The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot. How we live, work and communicate have all been altered over the past year and a half. The pandemic has also caused many people to slow down and reflect on what’s important. For many people, that includes considering a career change.
Career changes are on the rise. A recent study found that nearly one-third of U.S. workers under 40 have considered changing careers since the onset of the pandemic, and approximately 20 percent of the overall workforce has considered a career shift. Reasons for wanting a career change vary, but whatever your reasoning may be, it can be daunting. To make a career shift successful, make sure to refresh your resume with a career summary, take your cover letters seriously and show your passion throughout the application and interview process. Regardless of what career you want to switch to, these three tips will help you get there.
Utilize a career summary.
If you’re looking for a career in a different industry than your current one, refreshing your resume with a career summary is the best place to start. Career or resume summaries are listed at the top of a resume and tell a recruiter a little bit about who you are and what you’re looking for in a career. Career summary statements are short, typically around three sentences, highlight what you’ve done, what you want to do, and give a short synopsis of why your skillset would match the job you are applying for.
Refreshing your resume with a short summary is a great way to start the application process when navigating a career change. This is because they can provide context around how your experience could apply to a new role or field of work. Not sure where to start? Check out the example below!
Example:
Accomplished sales professional with 8+ years of experience in advertising sales seeking a new career as a marketing manager. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Highly experienced in selling and managing client advertising solutions across multiple platforms.
Write a cover letter.
Cover letters are sometimes considered optional, but when you’re looking to change careers, they’re a must! Cover letters are your chance to tell a recruiter or hiring manager why you’re a great fit for a position. This is also your opportunity to tell them exactly why you’re looking for a career change.
When writing your cover letter, explain how your experience will match up with the requirements and responsibilities of the position you are applying for. Make sure to highlight both your hard and soft skills and how they will help you in this new role. Cover letters are also your chance to showcase your passion for the position, so make sure to let the hiring manager know how excited you are for this opportunity!
Show your passion.
Skills can be taught, passion cannot. Even if your hard skills don’t exactly match the job description, your passion can set you apart from other candidates. When you’re interviewing for a career-changing position, talk about why you’re passionate about making a career move. What makes you excited about this potential job? Is it the opportunity for growth? Are you getting into a growing industry? Are you passionate about helping others? Show your passion by talking about your professional aspirations and how those can fit with the company’s goals. Let the hiring manager know that you’re excited about this opportunity and that this isn’t just another job for you; it’s an opportunity to do something you love.
Navigating a career change can be a lot of things. It can be fun, exciting, scary or stressful. Be ready to make a change by refreshing your resume with a career summary, writing a thoughtful cover letter, and showing your passion in the interview. These three tips will help you stand out from the rest and land the job you’ve been dreaming of!
Ready to make a career change? Check out our job postings and apply at jobs.medixteam.com.