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You will inevitably change jobs throughout your career as you seek more responsibility, growth, or even a higher salary. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employee stays at each job for around four years []. However, for career changers鈥攐r those interested in exploring an entirely new path or industry鈥攎aking that switch can sometimes involve unique challenges.听

Even so, making a career change has become an increasingly popular move. In fact, American adults reportedly experience 12 career changes by the time they're 55鈥� a trend that the World Economic Forum doesn't see slowing down as technology continues to disrupt the labor force []. Changing careers can allow you to find more meaningful work, better align your career path with your larger goals, and move into a more energizing role.听听

When you draft your cover letter to apply for a job in a new line of work, you must take time to explain your larger objectives. In this article, we鈥檒l review specific information you can feature in your cover letter to help recruiters understand your goals and reasons for changing careers.听Afterward, if you'd like to start working on your resume, consider enrolling in the State University of New York's How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course).

How to write a career change cover letter

A career change cover letter is a chance to expand upon the bullet points outlined in your resume. It鈥檚 a space where you can explain your interest in the role and company, highlight your experience and skills, and sell a recruiter on the overall fit you鈥檇 make.听

But a career changer needs to do all of that and more. You also need to help recruiters and hiring managers understand why you鈥檙e moving away from your former line of work, what you want to achieve in your new career path, and any transferable skills that will help make your transition smooth.听

Let鈥檚 review four key pieces of information you can weave into your career change cover letter.听听

1. Clarify your career change context

Explaining why you鈥檙e interested in changing careers and how the role you鈥檙e applying to fits within your larger career aspirations can preemptively contextualize your story. Plan to include a career change objective somewhere in your cover letter, much like you would a resume objective to provide a summary of a person鈥檚 experience and goals. Don鈥檛 be afraid to build a sense of personality so recruiters can better connect you with your objective in your career change cover letter.听听

What this looks like: I鈥檝e spent the last six years translating complex topics for various users as a technical writer. But in that time, I鈥檝e realized that what drives me is the user鈥檚 experience. It鈥檚 the lightbulb moment behind my career change to UX design. I believe I鈥檒l make a strong addition to your team because my work has largely put the user front and center, and now I鈥檓 interested in focusing on a different facet of that goal.听

2. Specify the value of your certificates, courses, or trainings

It costs over $4,000 to hire an employee, according to the Society for Human Resources Management []. That鈥檚 all the more reason why recruiters and hiring managers want to find the right candidate. It can be costly otherwise. Help explain what you鈥檝e done to prepare for your career change by highlighting any professional certificates or trainings you鈥檝e completed to prepare you for your new line of work.听

What this looks like: In order to familiarize myself with the tools and processes used in data analysis, I completed the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, which taught me SQL and R, and trained me to clean and visualize data. Thanks to this preparation, I feel confident that I will make a strong addition to your team from the very start. 听

3. Bring attention to your transferable skills听

Transferable skills are 鈥減ortable,鈥� in that you take them from job to job. They include problem-solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, and more. Show recruiters that you have important transferable skills to help you do the job, so they can understand the unique value you鈥檇 bring to their company.听听

It can also help to find out the key technical skills the job requires and spend time learning what you can, especially when it comes to important software or tools.听

What this looks like: As a software developer, I regularly relied on my problem-solving skills to think through complex issues. I鈥檒l bring that same skill, as well as my attention to detail, listening, and decision-making, to ABC High School as the new algebra teacher.听

4. Highlight your past achievements听

Any time you can highlight what you鈥檝e managed to accomplish in your past roles, you help a recruiter see your potential in a new role. Where possible, summarize any moments that showcase your strengths, relevant experience, and illustrate your work ethic or character.听

What this looks like: I pride myself on being a team player and a problem-solver. As a social media manager at Company X, I identified a better program to help my team schedule content. Using that tool improved my team鈥檚 efficacy, leading to our most successful quarter.听

Learn more: How to Plan for a Career Change: Step-by-Step Guide

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Why is a cover letter important when changing careers?

The idea of a career path can sometimes be rigid, suggesting that people only follow one specific track. Although that perspective is starting to shift, it鈥檚 still prevalent. You can help recruiters and hiring managers understand more about your interest in a role by explaining why you鈥檙e changing careers and what you鈥檝e done to streamline your transition.听

Aligning your cover letter with a resume objective can be especially useful for career changers. An objective on your resume contextualizes your larger career aims, quickly summarizing what you鈥檙e hoping to achieve in your next role. Repeat that same information in your cover letter and expand on it slightly to give your application materials more cohesiveness.听听

Read more: How to Use Resume Sections to Shape Your Professional Story

Career change cover letter sample

It's common practice nowadays to submit your cover letter digitally. In that case, include some of your contact information in the top left corner so recruiters can easily see how to get in touch.

Thomas Bennett

Nashville, TN

(555) 555-1234

tbennett@email.org

Dear Ms. Tufte,

I鈥檓 writing to apply for the project manager role at Company X. I initially began my career as a marketing coordinator and eventually moved into email marketing, where I was responsible for strategizing and developing new campaigns. But in that time, I realized how much I thrived when managing our quarterly campaigns from start to finish. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 interested in segueing into project management.听

Knowing that, despite my experience, I still needed to learn more specifically about project management, I completed the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. Over six months, I鈥檝e learned Agile project management as well as how to create product documentation, among other key skills. I believe this training, along with my previous experience, will help me transition to a project management role at Company X and make a big impact.听听听

I鈥檓 an organized problem-solver with a sharp eye for detail, all important project management skills. I believe my previous work in email marketing provided hands-on training in managing projects, albeit without the official title. I identified new tools to help my team create more effective quarterly campaigns. As a result, we increased our click-through rate (one of our key metrics) to 1.87 percent, bringing it closer to the industry standard鈥攁n immense achievement.听

I鈥檓 proud of the foundation I gained through marketing, but in realizing where my true passion lies, I鈥檓 keen to transition into a project management role with more growth opportunities. I appreciate your consideration.听

Sincerely,

Thomas Bennett

Tips for strengthening your cover letter听

Much like you would for a standard cover letter, you can strengthen your cover letter as a career changer using the following tips:听

1. Tailor your letter for each role.

You should tailor your resume for each role you apply to, and the same goes for your cover letter. Research the company, find out about aspects of their work that interest you, and insert those details into your cover letter. You should also tailor your experience and skills, highlighting each job's most relevant skills and accomplishments.听

2. Get specific.

Your cover letter should expand upon your resume rather than repeating the same information. One way to do this is by giving details about your past achievements. When possible, quantify your impact with numbers and explain how these accomplishments make you uniquely qualified for this new role.

3. Use action words.听

Build action words into your resume and your cover letter. Rather than more staid words that don鈥檛 capture your unique story or responsibilities, action verbs can liven up your cover letter and make it more enticing to read. Find verbs that succinctly and accurately depict your previous experience.

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With preparation and fine-tuning, it's possible to show potential employers you have what it takes to succeed in a new career. Brush up your resume and get ready for your next job search with these educational programs on 糖心vlog官网观看:

To craft an eye-catching resume, try the State University of New York's How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course). Review resume best practices, explore current trends, and build a resume that lets your professional strengths shine in this five-hour course.

To use GenAI for your next job search, enroll in Meta's Job Search with GenAI course. Learn how to use GenAI to conduct a successful job search, prepare for an interview, and even write and tailor your resume and cover letter.

If English isn't your native language, try the University of Maryland's Interviewing and Resume Writing in English Specialization. Develop the English language strategies and communication skills you need to advance or change your career in this flexible, beginner-friendly program.