Putting together a changing career resume can be quite challenging – it’s really no walk in the park. This is because it can be extremely difficult to blend skills that applied to previous jobs with skills that may be needed for jobs that would fall in the new career paths you choose. This is why potential employers are extra careful when scrutinizing and examining career changing resumes. A detailed analysis, based on the requirements and skills, for the new job is mandatory. Only this can help an employer arrive at the right decision. As a job seeker, a career change resume requires you to pay attention to the past work experience you’ve earned and the skills, knowledge, abilities and attitudes that have helped you grow as a professional. Candidates need to possess clear ideas on qualifications needed for the job. While drafting a resume, it is advisable for a candidate to use the format of a combination resume as it is neither chronological nor functional and is extremely flexible and permits the usage of strategies that may normally be considered inappropriate or wrong.
Writing A Resume For Career Change
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What according to you is your job objective? You need to be specific and to the point here. This will help throw light on what you understand of the job and responsibilities attached to it. If your objective is not clear, potential employers might just make a thousand unfriendly assumptions after taking into consideration your past work experience. Basically, you run the risk of being bracketed here.
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Do you have the right experience of right degree that permits you to apply for this particular job? Mention in your resume, the specific skills, achievements, education and training that you have been through. While answering this question, concentrate on providing summaries of qualifications that make ‘you’ the right person for the job.
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What are the core elements that make this job? Answering this question requires utmost honesty, careful research and the courage of coming out of your comfort zone to answer the questions posed during an interview. If your resume indicates that you understand the job well, the recruiters are more likely to give you a chance to prove your mettle at it.
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What order should you bear in mind while formatting your resume? This depends upon the work experience. If you have a lot of experience, showcase the same first. On the other hand, if you are fresher, enough and more attention should be paid to achievements in academics. Experience adds to the value of any resume. So, as a fresher, you could consider volunteering, interning or working within an area of interest to add that extra spark to your resume.
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Always check your resume for errors related to spelling, punctuation and grammar. Do not write a resume by yourself if you are not sure about how to go about it. You can always seek out professionals to help put your resume together. As a beginner, concentrate more on getting the right profile and experience rather than on the salary package.
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On your resume, have a section dedicated to a career summary of sorts. This will help highlight where you stand. Make it a point to stress on the experience and skills you possess and list the skill sets in the order of their relevance.
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Also, have a section that focuses on professional experience or work history on your resume and present the same by employing functional sub-sections. Once you are done with this, make a list of companies, locations, job titles and dates for interviews. Apply for the jobs you believe you are best suited for.
Candidates need to understand that a mere adjustment of perspective or focus is not enough when deciding to change career paths. It is not easy to convince people in such a situation but a great career change resume can help you get that much closer to get hired for your new dream profile.
