Cover Letters for Career Changers

Show (Don't Tell) Three Essentials

If you've made the decision to make a career change, don't apologize about it. Show potential employers why you are a good fit for their company and how your past experience, while perhaps not identical, can translate into the skills required for the job opening.

While your resume will show that you've held jobs that are likely different than those you are applying for, the achievements and career highlights you include in your resume and your cover letter should really demonstrate that you have what it takes to succeed in any job.

David Boeckmann, a former recruiter for a Fortune 500 company and founder of Stellar Interviewing Concepts, estimates he has read at least 2,000 cover letters during the course of his career. "Most of them say the same thing."

Essentially, the writers all say they REALLY want the job. They think the company is REALLY interesting and they are sure that the company will be REALLY glad if they choose the applicant. The writers make it obvious that they want the job, but they fail to demonstrate why the company should want them.

Regardless of what field they used to be in, or what field they are now pursuing, applicants should quit talking about what they want and talk about what the company needs. Boeckmann says all companies, whether they know it or not, are looking for three qualities in a job applicant - someone who gets things done, someone who solves problems, and someone who works well with others.

It's not enough to state that you have those qualities; you'll need to demonstrate them. A good cover letter will cite examples to show proof that the applicant has those three essential qualities.

Boeckmann suggests a low key approach in responding to job postings or help wanted ads. Rather than state boldly that you are making a career change, but have the qualities the company is seeking, show some proof that will lead the reader to that conclusion. Here's Boeckmann's suggested tone and format:

Dear Hiring Executive:

In reading your job advertisement (state the place you saw the advertisement), it occurred to me that I have solid experiences in the areas you listed as important for (state the title of position advertised):

- Problem solving skills. (Relate how you solved a problem at your last job and share the outcome.)

- Ability to work with others. (Show examples of what you have done as part of a team.)

- Results oriented. (Demonstrate how you accomplished something important and delivered solid results.)

I hope you will conclude that my experiences demonstrate the qualities you are seeking and will want to invite me for an interview.

With such an approach, even if the job posting doesn't list these three key qualities specifically, you can be assured that they underlie whatever qualifications are listed. For example, if you are currently a teacher and the posting asks for three to five years of experience in sales, demonstrate how you solved problems, achieved goals and worked with others during your teaching career. Show how you convinced the curriculum team to accept a new text book series to better prepare students for high school. Include examples of your ability to uncover needs, identify and sell benefits to the school board to invest in new lab tables and microscopes for the science program, raise funds for a school field trip or lead your fellow teaching staff through new state requirements.

Companies also want to see in your cover letter that you know something about them. Do research and state what it is about the company and the industry that interests you. If possible, demonstrate how your past experiences would benefit a specific area of the company. This could help you express how you are exactly the right person - among the many applicants who may have the three essential skills - for the posted position.

The key to a good cover letter is to convey that you are qualified in a few concise sentences. It takes time, effort and word skills. If you don't have those skills, work with someone who can help you boil it down.

Then make sure you don't knock yourself out of consideration with a sloppy typo or misspelling. Rose Jonas, "TV's Job Doctor," www.jobdoc.com says the cover letter is your marketing brochure, the place to link yourself to a specific job and to summarize succinctly who you are. If you want to be perceived as a professional, regardless of what industry or job you have had or are pursuing, it is critical that your letter be pristine and correct. "If you have misspellings or typos, you are dead," she warns.

Career Center

Visit our bookstore

Find Career Advice

Top 10 Cities for Entry-Level Positions

Rhodes Scholar

Top Jobs for 2008