In today’s job market, career changes are inevitable. Whether it’s an organizational shift in your current company or a personal decision to head in a different direction, updating your resume to reflect your career change is imperative.

The average employee changes jobs ten-15 times throughout his or her life, but the key is to build on the skills and experience you’ve developed with each position. When moving from one career to another, transferable skills are often the most important to a new employer. A hiring manager wants to see how your previous work applies to the role at hand. Crafting an effective career change resume will do just that.

In revamping your resume to reflect your career change, it’s essential to keep these points in mind:

1. Determine the best resume format.

Most of us have our resumes laid out in chronological order, e.g., Job 1, Job 2, Job 3. However, when developing a career change resume, you want to emphasize the skill set you’re carrying over to a new role. A functional resume is often the best way to accomplish this. It places the skills you’ve acquired at the top of your resume, with your specific work history following after that. Hiring managers can easily see what you’re providing professionally, even if you haven’t yet held a position in that particular field.

2. Include a summary and objective.

Presenting a summary and objective at the start of your resume demonstrates how your previous professional experience applies to a new opportunity. Tie together where you’ve been with where you’d like to go. Focus on how your skill set is valuable in a new position.

3. Prominently list your transferable skills.

Skills are the name of the game when it comes to a career change. Create a “Skills” section within your resume and emphasize the specific skills that are relevant to a new position. Even if you are a teacher moving into a corporate management role, individual skills can be applied in a new position. These may include “soft skills” such as work ethic and problem-solving or “hard skills” like technology, foreign languages, and professional certifications.

4. Use the right keywords.

Many companies utilize applicant tracking systems to funnel applications. Within these systems, keywords are critical to separating qualified candidates from the not-so-qualified candidates. Optimize your career change resume to fit the role for which you’re applying by including keywords highlighted in the job description, such as “customer service” or “multi-line phone system.” Not sure what keywords to include in your resume? Take time to research the top keywords in your next career path.

When developing your career change resume, remember that your skills and experience are valuable. Tailor your resume to reflect the expertise you’re bringing to the table, and you’ll build a new road to career success.

Take a look at these example resumes to determine the best format for your career change resume:

Functional Resume Example

Jane Wilson

111 Hawthorne Street

Portland, Oregon 97211

503-555-5555

janejane@email.com

Objective

To secure an entry-level tech support role with a major technology firm in the Portland area.

Summary

Outgoing, task-oriented administrative professional with over fifteen years of experience. Proficient in customer service, Microsoft Office, and all major CRM software applications.

Relevant Skills

Customer Service:

• Extensive experience both in-person and via phone/email in answering questions, providing feedback, and troubleshooting communications and travel needs.
• Recognized as “Employee of the Month” twice during a two-year employment.

Technical Skills:

• Assisted with the implementation of new computer equipment (Mac OS) and software (Infusionsoft, Salesforce) throughout the office.
• On-call as office technical support for all employees struggling with new equipment/software.

Communications:

• Over twenty years of experience with Microsoft Office, including advanced proficiency with Powerpoint and Excel.

Work History

2017-2018 Assistant to the President

Major Shoe Company, Portland, Oregon

2015-2017 Senior Administrative Assistant

Northwest Recruiting Firm, Portland, Oregon

2013-2015 Administrative Assistant II

Your Software Needs Inc., Portland, Oregon

Education

BA – Communications University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon

Chronological Resume Example

Jane Wilson

111 Hawthorne Street

Portland, Oregon 97211

503-555-5555

janejane@email.com

Objective

To secure an entry-level tech support role with a major technology firm in the Portland area.

Summary

Outgoing, task-oriented administrative professional with over fifteen years of experience. Proficient in customer service, Microsoft Office, and all major CRM software applications.

Professional Experience

2017-2018 Assistant to the President

Major Shoe Company, Portland, Oregon

Responsibilities: Managed communications via Microsoft Office. Coordinated with all travel arrangements with external vendors.

Managed new and current clients within Salesforce.

2015-2017 Senior Administrative Assistant

Northwest Recruiting Firm, Portland, Oregon

Responsibilities: Oversaw day-to-day activities for four managers. Managed daily schedule, meetings, and external communications.

2013-2015 Administrative Assistant II

Your Software Needs Inc., Portland, Oregon

Responsibilities: Greeted office guests. Answered multi-line phones while facilitating office communications. Updated InfusionSoft to include new customers.

Education

BA – Communications University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon