Here are some great resume writing tips for career changers

Are you a digital nomad, working at your own pace and following every interest your heart desires? Or are you shifting from a long career in one sector to exploring something new in a different industry? Whether you are changing careers out of interest or necessity, there are a few things that you must know about writing a resume for a career shift. Without further ado, let’s get right into it!

Never start your job search with a work email

The first thing you must remember when creating the contact information section of your resume is to never use your work email for your new resume. Not only will it have consequences for your current job, but it will also tell potential employers that you are unprofessional. It is always better to use your personal email for your resume.

Remove the zip code if you are relocating

Are you rewriting your resume for relocation? Then, you must remove the zip code of your current address from your resume. Employers can train their ATS to search for candidates from a particular area. Listing your current city and state will be disadvantageous for you in this case. If you already have a place to move to, consider adding the city and state of your new abode. If you are unsure, it is better to leave it blank.

Create a catchy resume headline

Your resume headline goes right below your name. it should definitely mention your target job title and something more that hooks the reader. Many job seekers choose to highlight one or two of their professional wins on their resume headlines. The key to writing an effective resume headline is to keep it short. Find an amazing win from your professional career to highlight on your resume headline.

Choose skills wisely

You are writing this resume for a job in a totally new industry. Therefore, your regular list of job skills will not do for this resume. Pay attention to the skills the employer has demanded from the applicants in their job description. There are different kinds of skills to emphasize on your resume. In the case of a career change, it is better to give priority to transferable skills that are related to the new job.

Saturate the top one-third of your resume with keywords

Studies have found that hiring managers usually follow an “F” or “Z” pattern when they scan resumes. This means the top one-third of your resume is the first portion to get their undivided attention. When you want to impress a recruiter from the get-go, you must ensure that the top one-third of your resume mentions all the right skills, qualifications, and experiences. Review the job description for the right keywords and use them throughout your resume. But try to incorporate more keywords into the top portion of the document.

Quantify your achievements

Just like when you are writing a regular resume, you must quantify the results of your professional accomplishments when you create a resume for a career change. Use numbers, metrics, and percentages from your past jobs to back your results up with real data. This ensures that all of your professional achievements are impressive on your resume.