How To Write a Cover Letter for Career Change - With Free Sample

A cover letter expresses your intent. And what better than that to inform the recruiter that you have migrated from one career to another?

While the practice of giving cover letters is important, its importance rides a notch higher when it comes to a career change cover letter. You’ll need to justify why you think you’re fit for the role you’re applying for, although your resume doesn’t speak of relevant work history. You’ll need to do great storytelling to emphasize your strengths and skills and make it compelling at the same time.

Below are some resourceful tips to write a cover letter when you’re changing careers. (+ FREE career change cover letter sample at the end)

1. Emphasize Your Skills

This should not be tough, because this is where you’re talking about yourself and your passion. There’s a reason why you have changed your career, and that genuineness should reflect here. There are chances that the hard/technical skills might not be a match to your potential job at all. In this case, highlight your soft skills; they’re a must for every job. Soft skills like communication skills, creativity, leadership skills, critical thinking, morals and ethics, etc. are not specific to one job, but are followed throughout your career. In cases where some of your technical skills can be migrated to your new career choice, do explain it with the support of examples.

2. Be Honest About Your Move

Honesty is the best policy and recruiters love that. You’re competing against hundreds of people, you’re choosing to change track mid-way and you’re changing your career choice. All this is overwhelming no doubt. And the recruiter would want to know why. Your ‘why’ will help them understand the logic behind your decision-making and help you earn brownie points. Explain the reason succinctly and in a few words. Remember not to ramble on. If you need to make an impact, it should be short, sweet and to-the-point.

3. Show Enthusiasm

Only people of enterprising nature can naturally take such a decision of a career change. If you’ve taken it, means you’re proactive. No matter what position you might have held in your previous job, here, you need to start off afresh. And there needs to be enthusiasm for it. Remember Chandler from F.R.I.E.N.D.S? He quits a high-paying IT job to take up a copywriter’s role in an ad agency, and starts as an intern! So, it is common and it happens to everyone. You need to show the recruiter that you’re excited about the opportunity. Throw in a line or two about the company’s mission and why it aligns to your goals.

SAMPLE

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

They say it’s never too late to learn something new. I have always been very interested in Events Management. I am responding to this job opening with high enthusiasm as I really want to make a mark in this field. My previous experience of 3 years in an IT job gives me all the absolutely necessary skills I need, to be successful in Events Management.

• Communication & people skills - can assist in building strong and long-lasting client relationships
• Multi-tasking & Problem-solving skills - can calmly and effectively prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment and bring out feasible solutions to problems
• Team player - can co-operate and manage a team and help bring out the best collectively
• Self starter - highly motivated and accountable

I  am convinced that my extended experience in my previous career stint has equipped me with a strong skill set that makes me a perfect fit for your requirement. I am really eager to put these skills to use and work in the field, I love.

Looking forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,
[YourName]