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Career Change
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Switching careers can be equal parts exciting and daunting. You’re stepping into a whole new path, facing unknown challenges, and rebuilding your personal brand from scratch. There’s a lot at stake here, and to fight this battle and come out on top, you need to pick the right set of weapons.
Step one: a stellar career change resume tailored to match the job. Step two, however, is more challenging because you must write a cover letter to wow recruiters and express your excitement at a career change and for the company.
We’re here to help you navigate these murky waters and set the course for the career of your dreams. Our career change cover letter examples and free cover letter builder will help you craft a memorable job application.
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123 Fictional Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85743
(123) 456-7890
Ingrid Persson
Comcast
123 Fictional Lane
Tucson, AZ 85743
Dear Ms. Persson:
As a sales manager, I was often told that my natural skillset was more aligned with marketing. While my passion for understanding consumers helped me excel in sales, I’ve always been fascinated by marketing. When I began to manage paid advertising campaigns at Oracle, my interest in marketing was confirmed. My initiative not only increased sales by 28%, but also honed my skills in a cornerstone of marketing: data-driven decision-making.
Comcast’s people-first approach to marketing resonates with my interest in consumer behavior. In my five years as a sales manager, I specialized in analyzing user data to understand the needs of our buyers. I used my proficiency in Google Analytics to monitor website traffic and optimize our marketing strategies. My analytical approach contributed to a 34% increase in conversion rates and a 26% boost in customer retention over two years.
Transitioning to a marketing manager feels like a natural progression, as it combines my experience in sales with my passion for designing targeted campaigns. At Oracle, I bridged the gap between sales and marketing to increase ROI by 29%. I feel confident that I can successfully do the same with my career.
Comcast’s customer-centric culture reflects my core values. I am excited about the prospect of combining my analytical skills and sales experience to develop data-driven marketing strategies for the company. My instinct for buyer behavior will allow me to contribute to Comcast’s continued growth.
I would be thrilled to meet and discuss how my transition from sales to marketing can drive impactful strategies at Comcast. Thank you for considering my application.
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123 Fictional Avenue
Memphis, TN 38101
(123) 456-7890
Henry Robinson
Walmart
123 Fictional Lane
Memphis, TN 38101
Dear Mr. Robinson:
Like a data analyst unveiling patterns that inform business decisions, I seek to transition my career to the sales and marketing manager role at Walmart. Your dedication to delivering remarkable customer experiences profoundly resonates with me, and I believe my analytical acumen could lend a significant advantage to your team.
As the lead data analyst at Sedgwick, I spearheaded a team that scrutinized vast data sets, using sophisticated tools like Excel to analyze patterns and infer decks. Our analysis informed marketing decisions that spiked product sales by an average of 17%. My role called for early notification of discrepancies and proposing solutions, leading to a 66% reduction in inconsistency cases across our spreadsheets.
Project management was a significant part of my responsibilities at Innova Memphis. I led three major product launch campaigns, employing strategic analysis, coordination, and communication skills. The result? A marked 36% improvement in project completion timelines. These instances heightened my ability in advanced problem-solving, making me a better marketing and sales strategist.
As an intermediate data analyst at CrossCom, I deepened my skills in problem-solving, working with intricate amounts of data and changing project requirements. Besides sharpening my adaptability, I remember one time when I dug into an issue that led to uncovering a substantial cost-saving opportunity, saving the company 3% in operational costs yearly.
My decade serving as a data analyst has ideally placed me for this sales and marketing manager role. As someone who has picked insights from raw data to inform successful marketing decisions and sales strategies, I’m convinced I’m a great fit for this position. Looking forward to discussing how my unique skills could contribute to hitting Walmart’s marketing and sales goals.
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123 Fictional Avenue
Memphis, TN 38101
(123) 456-7890
Abigail Clark
Wells Fargo
123 Fictional Lane
Baltimore, MD 21201
Dear Ms. Clark:
After investing a decade navigating the complexities of human resource management, I’m excited to redirect my professional compass toward the role of a bank manager at Wells Fargo. With the belief that my extensive HR experience equips me with unique vantage points and skills, I’m convinced it has set the perfect foreground for my successful transition into this leadership role.
As a senior HR manager at Truist Bank, my extensive experience entailed gleaning insights from employees’ concerns and suggestions, driving improvements that lowered annual employee turnover by 9%. Now, onto change management; my comprehensive planning and seamless execution of transitions led to the smooth adoption of three major technological upgrades across different departments.
My stint as an HR Specialist at Jhpiego exposed me to the compliance and regulation stream, where I ensured organizational activities adhered to labor laws and corporate policies. The result was a drastic 42% decrease in compliance-related lapses, reflecting the proficiency I’d bring to Wells Fargo.
Starting my career as an HR coordinator at SECU Credit Union, my noteworthy contribution involved instituting a modern, streamlined payroll system that improved efficiency by 27%. It was here that my affinity for numbers found its use in the finance industry, thus, envisioning a future as a Bank Manager.
Transitioning from HR to bank management might seem unusual, but I see it as leveraging my people managerial skills, my understanding of corporate regulations, and my passion for the financial sector to ensure seamless operations at Wells Fargo. I’m excited about discussing how my unique background could positively impact your team.
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123 Fictional Avenue
Miami, FL 33326
(123) 456-7890
Nala Dlamini
Ultimate Software
123 Fictional Lane
Miami, FL 33326
Dear Ms. Dlamini,
Math is the foundation for software engineering, which is exactly why I am excited to bring my background as a high school math teacher to Ultimate Software. I am drawn to the problem-solving challenge software engineering presents.
In addition to teaching high school math, I have taught myself web and mobile development, database management, and the version control system Git. I am certified in AWS and Google Cloud, and built an educational app that streamlined school communication, improving homework submission rates by 23%.
Ultimate Software’s dedication to building better workplaces through technology resonates with my passion for facilitating seamless collaboration. My teaching background has refined my ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner. This, coupled with my technical skills, positions me uniquely as a bridge between non-technical stakeholders and development teams.
I am also excited to optimize data handling processes at Ultimate Software. My experience in gradebook management taught me the importance of strong data management systems, and I am eager to bring that perspective to the team.
I hope to discuss how my transition from a math teacher to a software engineer can bring value to Ultimate Software. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Enclosures:
Resume
Portfolio
AWS Certified Developer
Google Cloud Certified
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123 Fictional Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 76208
(123) 456-7890
Sven Jonsson
American Express
123 Fictional Lane
Phoenix, AZ 76208
Dear Mr. Jonsson:
I was inspired to transition my career from nursing into sales when I discovered the impact I could make by connecting people with the right product solutions. I am eager to bring my RN background, where relationship-building is paramount, and my skill set in sales forecasting to American Express as a sales manager.
American Express’s commitment to excellence matches my standards as an RN, where attention to detail and customer service were critical. I was often the first point of contact for patients and families. Through tireless care and empathy, patient satisfaction scores increased by 37% during my tenure. Outside of nursing, I also developed an interest in sales. I became proficient in sales forecasting and the HubSpot CRM software in order to better manage professional relationships.
My passion for helping clients was honed by providing both clinical care and wellness product recommendations to my patients as an RN. This role demanded excellent communication skills, empathy, and an understanding of individual needs—skills that are all transferable to sales.
I also bring an innate ability to manage sales territories. In partnership with community health programs, I coordinated regional patient care to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and seamless delivery. This experience equipped me with the acumen necessary to handle sales calls, and I aim to leverage that skill to expand American Express’s reach.
I am excited to align my passion for building relationships and providing exceptional service with American Express’s mission. As a sales manager, I will employ my skills in sales forecasting, CRM, and territory management to foster growth and customer satisfaction. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to discuss how my RN background can uniquely contribute to American Express’s continued success.
You may think that you’re at a disadvantage when you’re applying outside of your previous career, but when it comes to cover letters, that’s not true. Treat this as an excellent opportunity to be creative and stand out from the crowd.
Here’s the trick: give that job description a good read, then whip your cover letter into shape to mirror it. Try to decipher the company’s core values, be it from the job listing or from its website, and highlight that this mission is important to you too.
Pinpoint similarities across your past and future roles for this. For instance, if you’re switching from teaching to programming, emphasize your ability to explain complex topics to all kinds of audiences.
The perfect cover letter begins with a personalized greeting that addresses the hiring manager by name. However, if you absolutely cannot find the recipient (try LinkedIn), you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company Name] Team.” Refrain from using “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam,” as those can be a little outdated by today’s standards.
Avoid generic starters and instead showcase why your past experience is valuable. For instance, if you previously worked in sales and you’re moving to customer service, highlight your ability to forge lasting relationships with clients.
Check out this example of what not to do below. This opening line is definitely on the uninteresting side—the hiring manager might skim your cover letter if it lacks a proper hook.
“I am writing to apply for the project manager position I saw on your website. I believe this role is a great fit for me.”
Now, the example below is a huge improvement. The applicant immediately makes it clear that they used to have a different career, but they use this to their advantage by highlighting how their background in working with people can have a deep impact on their new career.
I was inspired to transition my career from nursing into sales when I discovered the impact I could make by connecting people with the right product solutions. I am eager to bring my RN background, where relationship-building is paramount, and my skill set in sales forecasting to American Express as a sales manager.
Roll up your sleeves because we’re diving into the main part of your cover letter—the body. Use this space as an extension of your resume that elaborates on your skills and the way they can make an impact on the company.
Find common ground and share some of your greatest achievements that translate well to your new role. For example, if you’re a marketer transitioning into sales, discuss how spearheading a social media campaign increased your company’s revenue by 18%.
Use metrics to support your accomplishments. Things like revenue, ROI, click-through rates, open rates, customer satisfaction ratings, budget savings, or efficiency improvements all apply to most industries. Much like in the intro, connect your background to match the company.
In addition to teaching high school math, I have taught myself web and mobile development, database management, and the version control system Git. I am certified in AWS and Google Cloud, and built an educational app that streamlined school communication, improving homework submission rates by 23%.
The closing paragraph is the ribbon that you tie on top of a cohesive whole. It serves to reinforce the sentiments you talked about above—but without repeating yourself.
Emphasize your excitement at joining this particular company, and make sure to mention it by name. Pick one or two of your core skills or qualifications and flex a little—express how you will use these abilities to achieve positive outcomes at your new company.
You’re changing industries, so own it, and explain how, for instance, your knowledge of math can help you write complex code.
Lastly, thank the hiring manager for their consideration—you can do this either in the closing paragraph or in your final sign-off. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s with a respectful “Sincerely, [Your Name].”
It’s important to keep this final part respectful. Don’t assume you’ll be hired—instead of showing confidence, it can come off as presumptuous.
“I’m not experienced but I’m a quick learner, so I can’t wait to start growing my career at your company next month.”
This next example has it all—it reiterates your interest in the role, talks about transferable skills, and thanks the recruiter for taking the time to read your cover letter.
I would be thrilled to meet and discuss how my transition from sales to marketing can drive impactful strategies at Comcast. Thank you for considering my application.
How to find the right person to address the letter to?When transitioning careers, it’s important to build credibility out of the gate by addressing the right person. Check the job listing and the company website. If that fails, try identifying the hiring manager via LinkedIn.
What to do if I have no transferable skills?If all else fails, talk mostly about your education and preparation for the career change, but there are skills that apply to most jobs, too. For instance, working as a programmer and a travel agent means dealing with data and interacting with people.
What tone should I use in my cover letter?While you may rely on transferable skills you used in nursing in your future sales role, avoid assuming this new job will have a similar company culture as your last one. Instead, adjust your tone to match the company. For instance, if the job ad and the website are written with humor, you can afford to crack a small joke or write less formally.
