How to Write a Resume When Changing Careers

Changing careers can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. Whether you're seeking a fresh start in a new industry or pursuing a long-time passion, crafting a resume that highlights your transferable skills and experiences is crucial. Here's a guide to help you create a resume that will make a compelling case for your career transition.

Start with a Strong Career Objective or Summary

When transitioning to a new career, it's essential to clearly articulate your goals and how your background aligns with the new industry. A well-crafted career objective or summary can help bridge the gap between your past experience and your future aspirations.

Example:

"Dynamic marketing professional with 8 years of experience in content creation and brand strategy, seeking to leverage communication skills and creative problem-solving abilities in a new role as an Account Manager in the Landscaping Industry."

Focus on Transferable Skills

One of the most important aspects of a career-change resume is highlighting transferable skills—those abilities that are relevant across multiple industries. Skills like leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving are often highly valued, regardless of the field.

How to Do It:

·     Identify Key Skills: Review the job descriptions in your target industry and identify the skills that are in demand.

·     Match Them to Your Experience: For each skill, find examples from your previous roles where you’ve demonstrated these abilities.

·     Present Them Prominently: Create a “Skills” section at the top of your resume, or weave these skills into your work history.

Reframe Your Experience

Rather than listing every job responsibility, focus on accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to succeed in your new field. Emphasize results, especially those that align with the new role.

Example:

·     Old Role: Managed a team of 5 customer service representatives addressing customer requests and complaints.

·     Reframed for New Role: Led a team to create and execute customer experience strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in customer retention—a skill directly relevant to account management in the landscaping industry.

Highlight Relevant Education and Certifications

If you’ve taken any courses, earned certifications, or attended workshops related to your new career, be sure to include them. These credentials show your commitment to learning and your readiness to step into a new industry.

How to Do It:

·     List Formal Education: If you have a degree relevant to the new career, place it prominently.

·     Include Certifications: Mention any certifications that are valued in the new field.

·     Don’t Overlook Online Courses: If you’ve completed online courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy, include these as well, especially if they cover key areas in your new field.

Use a Functional or Hybrid Resume Format

The traditional chronological resume format might not be the best choice for career changers. Instead, consider using a functional or hybrid resume format, which allows you to emphasize skills and achievements over your employment history.

Functional Format: Focuses on skills and achievements first, with less emphasis on chronological work history.

Hybrid Format: Combines elements of both chronological and functional formats, highlighting both skills and relevant work experience.

Leverage a Strong Cover Letter

Your cover letter is an opportunity to tell your story and explain your career change in more detail. Use it to express your enthusiasm for the new industry, and provide context for your resume by explaining how your past experience makes you a great fit for the new role.

Tips for the Cover Letter:

·     Address the Career Change: Acknowledge the shift and explain your motivation.

·     Connect the Dots: Show how your past experiences have prepared you for this transition.

·     Show Enthusiasm: Convey your excitement and readiness to contribute to your new field.

Include Volunteer Work and Side Projects

If you’ve gained experience related to your new career through volunteer work, freelance projects, or side gigs, make sure to include these in your resume. These experiences can provide valuable evidence of your capabilities in the new field.

How to Do It:

·     Create a Separate Section: Include a “Relevant Experience” or “Volunteer Work” section to highlight these roles.

·     Showcase Impact: Focus on the outcomes of your efforts, such as completed projects, increased efficiencies, or other measurable results.

Network and Seek Recommendations

Changing careers often requires the help of a strong professional network. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or industry connections who can vouch for your skills and character. A LinkedIn recommendation or a well-placed reference can bolster your application.

Tips for Networking:

·     Attend Industry Events: Go to events or webinars related to your new field. There are many good associations that host events for the Green Industry. On a national level, check out the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) and the Irrigation Association, just to name a couple. SIMA does a great job on the snow and ice management side of things.

·     Connect on LinkedIn: Build your LinkedIn network by connecting with professionals in the industry.

·     Ask for Informational Interviews: Speak with people in your target field to gain insights and advice.

Final Thoughts

Writing a resume when changing careers may seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can create a document that effectively communicates your value. By emphasizing transferable skills, reframing your experience, and using a format that highlights your strengths, you can make a strong case for why you’re the ideal candidate for your new career path. Remember, every career change is a journey—your resume is just the first step toward an exciting new chapter.

It's a great time to work in the Green Industry. New jobs are added daily to GreenIndustryCareers.com.