You have to compose a career change cover letter when you are planning to change careers. The letter includes information regarding your strengths, your experience, any transferable skills, and other essential details. This cover letter should explain why you’re adequately equipped to handle a different role in the company.
Table of Contents
- 1 Parts of a career change cover letter:
- 2 The components of a career change cover letter:
- 3 How to write your career change cover letter?
- 4 Some additional tips for writing a career change cover letter:
- 5 What is the importance of a cover letter for career changers?
- 6 Conclusion:
- 7 Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Parts of a career change cover letter:
Here are the parts of this letter that will help you to understand it better;
Opening paragraph
You should make an opening paragraph straightforward and simple. It should just like an opening paragraph of a standard cover letter. In your cover letter for career change, use this paragraph to state the role you want to apply for.
Moreover, mention that where you saw the job vacancy. In case, a personal contact referred you to this job vacancy, then indicate his name. This assists you in personalizing your letter. It also indicates that you have contacts within the industry.
You may also specify an important qualification or skill in this opening paragraph. This shows how suitable you are for the role.
Body of the letter
In the body of a standard letter, you demonstrate your experience, skills, and attributes. But, in case of career change cover letter, you have to be both upfront and honest from the beginning. Speak about your reason for making a career change. Maintain positivity while giving these reasons and explanations.
Furthermore, in the body of letter, make sure the reader that you are completely committed to becoming a part of this new industry. Draft a precise explanation about your interest in the new industry.
The description of any career gaps
There are various reasons that why you would search for a new career. These reasons may include;
- You may have been laid off by your former employer
- To raise your children, you may have stopped working
- At your previous job, you may have experienced burnout so you want a change
The career gaps are very common but you still have to describe them in your career transition cover letter. You have to be as honest as possible while providing reason for being out of work for a significant amount of time. There is no need to give too many details. You may share your time off work experience that how you learn more about this new career or industry. This indicates that you are genuinely interested and you’re open to learning more.
Additionally, when you don’t have work, explain the activities that you have done and makes you able to improve skills that are useful to this new industry.
Conclusion
Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your letter in this part of your cover letter for switching careers. Also, provide a statement that you are available for an interview or a meeting if the hiring manager has any questions or to give clarifications. Then, in the end of your letter, use a proper phrase or word and your complete name. You may also like 5 Year Plan Templates.
The components of a career change cover letter:
Here are some important components that you must include in your cover letter;
- An interesting and effective introduction
- Your skills that are relevant to a position
- The reasons that why you are changing your career
- Your interest in the company
- An outstanding closing paragraph
How to write your career change cover letter?
Here are some tips that you should follow while writing your career change cover letter;
From the starting, grab the attention of the reader
Your opening line should be well-structured so that it compels the reader to continue all the way to the end. Don’t use the typical opening statement such as that you’re the perfect person for the job, and more.
Try asking questions and telling a story about your previous anecdote in order to make an impression. Whatever you will select to begin with, you just have to ensure that it’s relevant to the rest of your letter’s contents.
Highlight your transferable skills
Highlighting your transferable skills is one of the most important parts of your career transition cover letter. Pay attention to outline your strengths and skills that you can use in the position you’re applying for. This is a lot better rather than paying attention to the specific skills you have that make you great at your current job.
Hence, consider these transferable skills that you possess. You should read the job description carefully. Then, identify the skills required for the position. Select those that are according to your own experiences and skills.
In the previous job you help, explain your excellent performance
Remember that you aren’t the only individual who is applying for the job. Almost all the applicants have the required skills and experiences. You might be the least qualified as you are changing careers.
You should also explain how you had been an excellent employee in your previous company after indicating your transferrable skills. When supported by tangible achievements or strong recommendations, this information is more effective. In the eyes of the hiring manager, all of these combined makes you a more desirable applicant.
Speak about how well you performed in your previous job. Also, state that how you succeeded in all the activities and projects assigned to you.
For the industry and the company, indicate your interest and passion
Talk about the company after talking about yourself. It is an effective way to make an impression on the hiring manager. State that you are very excited to work in this new industry. You should explain that you are feeling very passionate towards the organization and the job opportunity.
Keep all of the information together
Here, you have to ensure that the whole letter flows smoothly. From start to finish, read the content. After that, bring all of the information connects in a logical and comprehensive way. In the end of the letter, states that what you can do for the benefit of the company. Write your statement by heart. Keep in mind that hiring managers have read hundreds of cover letters so you have to stand out from the crowd. You should also check Customer Service Resume Templates.
Some additional tips for writing a career change cover letter:
Incorporate research
In order to make a tailored company letter, you should get details from the job description and incorporate your own company research. If you want to improve the company at a personal level, then you have to present your strengths, passion, and experience. You can stand out against a qualified pool of candidates by tailoring your cover letter.
Describe your reasons
Provide the reasons that why you are changing careers. Provide the details that are relevant to the new position. You can also state that you have capability to learn processes, concepts and strategy quickly.
Mention references
During a career change, to give support for your qualifications, skills and qualities, you must get various reliable references. This may include the following;
- Former or current managers
- Former or current employees
- Company reports on your successes
- Mentors, advisors or former teachers
What is the importance of a cover letter for career changers?
It can be rigid to suggest an idea of a career path because people usually like to follow a specific track. With the help of a cover letter, career changers inform the recruiters and hiring managers more about their interest in a role. They describe in the letter that why you’re changing careers and what you’ve done to make your transition smooth. Cover letter proves very helpful for the career changers because they can align their resume objective in it.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a well-written career change cover letter helps you in landing the job of your dreams. You have to compose a compelling letter in order to convince the hiring manager that you are a good match for the new job or industry.
Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1- The wrong company name
2- Anything that isn’t accurate
3- Lengthy paragraphs
4- Negative statements regarding past employer
5- Details that aren’t relevant to the job
6- Your salary requirements
You should say that you are looking for better career prospects and you want to work for a larger company. You can also say that you are working in a specific company for a long time but now you want some change.
Grace Harry is an experienced freelance writer with an experience for 12+ years. She got her Master’s in Financial Management degree from the University of Dennison in 2007. She worked at California State Bank to help clients with their credit, investments, and bank accounts. She likes to assist people in reaching their financial goals when it comes to financial planning.
