How to write a career change cover letter (with examples)
Considering a career change? You’re not alone. In fact, 57% of Australian workers have changed careers at least once. If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your current job, now might be the perfect time to switch industries.
When changing careers, your cover letter becomes a crucial tool. It’s your opportunity to explain your career transition, highlight your transferable skills, and convince hiring managers that you’re the right fit - even if your experience isn’t a direct match.
In this article, we’ll outline five key steps to writing a compelling career change cover letter, cover common challenges like switching careers with no experience, and provide multiple cover letter examples to help guide your application.
Why a cover letter is essential for a career change
A well-crafted career change cover letter can help you:
Explain your motivation for changing careers.
Showcase transferable skills relevant to the new industry.
Address potential skill gaps and how you're overcoming them.
Highlight achievements that demonstrate adaptability.
Align your career goals with the company’s needs.
Demonstrate enthusiasm for the role and industry.
5 key steps to write a career change cover letter
1. Start with a strong introduction
Begin by clearly stating who you are, your current role, and your reason for the career shift. Make it compelling by showing enthusiasm and connecting your past experience to the new industry.
Example introduction for a marketing professional moving into HR:
"As a digital marketing specialist with five years of experience, I’ve developed a deep passion for understanding people and fostering engagement. This has driven my decision to transition into human resources, where I can apply my skills in communication, relationship management, and strategy to enhance workplace culture."
2. Highlight your transferable skills
Even if you don’t have direct industry experience, you likely have skills that transfer well. Identify these and draw parallels between your current role and the one you’re applying for.
Example transferable skills:
From retail to administration: Customer service → Communication & organisation
From teaching to corporate training: Lesson planning → Employee training & development
From sales to project management: Negotiation → Stakeholder management & problem-solving
3. Showcase achievements that demonstrate adaptability
Employers value problem-solving and adaptability. Highlight accomplishments that showcase your ability to learn new skills, take initiative, and drive results.
Example achievement for a hospitality worker moving into event planning:
"As a restaurant supervisor, I managed team scheduling and improved efficiency, reducing wait times by 30%. I believe this experience translates well into event coordination, where organisation and time management are critical."
4. Explain your career goals and how they align with the role
Clearly communicate why you're changing careers and how your background adds value to the new field.
Example for someone transitioning from IT to cybersecurity:
"Having spent years in software development, I’ve become increasingly interested in cybersecurity. I’ve pursued additional certifications in ethical hacking and data security to build expertise in this field, and I’m eager to apply my technical background to protecting digital assets."
5. End with enthusiasm and a call to action
Close on a positive and confident note, reiterating your enthusiasm and inviting the employer to discuss your fit for the role.
Example closing paragraph:
"I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and fresh perspective to your team. I’d love to discuss how my experience and passion align with your needs. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting soon."
Career change with no experience: How to position yourself
If you're switching to an industry where you have no formal experience, your cover letter should focus on:
Transferable skills – Highlight soft skills like leadership, adaptability, and communication.
Relevant learning – Mention certifications, courses, or self-study efforts.
Volunteer work & side projects – Showcase any unpaid experience that relates to the role.
Passion for the industry – Show genuine enthusiasm and an understanding of the field.
Examples of adaptability – Demonstrate how you’ve successfully learned new skills in the past.
Example for someone moving from hospitality to customer service with no experience:
"While my experience has been in hospitality, I have always been passionate about creating positive customer experiences. My ability to handle high-pressure situations, resolve conflicts, and provide excellent service has prepared me well for a transition into a customer service role. To further develop my skills, I have completed an online customer service training course, and I’m excited to apply my knowledge to a professional setting."
Career change cover letter examples
Marketing to human resources cover letter
Dear Hiring Manager, After five years in digital marketing, I’ve realised my true passion lies in helping people grow within their careers. My background in campaign strategy and audience engagement has equipped me with strong communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills - all crucial in HR. In my current role, I led a mentorship program for junior marketers, guiding their professional development. This experience inspired me to pursue a formal career in human resources, where I can support employees and drive positive workplace culture. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your HR team. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, |
Hospitality to customer service
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, |
Teaching to corporate training
Dear Ms. Patel, As an experienced secondary school teacher, I have spent a decade designing and delivering engaging educational programs. I’m eager to transition into corporate training, where I can apply my expertise in instruction, public speaking, and learner engagement to a business environment. In my teaching career, I successfully implemented new training methods that improved student performance by 25%. I’m confident that my ability to break down complex concepts, tailor learning experiences, and assess progress would be valuable in this role. I would love to discuss how my skills in education translate into effective corporate training. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Best regards, |
Retail to administration
Dear Mr. Jones, With five years of experience in fast-paced retail environments, I’m excited to transition into office administration. My background in customer service, time management, and multitasking has prepared me well for this career shift. In my current role, I have been responsible for scheduling, inventory management, and handling financial transactions, all of which require strong organisational and attention-to-detail skills. I have also recently completed a Certificate II in Business Administration to further develop my expertise. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills to your team. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, |
For a management role
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 instill 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. Sincerely, |
How to address skill gaps in a career change cover letter
If you lack direct experience in the new field, use these strategies to position yourself as a strong candidate:
Emphasise transferable skills: Highlight soft skills like leadership, adaptability, and communication.
Showcase relevant learning: Mention certifications, courses, or self-study efforts.
Provide examples of adaptability: Explain situations where you successfully learned new skills quickly.
Example sentence starter:
"While I may not have formal experience in [new industry], my background in [current field] has given me [transferable skill], which is directly relevant to [new role]."
Cover letter tips for a career shift
Customise each cover letter – Tailor it to the job description and company values.
Keep it concise – Ideally, no longer than one page.
Use action-oriented language – Showcase impact with quantifiable results.
Address the employer’s needs – Focus on what you can bring to the role.
Proofread thoroughly – Typos can undermine credibility.
Making a career change can feel daunting, but a well-crafted cover letter can help bridge the gap between your past experience and your future role. By focusing on transferable skills, relevant achievements, and a compelling career narrative, you can show hiring managers why you’re the right candidate - no matter your background.
Download free career change cover letter here
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.
What is the best way to address employment gaps when changing careers?
The best way to address employment gaps when changing careers is to be direct about the gap and why you took the time away. Be honest about career gaps – and focus on the positive aspects of your break from work.
