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How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter: Examples and Tips

This guide will teach you how to write a career change cover letter that will stand out and help you land the job of your dreams.

Are you looking to completely change careers? We’ve found some great examples of career change cover letters and tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

Keep reading to find out more about our three heroes who were brave enough to make a change and land their dream jobs.

Table of Contents

What is a career change cover letter?

It’s a brief letter you send with a completed application and/or CV when you are applying for a new job that is in a different field from what you currently do. For example, maybe you are a receptionist and want to be a personal assistant.

It’s important that the cover letter highlights the transferrable skills you have that would make you a good fit for the job, and explains why you want to make the change.

What to include in a career change cover letter

1. The job title you want

You need a compelling first paragraph.

After greeting the recruiting manager by name, you need to make it clear which job you are applying for (and also write it at the top of your cover letter). Many organisations recruit for multiple roles and you can’t risk any mistakes.

You’re going to say why you want that job and why you are the perfect candidate for it.

2. Motivation for the change

Say why you are making the change, how excited you are about it, and what specifically inspired you to make the transition.

Be honest and open about why the new career path is attractive to you and why it makes sense as a logical next step. Ultimately, by clearly communicating your motivations and enthusiasm in your cover letter, you can demonstrate that you are the perfect fit for the job.

When explaining why you are changing careers, focus on the positive and provide an overview of what prompted this job search – NOT why you hate your current job! Make sure to emphasize your excitement and eagerness to try something new and your willingness to learn.

3. Qualifications and skills

Explain any skills or experience that you have that make you a perfect fit for the job. Describe how you plan to use your skills and experiences to contribute to the organization in a positive way.

It is so important to demonstrate to prospective employers that you have the skills necessary for the new role. You should highlight transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, planning and organizing, teamwork, self-motivation and the ability to learn quickly.

4. Past job experience

Job seekers should include relevant past job experiences that highlight their transferable skills and accomplishments. For example, if a candidate previously supervised teams, they should list the number of people they managed. If they owned their own business, they should list the number of customers they obtained or the year-on-year growth they achieved.

Candidates should also showcase any leadership roles or mentoring experiences they have held, as well as any awards or recognitions they have received, in order to illustrate their work ethic and potential. If you have valuable hobbies or pastimes related to the job, make sure to include them as well.

5. Education

Explain the type of education and training you have received. This includes any degree programs, certifications, specialized courses, hands-on projects, on-demand courses, or certificate programs you have taken.

6. Language skills

It is important to include language skills that will show how your existing abilities can be transferred to the new role.

As well as being competent or even fluent in another language such as Spanish, you could also mention other types of language like Javascript and Python or Swift for coding.

7. Personal / contact information

In a career change cover letter, one should include their full name and contact details. Typically these include a mobile phone number and email address.

Final check: have you done the following?

When considering a career change, it’s important to take the time to understand the goals of the role you are applying for and the company you are interviewing with. a way that is relevant to the company.

  1. Leverage your transferable skills. Showcase experiences from your previous career that demonstrate the skills and abilities that make you a capable candidate for the new role.
  2. Talk about your excitement. Explain why you are interested in the role and how your enthusiasm for the new career path makes you a great fit for the company.
  3. Summarize your experience. Highlight your professional history and provide a brief overview of the relevant experiences you bring to the role.
  4. Summarize your career transition. Provide a brief explanation of why you are making the move and how you plan to utilize your past experiences in the new role.
  5. Wrap-up with positive feelings. Explain your thoughts and feelings about the new career transition and express your eagerness to apply your skills in a new setting.

Examples of career change cover letters

These examples should help you create a career change cover letter that can help you make a successful switch to a different career path.

Example 1 – Cover Letter for a career change in Project Management

Job Application for Director of Digital Projects

Dear [Mr/Ms Hiring Manager],

I am writing to apply for the Director of Digital Projects job opening at Salasis. After doing extensive research on your company and your commitment to reducing your carbon footprint by moving many design projects online, I am confident that my skill set and values will make me a great fit for the role and the team culture.

After many years working on prestige corporate developments, I am passionate about the design industry and believe sincerely that affordable housing should be incorporated into all urban regeneration building projects. During my time at Conwest, I had the opportunity to work with the local council to amend plans to expand the social and low-cost housing provision on offer as well as putting together some subsidised flexible work spaces. I believe this experience has given me the necessary experience to excel in this position.

I have enclosed my resume and look forward to discussing the position further. I am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Example 2 – Cover Letter for a career change in Sales

Dear [Mr/Ms] [Contact Person’s Surname],

I am writing to apply for the Sales Associate job opening at Dunder Modlin. I’m an experienced HR specialist keen on a new challenge and I believe I would excel in a sales role.

I have extensive experience in both managing teams and customer relations and began working with clients via Zoom during the pandemic when several colleagues were unwell. To my surprise, I quickly made several sales and persuaded clients to increase their orders! With my technical expertise and leadership background, I’m confident that I’ll be an asset to any team I join.

I have enclosed my resume and look forward to discussing the position further. I am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Example 3 – Cover Letter for a career change in Education

Dear [Mr/Ms Hiring Manager’s Surname],

I am writing to apply for the Executive Training Officer job opening at Milwaukee Education Council. I am a passionate, committed education professional who believes that the right ongoing training can turn a good teacher into an outstanding one, with all the lasting benefits that will bring their students.

During the 8 years I worked as a special education teacher, I supported hundreds of students who required specialized instruction uniquely crafted for them. This meant keeping track of and updating files relating to individuals as well as making links to see who might work best together. I coordinated collaboration across our team to ensure that we met deadlines and streamlined the reporting process in a pilot project that was adopted state-wide. Training colleagues at all levels to implement this reporting process sparked a passion for training Special Ed teachers and I have put in hundreds of hours of training and study since then. Through this experience, I developed excellent training skills, which I believe will be transferable to my new career path.

I have enclosed my resume and look forward to discussing the position further. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version

What are the key elements of a career change cover letter?

The key elements of a career change cover letter include:

  1. A strong opening that highlights your relevant experience and enthusiasm for the role.
  2. An explanation of why you are changing careers, and how your current experience and skills are applicable in your new field.
  3. Details of any transferable skills you have acquired and successes you achieved in previous roles.
  4. Writing about your passion and commitment to the new company and your goal of succeeding in the role.
  5. A positive conclusion that repeats your enthusiasm for the position.
  6. Tailoring your cover letter to the specific job and company (mention a key project or client so they know you have researched the role carefully).
  7. Avoiding negative or doubtful phrases and keeping a confident, optimistic tone throughout.

How can I make sure my career change cover letter stands out?

To ensure your career change cover letter stands out, follow these steps:

  1. Tailor your cover letter to every position: To capture the hiring decision-makers’ interest, customize your cover letter to the specific job role and company you’re applying to. This helps the hiring manager draw connections between your experience and what they’re looking for in an ideal candidate.
  2. Use a positive tone: While you might be switching jobs under challenging circumstances, always maintain a positive tone in your cover letter. Avoid using negative or doubtful phrases and keep your tone confident and optimistic.
  3. Incorporate action verbs: Using power-packed verbs can make your cover letter more impactful, positive, and enticing to read. Identify words that succinctly and accurately capture your achievements and skills.
  4. Don’t exceed one page: Your cover letter should be engaging and clear. Present your narrative in a compelling way so that hiring managers want to invite you for an interview to learn more.
  5. Address your cover letter correctly: Do some research to try to find out the name of the hiring manager. Avoid using “To Whom It May Concern.”
  6. Edit: Always reread your cover letter before you send it to check for any errors. If possible, ask someone else to look it over with fresh eyes as well.
  7. Highlight your transferable skills: Make sure your cover letter emphasizes your unique talents, transferable skills, and passion for the new field.

How do I make sure my career change cover letter is error-free?

How do I make sure my career change cover letter is error-free? [Step-by-step instructions]

Step 1: Edit your cover letter twice. The first time, review the sentence structures and flow of your cover letter. Reading it out loud can be very helpful.

Step 2: The second time, use an app like grammarly  to check for any grammar or spelling mistakes.

Step 3: Tailor your cover letter for each specific position. Make sure to not just swap in the position title and company name from your last application. All of the content should show why you are qualified for that particular job so there are no copy/paste errors.

Step 5: Double-check your cover letter for any errors before sending it. If you have time, have someone else look it over with fresh eyes.

What is the best way to sign off a career change cover letter?

Make sure to thank the reader for their time and assure them that any questions they may have will be answered promptly, should they reach out.

If you’ve addressed your cover letter to a named person, sign off with “Sincerely” or “Yours sincerely.” If not, address it “Dear Sir or Madam,” and sign off with “Yours faithfully.”

If you wish to be less formal, it’s also acceptable to sign off with “Best regards,” or “Kind regards.” After your sign-off, include your name on the next line, followed by your email address and mobile number, as well as your LinkedIn profile URL (if applicable).

For an extra professional touch, add a digital copy of your handwritten signature after your full name.

Finally, thoroughly read and edit the letter to ensure it is concise and free from errors. If you’re uncertain, have a friend or colleague review it for you.

More Cover Letter Examples