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How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter
For an employer, hiring someone who lacks industry experience is a risky move. To maximize your chances of securing a job in a new field, you need a persuasive career change cover letter to pair with your career change resume.
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Career Change Cover Letter Sample
1. write an attention-grabbing introduction, 2. highlight your transferable skills, 3. explain your career change, 4. show how you can help the company reach its goals.
Check out our career change cover letter example and tips below to learn how to write a cover letter that convinces hiring managers that you’re the best fit for the job.
Our free-to-use cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.
This career change cover letter example demonstrates how to use your existing experience to apply for a job in a new field:
- Learn about and test 200+ different makeup products
- Advise customers on makeup selections based on their preferences
- Stay current with makeup trends and client feedback
Hiring managers have a limited amount of time to spend on each job application. So, don’t start your cover letter by drawing attention to your lack of experience with self-deprecating phrases like “I may be unqualified, but…”
You don’t want to make a negative impression on employers before they’ve gotten the chance to learn why you’re the right candidate for the job. Instead, you want the introduction of your cover letter to make a positive impression and immediately give hiring managers a reason to consider your application. For example, highlight your:
- Relevant qualifications
- Passion for your new career path
As an administrative assistant for the last few years, I’ve gained valuable experience in managing schedules, handling communications, and keeping teams organized. In my spare time, I’ve always been a voracious reader and an aspiring writer, running my own book blog to share reviews. Now, I’m eager to bring my organizational skills and love for literature together in an entry-level position as an Editorial Assistant at Penguin Random House, where I can support the team in bringing great stories to life.
When you’re switching careers, your cover letter needs to convey that you possess the skills required to do the job.
According to Caroline Castrillon, an experienced career and leadership coach, highlighting your transferable skills is the key to writing a strong career change cover letter:
The cover letter is the perfect place to address a career change because you can tailor it to address why your current experience is valuable and relevant to the job and the company. The key is to highlight transferable skills which allow you to make an immediate impact in almost any field. Caroline Castrillon , Career and Leadership Coach at Corporate Escape Artist
Rather than focus on your lack of work experience, use your cover letter to focus on the transferable skills you picked up at your last job (or in other parts of your life) that will make you a great addition to your new workplace.
Not sure what skills to highlight? No problem. Here are some versatile examples of soft skills to include in your career change cover letter:
- Communication skills (verbal, written, and listening)
- Leadership skills
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently
- Time management
- Public speaking
You may also have technical skills that you can transfer to a new field. For instance, note the digital tools you have experience with on your resume and elaborate on how you used them in your career change cover letter.
Some transferable hard skills you can mention in your cover letter include:
- Data analysis
- Agile project management
- Budget management
- Research skills
- Technical writing
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Coding skills
- Microsoft Office
- Collaboration tools (Slack, Trello, Microsoft Teams)
- Language skills
Additionally, you should highlight any industry-specific technical skills you have that are directly relevant to the job you want.
For example, if you’re transitioning into a career in software development, be sure to mention any coding classes you’ve taken, whether through an accredited program or through self-study.
Remember to be clear and concise about your skills and how they translate to the open position.
When you’re changing careers, your resume may not show employers why they should hire you. So, your cover letter is the perfect opportunity to convince them that you’re the right candidate for the job, and that hiring you is worth taking a chance.
To make sure your commitment to your new career is apparent, be honest in your cover letter about why you’re changing industries. Tell the story behind how you discovered your passion, and emphasize any relevant experience you have.
Remember: relevant experience doesn’t have to be work-related, it can also be:
- volunteer work
- online courses
- personal projects
Explain the reason for your career change and discuss the steps you’ve already taken to prepare for your new career. That way, employers will see that you’ve put thought into your decision.
While employers love candidates who are passionate about their careers, to land an interview you also need to show them how their company stands to benefit from hiring you.
You may be up against candidates who’ve worked in the industry for years, so your cover letter needs to convince hiring managers that you’d be a strong fit for the job despite your gap in experience.
First, learn about the company’s values, past projects, and mission statement. Then, when you write your cover letter, mention these points and how your skills and personal qualities will help you contribute to the further success of the company.
Here’s an example of a career change cover letter closing paragraph to show you how to convince employers that you understand the company and its needs:
I have always admired Penguin Random House for its ability to publish thought-provoking and diverse voices across genres, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your editorial team. My background in content writing and project management, combined with my passion for literature, gives me a strong foundation to support your mission, and I’m eager to bring my organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative energy to your upcoming projects. Thank you for considering my application — I look forward to discussing how I can contribute to your team’s continued growth.
Nathan Soto
Content Writer
Nathan Soto is dedicated to providing practical guidance to job seekers, particularly those navigating nonlinear career paths. He believes in empowering individuals to present their professional accomplishments with authenticity and strength. Nathan graduated from the University of Nevada with a double B.A. in French and Music. Currently based in Taipei, Taiwan, he also excels as a Mandarin–English translator and English language coach. Nathan’s articles and career advice have been featured on multiple platforms, offering insights into resume writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.
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Career Change Cover Letter
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How To Write the Best Career Change Cover Letter
Switching careers can feel like embarking on a journey into uncharted territory — this is particularly true in the tech industry , where a career change often means navigating an entirely different set of digital tools, work processes, responsibilities, and skills.
You may have prepared yourself for the challenges ahead, furthered your education, and even identified job postings you believe to be a great fit. But without an excellent career change cover letter, your new professional journey could be stalled before it even begins!
Hiring managers only look at resumes for seven seconds before deciding whether to proceed with the application. So, your cover letter has to make an immediate and lasting impression.
To help you land the job you’ve been dreaming of, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on career change cover letters.
Here are the topics we’ll explore —feel free to skip around to the sections that interest you most:
- What makes it a career change cover letter?
- How to write a career change cover letter in 8 steps
Career change cover letter example: UX design
- Career change cover letter example: Frontend development
- Key takeaways
1. What makes it a career change cover letter?
Before we look at the format and structure of the cover letter, let’s clarify something: it may seem obvious, but what distinguishes traditional cover letters from those written by career changers?
The key difference lies in the way you present yourself and the story you tell. A career change cover letter must demonstrate three main things:
- Your understanding of the job and industry,
- your existing skills and experience, and
- how those can be applied to the new position.
This can be done in several ways, but the most effective cover letters strike a balance between emphasizing transferable skills , demonstrating adaptability, and highlighting your motivation for the career transition.
Unlike traditional cover letters, they can also address potential concerns about your experience, showcasing your ability to transcend the boundaries of one professional field and excel in another.
2. How to write a career change cover letter in 8 steps
Writing winning cover letters is an art that requires practice, and career-change-specific cover letters are even trickier to tackle. But thankfully, you can follow a few best practices to create a compelling document that will make it easier for potential employers to imagine you in the new role.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of writing an effective cover letter for your career switch, from the opening line to the closing paragraph. So, grab a pen or open up your favorite word processor and write that first draft using the following tips:
1. Address the right person
To avoid using the impersonal salutation, “Dear hiring manager,” take the time to research who will be reading your cover letter.
If the job ad doesn’t include a name, try searching for the company’s website or LinkedIn page and go to the employees’ section to track down the right person and job title. For example, if you’re applying for a UX designer role , search for “Director of UX Design,” “Creative Director,” or similar.
2. Introduce yourself with a hook
Begin your cover letter with an engaging opening that captures the reader’s attention.
This could be a statement of your intent, a specific project you’ve recently completed, or a personal connection to the industry that demonstrates your passion and motivation for the career switch. This will set you apart from other candidates and create a memorable first impression.
3. Explain why you’re changing careers
To address your career change head-on, provide a clear rationale for the shift by sharing your personal career change story. For example, you could highlight your enthusiasm for the new field, noting what attracted you to it and any relevant experiences or interests supporting your decision.
Then, use the power of personal branding to infuse the letter with your unique voice, personality, and vision, focusing on the value you can bring to the new sector. This transparency shows employers you’ve thoughtfully considered the move.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the company
Demonstrate your genuine interest in the organization by showing that you’ve thoroughly researched the company. You can achieve this by discussing its mission statement, values, and recent accomplishments.
Align your skills, background, and career goals with the company’s objectives to showcase your potential fit within its corporate culture. Doing so will convey your enthusiasm for the role and the organization, increasing your chances of standing out as a suitable candidate.
5. Detail why you’re a great match
A personalized cover letter should also explain why you’re a strong candidate for the position in question. This means identifying the unique qualities that set you apart from other candidates, whether that’s your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, or valuable soft skills that can be applied across various industries.
Use real-world examples to demonstrate how your skills and past experiences align with the job requirements, and mention how these traits can benefit the company in the long run.
6. Showcase transferable skills
One of the key objectives of your career change cover letter is to demonstrate your value to potential employers in your new field. To do this effectively, pinpoint the skills you’ve acquired in your previous career that are transferable to the new role.
Use specific examples to illustrate how you’ve applied these skills in different contexts and how they are relevant to your new position. By showcasing your relevant skills and experience, you can effectively demonstrate to employers that you have what it takes to excel in your new career path.
7. Mention relevant professional development
List any skills and knowledge you’ve gained through relevant courses, certifications, or training to showcase your commitment to learning and willingness to invest in your career transition.
This will set you apart from other aspiring career changers, prove your enthusiasm for the role and help paint a picture of what you can bring to the new position. Doing due diligence upfront will make it easier for potential employers to imagine you in the new role and increase the chances of securing an interview.
8. Conclude on a positive note
When concluding your career change cover letter, it’s essential to end it enthusiastically. For example, name one way you can add value to the company and link it to your overall career vision.
Finally, thank the hiring manager for considering your application and express your excitement about joining the team. Doing so will show you’re committed to the role and motivated to make a success of your career transition.
3. Career change cover letters example
Want to see cover letter examples that nail these key points? Check out these two samples, written specifically for career changers in the tech sector. Best practice for the email subject line? Put the job title from the job ad along with your full name.
Career change cover letter: Frontend development
4. key takeaways.
Writing a convincing cover letter that highlights your skills for a role you’re hoping to transition into is an essential step in the job application process.
A thoughtfully crafted career change cover letter can be the reason why employers take a second look at your resume, despite your limited experience in the new field.
In this article, we’ve gone through the basics of what makes a career change cover letter unique and how to write one tailored to your experience and goals. We’ve also looked at practical tips for structuring your letter and provided examples for your inspiration.
We hope this guide will give you the confidence to write a standout cover letter and put your best foot forward when applying for jobs.
Looking for more tech-specific application support? Check out our practical guide to crafting the best tech resume , complete with valuable tips and real-world examples.
For further education support on your career change journey, try our free tech short courses , or speak directly with a program advisor.
With the help of expert instructors, personalized feedback, and a wealth of learning resources, you’ll soon be ready to tackle even the most complex challenges future employers might throw at you.
Enjoyed this blog post? We think you’ll like these, too:
- How To Successfully Change Careers in 2024: Your Step-by-Step Guide
- The Top 5 Transferable Skills and How They Can Help You
- How to Build a Personal Brand for Your Tech Career