Every individual thinks about career change at some point in their life. Whether you want to transition from a profession you’re currently in or do you simply want to switch industries, creating a career change cover letter is the best way to maximize your chances of landing an interview. You will be able to tell the employer that you understand and can fulfill the advertised position or job.
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What Is a Career Change Cover Letter?
A career change cover letter is a document you use to apply for jobs at a higher level than your previous position. It highlights the skills and experience you gained from your previous job and positions them to appear relevant to the new position.
A career change cover letter should also include specific examples of how your skills will benefit the company if you are hired for the new position. The goal is to convince hiring managers that you have what it takes to succeed in this new role, even if it is far beyond anything you’ve done before.
Career Change Cover Letter Templates
Career change cover letter templates are pre-designed documents that provide a structured format for creating cover letters when transitioning from one profession or industry to another. These templates offer a convenient and professional way to compose a cover letter that effectively communicates the reasons for the career change and highlights relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications for the new role.
Career change cover letter templates typically include sections that guide the candidate through the process of addressing the career change, explaining motivations, showcasing transferable skills, and expressing enthusiasm for the new opportunity. They provide placeholders and prompts for the candidate to personalize the content with their specific details and experiences.
Using a career change cover letter template helps individuals save time and effort in creating a cover letter from scratch. It ensures that essential elements, such as the introduction, reason for the career change, transferable skills, and closing, are properly addressed and structured.
Key components of a career change cover letter
A strong cover letter will help you stand out from other applicants who don’t take the time to customize their applications.
Here are some key components of a good career change cover letter:
The first paragraph should introduce yourself, briefly explain why you’re interested in working at this company, and state how you heard about the job opening. Don’t just copy and paste this paragraph from another cover letter; customize it for each employer.
The second paragraph should expand on the reasons you’re interested in working for the organization, using information from its website or annual report if possible. Do some research so that this section doesn’t sound generic or forced — it should read naturally as if you’re speaking directly to someone who works there.
The third paragraph should include any relevant qualifications that match what’s listed in the job description. This can include your skills and experience relevant to the position and any skills or experience that aren’t specifically mentioned but would still make you a good fit (such as specific software programs used by employees at this company).
Contact information:
- Include all of your contact details in a way that makes it easy for someone reading this cover letter to reach out to you immediately if they like what they see.
- If you want them to contact you by phone, include your phone number at the top of this section; if the email is more convenient, then list it here instead.
- Include your name (and any nicknames), LinkedIn profiles, or personal websites that might help display your work history and professionalism.
Concluding paragraphs: This is where you summarize why the company should hire you over other applicants. You could also end with a call-to-action that asks the employer to contact you for an interview or request more information about your skills and experience.
Top 6 Tips for writing your career change cover letter
As you start your job search, don’t forget to write a career change letter. A cover letter can help you get an interview, even if you’re replacing a position that’s been vacant for a while.
Here are some tips for writing your career change cover letter:
- Use an attention-grabbing opening line that stands out from other applications and gives an idea about why you are applying for this job. For example, if a job has been advertised as an ‘internship,’ use this phrase in your opening sentence.
- Transferable skills are those skills obtained from previous jobs or positions that can be used in new jobs. When writing your letter, highlight these skills so that the reader will understand how they can help them keep up with their workflow and save time in doing tasks. Make sure that these skills are relevant to the position being applied for as well!
- In your career change cover letter, you should emphasize your excellent performance in your previous jobs. This shows potential employers that you cannot only do the job but also that you have been successful at previous positions. If possible, mention specific examples of how well you performed at each position and how much value this added to the company.
- You should also express your interest and excitement about working in this particular industry or with this particular company. Potential employers will be more likely to take an interest in hiring someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about their industry and their company than someone who is simply looking for any job they can get.
- You need not start from scratch when writing your career change cover letter. Instead, gather all of the documents related to your experience and qualifications. This includes past work experience, certificates, awards, and accolades. If possible, submit copies of these documents along with your cover letter.
- One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is not being specific about what they want out of their careers. In fact, many people do not even mention what type of job they are looking for in their applications; this makes it difficult for recruiters to match them with suitable positions at their companies. Make sure that you clearly state what type of position you are applying for.
FAQs
What to write in a cover letter when you are changing careers?
Highlight transferable skills from your previous experience that apply to the new role. Draw parallels between the industries/roles. Explain why you are changing careers and how the move aligns with your goals. Emphasize related knowledge, training, or volunteering. Express a strong interest in the company and position.
How do I write a cover letter after a long career break?
Address the gap briefly in a cover letter and focus on the value you can bring. Outline skills that have stayed sharp through activities, education, or volunteering. Convey enthusiasm to relaunch your career and motivation to excel in the role. Offer references who can vouch for your abilities.
How do you write a personal statement for a career change?
In a personal statement, expand on your background, motivations for changing fields, transferable skills/experience, compatible interests or aptitudes, plans to fill knowledge gaps, and unique value you will bring to the new career path. Keep it concise, positive, and forward-focused.
How do you say I want to change my career path?
Directly state your desire to change career paths. Explain why the new field interests you more and how your abilities would be a good fit. Give examples of related experience, education, or natural strengths you possess. Focus on the potential you see for professional development and lifelong learning. Convey flexibility, dedication, and determination to succeed.
