Updating Your Resume for a Career Change

Changing careers can be daunting and can feel overwhelming at times. However, once you land a job you thoroughly enjoy at a company you respect and look forward to working for, the stress and preparation for that career change will be worth it. Part of changing your career means updating and reworking your resume. Below, we’ll discuss how to update your resume to make a successful career change.

Choose a Resume Format

If you are changing careers then there are two resume formats you should consider: functional and hybrid resumes.  

A functional resume highlights your skills and experiences rather than presenting your chronological work history, which your typical “chronological” resume does. The functional resume is best suited for someone with a diversity of experience or some who does contract work and has gaps of time on their resume.

The second resume to consider is a hybrid resume. This hybrid format combines a typical (chronological) and functional resume. These are better for those who have experience in one area for a long period. 

Add a Objective Statement to Your Resume

If you are changing careers then your resume should have an objective statement. An objective statement should be at the top of your resume, directly underneath your name and contact information. An objective statement serves as a hook for your resume. The statement should hook the reader in two ways. One, by stating what your short-term career objective is. And two, by portraying you as a knowledgeable and passionate person ready for the job. It is encouraged that you chage your objective statement for each job application. 

Highlight Relevant Skills

If you are making a career change then your work experience most likely will not line up with exactly what the job description requires. If that’s the case, then make sure to bring up transferable skills you have acquired. These skills will usually be soft skills, which are characteristics or traits. Skills such as, being a team player, proven managerial or interpersonal communication skills. 

Conclusion

Making a career change is difficult, but the above tips will help make the re-write of your resume easier. Know that your resume is usually the first item a recruiter or HR representative views when sifting through candidates. So, take the time to make an impression. If the job search is causing depression see this post for ways to avoid depression. For more career change resume tips, see this infographic.