Embarking on a career change can be quite the challenge.
It’s no secret that shifting gears after 5, 15, or even 30 years in the same industry can feel incredibly daunting. The comfort of routines, emotional ties to your colleagues, and loyalty to your company often make the idea of a career transition even more overwhelming.
However, changing careers doesn’t have to be a herculean task. With the ongoing impact of COVID-19, there’s no better time to reassess your professional path and consider if sticking with your current job and industry is truly the best choice for you. Remember, sometimes it’s easier to let go than to cling onto something that leads to stagnation.
Breaking free from the plateau
As a resume writer, I’ve seen countless individuals who feel trapped in their current jobs, unaware that they can tailor their resume to suit various industries. Consequently, they continue with their existing roles, hoping for different outcomes.
Take Eve, for example, who worked in car sales for nearly two decades. Despite feeling like she’d hit a professional plateau, Eve hesitated to explore new opportunities beyond sales due to fear of starting anew. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced her hand when her position was deemed redundant, and she decided to seek out new industries.
The power of pivoting
Having lost track of her career achievements over the years, Eve sought help from a certified career coach and resume writer friend. During their conversation, she revealed her interest in copywriting, marketing, and product management.
Together, they identified the transferable skills Eve had gained from her time as an automobile sales supervisor and incorporated them into her resume. Here’s a sneak peek at how her friend repurposed her single resume for three different careers:
Sales: “Expertly crafted and delivered presentations, addressing challenging customer inquiries.”
Copywriting: “Composed a winning pitch deck that secured a $6M deal, setting a regional record for Ford.”
Marketing: “Managed the company’s social media presence, driving traffic and generating qualified leads.”
Operations Management: “Led a team in achieving KPIs, surpassing quarterly targets, and implementing strategic improvements within a complex organizational structure.”
Eve marveled at the transformation of her single resume into a tool for exploring three distinct career paths.
From one to many resumes
An adept resume writer can help you pinpoint your transferable skills, enabling you to adapt your resume for a range of careers or industries while staying true to your experience. By aligning your resume with your desired role, you can effectively showcase your education, certifications, licenses, and even volunteer or community work relevant to the position.
In summary, seeking the help of a resume writer when planning a career change can prove invaluable. Your single resume can be transformed into multiple versions, optimizing it for applicant tracking systems and various target audiences. Remember, you’re not starting from scratch; you’re leveraging your experience to embark on a new adventure.
Looking for an unbiased perspective to refine your resume? Discover how our resume writers can help you make the leap.