why you want to take this step. You may also want to add that you will help the business in question meet its goals. One of the more critical things you can do with your career change cover letter is insert some type of call to action – encouraging the reader to reach out to you. 

Remember, the hiring manager will naturally slow their reading pace down as they reach the bottom of the page. For that reason, it is vital that you end on a strong and clear note.

Career change cover letter example

This example is to the point and easy to scan through. It has several examples of how the applicant has added value in the past, using numbers that are easy for the reader to translate to a different industry.

Notice also that this letter – like all good cover letters – includes a professional heading and uses a business letter format. It is highly specific, a quick but clear message that you've put some thought into tailoring your cover letter. 

The letter does not use a generic "to whom it may concern" greeting; ideally, you can find the name of the hiring manager. When in doubt, addressing your letter to a "hiring team" is a good alternative.

The heading with your own information was borrowed from the updated resume format we used to share 200+ resume examples written by our professional resume writers. Using the same format for your resume and cover letter is another instance of details that stand out.

Focus on value; win the day 

As you can see, the cover letter for a career change is similar to many others. You still want to focus on the value you can add to the company. By emphasizing your transferable skills, focusing on past achievements, and demonstrating your interest in the new company, you should be able to leverage your existing skill set in a way that sets you apart from the crowd.

Ready to take the leap and start that new career? Use the ZipJob free resume review now to get the insights that you need to perfect your next application and get ahead of the competition. 

Recommended reading: 

9 Cover Letter Mistakes That Cost You Interviews - ZipJob

7 Signs It's Time To Quit Your Job

How to Ask for a Job Referral + 5 Examples

Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer, Charlotte Grainger, Editor & Content Writer

Charlotte Grainger is a freelance writer living and working in Sheffield, UK. She has a passion for career development and loves sharing tips and advice. Follow her on Twitter

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How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter in 7 Steps (+3 Cover Letter Examples)

• Julia Mlcuchova , 
• Updated April 17, 2024 14 min read

How do you write a career change cover letter ? You write it well, of course! After all, the cover letter can make or break your chances at successfully completing a career switch. 

Not that career change is easy to begin with. It can often feel like trying to make your way through an obstacle course — no matter where you turn, new challenges just keep popping out of nowhere. And yet, a staggering 58% of workers are thinking about changing careers , according to a FlexJobs survey .

But inevitably, there comes a moment when you'll need to justify your choice to a new employer and prove that you're more than well-equipped to handle the new responsibilities.  

And what better way to do that than via a cover letter! 

So, if you want to change careers this year, keep reading to discover:

• What is a cover letter;
• Whether you should write a cover letter for career change;
• How to write a cover letter for a career change in just 7 steps;
• And, 3 career change cover letter examples.

Table of Contents

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What is a cover letter?

Should you write a cover letter for career change, how to write a cover letter for a career change in 7 steps, career change cover letter examples, key takeaways: career change cover letter.

A cover letter is a formal document which, together with a resume, makes up the core of any well-rounded job application. 

It serves as the first point of contact between you and the recruiters. And for that reason, it's responsible for making the first impression (good or bad).

Unlike a resume, a cover letter allows you to:

• share a bit of your personality, 
• provide context for your background, 
• and present your career aspirations. 

It's your chance to make a compelling case for why you should be considered for the role, beyond just the bullet points on your resume. 

Yes, you absolutely should!

Let us explain: A resume is great for presenting the numbers and objective facts. But it doesn't offer you much space for creating a compelling narrative . 

When you're applying for a job as a career changer , you're already at a disadvantage - you're missing one of the crucial ingredients for the ideal job candidate.

An average recruiter needs only 6 seconds to look at your resume and recognize your lack of experience as a problem. And that's reason enough to move your application from the list of potential candidates to the bin.  

But it's all about perspective. And perspectives can change based on how you frame it — is your career change really a shortcoming? Or is it a testimony to your passion, dedication, and willingness to leave the comforts of your old job for a new one? 

Changing careers but don't feel like writing your cover letter?

Let our AI Cover Letter Writer handle it for you. Your first draft will be ready in seconds!

Although there isn't any definitive or universal manual on how to write the perfect career change cover letter, following these 7 steps will allow you to craft one which hits all the marks that matter.

Place your contact information ( including: your name; professional email address; phone number; link to your web page/portfolio/social media accounts if relevant) in the top section of your cover letter.

If you can find the name of the hiring manager, simply greet them with “Dear [full name],” or “Dear Mrs/Mr [last name],” . If not, you can address the letter more generally to “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Recruitment Office,” .

Capture the hiring manager's attention by making your goals and motivation for the new job position known. For example, you can share a personal story or an anecdote that shows your passion for the job in a unique way. 

Despite any possible discomfort, you have to be transparent about the fact that you don't have any previous work experience in the given job position. Any attempt at camouflaging could reflect badly on your professionalism and integrity. 

You must prove that despite not having previous work experience in this particular position, you're still able to handle the responsibilities and duties that define it. For this purpose, use transferable skills that you've picked up in your former profession, during volunteering, through courses, or thanks to your lifelong interest in the job position.

Additionally, establish a sentimental connection between yourself and the potential employer. You can reference, for example, the company's mission, values, recent projects, or any charities/non-profit organization the company promotes.

Finally, in the closing statement you should: 1. Reiterate your desire to work for the company, 2. Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration, 3. Include a call for action, 4. Sign off professionally.

Now, we'll look at each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Start with your contact information

First of all, you need to deal with the basic conventions. After all, a cover letter is still a formal letter, though in digital form. And every formal letter needs to contain details about its sender. 

These include:

• professional email address,
• current phone number,
• link to online portfolio/web page/ social media accounts (if relevant) .

Make sure that all your contact information is updated and spelled correctly . This may seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how easily these small mistakes can creep in. 

Place your contact information at the top of your career change cover letter so that they draw the attention of recruiters immediately. 

Don't forget to also mention the company's contact information or that of its hiring manager. This isn't all that necessary but again…formalities.

Step 2: Open with a polite greeting

If you're lucky, the name of the hiring manager (or recruiter) will be mentioned somewhere in the job posting you're responding to. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. 

But with the power of the internet by your side, this shouldn't be much of a problem. Try to dig up the addressee's name from the company's official website or their LinkedIn profile .

It's always better to address the hiring manager by their name — it helps establish a personal connection between you two. 

But don't overthink it! A simple “Dear [first name] [last name],” or “Dear Mrs/Mr [last name],”  will do just fine. 

In case the hiring manager's name is nowhere to be found, you can use one of these 5 email salutations . 

Step 3: Kick off with a strong introductory paragraph

The purpose of your cover letter's introductory paragraph is to give the reader a little something to make them interested in the rest of your cover letter. 

Normally, you'd try to hook the reader by pointing out that you fulfill the main candidate requirements. Like so:

Opening paragraph example

“As a seasoned professional with a Master’s Degree in Business Economics , I bring four years of comprehensive experience in the finance sector, highlighted by leading a team that successfully increased our portfolio’s annual growth by 20%.”

But since you're switching careers, this formula won't work for you. Instead, you could charm the recruiters with your:

• motivation,
• passion, 
• or purpose. 

These are the cards you need to play when writing a career change cover letter! 

So, don't be afraid to get personal here — share a story that depicts the workings behind your decision to switch careers. Just remember to stay professional! It's a fine line, we know, but you must tread it expertly. 

For example, your introduction could look something like this: 

Opening paragraph for career change cover letter example

“My journey into the world of business finance began unexpectedly, over coffee chats and spreadsheets helping my family’s small business navigate tough financial waters. This experience wasn’t just eye-opening; it became a calling. I realized my knack for numbers and strategic planning could make a real difference beyond the classroom. That’s why I’m thrilled about the opportunity to bring my passion and fresh perspective to [Company Name] as part of your finance team.”

Step 4: Address your career change

And now it's time to acknowledge the elephant in the room!

While it may be tempting to conceal the fact that you're trying to enter a new profession, don't hide it. In the end, it could cause you more harm than good. 

Because the recruiters will know just by taking a single glance at your career change resume . 

Fail to address this, and you're running the risk of giving the impression that you're unprofessional. Or that you're being dishonest. And either of the two can leave a really bad taste. 

So, when writing about your career switch, be upfront, be direct, but don't be apologetic! Remember, you need to persuade the recruiters that you're confident in your abilities.

Step 5: Showcase your potential with transferable skills

Basically, this part of your career change cover letter is all about closing the gap between what you used to do and what you want to do. 

In other words, you must show that you have more to offer besides your unrivaled motivation. 

And the best way to do this is by talking about any relevant transferable skills you've picked up along the way. The keyword being relevant! 

For example, the project manager skills you developed while working in marketing may translate well into leading teams in pretty much any industry. Or the insights into SEO that you've gained as a copywriter can become valuable in your new PR position.

In short, your transferable skills can be anything from hard skills like computer proficiencies , to soft skills like problem-solving , leadership, communication, team management, and so on.  

Besides abilities you've gained from a previous employment, you can also focus on those you've acquired thanks to: 

• volunteering,
• lifelong interest in a specific profession,
• personal projects and ventures,
• and training/certifications/ courses .

But don't just list them! 

Instead, you need to clearly demonstrate how your new employers would benefit from your skills despite coming from a different background. 

Here's a brief how-to:

• Firstly, you need to brainstorm about what skills you possess that might be useful in your new job position. 
• Then, align them with the requirements outlined in the job posting. 
• Out of the bunch pick 2-3 skills that are essential for succeeding in the new position. 
• Finally, provide a proof that you have these skills by giving examples of how you utilized them in your previous job (back your claims by quantifiable data if possible).

Transferable skills on a cover letter example

“In my role as a Project Manager, I led a team of 10 in developing and executing a marketing campaign that resulted in a 25% increase in customer engagement over six months. This experience honed my skills in strategic planning , c ross-functional team leadership , and data-driven decision-making . I am excited to apply these skills to the role of [New Position], where I can contribute to [Company’s] success.”

Step 6: Highlight your interest in the company

And don't just say that you want to work for them because they pay more. In fact, don't mention salary at all! 

In this section of your career change cover letter, you need to show your affinity to this particular company that goes beyond mere financial gain. Why them?

But before you jump into it headfirst, do these three things: research, research, and more research! 

Read their website, stalk their social accounts, go through their quarterly reports, pull up any news articles, look at their LinkedIn page — and do all that without reservations. And try to find answers to the following questions:  

• What is the company culture like?
• What are the company values/mission?
• What projects did they work on? 
• What events did they organize?
• Do they support any non-profit organizations? 

Let the information you learn be your pointers. And then, all you need to do is try to be as honest as you can. 

For your inspiration, consider this example:

Showing affinity with company example

“I’ve always admired the Neverwas Company for not just what you do, but how you do it—especially your support for the Environment Institution in cleaning up local beaches last summer. It’s this kind of work that inspires me. In my last job, I organized community clean-up events, and I see a lot of overlap in our values. I’m excited about the chance to bring my passion and skills to a team that cares so much about making a difference.”

Step 7: Bow out with a strong closing paragraph

And now, all that's left to do is apply a few finishing touches. 

The final paragraph of your career change cover letter should include: 

• A reiteration of your desire to work for the company. But only briefly. 
• An expression of gratitude. Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration.
• A call for action. Such as expressing your wish for a personal meeting. 
• An appropriate sign-off. Depending on how you greeted the recipient of your cover letter, you can sign off with either “Yours sincerely,” or “Best regards,”. If you addressed the recruiter by their name, sign off with the former; if not, use the latter. 

In case you'd like to see how to close the curtain with finesse, these 8 great cover letter endings are just waiting to be read. 

And now, let's put all these steps together and look at 3 complete cover letters, made with our cover letter templates .

#1 Career change cover letter example

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

Why does it work?

• This example does a great job of making the text digestible and easy to follow . Because the last thing you want is to have your cover letter looking cluttered and disorganized. 
• Another interesting element is the inclusion of bullet points . It’s yet another way of making you cover letter visually distinct.

#2 Career change cover letter example

This cover letter was made using Kickresume templates.

What’s good about this example?

• The candidate’s contact information stands apart from the rest of the text, making it easy to spot. 
• Also, this person manages to bridge the gap between marketing and UX design by identifying a principle common for both - customer satisfaction. This motive is then repeated throughout the whole cover letter. 
• Another thing worth pointing out is the detailed description of the candidate's most relevant achievements .

#3 Career change cover letter example

What can you take away.

• This cover letter example opens with a bang ! The candidate communicates his passion for the new job load and clear. From his writing, it's obvious that his career change was inspired by a genuine desire to facilitate memorable events for his clients. 
• Despite the fact that accountancy and event organization have very little in common, Robert was able to draw transferable skills from his volunteering experience . 
• And, to better illustrate the scope of his skills, Bob provided quantifiable data to bolster his competencies. 

For more cover letter samples, feel free to browse our cover letter database .

To sum it all up, a compelling career change cover letter is your best bet at persuading hiring managers to give you a chance. 

As a career changer, you probably have little to no work experience that directly relates to the profession you want to transition to. That's why you should focus your cover letter on: 

• your passion and dedication to the job
• any relevant transferable skills 
• explaining your reasons for the professional pivot

To craft an effective cover letter that addresses all three themes mentioned above, we recommend following these simple 7 steps:  

• Start with your contact information
• Open with a polite greeting
• Kick off with a strong introductory paragraph
• Address your career change
• Showcase your potential with transferable skills
• Highlight your interest in the company
• Bow out with closing paragraph

Finally, if you've just started looking into a career change because you're unhappy in your current job but don't know what profession to focus on, feel free to explore how to become:

• an architect ,
• a real estate agent ,
• a psychologist ,
• a human resources manager ,
• a chiropractor ,
• or a Scrum Master .

As a rule, your cover letter shouldnt exceed one page! Anything longer than that and you're risking discouraging the hiring manager from ever reading it. Your cover letter should recount the best parts of your professional life and your motivation, not the whole story.

By far the biggest mistake you can make is NOT customizing your cover letter to fit specific requirements of the job posting you're responding to. Other minor, but no less significant, mistakes include: spelling errors, grammar mistakes, and typos. So make sure you proofread your cover letter before hitting send. 

Although your cover letter is still a formal document, it's also your chance to establish a connection with the recruiter on a personal level. And your tone of voice should reflect both of these realities. Be professional, but not too stiff; confident but not arrogant; friendly, but not too nonchalant.

That depends.You can name-drop your previous employer if you feel like it will give you more professional credit. But don't dwell on this for too long. And never EVER speak badly about your past employer, colleagues, or team. Such behaviour reflects negatively on your professionalism and integrity.

When you're looking for a new job, every moment is precious. That's why you should consider trying an AI tool that helps you create the first draft of your cover letter. Simply enter your most recent job title, press the “Use AI Writer” button and the AI writer will generate a cover letter for you. And the best thing is, you can try it for free .

Julia has recently joined Kickresume as a career writer. From helping people with their English to get admitted to the uni of their dreams to advising them on how to succeed in the job market. It would seem that her career is on a steadfast trajectory. Julia holds a degree in Anglophone studies from Metropolitan University in Prague, where she also resides. Apart from creative writing and languages, she takes a keen interest in literature and theatre.

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Professional Career Change Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your career change cover letter needs to capture your passion for the new field. It must also convincingly explain your decision to switch tracks. Showcase the skills that are transferrable to the new role. Highlight any relevant experience, no matter how indirect, that can support your candidacy.

Cover Letter Guide

Career Change Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Career Change Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on a career change journey often feels daunting, especially when crafting that pivotal career change cover letter. You've updated your resume and started applying, only to realize that a compelling cover letter is a crucial next step. It's not about rehashing your resume; it's your chance to highlight your proudest professional moment in a narrative that captivates. Striking the right balance between formal tone and avoiding overused phrases, all while keeping your story to one page, is where the real challenge lies.

• Personalize your career change cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
• Format and design your career change cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
• Introduce your best achievement in your career change cover letter to recruiters;
• How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your career change cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.

What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your career change resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.

If the career change isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Career Change resume guide and example
• Military to Civilian cover letter example
• Volunteer cover letter example
• Returning to Work cover letter example
• Work from Home cover letter example
• Campus Director cover letter example
• Stay at Home Mom cover letter example
• US cover letter example
• ATS cover letter example
• Spanish Translator cover letter example
• Non Profit cover letter example

Career Change cover letter example

Victoria Baker

Des Moines, Iowa

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Emphasize relevant project experience: The cover letter highlights the candidate's ability to manage a significant healthcare project, such as the digitization of patient education tools, showcasing an understanding of how to integrate technology within healthcare effectively.
• Demonstrate measured success: Mentioning a specific quantifiable outcome (40% increase in patient engagement) proves the candidate’s claim of impact and success, which is essential for roles focusing on improving processes and outcomes.
• Show alignment with company values: The applicant aligns personal professional values with the company’s objectives, such as enhancing user engagement, which demonstrates an understanding of and a fit with the company culture.
• Express relevant soft skills: The cover letter points out the candidate's skills in project management, teamwork, and design principles, which are pertinent to the job's requirements and the effective execution of responsibilities.

What should your career change cover letter look like - formatting and organizing your information

Have you ever wondered what are the must-have sections you need to include in your career change cover letter? Our builder sets those up for you with:

• Header - dedicated to your contact information, the role you're applying for, and the date (don't forget to include your name);
• Greeting and opening paragraph - to create a personalized and memorable experience for recruiters;
• Body paragraph - emphasizing your skill set and knowledge that aligns with the role and helps you to stand out;
• Closing paragraph - leaving a great impression and ending with an optional signature.

Use a cover letter template to discover the best formatting for your career change cover letter: that is single-spaced paragraphs and wrapping your content in a one-inch margin.

Ensure that both your resume and career change cover letter are in the same font . Stand apart from the crowd by using modern, yet simple fonts, like Chivo and Rubik, instead of the overused Arial and Times New Roman.

Did you know that the Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your career change cover letter? Instead, submit your profile in PDF to recruiters to keep the same formatting and the design intact.

The top sections on a career change cover letter

• Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information, which shows professionalism and makes it easy for the recruiter to reach you.
• Greeting: Address the hiring manager by name if possible, as personalizing the cover letter can grab the recruiter's attention and demonstrate your attention to detail.
• Introduction: Clearly state your intent to change careers and the specific role you're applying for, laying the groundwork for your rationale and passion for this new path.
• Career Transition Explanation: In one or two paragraphs, articulate why you are changing careers and how your previous experiences have equipped you with transferable skills relevant to the new role.
• Conclusion and Call to Action: End with a strong closing statement that reiterates your enthusiasm for the role, thanks the recruiter for their consideration, and suggests a follow-up meeting or phone call to discuss your application further.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

Unfortunately, without a specified job title, it's impossible to list qualities, experiences, and traits unique to that role. Job titles come with different expectations. A software developer would need technical expertise in programming languages, while a sales position would prioritize customer relations and a track record of sales achievements. Please provide a specific job title for a tailored response.

How to personalize your career change cover letter greeting

Before you start writing your career change cover letter, take the time to find out who is recruiting for the role.

Search for the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the corporate website to address them personally in your career change cover letter salutation .

What if you can't find out who's recruiting for the role?

Always aim to avoid the very impersonal "Dear Sir/Madam" - instead, opt out for "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager" to make a better first impression.

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Department] Team,
• Dear [Company Name] Recruiter,
• Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
• Dear [Title] [Last Name],
• Dear [First Name] [Last Name],

Using your career change cover letter intro to show your dedication

We know just how difficult it is to start writing your career change cover letter introduction .

There are so many great qualities you have as a professional, which one should you choose?

How about writing up to two sentences about your passion and commitment to the work you do or are set to do?

Try to describe exactly what you enjoy about the potential role.

A positive attitude from the get-go will help you stand out as a motivated career change professional.

How to select your best achievement for the middle, or the career change cover letter body

You probably feel exhausted by this point in your application: you've dived into all the details of your success and skills in your career change resume.

What else can you include in your career change cover letter body ?

Well, for starters, the next three to six paragraphs should show you further value as a professional. Or, why should recruiters choose you?

Think back on a noteworthy achievement that answers key job requirements and dive deep.

Structure your career change cover letter middle as you'd a story: following chronological logic and highlighting outcomes, thanks to skills.

At the end of the day, you'd want recruiters to be able to see you as the best candidate for the role and understand more about who you are and what makes your success unique (and valuable to the role).

A sincere and original way to end your career change cover letter

When writing their career change cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".

Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner .

Write about:

• how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
• the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
• the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).

No experience career change cover letter: making the most out of your profile

Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their career change cover letter to stand out.

Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.

Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.

Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?

Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.

Key takeaways

Creating your career change cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:

• Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
• Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
• Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
• Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
• End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

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9+ SAMPLE Career Change Cover Letters in PDF | MS Word

Career change cover letters | ms word, career change cover letter, what is a career change cover letter, parts of a career change cover letter, tips on writing a career change cover letter, why do people want to change careers, how many college graduates use their degree for work, will my friends and family support this new career endeavor.

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Career Change Cover Letter Templates - How to Write

A career change cover letter is used when an individual is looking for a position in a different career field to the one they are currently working in. As you may know, a cover letter is used to introduce yourself to an employer, but it can also be used to further elaborate on your circumstances. In this guide, we'll be showing you a sample cover letter for career change needs.

• # Career Change Cover Letter Sample
• # Tips for Writing Career Change Cover Letter
• # How to Edit Career Change Cover Letter Template

Career Change Cover Letter Template

This is a free cover letter template for career change. Free Download and customize it according to the sample text below.

Supported formats

Career change cover letter sample (text).

In this section, you'll find our career change cover letter sample, as well as a guide on how to structure each section as we go through it:

• Start with contact information. Yours and the company's contact information should be the address headers of your professional cover letter. It should look a little like this:

"Your Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Postcode Phone Number Email

Company Manager Company Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Postcode Phone Number Email Day/Month/Year"

• Address a person at the start of your letter. If you can't find the name of an individual or manager to direct your cover letter to, call the company and ask, or use something ambiguous. For example:

"Dear Recruiting Representative,"

• Now add a subject line. A subject line is used to direct the letter reader's attention to the reason behind the letter before they read the whole page:

"Re: Open position for Customer Service Manager"

• Start the first paragraph. Your first paragraph should explain why you're writing to the company. It usually briefly outlines a previous or current position that you can relate to the job you're applying for, but, for the purposes of a career change cover letter, you'll be noting your current position, but telling the reader that you want to change careers. See below for example:

"I am writing to express my interest in the Customer Service Manager position that you have advertised on your website. I am currently working as an Operations Manager and I am looking for a change in career path. My CV is attached for your viewing leisure."

• Second paragraph. The second paragraph of your cover letter for career change purposes should outline your skills and experience which you can relate to the job position that you're applying for. This is vital in a career change cover letter. See below:

"In my current position as an Operations Manager, I have spent a large amount of time around clients, getting to grips with their needs, and soothing any disputes that happen. In addition to these customer service skills, I am highly organised, and have great attention to detail. I am able to recognise recent and frequent clients, and I have build up a good rapport for being the friendly go-to face of the company."

• Third paragraph. In the third paragraph you should further outline your experiences, your skills, and what makes you stand out as an applicant. For example:

"In my current position, I lead a team of 6 associates, all of which I have trained personally. Some of them came to the company as interns, and others were brought aboard as associates straight away. It's my job to train them in human resource tasks, and how to deal with particular clients that need specialised services."

• Closing paragraph. The closing paragraph in a career change cover letter in used to further elaborate on why you believe this new position would be an effective career step to you. It is here that you appeal to the employer to give you a chance, based on your skills:

"I hope that you'll find my skills and experiences interesting enough to consider a face-to-face meeting. I am very excited about the prospect of changing careers, and this position at your company feels like a perfect fit. I can identify with your mission to provide excellent customer service, and you'll benefit from a manager who has had experience in dealing with customers and training employees."

• Closing statement. Politely inform the employer that you're looking forward to hearing from them soon, and sign-off with a closing salutation and your name.

Tips for Writing Career Change Cover Letter

The above career change cover letter sample with its structure broken down should help you write your own career change cover letter, but just in case you get stuck, here's a few more tips:

• Emphasise your transferable skills. When you're writing a cover letter for career change applications, your transferable skills will be what gets you noticed by the employer.
• Highlight your performance. Talk about the things you've done for your current company, the training you've had, the people you've trained, and your successes.
• Express a want to work at the new company. It's not just about a change in career, you need to be passionate about the company you're applying for, too.
• Don't use text language.
• Don't go off on a tangent during your email cover letter and keep it under a page.
• Tell a story. Employers like hearing about your experiences, they want to know how you've handled situations, or what your current job is like.

We wish you the best of luck in your career change.

How to Edit Career Change Cover Letter Template

To edit the beautiful career change cover letter template in this page, you need a professional PDF editor: Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor . It will help you make any changes to the PDF templates, including the texts, images, graphics, forms etc.

Step 1. Open the Career Change Cover Letter Template

Step 2. Click on "Edit" and Enter Your Text as You Like

Step 3. Complete and Save Your Career Change Cover Letter

Posted by Elise Williams to Updated: 2024-04-18 13:58:49

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Last Published 7/25/24

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Resumes & Cover Letters

Creating a dynamic resume and cover letter can set you on the right path in acquiring your dream job. Learn how to create documents that will make you stand out to potential employers.

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Resume Writing Tips

What is a resume

What is a Resume?

Your resume is a concise summary of your qualifications that relate to the position for which you are applying. It serves as an advertisement of what you have to offer and creates a prospective employer’s first impression of you. Employers screen resumes in between 2.5 and 10 seconds, so your resume should quickly capture the reader’s interest.  A resume distills to one page all of your education, training, leadership, and work experience in relationship to your potential value to an employer or an opportunity.

Brainstorm a list of experiences and skills that you might want to include in a resume. Consider your academic background, paid and volunteer work or internships, research projects, awards, and special skills. Once you have compiled your list, you can start organizing this information to the position or industry that you are targeting.

Gathering Career Information

After you have completed your personal inventory and have developed your career goals, you will then want to research these career areas and those employers that are active in them. For each potential position you need to know the qualifications, duties, and skills required for the job, and any special talents or personal characteristics sought by the employer.

Organizing Your Resume

Your name, address, telephone number, and email address are centered at the top of the page or placed to one side. Do not use headings such as "name," "telephone," "resume." This information is self-evident and the headings are unnecessary.

If you state a career objective, it should be brief, concise and address the current job only, not future career plans. This category should be used only when your job objective is clear or definite.

Your educational history should be placed near or at the top of the page if it is your most important qualification. Under this heading include the names of schools, degrees, major, minor or concentration and dates received or expected graduation.

These areas can be titled "Work Experience," or "Professional Experience,”  “Volunteer Experience,”  Internship Experience" or "Related Experience.” In describing your work experience, use action words which will show your strengths and skills.

This category can include club and professional memberships, awards, honors, volunteer experience, and community service.

Skills included should be hard skills, technical experience, or knowledge of another language. Academic or work accomplishments can be included.

Choosing a Format

There is no single prescribed resume format but the two basic styles of resumes are chronological and functional. Some resumes use features of both and are called combination resumes. 

• This is the most widely used and familiar format. The experience section is listed in chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. It is most effective when the job target is in line with your experience and academic background.
• If your most relevant experience for a particular career field was not your most recent, it can be featured by creating two "experience" sections. These can be called "Related Experience" and "Other Work Experience." By separating the information into two categories, you can maintain a chronological format while emphasizing your most pertinent skills.
• The functional resume highlights skills and accomplishments and de-emphasizes specific job titles, organizations, and dates of employment. Functional resumes are appropriate if you have held a number of unrelated jobs, the position that you are seeking is outside the academic field, or there are significant gaps in your work history.

General Resume Guidelines

• Font : Use an easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or Garamond.
• Size : Stay between 10 pt. and 12 pt. Your name can be larger than 12 pt.
• Margins   : 0 .5-1” margins all around
• Must be well-organized, neat, and concise.
• Proofread to make sure grammar, punctuation, and spelling are flawless.
• Use "bulleted" statements rather than complete sentences where appropriate.
• Use quantities, amounts, dollar values where they enhance the description of what you did.
• Do not use "I".
• Do not include hobbies, avocational, or social interests.
• Put the strongest statements or qualifications at the top.

Common Mistakes in a Resume

• Spelling Mistakes -   Be sure that there are no spelling errors, poor word choice, or misuse of language.
• Repetitive Words   -   Do not use the same action verb repeatedly to describe your work experience.   List of action verbs
• Leaving Out Dates-   It might seem like you are trying to hide certain information.
• Just having One Version   -   Tailor your résumé for each job for which you are applying.
• No Cover Letter-   A cover letter should be sent out with every résumé.
• Unprofessional Email Address   - Use a professional address such as your school email or email that only includes your first and last name.
• Cluttered Information - Filter out information that might seem irrelevant to the position.
• Including Personal Information   -   Personal information, like age, gender, and head shot should not be included on your résumé (unless you are a performing arts student).
• Using Abbreviations or Contractions   - Be sure to omit abbreviations or contractions in your words or sentences.

Resume Writing & Review Platforms

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Titan Resume Builder

The objective of the Titan Resume Builder is to help students produce higher quality resumes on a 24/7 basis on- or off-campus through the portal.

It is easy to use, with examples specified to majors and fields of study. The Titan Resume Builder allows you to build, manage, and control multiple resumes.

Access Titan Resume Builder    Note: You will be prompted to login with your portal username and password if you are not already logged in.

If you need assistance with any aspect of this service, please contact the Career Center at   [email protected] .

Cover Letter Tips

An effective cover letter is just as important as an effective resume. The cover letter accompanies the resume - it is the piece of paper that the prospective employer sees first. You should write a cover letter even if the employer/recruiter does not require one.

The cover letter is an opportunity to:

• Direct the resume to a specific person.
• Describe briefly what you know about the job and employer.
• Provide key qualifications that relate to the specific position for which you are applying.

Pain Free Cover Letter  pdf file PDF file type   - A Step-by-Step Guide

Utilize   grammarly@edu,  a free CSUF student resource, to help with your grammar and  writing style for your cover letter. 

Writing a Cover Letter

Part 1: "Make the Match" - A Brief Introduction Statement

If you have been referred by someone known to the company, (an employee, alumnus, a professor, etc.) use that person's name in your opening paragraph, and indicate why the contact referred you to that particular company or position opening. If you do not have a personal referral, the introduction should include why you are writing, much like an objective or profile summary on a resume.

Part 2: "Make the Case" - Why Should They Hire You?

This section of the cover letter is where you build an argument for why you should be hired by highlighting your key strengths and skills. Do not repeat the content of your resume, but point to the skills and experience in your resume that relate to the position. You can provide examples and details that support your qualifications. If you are able to make a compelling case for your candidacy in this section, the employer will look at your resume for confirmation of your claims.

Part 3: "Make the Close" - Finish Strong

The last section "closes" the letter by recapping what you have to offer and how you are a fit for the position. It suggest that the reader look at your resume, give it positive consideration, and schedule you for an interview. Also, state what your own next action will be.

Follow-Up & Thank You letters

• An appropriate way to maintain contact with the interviewer. These letters should be brief and should express your appreciation for the interview and confirm your interest in the company.
• Send a thank you letter for every contact. It can be an email or a handwritten letter.
• Write it on the same day as the interview if possible.
• Be personal, specific, and genuine in your thanks.
• Correct any significant misunderstanding you may have realized after the interview.
• There are different ways to decline an offer, depending on the history of your contact with the employer or recruiter. If the offer comes in an email or a voice mail message, your best option would be to respond promptly. It is important that you display your professionalism throughout all stages of the job search, even if you are not interested in the job.

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