Career Changers - Creating a Resume for a New Career

Career Changers - Creating a Resume for a New Career Even when you are a seasoned professional, securing a job with an impressive resume is tough in a competitive job market.It’s a bigger concern when you are changing directions in your career.One way to start your new journey is with a remarkable resume.Your resume should:Exhibit the passion for your new chosen path Revealyour abundant potential Showcase current skills that you already possessThe following five recommendations should help you get started.It Begins With the Cover LetterAs you begin your journey to start your new career, your first task is convincing hiring managers of your newfound passion.The purpose of a cover letter is not only persuading the hiring manager to read your resume but explaining to them why you want to change careers.A great cover letter will:Convince the hiring manager about your desire to pursue this new field Explain how your interest and skills can be beneficial to the companyYou do this by explaining how your transferable skills and accomplishmen ts will support the position and organization you are applying for.Your cover letter should be convincing enough for them to review your resume and contact you for an interview.(For more, seeHow To Write An Amazing Cover Letter With Examples.)Use the Right Resume FormatMost individuals use the traditional chronological resume.However, a functional resume has proven to be more useful for career changers.This resume format draws more attention to your transferable skills and accomplishments than your work history.Always start your resume with a professional summary Include your career goals and a synopsis of your qualifications After the career summary, list accomplishments and transferable skillsThese will give hiring managers a look at the most relevant experience to keep them interested.(For more on how to format your resume, readProfessional Resume Style - Headers, Fonts, Themes.)Identify Your Transferable SkillsTransferable skills are skills you've obtained in previous work hist ory that can also have an impact on your new career.These skills can be valuable to any profession or organization.Taking inventory of your skills can be used to your advantage in a resumeList transferable skillssuch as:Manage multiple projects simultaneouslyThis shows that you have the ability to multitask and can take on more than one project at a time.Communicate effectively with clients/customersThis highlights your relationship-building skills and how well you communicate with individuals at various levels.It is important to remember that all new positions will have a learning curve.However, these transferable skills show hiring managers what you have to offer despite your lack of professional experience.Quantify Your AccomplishmentsAccomplishments can prove to be a tremendous asset to your resume.Thisespecially comes into play if you are changing professions.Quantifiable achievements show that you know how to make effective changes within an organization.Achievements should be very specific and include details such as these:Did you improve any current processes by increasing productivity? How did you help save the organization money on a project? Did you lead any projects or task force?Positive accomplishments show your ability to lead, manage, and solve problems.It is also good to add numbers to your achievements... especially if it includes employees, budgets, and money.Showing percentages and dollar amounts help the hiring manager visually see your efforts.Reinvent YourselfAs you begin to reinvent yourself in your new profession, look into finding ways to gain more experience in your desired field.This experience shows hiring managers that you have a real passion for your new field and have a vested interest in developing new skills.For example, if your new career is in accounting, you may want to ...Join a professional accounting association Take additional classes at a local community college Volunteer your time bookkeeping for a non-profit organiza tionThese are great ways to expand your knowledge and gain reliable references.Regardless of where you gain the experience, it still counts as experience.Therefore, it adds to your value in the eyes of prospective employers.(You will also want to include this information in the professional summary of your resume.)Closing Thoughts on Creating a Resume for a New CareerChanging directions in your career is possible in the current job market.Most individuals who change careers take advantage of industry changes that have resulted in the lack of employment in some areas.As you embark on your career-change journey, the most important thing is to focus!Focus on your passion Focus on skills you already possessFocusing on your skills, desire, and potential will showcase your enthusiasm, which will lead you to an interview.(For more on resumesdon't miss theTop 5 Resume Sections You Can't Go Without.)