How to write a resume for a career change

Changing careers can feel intimidating, but having a great resume makes the transition easier. Many of the same rules apply when writing a career change resume, but there are a few additional tips to keep in mind. A resume for a career change should highlight your transferable skills and relevant experience. It should also showcase your accomplishments, adaptability, and passion for the new job.

In this article, we’ll show you how to write a resume for a career change, including:

• How to structure your career change resume

• Ways to highlight your transferable skills and experience

• Some resume examples for a career change

• A resume template for a career change

Steps to writing a resume for career change

Writing a career change resume isn’t much different from writing a traditional resume. Follow these steps to craft a resume that will help you make a career change:

1. Choose a format

When switching careers, a traditional resume format, also known as a chronological resume, may not be the right choice. Instead, most career changers can benefit from using a hybrid format. This format lets you highlight your relevant skills and experience for the new job.

A hybrid resume format usually follows this structure:

• A resume header with your contact information

• A resume summary

• A list of skills or core competencies

• A work experience section

• An education section

While a hybrid resume is the preferred format for a career change, a functional resume format may work better in some situations. A functional resume emphasizes skills over your work history.

You can use a functional resume if you’ve recently completed education or training in a new field. It’s also a good choice if you’re transitioning to another industry after an employment gap. However, the downside of a functional resume is that it can be incompatible with most applicant tracking system (ATS) software.

If you want to compare formats, check out some of the resume examples available in our library. You can find both combination and functional resume examples for a career change. 

2. Write a resume summary

While job seekers used to write objective statements for a career change, it’s now more common to write a resume summary. Include a summary below your contact information, so it’s the first thing an employer reads. In this paragraph, outline the qualifications you have that align with the new job you’re targeting.

Keep your resume summary between three and five sentences. Here’s how you can structure it:

• Connect your previous experience to the new position.

• Highlight other qualifications you have that relate to the new job, such as a certification.

• Accentuate your transferable skills.

• Show your passion for this new career direction.

Here’s an example resume summary for a supply chain coordinator who wants to move into hospitality management:

For more inspiration, check out our article with more resume summary examples for multiple jobs.

3. Emphasize transferable skills

When writing a resume for a career change, you want to prove you have the skills to succeed, even if you lack experience. You can accomplish this by emphasizing your transferable skills. These are the qualities and abilities you’ve developed that can be useful in many jobs, fields, or industries.

While transferable skills are often interpersonal traits, such as communication or flexibility, you can also have transferable hard skills. Some examples include computer and technical skills, clerical, and presentation skills. If those skills can help you in your next job, include them on your resume.

It’s also important to scan the job description so you can include specific skills the employer is seeking in applicants. Highlight any skills that apply to you and make sure to put them on your resume.

4. List your most relevant experience

If you’re changing careers, you may feel like your past work experience doesn’t count for much. However, that’s usually not the case. Most people bring valuable experience to new jobs, even when they’re switching careers.

As you write your work experience section, think carefully about the jobs you’ve held in the past. What responsibilities did you have that might overlap with your duties in a new role? What skills did you develop that you can bring to the position? As much as possible, highlight these relevant qualifications in your work history.

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job at the top. Outline your day-to-day tasks in each role, carefully targeting them to the new position. Omit any duties that aren’t relevant to the job.

Don’t forget to highlight your achievements in other jobs. These can show a prospective employer how your transferable skills can benefit their team or company. Even if an accomplishment isn’t directly related to your new career, it can showcase your work ethic and your ability to produce results for a company.

Here’s an example of a work experience section for a sales director who wants to become a chef:

5. Add other relevant sections

If you’re struggling to connect your skills and experience to a new career, consider adding other relevant sections to your resume. These sections can include projects, volunteer work, professional development, or industry organizations.

Make sure the information you provide in another section directly relates to the new job. It should describe the transferable skills you plan to use in your new career.

Here’s an example of a projects section for a teacher transitioning into project management:

6. Highlight your education and training

Education is usually less important than work experience on a resume. If you’re changing careers, however, your education section is another place where you can show why you’re qualified for the new job.

For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in business administration and you’re applying to become a human resources specialist, you can list college courses you took in organizational management and business communications.

Besides formal education, you can also include professional training, relevant certifications, or online courses in this section. This information shows an employer that you’re preparing seriously for a career change.

Resume tips for a career change

Take your resume to the next level with these additional tips:

• Include keywords. Using keywords from the job description on your resume can help you pass an ATS and prove you have relevant skills for the job. Read the job posting carefully and highlight words or phrases you can use naturally in your summary, skills, or experience sections.

• Stress your adaptability. You need to be flexible if you’re going to change careers. On your resume, provide examples of when you’ve adapted successfully to a new environment or challenge.

• Highlight the most important information first. If you’ve recently earned a degree or a certification in a new field, consider moving your education above your skills and experience. Put your most relevant qualifications at the top, so an employer can’t miss them.

• Don’t over-explain. Your resume is not the place to provide in-depth details about your reasons for switching careers. Stick to emphasizing your relevant skills and experience, and use your cover letter to fill in the gaps.

Resume example for a career change

To help you prepare your resume, check out this example resume for someone transitioning from customer service to human resources:

Do you want to make a career change but are unsure where to start? Check out career.io’s Career Exploration tool to get personalized insights and clarity on your career path!

Key takeaways

1. When writing a resume for a career change, aim to show how your professional experience has prepared you to do well in your new role.

2. Highlight transferable skills and relevant duties you’ve had in other roles that overlap with the target job.

3. Mention classes, training, or certifications you’ve completed that are relevant to your new career.