How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter

If you're applying for jobs that are clearly a change from your previous career, it's important to include a career change cover letter. This allows the interviewer the chance to see why you're applying for a particular job and why you would be the best person to hire for the job. There are certain things that you will want to include - which let the interviewer know that you are serious about pursuing this career and why you could be an asset to a particular company. Below, you will learn how to write a career change cover letter that will impress and make interviewers take a second look at your resume. Note: it always looks better if your cover letter is addressed to the person who will be looking over the resume - not a general address such as 'dear sir or madam.'

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start with a bit of information about yourself. This might include why you've decided to make a career change and what you're hoping to accomplish by making this career change. This should be around a paragraph long, so sum it up nicely and entice the interviewer to keep reading.

2. After the introduction paragraph, include specific skills or talents that you learned through your previous career that would help you in the career that you're applying for. It might be similar training or a background that would help you in your future endeavors. You might also include information here about past jobs performed that would help you with the new career. To keep your cover letter neat and tidy, list these past jobs and skills in bullet point format.

3. Since you're applying for a job you've probably never performed before, you will need to convince the interviewer to hire you over others that probably have more experience than you. You should emphasize the fact that you are a fast learner and also that you are very willing to learn. Make sure the interviewer understands that you are very confident that you can perform the duties required and that you will take extra steps if necessary to perfect your skills in these areas.

4. Thank the interviewer for taking his or her time to read your cover letter and resume. Let them know that you look forward to having the opportunity to both help and learn in the new position and that you're grateful for having the chance to do both. Here, you can close your cover letter and sign your name.

5. By creating a short career change cover letter that is to the point but also includes necessary information - you will have a better chance of standing out among the other applicants for the job.

[dinrob]

on 6/13/2009 Great article! I will definitely try changing my cover letter.

[openwave]

on 1/29/2009 Aboslutly love it