Your Career Change Cover Letter

“Cover letters are really tough to write,” Matt said. “What should I focus on in my career change cover letter?”

“Keep in mind that the point of a cover letter is to get a potential employer to read your resume and consider you for an interview.” I suggested. “The difference between a resume and a cover letter is that your cover letter provides clues to your personality, your ability to communicate, and your understanding of the requirements of their organization and the specific position (if there is one). It is also your most direct marketing pitch for you.”

“Cover letters should focus on the needs of the potential employer, and should be succinct, conversational and persuasive.”

“Follow these 10 tips to develop your career change cover letter:

Tip #1: Focus on Strengths

Focus on what you have to offer, and how you can add value to an employer’s organization. Don’t point out your shortcomings or lack of qualifications, focus on your strengths.

Tip #2: Don’t Tell Your Life Story

Potential employers do not have the time or patience to read your life story. Stick to the information that is most relevant to their question: how can you contribute to their organization or solve their problem? Accomplishments also include skills you learned. If you can quantify your accomplishments, all the better. Don't worry if you cannot. Not every experience lends itself to number-based explanations.

Tip #3: Be Obvious

Do make obvious connections between the qualifications for the job and your education, experience, and skills. Don’t assume a potential employer will understand the relevance of your experience to the capabilities needed for the position or the organization.

Do refer to your credentials that match the position, if you are responding to a posting. Repeat key words from the posting in your writing. This isn’t the place to be subtle.

Tip #4: Be Brief

Unless you are applying to a position in academia or as a very senior executive, keep your career change cover letter to one page.

Tip #5 Impress with Experience, not Big Words

Don’t try to use big, impressive words; you will sound stilted or pompous.

Tip #6 Focus on the Organization

Do use the name of the organization and “you” in your letter, but don’t overuse them. Do vary the beginning of your sentences and paragraphs, so not every one begins with “I.”

Tip #7 To Whom It May Concern: NOT!

Do use a name in the salutation, if at all possible (not “Dear Sir or Madam” and definitely not “To Whom It May Concern”). If you absolutely cannot scope out the name of the hiring manager, or you are dealing with a blind ad, address your letter to the head of human resources or the top executive of the organization.

Tip #8 Use Your Cover Letter as the Email Message

Do use your cover letter as the email message if you are sending an electronic application. Be sure the subject line is descriptive and it includes “Resume attached” or something similar if you are attaching a file.

Example: “Seasoned PR professional for your specialist position – resume attached” 

Tip #9 If You’re Moving, Say So

If the organization is in another city and you are planning to relocate when you are offered a job, say so: “I am planning to relocate to CITY.” If you have a definite relocation date, say that.

Tip #10 End on a Strong Note

End your cover letter with a strong close. Example: “I would like to have the opportunity to discuss how my passion, education, and skills would be an asset to ORGANIZATION.”

 

“When you are writing a career change cover letter, remember that it is especially important that you explain how your skills, strengths and experience will benefit the organization,” I finished.