Cover letter for a career change: how to write it

The structure

• Paragraph 1: the role and why you are making the move, in one or two sentences.
• Paragraph 2: the result from your past work that transfers, with a number, and how it applies.
• Paragraph 3: what you have done to prepare: a certification, a course, a project, or volunteer work.
• Close: a plain ask to talk.

Example

Dear Mr. Okafor,

I am applying for the Data Analyst role at Brightline. After ten years in hospital operations, I have found that the part of my work I love most is turning messy data into decisions, and I am making that my full-time work.

In my last role I built the reporting that cut stockouts by 18% across six sites, using SQL and Tableau I learned on my own. I have since completed a data analytics certificate and built three projects on public health data.

I would welcome the chance to discuss how my background and new skills fit your team. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely, Priya Raman

Make the case

• Use the new field’s words for your results.
• Choose the one or two that match the posting, not the whole history.
• Say why this employer and why now, in a sentence, so the move reads as a plan.
• Do not call yourself “entry level” or say you “lack experience.” Say what you have done.

• Résumé for a career change
• Career pivot

Two cases to handle

If you were laid off and are moving fields, you can say so in one plain line, then go straight to your fit. If you are changing industries but keeping your function (finance to healthcare, for example), lead with your function and add why the industry.

• How to explain a layoff

Frequently asked questions

Free tools for this

• Résumé vs job description: see what your résumé is missing
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