Time for a change? A birthday, a life change, a world event, or even an epiphany can often trigger the need for change in our lives. For many of us, the change we seek is in our work.
You may be motivated by the desire to do more meaningful work. Or perhaps you want a job that lets you work remotely. Maybe you’re looking to transition to freelance work. Or you, simply, just want a change. Whatever your reasons for wanting a career change, you’re certainly not the only one.
Changing careers can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Applying for positions that are different from what you’ve been used to can feel daunting. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal. First, take a deep breath. It’s going to be OK! Now let’s get started.
Tailoring your resume to the role you’re targeting is often the first step people think of in the career change process. However, to make sure your resume gets noticed in the first place, you need to craft an attention-grabbing career change cover letter.
This guide will show you how to write a career change cover letter that is interesting and engaging. You’ll learn how to tell the story of your career in a way that impresses potential clients or employers. This letter is your chance to pique their interest in you—even if you don’t have direct experience for the job. Plus, to inspire you, we’ve also included career change cover letter samples below.
Let’s dive in!
Elements of a great career change cover letter
Before we jump into the step-by-step of how to write a career change cover letter, let’s quickly note the elements it must include:
- An interesting introduction
- Your transferable skills
- Why you are switching careers
- Your expression of interest/excitement in the company
- A powerful closing paragraph
Each of these sections will require some thoughtful consideration. Though short, they must pack a punch.
Below, we dive deep into these essential elements (and more) to help you craft a winning letter. When combined, these sections will help you “sell” yourself to potential clients or employers while also explaining your career switch.
By the way, if you need help writing and formatting a cover letter from scratch, refer to our article on The Best 20 Cover Letter Tips & Examples for 2021. If you are writing a cover letter specifically for a client on Upwork, check out these tips on how to write an Upwork proposal.
How to write a career change cover letter in 8 steps
1. Start with a great intro
Start your cover letter by greeting the hiring manager by name. If you’re unable to find a name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” but steer away from outdated greetings such as “To Whom It May Concern.” Next, dive into your intro.
The opening paragraph of your cover letter is your first chance at grabbing your client’s or future boss’s attention. Explicitly mention the role you are applying for and then highlight why you’re a great fit for it. Don’t get focused on the skills you don’t have. Instead, keep the client engaged by emphasizing the relevant skills you do have.
You don’t need to over-explain yourself. Be direct, be sincere, and highlight why your unique skills make you the right fit for the role.
Examples of a good introduction
Example 1
Dear Mr. Smith,
As a trained nurse, I am excited to apply for the medical writing project at Wellness Company LLC. I have been a registered nurse for 10 years. I have spent the last four years of my career in the emergency department at City Hospital, which has given me hands-on experience in caring for emergency patients. I am confident this knowledge and expertise will be particularly useful for your project.
Example 2
Dear Ms. Roy,
As a lifelong enthusiast of XYZ Company, I was thrilled to see your job ad for a Data Analyst. As a qualified accountant, I have spent the last six years crunching numbers (and data) at ABC Company to ensure data is well-managed and then used for strategic advantage. I have always been “the numbers guy” and now I am keen to put my mathematical and analytical skills to use in a data role.
2. Discuss transferable skills
Even if you don’t immediately realize it, you probably have plenty of existing skills that can transfer to your new career. Make a list of your technical (hard) and interpersonal (soft) skills. You can find a comprehensive list of soft skills here.
Review the job description and pull out skills required for the role that align with the ones you have already. In your letter, explain exactly how your existing hard and soft skills translate to the skills required for your new career. Where possible, back it up with hard numbers and facts to provide further proof of your suitability.
Examples of how to explain your transferable skills
Example 1
As a Sales Representative at Fig Tree Corp., I developed a good rapport with my clients, which contributed to me becoming the top-selling sales rep at the company in 2019 and 2020. I backed up these sales with quality after-sales service that generated repeat business for the company. In addition to this, documenting my sales strategies and processes helped the company create its first-ever sales training manual for new sales employees. I believe these professional skills translate seamlessly into a customer service role, where I can establish and maintain excellent relationships with your clients and provide them with the customer experience your brand is known for.
Example 2
My experience in operations and office management has made me very detail-oriented and process-driven. I am a pro at juggling and coordinating multiple vendors, suppliers, and staff to ensure “the office runs itself” (as one senior manager put it). While I am aware I won’t be running offices as a Virtual Assistant, I am confident my obsession with detail and ability to coordinate multiple projects (big and small) will go a long way toward helping to run a successful e-commerce business like Princess P.
3. Discuss previous roles
Your career change cover letter should also discuss your accomplishments at your previous job. However, be sure to focus your attention on achievements that are especially relevant to the new role.
Like you did with your transferable skills, quantify your accomplishments with numbers and facts to the extent you can. Even if you don’t have experience specific to the role you’re targeting, this section further demonstrates how your skills and expertise are transferable.
Examples of how to discuss previous roles
Example 1
In my previous role as a Digital Marketer at Tripod Media, I worked closely with the website development team to design and launch multiple landing pages for the business. These A/B tested, conversion-optimized designs led to a 25% increase in conversions, which consequently led to my interest (some say obsession) in understanding how users experience websites and products online. Long story short, that’s how this digital marketer became a UX designer.
Example 2
As a finance professional at Investment Bank 101, I spend my days analyzing data, forecasting for the future, and assessing risk. These tasks require a very high level of statistical analysis, which I believe is very well matched to a data-science role.
4. Explain why you are trying a new career
Did the pandemic prompt the career change? Did a certain aspect of your previous job make you want to explore that area further? Were you inspired by a hobby or passion?
Explain your reasons for exploring a career change in your letter. This will give potential clients further insight into why you’re interested in the role, despite your apparent lack of experience.
Note: Don’t feel the need to go into too much detail here. Be honest but also be tactful in this section. Even if you are leaving your old career for negative reasons, there’s no need to go into the details here. Keep it high level, focus on your new career choice, and maintain a positive tone in your letter.
Examples of how to explain why you are trying a new career
Example 1
While I have enjoyed being a nurse for the past decade, this past year has been extremely stressful. This prompted me to consider other career options. I have spent the last six months learning about digital content writing for the medical field. I believe this new career will allow me a better work-life balance while still making use of my nursing and medical expertise.
Example 2
As a graphic designer, I was (I am!) skilled at creating visually appealing imagery for my clients. However, during my time at Product ABC, I worked closely with the product design team, which opened my eyes to a new world of design. I realized designing products was a great use of my visual design skills combined with my ability to optimize a user’s product experience. Ultimately, product design helps me fulfill my desire to make an impact on a business’s overall goals—not just their brand’s look and feel.
5. Mention new skills that complement your new career
Have you acquired new skills to prepare for your career change? Maybe you have completed online courses, done further study to gain new knowledge, or attended conferences to get a true feel for your new field? If this is the case, make sure you draw attention to your efforts in your cover letter.
Some career changes will necessitate new qualifications, skills, or even certifications. For example, if you are transitioning from digital marketing to web development, you will need to learn programming languages. Mention any courses or additional learning you’ve taken up.
On the other hand, many career changes don’t require brand new qualifications at all and may only necessitate a little bit of extra learning on your behalf. For example, if you’re a teacher transitioning to a curriculum development role—you already have the teaching qualifications. You just need to flex a different muscle i.e. curriculum development. In this case, keep your cover letter focused on your transferable skills.
Examples of new skills
Example 1
In addition to my marketing degree and other relevant marketing courses, I have also taken several web development courses. I have taught myself HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in preparation for my transition to a web development role.
Example 2
Since quitting my Executive Assistant job, I have also upskilled in other areas, such as social media management. I have taken several social media marketing courses. Additionally, I assist a local charity with pro bono social media management services, which has allowed me to gain hands-on experience and develop my skills in social media.
6. Showcase understanding of the company
A personalized cover letter that demonstrates your knowledge of the company is essential for each new role you want to apply for. What you lack in job-specific experience, you could make up for with your enthusiasm for the company and role.
If you know the company name, take the time to research them and demonstrate your familiarity with the organization in your cover letter. The company website and social media channels are always a good starting point.
There are many ways to highlight your knowledge and/or your passion for the organization. You could discuss shared values in your letter. Talk about a specific project they may have highlighted on social media. Mention an ad campaign. Highlight your passion for the brand. Think creatively!
If you are writing a cover letter for a project on Upwork, and don’t know the name of the company (I know that happens), try to look out for other clues within the job post that you could put to use. Sometimes clients may not mention the company name but provide a lot of other information that may be useful for your cover letter.
For example, the client may mention they are an outdoors brand. If you are an outdoorsy person, you could use this information as a jumping-off point to make a connection. Think about how you can make the most of the information available to you. Then use it to tailor your cover letter in a way that gets their attention.
It’s important to remember that “selling” yourself in your cover letter should also involve explaining how you can help the company achieve its goals. It’s also about connecting the dots between your skills/expertise and the company’s needs.
Examples of how to demonstrate your knowledge of the company
Example 1
Working at an internationally renowned event management company like Monica Gellar Inc. as a Project Manager would be a dream come true for a planning nerd like me. I have implemented many of Ms. Gellar’s planning and organization strategies in both my personal and professional life.
Example 2
I was particularly excited to read about your commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion. Personally, I am living out a year of “buy no new clothes.” Therefore, I am very interested in helping to market a company whose values intersect my own.
7. End with a positive statement
A generic ending to your cover letter is a missed opportunity. End your letter with a powerful and positive statement. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role or project. Also, don’t forget to thank the hiring manager or client for their time and attention.
Use the concluding paragraph to summarize your overall pitch to the client or employer. Remind them why you are the right person for the job. Don’t be shy.
Instead of leaving it up to the client to invite you to an interview, consider taking the lead and suggesting it yourself.
Examples of a positive statement
Example 1
I am very interested in discussing your Virtual Assistant role in more detail. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my operations experience and qualifications can contribute to Tango Time. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Example 2
I believe I am a great fit for this role. I am confident that my marketing and lead gen expertise from previous roles will translate well to the UX developer role at your organization. I look forward to discussing my qualifications and suitability during an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
8. Review your cover letter
Your cover letter is done. It’s time to breathe a sigh of relief. But don’t send it just yet. Leave it for a day and then come back and review it again. Taking a break from it allows you to see your cover letter with fresh eyes.
Read your letter again, keeping an eye out for any typos or errors. You may also like to read the letter out loud. This can help you catch things that you may skip over while reading on the screen.
Run the spell check function. If possible, ask a friend or someone you trust to read through it as well. A second set of eyes can often help you catch mistakes that you may have missed.
3 examples of complete cover letters to use when making a career change
Now that you have all the tips in hand, here are a few career change cover letter samples:
Example #1
Dear Ms. Chen,
As a qualified and experienced high school teacher, I am very excited to apply for the role of Instructional Designer at Learning Co. In my 15+ years of teaching, I have designed and implemented curriculum for multiple classes of various ages and ability levels. I am confident my hands-on experience in the classroom makes me a great fit for this role.
In my most recent role as Senior Art Teacher at Awesome High School, I developed the art curriculum for grades seven to nine, in collaboration with other teachers from the art department. I designed each program to integrate feedback, student support, assessments, and course evaluations. Further, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I adapted the curriculum for a remote (online) learning environment. I have recently completed two instructional design courses to ensure my teaching experience aligns with instructional design best practices.
While I have enjoyed being a teacher, I’m ready to explore other career options. I love to teach and help students. However, I believe I can pursue this passion outside the classroom with an instructional design role at a company like Learning Co., which is well known for its quality training programs.
To sum it up, 15 years of classroom experience, combined with further study in instructional design make me an ideal applicant for this role. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you how my skills and qualifications can help Learning Co. achieve its instructional design goals. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tanya Teacher
Example #2
Dear Ms. Green,
It may sound cliche to say I am excited to apply for the Social Media Coordinator role at Fashion & Co., but I really am! I have been wearing Fashion & Co., clothes for many years and absolutely love your Weekly Fashion Inspo Reels on Instagram.
Having worked in retail fashion since high school, I have on-the-ground insight into the business of women’s fashion. Additionally, I run my own successful Instagram fashion account, which features everyday styling tips.
In my current role as the Assistant Store Manager for a local boutique (Bliss & Butterflies), I liaise with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders daily. I take an active interest in maintaining a strong knowledge of the products sold in the store. Since taking over this role, I have increased store sales by 15% through increased customer engagement, suggestive selling, and better promotion of product features and benefits.
Additionally, my social media success with my fashion accounts have taught me key social media management skills such as:
- Developing, implementing, and managing a social media strategy consistent with my brand identity across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.
- Content creation and editing of photos and videos.
- Community management, including but not limited to engaging with followers, responding to queries, and collaborating with brands.
- Staying up to date with the latest social media best practices and technologies.
Working in retail was always meant to be a temporary job while I finished school. However, I believe this hands-on experience will help me add a fresh perspective to the social media marketing campaigns at Fashion & Co. I am truly excited to work with a company that is revolutionizing the world of fashion with its forward-thinking designs.
I am available for a video interview at your earliest convenience. I look forward to discussing fashion and social media marketing with you to demonstrate that I am the woman for this role. Thank you for taking the time to review my application.
Sincerely,
Fashionista Fern
Example #3
Dear Mr. López,
As a trained nurse, I am excited to apply for the Medical Writer role at Wellness Company LLC. I have been a registered nurse for 10 years. I have spent the last four years of my career in the emergency department at City Hospital, which has given me hands-on experience in caring for emergency patients. I am confident this knowledge and expertise will be particularly useful for your project.
While I have enjoyed being a nurse for the past decade, this past year has been extremely stressful. This prompted me to consider other career options. I have spent the last six months learning about digital content writing for the medical field. I believe this new career will allow me a better work-life balance while still making use of my nursing and medical expertise.
To demonstrate my writing skills, I have started a blog. I’ve included a link so you can get a glimpse of my medical writing abilities.
I am curious to learn more about your mission to educate ordinary people about life-saving skills and tactics. I believe my skills would be a great asset to your team and could help you get one step closer to achieving this mission. Please let me know when you are available for a video chat. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my skill set and suitability for the role. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Nurse Nan
Next Step: Getting ready for the interview
Writing a great cover letter that explains your career change is a crucial part of the process. A thoughtfully written cover letter shows potential clients and employers why you are a great fit for the role—even if you’re transitioning from a different type of role.
If you don’t feel up to the task, you may want to engage an expert to help you out. Independent cover letter writers can partner with you to craft a winning career change letter that will help you tell the story of your career. As expert cover letter writers, they can put together a letter that explains your desire for a career change in a professional, succinct, and engaging way.
Once your resume and cover letter are up-to-date, it’s time to start applying for jobs and projects. You may find these interview tips and resources helpful. Additionally, also check out this advice on winning interview techniques from real-life freelancers on Upwork.
Finally, I want to leave you with some encouragement. As I mentioned at the beginning, changing careers can feel daunting. But remember, it’s also an exciting time. So while it may feel overwhelming now, don’t let it hold you back from taking the leap. This is just the beginning of a wonderful new career for you.
It may also be reassuring to know that organizations are increasingly open to talent who haven’t followed a linear career path. Those changing careers can bring fresh perspectives (and solutions!) to organizational challenges. According to Fortune, “Whereas employers might have once tried to fill jobs with someone who’s done exactly the same thing previously, they are currently more open to career switchers. This makes now the perfect time to try your hand at it.”
People who reinvent their careers are adaptable, resilient, and have a healthy appetite for taking risks. These skills are valuable to many potential clients and employers. So give yourself credit where credit is due. For now, embrace being uncomfortable through this process of changing careers. As the saying goes, “Feel the fear and do it anyway!
