How to write a cover letter to change careers

It would be wonderful if we all started our careers in the ideal field, but life often steers us in a different direction. If you've found that your current career path isn't for you, it's time to consider whether you could find more fulfillment in a different line of work. Changing careers presents unique challenges, but you can overcome these with the right approach. Start with a compelling career change cover letter so you can redirect your professional life toward something deeply fulfilling.

How to approach cover letters for career transitions

Writing a cover letter for changing careers is different from writing a cover letter for a field you're well established in. When you're changing jobs, a cover letter provides you with a valuable opportunity to justify your move to a new field. Here are some tips for making the right impression in this situation.

Address the elephant in the room

Don't try to hide or downplay the fact that you're changing careers. This will be obvious to the hiring manager, so face the fact head-on and explain exactly why you're ready for a change and what makes you interested in this new field. If you found your new passion through a volunteer position, vacation experience, or other interesting means, tell your story and draw the reader into your exciting experience.

Focus on where you're going rather than what you're leaving. For example, a cover letter for a teacher leaving the education field shouldn't focus on the frustratingly low pay or overwhelmingly large class sizes. Instead, explain how educating children sparked a passion for assisting individuals later in their lives, which is why you're now seeking a job as a conservation officer where you can teach the community about taking care of the planet.

Highlight your relevant skills and experience

Though you may not have skills and experience specific to the career you're applying for, you can still demonstrate how your past experiences are valuable and relevant to the job at hand. Abilities such as time management, organization, and communication are universally valuable.

Upload a resume that details these and other skills so hiring managers can take a deeper look at your qualifications, but focus your cover letter on points that aren't obvious on your resume. For example, a hiring manager may not realize that working in daycare gave you extensive experience with conflict resolution among adults when parents disagreed with the facility's policies or were upset with one another over the behavior of their children. You can point out how you've learned to stay calm in these situations, which can serve you well in a customer service position.

Your cover letter allows you to mention things that don't quite fit on your resume, such as your history of taking mission trips to build houses, which ignited a passion for designing tiny homes, or your years of attending a national vegetarian conference that inspired you to step out as a vegan chef. Detail anything relevant to your desired new career path.

"When you're changing jobs, a cover letter provides you with a valuable opportunity to justify your move to a new field."

Expound upon your interest in the career

Be as specific as possible about the job that you're applying for. It's important to demonstrate that you're familiar with the field and the business regardless of your experience level in that particular career. Research the company thoroughly, and mention things like:

How you're a good fit for their corporate culture
How your perspective adds diversity to the team
Your expertise in niche areas relevant to the industryIndustry innovations or news relevant to the company

Employers love it when you've done your research. Mention a specific product that the company just rolled out and how you look forward to sharing news of its functionality with potential clients. Compliment the company on a recent social media marketing campaign and detail how you'd take that campaign to the next level as their new graphic designer. If the business has a traditional company culture, compliment this and explain how you'd be a good fit.

Discuss your long-term goals

Elaborate on the future you see for yourself on this new career path. How will you further your education, learn new skills, and climb the career ladder? Let the hiring manager know that this isn't a whim but rather the first step on an exciting new path for your life.

Career change cover letter template

Use the following career change cover letter template to draft one of your own:

Dear [Name of Hiring Manager],

[Brief explanation of current circumstances.]

[Description of why you're interested in this new career path.]

[Exposition on your skills and qualifications.]

[Skill: Details such as number of new clients, number of sales, etc.]
[Skill: Details.]
[Skill: Details.]

[Conclusion specifying how you'd be a good fit for the company.]

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[Name]

Career change cover letter sample

The following example of a career change cover letter includes some ideas on how you can elaborate on your current career and your future aspirations while tying the two together. Review this and other free career change cover letter samples for inspiration, but don't copy and paste the content. Make your cover letter your own.

Dear Ms. Newcomb,

As a receptionist for Dr. Thomas and Associates, I've had the pleasure and privilege of creating a warm and welcoming environment for patients entering the office. I thoroughly enjoy greeting patients and helping them settle in for their appointments, but I regret that our interactions are limited to their time in the waiting room.

After seven years of working at the reception desk, I'm ready to embark on new challenges as a medical assistant where I can accompany patients further on their medical journeys. I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with new people every day. I have a deep interest in the healthcare field and plan to further my education so I can continue to build my skill set and offer greater assistance to patients.

As a receptionist, I honed many essential skills that will help me serve as an effective medical assistant:

Administrative skills: I'm skilled at scheduling and greeting patients and have become familiar with basic medical forms, billing practices, and screening processes.
Communication: Working in a physician's office, I often see patients on their most difficult days. I've honed my communication skills to keep things as simple as possible for those who aren't feeling well. I'm also familiar with basic medical terminology.
Time management: As a receptionist, I coordinated appointments for an average of 75 patients per day in our office. This often included making same-day appointments or managing urgent care situations.

I'm excited for the opportunity to bring my skills, experience, and passion for health care to a new setting at Springfield Primary Care. Coming from a similarly sized office, I believe I'm well equipped to transition smoothly into your highly-rated healthcare facility. I appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

A well-written cover letter to change careers will communicate all the most important points and leave the hiring manager intrigued by your story. Soon, you may find yourself reiterating these same points in your interview.