Writing a Resume for a Career Change

One of the hardest decisions you will probably encounter during your professional career is either a change in position or a change in occupation. Many people think the safe decision is to stay in your current job or line of work, which is the place where you know what to expect and where you feel secure. On the other hand, many feel they will have no idea what to expect if they secure a new position. The whole process can be very intimidating, making it a difficult choice, and for this reason many procrastinate.

When you are considering a career change, you have to also think about how it affects the people around you. This could be something that may affect your entire family, your financial situation, and maybe even where you live. Before you take the leap, make sure that you have considered all of the possible effects it will have on your life. It is a great idea to make a career change, but make sure you begin the process by being informed. Many think the worse part about changing your career path is how you will rewrite your resume to target the newly desire position in a way it will appeal to a potential employer. The good news is that rewriting your resume does not have to be an intimidating experience – the key is to find transferable skills.

The internet is an excellent source for finding information and advice about drafting your resume as well as making a career change. Not only will you find information, you will also find that there are numerous resources that will make the resume writing process considerably easier and more enjoyable. The problem is that the sheer amount of information you find can be overwhelming. When you are looking for advice about how to draft your resume, be careful about the advice you take, and use your common sense.

When you are drafting your resume, you need to list the things that are going to look the most promising; things that you have learned about your new career and your transferable skills. It is up to you to prove that you will be able to adapt to the demands of your new career. Before you start to write your career change resume, set some time aside and do some research about the career that you are considering. The more you know about what you hope your new job will require, the more you can target your resume to meet the expectations of your potential employer. Your transferable skills are proficiencies that you will be able to use in a variety of fields. Take time to think about what skills you have that will transfer to the position you desire. Transferable skills may include excellent communication skills, budgeting, strong management skills, staff development, customer relationship management, adaptability, project management, or organizational skills. Research job postings and descriptions and discover what they are looking for, and identify what skills you have that coincide. After this, make a list of how you have used those skills, like success stories. This uncovers relevant accomplishments… what did you do in the past that would relate to the new line of work?

One of the most effective career changing tactics is to network, network, network. Individuals in your network will have the ability to assist you in job leads, provide advice, and give you essential information about the business.

Changing careers does not have to be difficult or stressful. The key is to start with a targeted resume and cover letter that highlight your transferable skills and accomplishments.