Career Advice | Resumes for a Career Revolution
How should you update your resume for a career change?
With big changes in the economy, many workers are also making big changes in
their careers. From military to corporate, service to management, public to
private, many professionals are looking for a change.
If you've decided to look into a new career, explore your opportunities and get ready to take the plunge, your old resume may not do the trick. This is your chance to update, invigorate and detail your credentials. Here are some suggestions for creating a resume that will help you take that leap towards a new career:
Make your objective statement matter. Don't be too broad in your objective statement at the top of your resume. Make it clear that you are looking for a change in career and specify exactly what profession you would like to enter. When these statements are too broad, it can be frustrating for an employer to find out what you are all about. Don't make them work for it! Provide employers with a clear idea of who you are and where you want to go with your career. Instead of writing, "Seeking a fast-paced position with a mid-size medical organization where possibilities exist for growth and learning," commit to a targeted goal such as, "Seeking a management position where my experience as a registered nurse will help me improve the success and profit of a mid-sized hospital."
Consider a skills-oriented resume. This idea is especially appropriate if you don't have any direct experience in the area of work that you want to explore. Instead of worrying over what you haven't done in this profession, focus on the skills that will make you an excellent new candidate for the field. If your experience includes a position as a controller and you want to work in management, highlight skills such as attention to detail, expertise in planning and knowledge of profit models.
Build different resumes for different reasons. When you make the decision to change your career, you will have quite a few options available. If you are thinking about a few new professions that interest you, make specific resumes for each one. Yes, this takes extra time, but it makes a difference when you focus on each career goal. Employers will appreciate your work, and they will also take note of your attention to detail.
This will require different objective statements and--most likely--different highlights of your past employment. Imagine again that you're a nurse with interests in financial planning and management. Your resume should be tailored differently when you're promoting yourself as a potential nurse manager in a hospital compared to a potential management consultant with a health care firm.
The most important thing to remember when getting ready for a career change is that the same old resume just won't do, even if it's gotten you three great jobs in the past 10 years. When you try to switch career tracks, it will take extra work to convince a potential employer that you have what it takes to be successful in the new field. Your resume should be persuasive, clear and targeted to get you on your way to a new career. Good luck and happy resume revising!
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