To write a career change resume, start by adding in your contact details. Next, state how your background and interests align with the job requirements in the summary or objective section. Proceed with a work experience section, detailing professional achievements that showcase relevant skills. Add degrees to the education section, alongside any relevant coursework or awards. Include additional sections like “Projects” to showcase further credentials. Afterward, list key skills in the skills section. Lastly, polish your resume by adding keywords from the job description. 

You can successfully change careers not only if you have the qualifications for it, but if your resume allows it. 

Other candidates will have more linear work histories. So, you’ll need to make a strong case on your resume by aligning your unique skills and experiences with the company’s needs. 

This guide will show you how to write a career change resume that actually works, and how to frame your professional skills and experience in a way that matches job requirements. 

An Example of a Strong Career Change Resume

Why this resume for a career change works

• Proof of transferable skills. This career change resume sample includes achievements and projects that demonstrate relevant technical skills. 
• Evidence of making an impact. Quantified accomplishments emphasizes your ability to drive meaningful results. 
• Relevant experience is prioritized. Instead of expanding on past marketing roles or duties, the candidate makes space to prioritize information that’s directly related to the new role. 
• Strong summary. The summary effectively positions the candidate as someone with relevant experience that’s ready to transition into software engineering. 
• Relevant certifications. The list of certificates makes it clear that the candidate is knowledgeable in key areas. 

What makes a good career change resume? 

• Achievements that showcase relevant skills. Mention achievements from previous roles or projects that are applicable to the field you’re applying for. 
• Specify tasks and responsibilities using numbers. Adding metrics to describe tasks and outcomes emphasizes the significance of your contributions. This makes your resume more engaging and impressive. 
• Prioritize relevance. Focus on information that’s directly related to the career path you’re pursuing. If it’s not related to the role at all, then you’re better off leaving it out.
• Clear career narrative. The hiring manager should be able to make sense of your career timeline. Write bullet points under each role that shows you’re prepared for the job position, and use a resume summary or objective section to clarify how your unique background makes you a qualified candidate. 
• Tailored for the job. Customize your resume to match specific requirements from the job description.

How to Write a Career Change Resume From Top to Bottom

This is how to write a career change resume:

• Format your resume. Stick as closely as possible to the standard reverse chronological format. If you have extensive experience to showcase, consider the combination format. 
• Add in your contact information to the resume header. 
• Make a resume introduction by either writing a summary or an objective statement. 
• Use the work experience section to prove you’re capable of making a positive impact. 
• List academic qualifications in the education section. 
• Share further experience, accomplishments, and qualifications through additional sections. 
• Categorize key skills in the skills section. 
• Embed keywords from the job description. 

Follow all of these steps, and you’ll have a strong career change resume that will help you break into the new field you’re pursuing. Below, I’ll cover each step in more detail and share examples.

1. Format Your Resume Using a Modified Reverse Chronological Format

Here are the most common resume formatting options: 

• Reverse-chronological resume: this is the standard resume format. It’s best for showcasing your career timeline and progression, as well as your skills through professional achievements.
• Combination resume: a hybrid format that balances skills and work experience. This one’s only ideal for career changers who want to showcase extensive experience. 
• Functional resume: focuses on skills rather than work history, but it can be a red flag as it conceals the main thing hiring managers look for in applications, which is work experience. 

Our suggestion is to either go for a reverse chronological format when you have a range of achievements to highlight, or a combination format when you have a significant work history to emphasize. Avoid the functional resume. 

Is the functional resume format good for a career change resume?

The functional (or skills-based) resume format isn’t the most effective option for a career change resume. If you lack experience, the stronger alternative is what we call a modified reverse chronological format. 

A modified reverse chronological format keeps the core structure of a standard resume. The difference is in making slight modifications to highlight your strengths. For instance, if you have no experience and your academic qualifications are your main highlight, a modified reverse chronological format would place the education section before the work experience section.

Employers prefer seeing a clear progression in your career and results you've achieved in a professional environment. Therefore, it's crucial to present your work experience in a way that highlights transferable skills and demonstrates how your past roles have prepared you for a new career, even if they aren't directly related to the field you're transitioning into. 

And that’s why functional resumes aren’t the best for career changers–the format is designed to conceal the very thing that employers are looking for: work experience. 

2. Add Your Contact Information

Here’s the contact information to include in your resume header: 

• First and last name in the center at the top of your resume in 20–24pt in bold. 
• Mention your location by city and country. 
• Include your email address and phone number. 
• Share a link to your LinkedIn profile, relevant social media, or portfolio website. 

3. Complete Your Resume Introduction

Your resume introduction is where you can briefly share your story and state how you can uniquely add value. 

There are two ways to introduce yourself and make a compelling resume profile: 

• Resume summary: this is where you summarize how your professional background has prepared you for the transition by highlighting relevant areas of expertise, unique skills, and notable career highlights.
• Resume objective: this is where you emphasize how your goals make you a strong fit for the new role and how you can individually contribute.

Below, I’ll share when you should either write a resume summary or objective section, and how to approach both sections as a career changer. 

How to write a resume summary for a career change

A resume summary is best for career changers who have relevant work experience in their current or past roles that can be transferred to their new field. If you’ve built skills, achievements, and a track record of success that can directly apply to the new role, write a summary to immediately showcase these highlights and prove you’re qualified.

Here’s how to write a career change resume summary:

• Start with your professional background and how it connects to your new career field.
• Highlight key transferable skills and relevant achievements that prove you can excel in the target role.
• Emphasize any qualifications or certifications that demonstrate you have relevant expertise for the job.

An easier way is to use our AI Resume Summary Generator. Simply input the job title and skills you want to highlight, and then using details from your experience section, it’ll draft a summary following best resume writing practices. 

Examples of a career change resume summary section

Example 1 – teacher to project manager resume summary:

Experienced educator with over 8 years of classroom management and curriculum development, now transitioning into project management. Proven leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with a track record of coordinating cross-functional teams. Certified in Agile methodologies and passionate about using my ability to plan, execute, and deliver projects on time and within budget in a new career as a project manager.

Example 2 – financial analyst to data scientist resume summary:

Financial analyst with 5+ years of experience in data analysis and financial modeling, transitioning into data science. Proficient in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI. Proven track record in analyzing large datasets to drive strategic business decisions. Looking to apply analytical skills and technical expertise to solve complex problems in a data science role.

How to write a resume objective statement for a career change 

A resume objective is ideal for career changers who have little to no experience that can be directly transferred to their new career field. In other words, use an objective section when you’re making a significant career shift to the point your previous roles don’t quite align with the target job description. 

To write a good objective, clarify your career goals in correspondence with the company’s mission. Next, state how your current skills and knowledge will help you succeed.

Here’s how to write a career change resume objective:

• State your current position and core competencies. 
• Specify your professional background by highlighting key credentials and skills. 
• Briefly expand on relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that indicate you can make a positive difference. 
• Clarify how your background can be a benefit and how you’re committed to contributing to the target company. 

Examples of a career change resume objective section

Example 1 – customer service representative to digital marketing specialist resume objective:

Empathetic customer service representative adept in building client relationships and solving customer inquiries. Seeking to transition into digital marketing, leveraging strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of customer needs to create targeted marketing campaigns. Eager to help XYZ Company drive targeted traffic and increase online conversions.

Example 2 – administrative assistant to HR resume objective:

Meticulous administrative assistant seeking to transition into human resources. Developed strong attention to detail and multitasking abilities while managing office operations. Certified in HR fundamentals, with a solid understanding of recruitment, employee relations, and onboarding processes, eager to contribute to ABC Company by streamlining operations and supporting employee engagement initiatives.

4. Use Your Work Experience Section to Prove You’re Capable of Making an Impact 

Frame your professional responsibilities in your work experience section as achievements. Focus on the impact you made and the results you delivered in each role. After all, hiring managers want to see that you’re capable of making a positive, tangible difference. 

Here’s how to write your work experience section as a career changer: 

• Add your job position, company name, dates of employment, and location (city, country). 
• Under each position, aim to write between 3–7 bullet points. If you have extensive experience and other roles to highlight, you can write between 1–5 bullet points. 
• Start each bullet point with an action verb, then describe a task you performed, and relevant skills applied, followed by an achievement. 
• Specify responsibilities and achievements using numbers. 

Be picky when deciding which responsibilities and achievements to write about. Prioritize the most relevant and significant details that indicate you’re qualified for the role the company is advertising. 

How to write about work experience in a way that’s related to the field you’re applying for

Even if your previous job titles aren't directly related to the new field you’re applying for, there are always transferable skills you can highlight. 

Here’s what to do: 

• Focus on abilities from previous roles that are related to the new field, such as leadership and project management. 

• Tie your achievements to the skills required in the job description of the new field.
• Use numbers or data to describe results and impact that are applicable to the new career (e.g., “Increased team productivity by 20%,” or “Led a project that reduced costs by 15%”).
• Specify tasks or challenges you faced in your previous role that indicate you’re prepared to handle similar situations.
• Mention any promotions, training, and positive recognition that demonstrates your commitment to succeed. 

Need help writing relevant bullet points based on best resume writing practices? Try these tools: 

• AI Bullet Point Writer: generate new bullet points to highlight your impact in a previous role. This tool works by prompting details related to your job title, field, experience level, and target job description. Next, press “Generate Bullet” and our tool will draft sentences tailored to your professional experience. 
• AI Bullet Point Editor: for any bullet point you want to refine, highlight it inside our AI resume builder and click “Rewrite Bullet.” Our AI tool will then improve it and offer up to three suggestions. 

Example of a career change work experience section

Let’s say you’re applying for a data analyst position as a mechanical engineer. In this scenario, here’s an example of how you might approach the work experience section: 

Mechanical Engineer
ABC Engineering Firm | London, UK | June 2017 – July 2023

• Analyzed performance data of complex mechanical systems, identifying patterns and trends that improved operational efficiency by 15%.
• Developed a Python-based tool to automate data collection from testing equipment, reducing manual data entry errors by 30%.
• Led a cross-functional team to optimize production workflows, which decreased downtime by 10% and saved the company £150,000 annually.
• Presented data-driven insights to senior management, using data visualization tools such as Tableau and Excel to highlight key findings and support decision-making.

Junior Mechanical Engineer
XYZ Manufacturing | Manchester, UK | September 2014 – May 2017

• Collected and analyzed technical data from production lines to improve machine performance, which increased throughput by 12%.
• Collaborated with the quality control team to track and reduce defects, leveraging root-cause analysis techniques and providing actionable recommendations based on data.
• Built automated reporting tools using Excel macros, reducing time spent on manual reporting by 25%.
• Identified and solved recurring equipment malfunctions by analyzing historical performance data, resulting in a 20% decrease in machine downtime.

5. List Academic Qualifications in the Education Section

Your education section makes it clear you’re academically qualified. If your academic achievements are your main highlight, place this section right before the work experience section. 

Include the following details:

• Name of degree or qualification 
• Institution name
• Location (city or state)
• Any coursework, certifications, or honors that are related to the job requirements

Example of an education section for a career change resume

We’ll follow on from our previous example. In this instance, the candidate is a mechanical engineer looking to apply for a data analyst position.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
University of California | Berkeley, CA

• Relevant Coursework: Data Analysis for Engineers, Applied Mathematics, Statistical Modeling, Automation and Control Systems
• Certifications: Python for Data Science (Coursera), Data Visualization with Tableau (Udemy)
• Honors: Graduated with First-Class Honors

6. Share Further Experience, Accomplishments, and Qualifications Through Additional Sections

An additional section gives you the chance to highlight relevant qualifications or achievements outside traditional work roles. 

I’d even argue that additional sections are a must for career changers. If nothing on your resume is directly connected to the new field or target job description, now’s the time to mention those side projects or courses you’ve been working on. 

Here are a few examples of additional sections to include and how to approach them as a career changer: 

• Certifications: list industry-specific certifications that boost your credibility for the job you’re applying for. 
• Projects: mention side projects that showcase your expertise in a particular skill or industry. 
• Volunteering: if you have no experience, highlight volunteer roles where you developed soft skills. 
• Relevant coursework: showcase modules, boot camps, or classes that indicate your level of knowledge in a relevant area. 
• Training: mention training programs that show you’re fundamentally competent for the role.
• Awards: make a list of positive recognitions you achieved that demonstrate your skills and dedication. 

7. Categorize Key Skills in the Skills Section

List the abilities that are most significant to the position you’re applying for. Add both hard skills and soft skills. 

Another thing you can do is create a custom category to emphasize interests or a particular area of expertise. For instance, create a category titled “Software proficiency” to make a list of software tools that you excel in. 

Example of a skills section for a career change resume

Continuing with our mechanical engineer to data analyst scenario, here’s an example of an effective skills section: 

• Technical Skills: Data Analysis, Python, SQL, Tableau, Excel, Data Visualization
• Soft Skills: Problem-Solving, Leadership, Team Collaboration, Analytical Thinking
• Fields of Interest: Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Big Data, Process Optimization

What are the best skills to showcase on a resume when changing careers?

The best skills to highlight on a resume when changing careers are industry-specific expertise. Show your level of knowledge and skills in the field you’re applying for through relevant accomplishments and qualifications. 

Your next best bet is to focus on leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Even if your work history isn’t directly related to the new field, these skills demonstrate your ability to manage teams, tackle challenges, and effectively collaborate with others—qualities that are highly valued in any role. 

If you’re unsure of what exact skills to put or how to phrase them, you can use our AI Skills Explorer tool to instantly get a list of relevant resume skills. Simply enter a skill you already have, and then our tool will provide you with a list of related abilities. 

8. Embed Keywords From the Job Description

Hiring managers are expecting resume applications meant specifically for them. However, this is mostly determined by applicant tracking systems (ATS) by checking whether your resume includes keywords from the job description.

Here’s how to find and include resume keywords: 

• Review the job description and note any particular skills, qualifications, and experience that the company is seeking in candidates. 
• Add these keywords naturally throughout your resume. The most common sections to include them in are your summary or objective, work experience, projects, and skills. 

Alternatively, use our AI Keyword Targeting feature to automatically scan a job description and provide you with a list of keywords in seconds. You’ll also get suggestions on where to place them on your resume. 

Here’s Why Your Career Change Resume Might Not Be Working

Sending tailored resumes to every job application, but still struggling to land interviews? 

Here’s where your resume could be going wrong: 

• Focusing too much on past titles. Employers care more about how your work history translates to meeting their needs, rather than the titles you’ve held. Prioritize aligning your background with specific job requirements. 
• No clear career story. Hiring managers could be struggling to make sense of your transition due to an unclear narrative. Your resume should highlight qualifications, abilities, and accomplishments that are relevant to the new field. 
• Lack of industry-specific keywords used contextually. Even if your resume includes a few keywords from the job description, they must be used in the right context. 
• Not tailoring every resume you send. Just because companies are hiring for the same job position, it doesn’t mean they have the same expectations. Your resume needs to address the specific needs and job requirements. 

Since you’ll be up against other qualified candidates who might’ve had a more linear career timeline, your narrative should be compelling enough to show employers you’re capable of the transition. 

If your resume isn’t the issue, then you need to keep applying

The only other reasons why you might not have landed an interview even with the perfect career change resume is that you either haven’t applied to enough jobs or that there are other candidates who are better fits for the role.

In either case, the solution is the same: keep applying! 

The job market is tough, no doubt. But to increase your chances of job search success, be consistent with making applications to companies where you can apply skills or knowledge developed from your professional background. 

With more tailored resumes to more companies where you can add value, it’ll only be a matter of time until you get a positive response. Ultimately, it’s a numbers game. 

Lastly, Send a Cover Letter Alongside Your Resume

Cover letters are absolutely essential for career changers. It gives you the chance to explain your story in a way your resume can’t. 

With a resume, you can only use the summary or objective section to make a direct statement about how your background aligns with the job requirements. 

On the other hand, cover letters allow you to expand on how and why you’re making the transition. You have plenty more room to discuss your credentials and work history, even if your experience is outside the traditional path. 

To get started on cover letters, here are some recommended resources:

• How to Write a Cover Letter Step-By-Step 
• The Best Ways to Start a Cover Letter
• Do You Need a Cover Letter to Land an Interview? 
• The Purpose of Writing Cover Letters 

Free Career Change Resume Templates

Use our free resume templates to get started on your career change resume. They’re automatically formatted to meet hiring standards, so all you have to do is focus on the writing. 

Or, check out our resume examples library for further inspiration. 

Standard career change resume template

Modern career change resume template

Summary: How to Write a Resume for a Career Change

Here’s a quick recap on how to write a career change resume:

• Format your resume based on your strengths. Our recommendation is to use one of the following formats: standard reverse-chronological, modified reverse-chronological, or combination. 
• Add your contact information into the header section. Include your full name, location, email, phone number, and a link to your LinkedIn or portfolio.
• Make a professional resume introduction by either writing a summary (if you have transferable experience) or an objective (if you’re making a significant career shift and lack relevant skills).
• Make your work experience section impact-driven. Highlight transferable skills and expertise through quantifiable achievements that relate to the new role.
• Include academic qualifications and additional sections (e.g., certifications and projects) to reinforce your credentials.
• Add your top and most relevant skills to the skills section.
• Embed keywords contextually throughout your resume to get past applicant tracking systems. 

Writing a career change resume is all about connecting your work history, skills, and qualifications to the job position. Follow the steps in this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to landing more opportunities in your new career path. 

And if you want the tools to make the process easier, try Rezi AI for free. 

FAQs

How to write a career change resume when I have no experience?

If you have no work experience whatsoever, and you’re making a career change, it likely means that you’ve just finished your education, but your academic background isn’t directly related to the field you want to pursue. In this case, focus on showcasing transferable skills and academic knowledge. Highlight degrees, coursework, certifications, volunteer experience, and any related side projects or freelance work. Emphasize desirable soft skills, such as communication and adaptability. Include achievements that show you’re capable of making a positive impact. Use a resume objective to clarify your career goals and how your current skills, knowledge, or interests align with the new field. Tailor your resume to the job description by including resume keywords. 

How to explain a career change on a resume?

The only place on a resume where you can explain a career change is in your summary or objective section. Clarify your intention to transition, and state how your experience has prepared you for the change. However, make sure your intention is directly related to the company’s mission to show that you’re capable of adding value. For example, you could write something like, “Proven 3+ year track record in financial analysis and data interpretation, now pursuing a shift to data science. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to help [Company] deliver innovative solutions by harnessing data insights.” Keep it brief and simply focus on how your background is relevant to the role. Use a cover letter to expand on your explanation. 

What to put on a resume when changing careers?

Include transferable skills, relevant accomplishments, and any qualifications or certifications. Add a clear resume summary that provides an overview of how your background makes you prepared and qualified. Or, write an objective section that establishes how you intend to contribute to the organization and clarify why your interests can help them reach specific goals. Use additional sections such as projects to show your commitment to the new field. Focus on writing about tasks or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform to a good standard. Additionally, expand on your academic background. Aside from listing your degree, you can also highlight relevant coursework, certifications, and awards. Focus on achievements in the work experience section to prove you can make an impact. 

How to tailor my resume for a career change?

Make a targeted resume summary or objective section that directly connects your career background to the new role. Reframe your work experience, focusing on relevant skills and your ability to make a tangible impact. When showcasing your academic background, expand on any details that relate to the field you’re applying for. If you have further experience or achievements to showcase, use additional sections. Lastly, use job-specific keywords throughout your resume to show employers that your application aligns with their particular needs. 

What formats are okay for a career change resume?

The reverse chronological format is usually the best option. In this case, focus on showcasing professional achievements and tasks that demonstrate relevant skills. If your experience is more limited, and you have less relevant qualifications or achievements to showcase, go for a modified reverse chronological format. With this format, still showcase your work experience, but make a few modifications to emphasize your strengths. Avoid the functional resume format and only use the combination resume format when you have extensive work history to write about.