5 Resume Writing Tips When You’re Planning A Career Switch

Statistics show that professionals change jobs an average of around 12 times over the course of their work-life, spending around five years or less in each position.
If you too are feeling that itch of switching careers, you’re not alone. And it might even be a great time to try something entirely new and change your career field.
Here are a few tips on how to translate your skills on your career change resume to ensure a smooth transition as you embark on a new journey:

1. Communicate using new career language
Look over job descriptions and industry news to learn and mimic the keywords and jargon used in this industry, since communicating effectively in the language of your new chosen field is critical. Using these words in your resume and cover letter will be important to show that you understand the ins and outs of the new career field. This will also show the care and research taken while making this decision.

2. Find skills that are transferable
Transferable skills are important to include in a career change resume and will help with any transition to a new role. Assess your current skill-set and what skills your new career will require. Many of your current skills can likely be used in your new career field. Make sure you include these in your resume. Transferable skills may include your communication skills, leadership qualities, time management abilities, knowledge of software or technical programs, and others.

3. Gain experience through volunteering or freelancing
As you prepare yourself for a career change, you may want to beef up sections of your resume that you’re lacking in specific areas. Consider volunteering, internships, or freelancing in your new career area to gain valuable skills that you can add. It’s also an excellent way to take your new career out for a test drive while acquiring valuable experience.

4. Format your resume
You need to format your resume, according to the career you’re switching to. For example, If you’re heading into a creative field, such as design or photography, a standard text-based resume may not cut it. Research what a common resume looks like in your new field of interest and take inspiration from it to create your own. Similarly, if you don’t have a lot of experience in your new career, you may consider moving your transferable skills to the top of your resume.

5. Change the resume headline
A resume headline is basically a summary of your resume, a one-line statement that describes you. When you’re changing careers, it is important to tweak it according to the new role you’re seeking. For example, the headline “Experienced marketing manager with advanced SEO experience” won’t work if you’re applying for a web designer role. Pick out keywords related to your new role (in the case of our example, perhaps: HTML, CSS, creative, design, UX, Photoshop) and rewrite your resume headline.

Apart from the pointers mentioned above, you can also take the help of a professional recruitment firm which will help you make the career switch without much hassle. If you’re looking for new opportunities in the energy sector, visit: .