How to write a career change cover letter
Considering a career change? If so, you’re not alone. In fact, 57% of Australian workers have changed careers at least once. If you’re not feeling fulfilled by your job, it might be time to make a switch.
When you’re making a career change, your cover letter becomes an even more important tool. It’s your chance to tell the hiring manager why you’ve got new career goals and how your transferable skills and past experience are beneficial for the new role.
In this article, we explain how to write a cover letter for a career change, points your letter should contain, and practical tips to get you started.
Why a cover letter is important when considering a career change
A cover letter is always a good idea when you’re applying for jobs – but when you’re changing careers it’s even more important. You can use it to:
- Explain how your professional experience transfers to the new role
- Express your motivation and genuine interest for the job
- Acknowledge any skill gaps and how you intend to address them
- Highlight achievements or training
- Talk about transferable and technical skills
- Demonstrate you’re a good cultural fit
- Mention a ‘unique selling point’
Your cover letter helps the hiring manager see why you’re the ideal applicant for the job, even if you don’t have every skill they’re looking for.
How to write a cover letter for a career change
The layout of your cover letter should be similar to any other cover letter. However, what you write will probably differ, depending on the job and industry. Here’s what you should write in your cover letter for a career change.
Introduce yourself
Start your cover letter with an introduction. Include who you are, your career goals, and why you think you’d be a good fit for the role. Summarise the qualifications, work experience and transferable skills that are relevant to the job application. If you don’t have any experience in the field, you should highlight your achievements and personal strengths. You could also briefly touch on your current position and emphasise your excitement to change industry.
For example:
I am an experienced retail worker of five years, looking to pivot into administration. I was very excited to see the advertised position of entry-level office administrator at ABC Company. While I may not have worked in an admin position before, I have spent the last few years developing my communication and interpersonal skills in a fast-paced retail environment.
Explain why you want to make a career change
After your introduction, explain why you’re making a career change, highlighting your interest in the job and how it lines up with your long-term goals. If you’re not fulfilled by your current role, you should frame this as seeking a new challenge, and avoid criticising your past or current employer.
For example:
After five years in retail, I am eager to start a new chapter in my career. I am wanting to make a change into administration, to develop new skills, build on my diploma, and work towards my long-term goal of becoming an office executive. I believe my interpersonal skills, cash-handing experience and demonstrated teamwork abilities would make me a great asset to your administration team.
Demonstrate an understanding of the company
A cover letter should be tailored to the job ad and show that you have researched the organisation, taking note of their values and what qualities of theirs drew you to the role. This is another opportunity to connect your existing skills and experience with the company’s goals.
For example:
I believe that one of ABC Company’s values is to foster a collaborative culture, which is something I have also come to value, having developed strong collaboration skills in my previous role. I also have years of practice resolving customer issues, which aligns with your company’s objective of providing efficient customer service.
Show why you’re a good match
The number one goal of your cover letter for a career change is to show why you’re the right fit for the role, even if you don’t have every skill they are asking for. When you’re applying for a role in a different industry, focus on transferable skills. You can also emphasise your ability to learn and your eagerness to develop any technical skills you may not have.
For example:
I acknowledge that I may not have the same technical abilities as other candidates, but I’m a fast learner, with a demonstrated aptitude for picking up new skills. In each of my past roles, I was required to a learn a new POS system, so adapting to different technologies and quickly becoming technically proficient is something I’m accustomed to.
Mention relevant professional development
Your cover letter is a great opportunity to mention any training or courses that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This shows the hiring manager that you’ve taken steps towards your goal of working in the industry you’ve applied for.
For example:
During the last year, I’ve been developing my knowledge of administration and office support by completing a Certificate II in Workplace Skills.
Conclude on a positive note
Any cover letter should end on a positive note. The best way to wrap up your cover letter is to reiterate your interest in the job and the company, thank the hiring manager for their consideration, and end with an eagerness to chat about the job further in an interview.
For example:
Thank you for considering my application, I’m excited by the prospect of launching the next phase of my career with ABC Company. I’m confident I’d make a great addition to the team, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Career change cover letter examples
Seeing some cover letter examples for a career change can help you get started on writing your own. Remember, these examples are just a starting point and should be customised to your experience and the job you’re applying for.
Career change cover letter sample for early career
For an apprenticeship:
Dear Mr Singh,
My name is Anna Stevens and I am writing to express my interest in the advertised position of apprentice electrician at HorizonTech Solutions. Building from my current position as a sales assistant in retail, I am excited to pivot to a career in trades, using my skills in communication, problem solving and customer service as a springboard.
HorizonTech Solutions’ commitment to innovation is something that personally resonates with me, and is a value that has driven me to constantly innovate in my own career. In my current role, I have been commended for my ability to solve customer issues with creative solutions, which has seen a 25% increase in customer satisfaction over the last year.
I have recently completed a Certificate II in Electrotechnology and am looking for an apprenticeship with long-term employment opportunities.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to speaking with you more about the apprenticeship and this exciting opportunity.
Kindest regards,
Anna Stevens
For an entry-level role:
Dear Mrs Johnson,
My name is Lucas Scott and I am writing to express my interest in the role of junior data analyst at Data Sphere. As a research assistant, I am confident my experience in data collection and using data-analytics tools makes me a strong candidate.
I’ve always had a fascination with data, perhaps stemming from my parents’ careers as accountants. In my current role, I have converted this passion into hard skills in data collection and analysis, which I believe would be of great benefit to your team. I have also taken a course in SQL and Excel Analytics to gain a greater understanding of data modelling. I am a fast learner and even faster on the keyboard, with a touch type speed over over 90 wpm. My long-term career goal would be working with Data Sphere as a senior data scientist.
Thank you for this opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Yours Sincerely,
Lucas
Change in career cover letter example for mid-career
For changing industry:
Dear Ms Garcia,
I am excited to express my interest in the role of project manager at Innovate Solutions. With my eight years in the hospitality industry as a hotel operations manager, I bring expertise in project coordination, team leadership and cross-cultural communication, along with a passion to take my career to the next level. While I have enjoyed my time working in hospitality, I realise my true passion lies in team leadership and project management.
I am particularly interested in Innovate Solutions’ reputation for customer service excellence, something I have held to great importance in my own work. In the past, I have been able to successfully implement operational strategies that have improved guest satisfaction by 30%. I have also reduced operational costs by 10%, resulting in improved profitability for the hotels I have managed.
While my experience is not specific to the industry, I am highly confident I’ll bring a fresh perspective and energy. Thank you for taking the time to read my application and I look forward to speaking with you about the role further.
Kind regards,
Dave Reynolds.
For switching industries to enter management:
Dear Ms Nyguen,
As a seasoned team leader with a background in driving successful sales outcomes, I am excited for the opportunity to apply for your open position of team supervisor at Big Bookshop. My ability to adapt to new environments, learn new systems quickly, and motivate a team make me an ideal applicant to instil great culture, deliver great customer service, and exceed sales KPIs.
In the past, I’ve stepped into informal leadership roles where needed, ensuring smooth workflows and minimal disruptions to team members. This helped my teams remain on track and deliver results during otherwise tumultuous times. While I have not specifically worked in a retail setting, I am confident in my leadership abilities are transferable to any setting, and believe my adaptable nature makes me ideal for this role.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or to lock in a time to discuss my fit for the role.
Yours sincerely,
Maria Cruz
While changing careers brings a level of risk, making the change into a new industry is worth the effort if it results in higher job satisfaction. Your cover letter is an important part of starting this journey. By creating a cover letter that focuses on how your current skills and experience transfer into a new role, you can show the hiring manager that you’re a great fit. Remember, your cover letter for changing careers should be compelling and convince your potential employer you’d be a great asset to their team, even if you don’t have every skill on the job ad.
FAQs
How can I address a career gap in my cover letter?
The best way to address a career gap in your cover letter is to provide a positive reason for the gap and the skills or experience you learned from that gap. You should only address a career gap in your cover letter or resumé if you are returning to work after a recent break in employment, or if asked to provide further explanation.
Is it okay to mention salary expectations in a cover letter?
It is not recommended you mention salary expectations in a cover letter. While it’s good to be upfront about your salary expectations, your first priority should be to make a good impression on the hiring manager in order to get to the interview stage. Then you can discuss your salary expectations in person during the interview.
Should I tailor my cover letter for every single application?
Yes, you should tailor your cover letter to each application. Tailoring your cover letter to the job will ensure you are highlighting your most relevant skills and experience to that ad.
How long should a cover letter typically be?
The ideal length of a cover letter is between half a page to one full page. This will generally work out to be between 250 to 400 words, depending on your formatting.
What format should I use for writing a cover letter?
The best format for a cover letter is similar to a traditional letter, which usually flows like this:
- your contact information
- a salutation or greeting
- an opening statement
- two to three paragraphs
- a closing statement
- a sign off
- your signature
Is it acceptable to use a generic cover letter template?
It’s not recommended you use a generic cover letter template unless you customise it to suit your experience and the job. A generic cover letter may not address the specific skills and key criteria listed in the job advertisement.
What are some common cover letter mistakes to avoid?
The most common cover letter mistakes to avoid include:
- Being too formal or informal
- Using a stock cover letter template
- Writing too little or too much
- Forgetting to proofread
- Underselling yourself and your skills
- Not tying your skills and experience to the advertised role
- Not highlighting the benefit you bring to the company
How can I use my cover letter to overcome the lack of direct industry experience?
It’s important to highlight skills that are relevant to the new industry in your cover letter, to overcome your lack of experience. Being direct about a lack of experience also shows your awareness and allows you to explain how you plan to attain the relevant skills and knowledge.
How do I conclude a cover letter for a career change to ensure it stands out?
A good way to conclude a cover letter for a career change to ensure you stand out is to end on a positive note and a call to action. For example, you may say you’re eager to learn more about the role and look forward to speaking with them soon. You can also repeat your top skills and experience relevant to the job to ensure it sticks in the hiring manager’s mind.
