How to tailor your resume for a job in a new industry
Are you thinking about making a career change? You're not alone. According to EdX, a US online education platform, 32% of workers between the ages of 25 and 44 considered a career change in 2023, and 29% of them made the change.
During this process, it's important to convince recruiters and hiring managers that you have what it takes, starting with your resume. Transitioning into a different career or industry can be exciting and often intimidating, but it can lead to great personal and professional growth.
Here are a few tips to prepare your resume when targeting a new career:
Use keywords and industry-specific keywords:
After conducting your research and determining your preferred industry, it's important to familiarize yourself with industry-specific keywords. When updating your resume, incorporate these keywords to attract the attention of recruiters.
Recruiters are now utilizing AI in their hiring process to filter out resumes that don't contain specific keywords. Including industry-specific keywords will enhance the likelihood of your resume passing the AI screening and reaching the hands of the recruiter.
Identify transferrable skills:
Transferable skills are those that can be applied across different jobs and industries. To make the most of these skills, it's important to identify and utilize both your soft and hard skills that are relevant to your desired career.
Start by researching your target career and paying attention to the skills often listed in job descriptions. Then, assess your own abilities and emphasize the transferable skills on your resume.
Write a strong objective:
When writing the "objective" section of your resume, make sure to persuade the recruiter or hiring manager that your past experiences are relevant to your chosen career. Clearly state your target career and explain how you plan to apply your past experiences to make an impact in that field.
Highlight past accomplishments:
Remember to use both quantitative and qualitative accomplishment statements to demonstrate that you have surpassed expectations in a professional environment. Focus on the achievement and highlight the positive outcomes. Career or industry transitions will involve emotional highs and lows. Choose a career or industry that aligns with your values. Be ready to face challenges and celebrate your successes!