Resume Writing Tip: Return to a Former Career
Stand out from the crowd, even if your career has taken an unwanted turn!
Are you unhappy in your current job and wishing you can return to a former career? Chances are, you can!
You might feel like youâve been out of your field for so long, you wouldnât be desirable. But there are resume and cover letter strategies you can use to make a seamless transition back to the career you loved.
Follow these tips, and please post a comment if you have other strategies that have worked for you:
Resume Tips
- Lead with a bold headline or title section that clearly states your new goal.
- Write a Qualifications Summary that emphasizes your strongest credentials related to your former career field.
- Include a Key Skills section that highlights skills related to your previous career.
- Rearrange your work history so that you lead with your former, related employment. You can rename sections as appropriate (such as âManagement Experienceâ) so itâs clear youâre grouping work history based on type of work and not chronologically.
- Emphasize recent training or activities related to your previous career to show that youâve kept your skills up to date.
Cover Letter Tips
- Explain your decision to return to a former career. Hiring managers will be wondering why youâre doing this, and this is a perfect chance for you to express your passion for your previous career path.
- Reference accomplishments from your earlier career so employers see that you excelled in this field.
- Give examples of how youâve been keeping your skills refreshed.
Speaking of keeping your skills refreshed, itâs very important to do this! The best way to keep your skills updated depends on your specific career field, but options include taking a class, attending conferences, participating in networking groups, practicing your skills on a freelance basis, volunteering, and keeping abreast of industry changes and trends.
Can you think of other ways to refresh your skills to prepare for a return to a former career?
By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.
