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Nida Abdullah

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Thinking of changing your career path?

It may feel nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. You may feel like a recent graduate once again. You may compete with the ones who have secured relevant education and skills. So, the competition is naturally serious.

But as long as you have a strong resume tailored according to your career switch, things will be cinch. Your hiring chances will automatically increase.

If you’re unaware of how to create your CV according to a completely new job position and field, we’re here to guide you. Read on to uncover everything!

Here’s How to Create Your Resume for a Career Change

1.Select the Best Suitable Format

resume formate

The format you choose for your resume will impact your hiring process. It has the power to slow down or speed up your recruiting pace. Choose a type that equally focuses on your skill set and experience to appear as a credible candidate. It is ideal for professionals making a career change and employment gaps. Those wanting to display their diverse experience or apply for creative and traditional roles simultaneously should also consider it.

They should follow this format:

-Contact details
-Resume objective
-Skills Summary
-Professional experience
-Education
-Skills
-Certifications
-Projects

2.Include Contact Information the Right Way

Start filling in your contact details in the first section of the format.

Here is the correct method:

  • Full name
  • Mobile phone number (add the one that is always accessible to you) (Mention the country code if applying for an international job)
  • Email address (List the professional one)
  • A link to your LinkedIn profile or portfolio (if you have one)
  • City, region, and country (Don’t share your exact home address unless asked in the job ad description)
  • Professional title (While you can include your current or desired one, we suggest you write the one you’re applying for, word by word)

If you don’t have time to implement all these instructions to create a well-tailored CV, outsource it from topCV writing services in UAE. They usually have experts who will address your career change in the best way. Their flawless assistance will leave a great impression on recruiters and inspire them to call for an interview.

3.Make Your Resume Objective Impressive

Use this section to give a reason to your potential recruiter to continue exploring your resume. This is the point where they either stop scrutinising you further or move your application into the rejected pile. The goal is to showcase yourself as the most suitable candidate and preview your CV at the same time.

If you have been working in a relevant field previously, then include your current skill set. Highlight the transferable ones and prove how your potential role can benefit from them. On the other hand, if you’re moving into a completely new industry, exhibit your best achievements relevant to it.

Even if you don’t have it, create an impressive objective section without mentioning both. Share your soft skills and any relevant certification or education. Use strong verbs and clear language.

4.Create a Skill Summary Section

The resume objective is an introduction and you need to show more than that to your potential recruiter. A skill summary will greatly benefit you to prove you as a qualified candidate. Including this section will emphasise your abilities more than your experience.

List your key skills and explain how you have used them in your previous roles. You can also show off your transferable skills while elaborating on how they can be used in your potential position.

5.Use Work Experience to Demonstrate Your Credibility

You may possess different experiences, especially when working professionally for 10+. Prefer listing down only the relevant ones. In case, you don’t have one, highlight relevant skills that helped you thrive in your previous roles.

For instance, you have worked as a salesman and applying for the copywriting role now. Both roles require great communication skills among different abilities. So, mention it and indicate how you can use it to persuade your target audience to act upon a call to action.

6.Make Your Education Section Impactful

You may apply for an entry-level role while switching to a new career path. Your education will become as important as your experience in this case. Keep a straightforward approach while listing your educational details. Begin with the latest academic entry, such as:

-Name of degree
-Name of academic institution
-Years attended
-Campus address (Optional)
-GPA (optional) (Only mention if you have aced it, such as above 3.5)
-Courses that are relevant to the potential job (Optional)
-Exchange programs (Optional)

You should mention your academic qualifications, even if they’re opposite to what you’re applying for. It will still indicate your passion for learning and growing.

7.Exhibit Your Skill Set

Again, with this section, the recruiter will want to evaluate you further. They will determine whether you’re the one they have been looking for their certain position. Consequently, you have to maintain relevance like in all other parts. Take a moment, observe the job ad, and highlight the skills they expect. Contemplate and list the ones you do. Include the hard and soft ones separately.

You may be confused about which skills to exhibit on your job application, especially if you’re an all-rounder. However, you still will need to keep a targeted approach. If you’re unable to be specific, let professional CV writers in Sharjah handle this task. They will assess your abilities and the position you would like to land in. Their talented wordsmith will choose your skills accordingly to strengthen your application.

8.Showcase Your Certifications

Certifications are a great way to showcase your credibility. If you have secured relevant to the job you’re searching for, then dedicate a separate section to them. It will prove your seriousness about your new career path. It will hint that you have already taken the first steps towards it.

The recruiter would hesitate less. They will understand that you have gained fundamental or expert knowledge of the potential position. Add the name of the certification, along with the year when you received it.

For a content writer, here’s how this section may look like:

Content Marketing Certification
HubSpot
April 2024

SEO Content Writer Certification
SEO Content Institute
May 2023

Technical Writing Certification
Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Jan 2023

9.Add Your Personal Projects

If you still have enough space in your resume, include this optional segment. Add your personal projects to let the recruiter know more about your personality and character. They will realise that you are an enthusiastic person who likes to be productive, even in your personal life. Your personal projects can be anything, from founding a sports team at the institute to a campaign you undertook for business class.  

How can I highlight a career switch in my resume?

Use a combination of formats that highlight your skills and experience. Include a resume objective and skills summary to capture HR’s attention for a long. Showcase your academic qualifications, even if they’re not relevant to prove your passion for learning. List your certifications/courses, experience, and personal projects.

Which resume format is best when switching a career?

Structure it in a way that showcases your transferable skills and experience equally. Choose a mix of formats that emphasises both aspects.  

Where do I put my transferable skills on a resume?

You should add them to your resume objective, skills summary, experience, and the skills section itself. Mention the specific ones that you have seen in the job ad.

Wrapping Up

You may have felt anxiety while thinking about how you can land a decent job in the new field. But hopefully, not after going through this guide. Now, you know what to do to boost your hiring odds. Tailor your resume while following the above instructions to highlight your career switch the right way.

If you still don’t receive interview calls, connect with resume experts who master your professional field correctly. They will help you successfully sail through the job-hunting journey.

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