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Teacher Career Change Resume: Tips to Help You Land that Job!

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If you want to land that new job, you’ll have to work hard on your teacher career change resume. Remember, your teacher transition resume is your first impression. It’s all about showcasing those transferrable skills and highlighting why you’re the best fit for getting the job done.

If you need help leaving the classroom, check out the  Teacher Career Coach Course .  This step-by-step guide has helped thousands with a transition from teaching. Save time and get support with every step of picking a new path, rewriting your resume, and answering tricky interview questions.

It can be intimidating applying to jobs outside of the classroom, no matter how badly you want out! You may be having a hard time identifying the experiences to highlight on your resume. Maybe you’re struggling with how to write them in a way that applies to a job outside of the classroom. Anyhow, you’re about to break through that barrier! Here are some of my top tips from the Teacher Career Coach Course . These will help you put your best foot forward and land that interview! But first, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. You don’t have to start from scratch.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just a teacher,” it’s time to look closely at all you do on a daily basis as part of that role. Honestly, teachers are some of the most skillful and multi talented professionals I know. The truth is, many teachers battle with Impostor Syndrome , often overlooking their achievements and the value they bring to the table in many careers. Whether you realize it or not, the skills and accomplishments you have already achieved will make a stellar resume. (Trust me.)

You are an asset to your school, and you’ll be an asset wherever your career transition takes you next. First, identify your career accomplishments as a teacher. Then you can effectively apply them to the next chapter of your working life. Without knowing the specifics of your teaching experience, as a former teacher, I know you have desirable skills and valuable experience. Don’t be afraid to brag about yourself. Your new career change resume should reflect your many achievements and in-demand teacher skills! 

Teacher Career Change Resume Resources

In this post, I gathered expert advice to help you master rewriting those resume skills. I want to help you avoid the most common mistakes teachers make when writing their teacher career change resume. Read on to learn how you can tweak your teaching-focused resume to highlight your skills and experience that apply jobs outside of the classroom.

You can also listen to my interview with HR and resume writing expert Alli Arney to learn how to effectively translate your teaching experience on your transition resume . 

Let’s get to rebranding your expertise, shall we? 

*But first a note!* Much of what you include in your resume and cover letter will be dependent on the job for which you’re applying. If you’re not sure what jobs you’re qualified for or even what’s out there, take a look at Best Jobs For Former Teachers . This post will give you an idea of what’s out there, who’s hiring, and what you need to qualify for a position.

Writing a Cover Letter for Your Resume

Every teacher career change resume needs a cover letter! Your cover letter introduces who you are and what you can offer in position X at company Y. A common mistake I see teachers make is creating a generic cover letter to send with all of their applications. 

Some hiring managers may approach your application with the assumption you’re willing to take any job outside of the classroom. Even if that’s the truth, you don’t want the hiring manager to know that. Use the cover letter and an opportunity to showcase why their job is a great fit for you and what you can bring to the table for their company. Hiring managers want someone qualified, excited about the position, and a good fit for the company culture. 

Make sure every cover letter is unique to the job and company you are sending it to. Add in specifics regarding what excites you about the role and how your experience will translate into the new responsibilities. Do research about the company and address how you are equally passionate about their core values and company culture. You will learn so much from a company’s website, including its mission statement and core values.

Get Started on Your Cover Letter

First, start with an introduction paragraph. This will likely stay the same on every cover letter as you introduce yourself. Next, add five to six bullet points about why you are qualified for this specific position and reflect on your qualifying achievements. For example, I am constantly focused on collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships that advance the mission, vision, and goals of the organization. Last, add a closing statement about the position to which you’re applying, why it excites you, and how you will be able to effectively fulfill the role and responsibilities.

Add an Elevator Pitch to Your Teacher Career Change Resume

An elevator pitch is basically highlights who you are, your area of expertise, and your career intentions. It’s clear, concise, and is key to a teacher transition resume. Think about it like this: Imagine being on an elevator and only having about 30 seconds to sell yourself to the hiring manager. You should utilize your elevator pitch on your resume and when you get in front of a hiring manager at an interview. Just like your cover letter, this pitch should always be catered to a specific audience rather than being overly generic. 

Practice your elevator pitch so that it is second nature. It may sound silly but practicing your pitch in front of a friend or even a mirror helps. You can gain confidence in front of a hiring manager or an interview committee after practicing.

Again, an elevator pitch goes beyond your resume. Have your pitch handy at networking events, in job interviews, on any social bios, and in your resume header. Let’s say you are an experienced teacher looking for a transition into a Training and Development Manager position. Here’s an example of an elevator pitch you could use at a networking event or in your LinkedIn bio:

Elevator Pitch Examples

“ I have more than 10 years of experience in training and development as a high school teacher where I have planned, directed, and coordinated various vocational programs. I am skilled in the ADDIE Model and various training methodologies, and I am currently looking to transition from the classroom to the corporate world. If you know anyone who is adding to their Training and Development Team, I hope you’ll send them my way. “

To adjust it to be more resume friendly, you could make the following tweaks:

“I have more than 10 years of experience in training and development as a high school teacher where I have planned, directed, and coordinated various vocational programs. I am skilled in the ADDIE Model and a variety of training methodologies, and I am currently looking to make a transition from the classroom to the corporate world as a Corporate Trainer at Company X.”

While your elevator pitch is short and sweet, you should always be prepared for follow-up questions. Make sure you are comfortable with the different occupational terms and acronyms associated with any career path you seek. This shows your audience that you are knowledgeable and ready to move into that field of work.

Developing Your Teacher Career Change Resume: Formatting Essentials

When it comes to your teacher transition resume, we need to talk about the big F-word: Formatting. 

A whopping 75% of resumes NEVER GET OPENED or seen by a hiring manager. One of the biggest culprits? Formatting. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to sift through applications before they even make their way to a hiring manager’s hands. Luckily there are a few formatting tips that can help you pass the test. 

Length, File Format, and Other Tips for Your Teacher Career Change Resume

When it comes to the length of your resume, it really depends on your experience. While one-page resumes were once a rule-of-thumb, most resumes are now one and a half to two pages. However, if you have 15 years of work experience, you shouldn’t shy away from your accomplishments. In that case, it’s totally acceptable to have a 2-page resume. 

Next, you want to focus on another F-word: file format. There are different platforms and software, but I recommend you send your resume as a Word document, unless otherwise specified. So, when you go to save your resume file, be sure it’s saved in the .doc or .docx format. ATS will reject files saved in Pages, Excel, or JPEG format. 

The last big resume formatting tip is about style . If your go-to is a creative and colorful template that landed you your job in the classroom, it’s time for a change. Simple, chronological resume templates are your best bet in the corporate world, listing your experience starting with your most recent job. This is the most popular resume style, and it’s best for ATSs. It also happens to be preferred by recruiters and HR professionals, so you really can’t go wrong here. 

A chronological resume should be written to include the following elements in the listed order: 

• Header (including your personal information and your keyword-rich elevator pitch) 
• Technology experience and expertise 
• Current volunteer experience (if applicable)

Developing Your Teacher Career Change Resume: Spill About Your Skills (the Right Way). 

As a teacher, you already have skills that can be utilized in the corporate world. It’s time to brag about them. Before you can do that, you have to move past any Impostor Syndrome you may be experiencing and acknowledge the value, experience, and expertise you have to offer. Trust me. You have a lot more to offer in roles outside of the classroom than you may think.

For example, your organization and multitasking skills can easily transfer to administrative tasks. Parent-teacher conferences give you the experience to handle customer service situations, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement. You’re no stranger to goat setting or data tracking and analysis. Think about any committees or after-school activities you’ve contributed to or helped organize as project management experience. 

Related Resources: Creating your Instructional Designer Resume

WALKING THE WALK AND TALKING THE TALK

It’s not just about identifying your transferable skills but how you translate them on your resume.

Here are three of my biggest tips to help you effectively translate your transferable skills and experience on your teacher transition resume. 

First, be specific by quantifying your accomplishments . 

Second, unless you transition into an education-based role, leave out the teacher-specific terminology, acronyms, or pedagogy. One of the biggest mistakes teachers make on their transition resumes is not rewriting or translating their resume experience so that it is applied to the world outside of the classroom setting. 

Make sure you are showcasing your skills and experience in a way that translates into the new roles you are looking for. Hiring managers don’t want to see you as a teacher. They want to see you as someone qualified for and ready to take on the role you are applying for.  Depending on the role, managers don’t want to know about record keeping for 25 students, but that you managed a portfolio of 25 clients. They don’t want to hear about teaching pedagogy and lesson planning but about training strategy and training materials. The corporate world isn’t about grading and cumulative assessments but about data tracking and analysis. 

Go back to your career buckets. Figure out which teaching duties fall under each and then focus on translating the teacher-specific language into corporate-appropriate terminology.  Then you’ll have an already translated list you can easily pull from any time you need to tailor a resume for a new job. 

Do Your Research For Your Teacher Career Change Resume

Last but not least, do your research and include job and industry-specific language and keywords in your resume. These terms should be peppered throughout your elevator pitch summary and throughout your highlighted experiences throughout your resume. Not only will using the language make your experience and skills more relatable to the position you are applying for, but it will show the hiring manager that you have done the work and are fully committed to stepping into the role, rather than a teacher looking for any new job they can get. 

Insider tip? You can utilize job descriptions as a tool, looking for the keywords and experiences highlighted throughout. Find a way to incorporate the industry-specific language as you translate your skills and experiences. Just make sure you know enough to expand upon the ideas if asked in an interview.

If you don’t feel like you have experience in any of the major keywords that pop up, look them up before you write them off. You likely have more experience than you are giving yourself credit for. More often than not, teachers have the skills. They’re just used to calling it something else.

Acquiring New Skills for Your Teacher Change Resume

Even after translating all of your relevant experience, you might find that there are some areas where you are lacking and that’s okay. Depending on the experiences you had while teaching and the role you are looking to transition into, you might find that there are certain skills that would be beneficial to have to make you a more desirable candidate. 

The good news is you can work on new skills while you are still teaching in the classroom. There are a variety of online classes and tutorials you can take at home and add to your teacher transition resume. The added keywords will make it easier for you to find a new career and you’ll likely go into it feeling more confident and prepared. 

Developing your Teacher Career Change Resume: Final Thoughts.

I know that was a lot of information. Maybe you were already stressed about writing your career transition resume, and now you’re feeling even more overwhelmed. If that’s the case, start by taking a deep breath. (Right here, right now). You don’t have to write and send out a hundred resumes in one day, or even one week. 

In fact, you don’t have to write hundreds of resumes at all. 

A lot of teachers ask, “Do I have to create a million different resume templates for all of these jobs?”   Absolutely not. While you should tweak your resume to fit each specific position you are applying for, you can save time by creating a template for each general category of positions you apply to. For example, you might have one template for training-type positions and another for jobs that fall under curriculum writing and instructional design categories. 

One final word of advice? When it comes to taking resume writing advice, please, please, please vet your source to ensure the information applies to the position and industry you are applying to.

Teacher Career Change, Beyond the Resume

Developing a professional teacher transition resume is just the first step on your journey to a new career. If you have more questions like: How do I get employers to notice my resume? What kind of jobs am I qualified for? What do I do after I get the interview?!?

I want you to know that if being in the classroom is no longer an option for you, there are many career options for teachers. As a former teacher who transitioned out of the classroom, I have been at that crossroads. I successfully moved from teaching into a new career that has left me happier, healthier, and more relaxed than I ever could have been in the classroom.

Next steps to a new career

One of the biggest mistakes that we see teachers make is that they try to  navigate this process alone . Often, they put off “researching” until the very last minute. Which sets them up for a very stressful application season. I want to help you get some clarity in the options available to you. To know EXACTLY what you need to do (and not do) in order to get your foot in the door. You don’t have to do this on your own. With the help of an HR expert with over 10 years of experience and a team of former teachers, I’ve created a guide to support you in the early stages of your transition out of the classroom.  Tap the button below to learn more .

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• • Developed innovative sales strategies, driving a 25% increase in regional sales revenue within the first year.
• • Led a team of 10 sales professionals, generating over $3M in software solution contracts with school districts.
• • Initiated and maintained strategic partnerships resulting in a 40% increase in client retention rates.
• • Successfully navigated complex sales cycles, shortening the average deal closure time by 15%
• • Deployed CRM tools like Salesforce to enhance prospecting efforts, achieving an 80% lead conversion rate.
• • Implemented data-driven approaches to tailor pitches, which resonated with unique client needs, elevating customer satisfaction scores by 30%.
• • Achieved top-performer status in Q2 and Q3, reaching 150% of the quarterly sales target.
• • Facilitated over 200 product demonstrations for prospective clients, significantly contributing to a robust sales pipeline.
• • Coordinated with marketing teams to create compelling content for campaigns, increasing lead generation by 55%.
• • Acted as a liaison between product development teams and customers, providing feedback that guided three major product updates.
• • Customized client solutions, enhancing customer satisfaction and securing repeat business.
• • Managed a portfolio of 100+ customer accounts, consistently achieving a monthly retention rate above 95%.
• • Collaborated with sales and technical teams to resolve issues, reducing average resolution time by 20%.
• • Delivered comprehensive training sessions on product features to clients, ensuring optimal product utilization.
• • Gathered customer feedback through surveys, streamlining product improvements and enhancing user experience.

5 Transitioning Teacher Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

When crafting your transitioning teacher resume, it's essential to highlight your adaptability and diverse skill set. Demonstrate that you can leverage your teaching experience in new contexts. Provide specific examples of how your educational skills translate to other sectors. Show prospective employers your ability to manage projects, communicate effectively, and lead with confidence.

All resume examples in this guide

Traditional

Resume Guide

Resume Format Tips

Resume Experience

Skills on Resume

Education & Certifications

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

As a transitioning teacher, articulating your extensive classroom management skills in a way that resonates within a corporate environment can be particularly challenging. Our guide provides tailored strategies to help you translate your educational expertise into corporate lingo, ensuring your resume appeals to a broad spectrum of employers.

• Apply best practices from professional resumes to spotlight your application;
• Quantify your professional experience with achievements, career highlights, projects, and more;
• Write an eye-catching transitioning teacher resume top one-third with your header, summary/objective, and skills section;
• Fill in the gaps of your experience with extracurricular, education, and more vital resume sections.

We've selected, especially for you, some of our most relevant transitioning teacher resume guides. Getting you from thinking about your next career move to landing your dream job.

• Tutor Resume Example
• Child Care Teacher Resume Example
• Piano Teacher Resume Example
• Distance Learning Teacher Resume Example
• Technology Teacher Resume Example
• Professor Resume Example
• Science Teacher Resume Example
• After School Teacher Resume Example
• Creative Art Teacher Resume Example
• Middle School Teacher Resume Example

Optimize your transitioning teacher resume format to pass the recruiters' assessment

What recruiters are looking for is systematised content that is clear and coherent. Thus, your transitioning teacher resume needs to answer requirements and why you're the best candidate for the role from the get-go.

• Sorting your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your most recent and relevant roles. This is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals;
• Writing your contact information (e.g. personal phone number and email address ) and your portfolio or LinkedIn link in your transitioning teacher resume header. If you're wondering to include a photo or not, always make sure that it's appropriate for the country you're applying in;
• Use the basic, most important transitioning teacher resume sections - your experience, education, summary, etc. Use your resume's real estate wisely to tell a compelling, professional story and match job description's keywords;
• Don't go overboard with the length of your resume. One page is absolutely fine if you happen to have under a decade of relevant experience.

Are you still wondering if you should submit your transitioning teacher resume in PDF or Word format ? The PDF has a few more advantages, as it doesn't change the format and the text can't be altered upon application.

Format matters most when your transitioning teacher resume is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS).

The ATS parses resumes, looking for specific keywords, skills or experience that match the job description.

P.S. We recently did a study on how the ATS works and were able to demystify three of the biggest misconceptions about how it assesses candidate resumes.

To pass the ATS evaluation, select any of the serif or sans-serif fonts. Popular choices that would help your transitioning teacher resume stand out include Raleway, Exo 2, Montserrat, etc.

Most traditionalists go for Arial or Times New Roman, but it's often the case that many candidates choose these fonts, and you'd thus lose points on the uniqueness front.

Upload & Check Your Resume

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Always remember that your transitioning teacher certifications can be quantified across different resume sections, like your experience, summary, or objective. For example, you could include concise details within the expertise bullets of how the specific certificate has improved your on-the-job performance.

The six in-demand sections for your transitioning teacher resume:

• Top one-third should be filled with a header, listing your contact details, and with a summary or objective, briefly highlighting your professional accolades
• Experience section, detailing how particular jobs have helped your professional growth
• Notable achievements that tie in your hard or soft skills with tangible outcomes
• Popular industry certificates to further highlight your technical knowledge or people capabilities
• Education to showcase your academic background in the field

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Demonstrated ability to design and implement lesson plans that accommodate different learning styles and achieve curriculum objectives.
• Experience in classroom management and student engagement techniques to maintain a positive learning environment.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex concepts and collaborate with colleagues, students, and parents.
• Proven track record of using assessment and feedback to guide student learning and measure progress towards learning goals.
• Flexibility and adaptability in using a variety of pedagogical approaches and technology tools to enhance the educational experience.

Adding your relevant experience to your transitioning teacher resume

If you're looking for a way to show recruiters that your expertise is credible, look no further than the resume experience section.

Your transitioning teacher resume experience can be best curated in a structured, bulleted list detailing the particulars of your career:

• Always integrate metrics of success - what did you actually achieve in the role?
• Scan the transitioning teacher advert for your dream role in search of keywords in the job requirements - feature those all through your past/current experience;
• Dedicate a bullet (or two) to spotlight your technical capabilities and how you're able to use the particular software/technology in your day-to-day roles;
• Write simple by including your responsibility, a job advert keyword or skill, and a tangible outcome of your success;
• Use the experience section to also define the unique value of working with you in the form of soft skills, relevant feedback, and the company culture you best thrive in.

Industry leaders always ensure that their resume experience section offers an enticing glimpse at their expertise, while telling a career narrative. Explore these sample transitioning teacher resumes on how to best create your resume experience section.

• Developed and implemented an interdisciplinary curriculum, boosting student engagement by 30% through the integration of technology and real-world applications.
• Led professional development workshops for a team of 20 teachers focusing on innovative teaching strategies, which increased department-wide student performance metrics by 25%.
• Spearheaded a literacy improvement project that helped narrow the reading gap for underperforming students, improving average reading levels by nearly two grades.
• Orchestrated a STEM program for grades 6-8 that resulted in 85% of participants successfully completing advanced mathematics courses.
• Integrated assistive technology in the classroom to support students with special needs, leading to a 40% increase in individual student performance.
• Collaborated with local businesses to provide real-world problem-solving experiences, raising student achievement scores by 20%.
• Championed a district-wide initiative to integrate digital learning tools, which was adopted by 15 schools and enhanced the learning experience for over 10,000 students.
• Secured a $50,000 education grant to fund a technology-enriched curriculum, resulting in signficiant improvements in statewide test scores for our students.
• Piloted a coding and robotics after-school program that led 95% of participants to pursue technology-related electives the following year.
• Coordinated a student exchange programme with international partners, enhancing cultural awareness and language skills for over 200 students.
• Implemented project-based learning initiatives that increased student mastery of complex concepts by 35%, as evidenced by project assessments and standardized testing.
• Authored a grant that secured $30,000 in funds for new classroom technologies, directly improving the learning environment for 500+ students.
• Created and executed a groundbreaking interdisciplinary project that linked mathematics with social studies, helping students enhance their analytical skills and historical understanding.
• Drove student participation in national math contests, with 10 students placing in the top 100 rankings, demonstrating excellence in problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Mentored and advised the school's robotics club, leading to a first-place victory in the state robotics competition, reflecting the effectiveness of applied learning strategies.
• Established a community partnership program, bringing in local leaders to create a mentorship network that improved student aspirations and career readiness.
• Initiated a technology integration plan which saw a 50% increase in the use of educational software tools, diversifying instruction and catering to varied learning styles.
• Organized school-wide science fairs, resulting in a 60% increase in student-led research projects and a heightened interest in scientific inquiry and innovation.
• Headed a bilingual education program that improved English proficiency levels for 90% of participants, enabling better integration and academic success in mainstream classes.
• Launched a peer tutoring and mentoring initiative that supported over 300 students, promoting a culture of academic collaboration and student leadership.
• Evaluated and revamped the social studies curriculum to incorporate multicultural perspectives, leading to more inclusive classroom discussions and an increased sense of community.
• Curated a school garden program tied to science education, teaching about ecology and sustainability, which enhanced student awareness and interest in environmental science.
• Facilitated the adoption of a flipped classroom model, increasing student homework completion rates by roughly 40% and allowing for more interactive and personalized classroom instruction.
• Developed partnerships with local technology companies to provide students with hands-on experiences, inspiring 25% of graduating students to choose tech-focused college majors.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Include the number of students you have taught or managed to demonstrate your ability to handle large groups and individualize attention.
• List any improvements in test scores or grades under your tutelage to show measurable success.
• Specify the percentage of students who achieved proficiency or advanced levels on standardized tests to highlight achievement benchmarks.
• Mention the number of educational projects or curricula you have developed to exhibit your initiative and planning skills.
• Quantify the amount of budget you managed for school events or programs to demonstrate financial responsibility.
• State the number of teacher workshops or professional development sessions you've conducted to show leadership and expert knowledge.
• Detail the number of educational conferences or seminars attended to underscore a commitment to ongoing learning and networking.
• Present a count of any extracurricular activities or clubs you have supervised to illustrate additional responsibility and engagement with students.

Action verbs for your transitioning teacher resume

Lacking relevant transitioning teacher resume experience?

Learn how to write your transitioning teacher resume experience in spite of having no real-world (or applicable) experience for the job.

You should:

• Feature relevant projects or publications that could impress recruiters or showcase that you have the basic skill set for the job
• Shift the focus towards your people (communication, organization, etc.) skills to demonstrate that you're a quick learner and can easily adapt to a new environment
• Use the resume objective to not only highlight your accomplishments but also map out how your career plans are perfectly aligned with the company's vision
• Select either the functional-skill-based resume format (that puts the focus on your skills) or the hybrid one (balancing expertise with skills).

Recommended reads:

• How to List Expected Graduation Date on Your Resume
• Perfecting the Education Section on Your Resume

List all your relevant higher education degrees within your resume in reverse chronological order (starting with the latest). There are cases when your PhD in a particular field could help you stand apart from other candidates.

Defining your unique transitioning teacher skill set with hard skills and soft skills

In any job advertisement, a blend of specific technologies and interpersonal communication skills is typically sought after. Hard skills represent your technical expertise and indicate your job performance capacity. Soft skills, on the other hand, demonstrate how well you would integrate within the company culture.

Incorporating a balanced mix of both skill types in your transitioning teacher resume is crucial. Here's how you can do it:

• In your resume summary or objective, incorporate up to three hard and/or soft skills. Make sure to quantify these skills with relevant or impressive achievements;
• The skills section should list your technical know-how.
• The strengths section is an ideal place to quantify your competencies by focusing on the achievements facilitated by these skills.

Top skills for your transitioning teacher resume:

Curriculum planning

Learning assessment

Educational technology integration

Classroom management

Lesson plan development

Subject matter expertise

Special education

Data analysis and interpretation

Teacher training

Bilingual education

Communication

Adaptability

Time management

Problem-solving

Conflict resolution

Organization

Motivational skills

Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.

The basics of your transitioning teacher resume certifications and education sections

Improve the education and certification sections of your transitioning teacher resume by:

• Dedicating more prominent space to certificates that are more recent and have helped you update your skill set
• Keeping all the information you list to the basics: certificate/degree name, institution, and graduation dates
• Writing supplementary information in the details of your certification or education section, only if you lack experience or want to show further skill alignment
• Including your credential or license number, only if the information is valid to your application or certification

Within transitioning teacher job adverts, relevant education, and certification are always listed within the key prerequisite for the role.

Ensure you meet all job requirements with some of the leading certificates in the industry:

The top 5 certifications for your transitioning teacher resume:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) - Project Management Institute (PMI)
• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) - Association for Talent Development (ATD)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) - (ISC)²
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) - HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) - Scrum Alliance

If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.

• When Should You Include Your High School on Your Resume?

Deciding between a resume summary or objective for your transitioning teacher role

Understanding the distinction between a resume summary and an objective is crucial for your transitioning teacher resume.

A resume summary, typically three to five sentences long, offers a concise overview of your career . This is the place to showcase your most pertinent experience, key accomplishments, and skills. It's particularly well-suited for those with professional experience relevant to the job requirements.

In contrast, a resume objective focuses on how you can add value to potential employers. It addresses why they should hire you and outlines your career expectations and learning goals. Therefore, it's ideal for candidates with less experience.

In the following section of our guide, explore how resume summaries and objectives differ through some exemplary industry-specific examples.

Resume summaries for a transitioning teacher job

• With over a decade of experience in secondary education and a proven track record of enhancing student performance through innovative curriculum development, this seasoned Biology teacher is seeking new challenges in a dynamic school district. Accomplishments include raising state test scores by 20% and leading a science department restructure for efficiency.
• Dedicated English educator with 15 years of experience fostering a love for literature among high school students. Recognized for integrating technology into classroom instruction to improve engagement and learning outcomes, culminating in a 25% increase in students' standardized reading scores within two academic years.
• Ambitious financial analyst with 8 years of experience at a Fortune 500 company, eager to pivot into the educational sector. Brings a strong proficiency in data analysis and quantitative reasoning, which will be leveraged to teach mathematics and financial literacy, inspiring practical and impactful learning.
• Former healthcare professional with 5 years of experience in patient education and advocacy, aiming to translate this background into a health science teaching career. Expertise in public health initiatives and health technology will drive the development of a forward-thinking health education curriculum.
• Seeking to draw upon a rich history as a community organizer and volunteer in diverse educational settings. While new to formal classroom teaching, enthusiasm for educational equity and a robust foundation in pedagogical methods will be dedicated to achieving excellence in elementary education.
• As a recent graduate with a Master's in Education and a passion for innovative educational approaches, committed to fostering a positive learning environment for students of all backgrounds. With fresh pedagogical knowledge and a drive for continuous improvement, determined to contribute meaningfully to curriculum design and student success.

Extra transitioning teacher resume sections and elements

Creating a winning transitioning teacher resume isn't about following a rigid formula. The key is to tailor it to the job requirements while maintaining your unique personality.

Consider including these additional resume sections to enhance your profile:

• Awards - Highlight industry-specific awards as well as any personal accolades to demonstrate recognition of your expertise and achievements;
• Hobbies and interests - Share your interests outside of work. This can provide insights into your personality and indicate whether you'd be a good cultural fit for the organization;
• Projects - Detail significant projects you've been involved in, focusing on your contributions and the outcomes;
• Publications - If you've authored or co-authored academic papers or other publications, include them to establish your credibility and in-depth knowledge of the field.

These sections can give a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and character, complementing the standard resume content.

Key takeaways

Writing your transitioning teacher resume can be a structured and simple experience, once you better understand the organization's requirements for the role you're applying to. To sum up, we'd like to remind you to:

• Always select which experiences, skills, and achievements to feature on your resume based on relevancy to the role;
• In your resume summary, ensure you've cherry-picked your top achievements and matched them with the job ad's skills;
• Submit your transitioning teacher resume as a one or two-page long document at the most, in a PDF format;
• Select industry leading certifications and list your higher education to highlight you have the basis for technical know-how;
• Quantify your people's skills through various resume sections (e.g. Strengths, Hobbies and interests, etc.) to show recruiters how your profile aligns with the organizational culture.

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How to Craft Your Teacher Career Change Resume + Ace Your Interview

Once you’ve decided that you want to leave the classroom, the next big question on your mind is, “What career am I going to pursue?”  Well, there are two different ways you can go…the employee route or the entrepreneur route.

The entrepreneur route means that you go into business for yourself. Maybe you start a website , a boutique , a virtual assistant business , an online tutoring business, a photography business , or a TpT shop . The career is irrelevant; the important thing to note is that as an entrepreneur, you are going into business for yourself.

The employee route means that you choose to work for another individual or company. Again, we are less concerned with who hires you and more interested in how to get you hired for the job of your dreams.

So in today’s episode, we are going to focus on the employee route and how writing a teacher career change resume will help you land some of the best jobs for teachers outside of education. The cool part about what I’m sharing is that these tips will help you in getting hired for ANY position.

But we are going to spend the majority of our time unpacking some of the specifics you might not have considered when you began thinking about landing the best jobs for teachers outside of the classroom .

So let’s discuss the 15 things you need to do to design a winning teacher career change resume and land your dream job outside of teaching.

Creating Your Teacher Career Change Resume

1| write specifically.

Everyone has a resume, but there is a lot of difference between a “leaving teaching resume that includes all of your teaching experience and literally nothing else” and a well-planned, well-executed specific resume.

Think about it like this. There are dollar store pens and then there are flair pens…I rest my case.

The whole point of writing a resume is to give the applicant board as much relevant information as possible in as little space as possible.

So you want your transition out of teaching resume to be unique and a nice reflection of you while still being completely tailored to the position for which you are applying.

Your resume shouldn’t be generic. I know this may feel frustrating when you’re applying for a lot of positions at once, but I promise it will pay off in the long run. You definitely want your resume to reflect specifics of the field and position into which you want to move.

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2| Research transferable skills

Be sure to listen to Episode #5 where we discuss the top transferable skills that teachers possess that makes you a prime candidate for any job you want. Think about what types of transferable skills you have that apply to the particular field you are interested in.

The most important part about this is remembering that each field of study and each niche has its own language. So you want to take time to figure out which of the skills are your strengths and then translate those into the niche-specific buzzwords that particular community uses.

Then add those words onto your teacher career change resume so the application board knows you have the skills they are seeking.

3| Use niche-specific language

I mentioned this in tip 2, but you want to make sure that you speak the language of the people in your potential career. Most professions have a “lingo” and you want to be sure that you know the lingo of your chosen field of interest.

Think about teaching. We use words and acronyms like social-emotional learning (SEL), individualized education plan (IEP), and curriculum-based assessment (CBA).

If you stopped people on the street and asked them what these acronyms meant, most probably wouldn’t have any idea what you were talking about. However, if you are a new teacher wanting to get hired, these acronyms are important for you to know.

This same rule applies for other fields. If you want to break into a community or niche outside of the world of education, you need to learn the lingo. The best way to do this is by using Google and type in common acronyms for (fill in the blank of the field).

Once you understand the common acronyms for that field, you will want to compare these to your transferable teacher skills and see which ones are similar. Then research the buzzwords in the niche of the job you hope to pursue to find even more gold to add to your teacher career change resume.

4| Be prepared

You would think this would be supremely obvious, but according to my husband, who does interviews regularly for his job, the number of individuals who come to interviews completely unprepared is staggering.

So after researching the lingo (including buzzwords & acronyms) of your potential profession, make sure you research the specific position you hope to get as well as the company you want to join.

Make certain that your career goals align with the motto and beliefs of this particular company . You don’t want to go through the trouble of interviewing, getting offered the position, and working for one day only to realize you don’t agree with the company’s position on an important issue.

Once you determine you are a good fit for the company, take some time to look online for interview questions related to your chosen field and formulate answers as a way to prepare for the questions you might be asked in an interview.

This will instill confidence in you and help you get into the mindset of someone who already has the position…before you ever walk through the door of the interview.

5| Reach out to someone at the company

If you want to be prepared for a potential interview, then you need to know about the company and also the workers there.

You can call the company and ask to speak with someone in the department to which you are applying or ask to speak with the supervisor about the position.

Be respectful of this individual’s time and ask if he/she has 5 minutes to answer a couple of quick questions about the position. If the person is busy, let him/her call you at a more convenient time because the last thing you want to do is be a nuisance.

Ask a few preselected questions that will help you understand more about the work environment, the position itself, and the supervisor. Remember, to write these ahead of time so you don’t waste time trying to think of them on the spot.

The point of this exercise is to get a little extra insight and to get your name in front of the individual early.

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Nailing Your Teacher Career Change Interview

6| know what you’re interviewing for.

This may seem ridiculous, but there are so many people who just saunter into interviews with no idea what they’re even interviewing for. My husband sees this all the time.

He is always astounded by how many individuals step into an interview completely clueless about the position. Ultimately, the interviewee is simply wasting everyone’s time.

This is a very frustrating situation…especially when an interview panel has a full day of interviews. Make sure you’ve spent time studying the position and dissecting the job requirements and duties so that you can answer the questions in an interview well.

Think about the specific skills you bring to the table that will allow you to be an asset to the company and how those skills set you up as the perfect candidate for the position.

7| Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses

In every interview, there is always the obligatory “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” question. While it may be phrased in a number of different ways, this is the moment for you to shine.

You want to spend time talking about what you have to offer the company that makes you the obvious choice of candidate. Then you want to be honest about your weaknesses in a way that does not make you look like a liability. Let me give you some examples.

Instead of saying this…

• I’m a terrible speller.
• I hate people.
• I’m OCD about organization.

Say this…

• I appreciate spell check as spelling isn’t my strong suit.
• I work best independently as I tend to be introverted by nature.
• I thrive in a tidy workspace . I’m not a fan of disorganization.

The point here is for you to admit your weaknesses, but in a way that doesn’t take you out of the running for this particular position.

8| Don’t assume anything

You cannot assume the interview panel knows anything you don’t say or that you haven’t told them during the meeting. You may have written something in your application or even in your resume, but you still need to mention it during the interview as needed. 

This is especially important if you happen to know someone on the interview board or you have worked at this particular company before. They are only able to write down things you say during the meeting and if you don’t say it, it might get overlooked elsewhere.

Also remember to avoid the word etcetera.

This is something people say when they’ve been asked a question that they aren’t fully prepared to answer. They will say “etcetera” to fill in the space of those things they can’t think of during the interview.

But remember, the interviewers don’t know what etcetera covers unless you clarify it. So just leave it out of the conversation completely.

9| Answer ALL of the questions

Another issue that my husband sees frequently in interviews is candidates not answering all of the questions. For example, the interviewer might ask you something like this…“Name some skills that you feel would be important to have to do this job effectively. Then tell us your strongest skill.”

Potential candidates answer with their strongest skill while completely ignoring the first part of the question. This isn’t an encouraging start for interviewers because they want an employee that actually listens.

So listen carefully to the questions asked and answer ALL of them as succinctly (and thoroughly) as possible.

Now what I just said might seem a bit like an oxymoron. How are you supposed to answer a question succinctly and thoroughly? Think of it like this…

You want to include as much information as needed to answer the question(s) completely without talking in circles and repeating yourself 53 times. You want to prove that you have a thoughtful answer while also being respectful of the interviewers’ time. 

10| Dress Appropriately

It doesn’t matter if you are applying for a non-profit, a grocery store, or a Fortune 500 company, you want to dress appropriately. Think about the old adage…Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have!!

Even if the place you’re interviewing at has “Casual Fridays” and you happen to be getting an interview on one of these days, you are not yet an employee and those rules don’t apply to you. So think about how a professional would dress and dress accordingly.

Men should wear a suit and tie or at the bare minimum a polo shirt and nice slacks. If you come in with wrinkled khakis and a shirt 2 sizes too small, you are not going to make a good impression.

Women should wear a nice pair of slacks or skirt with a MODEST dressy top or dress if you feel more comfortable. Leggings (unless under a dress), low cut or revealing tops, and bra straps make a terrible first impression.

Remember, you will be the face of this particular company to the world and they don’t want sloppily-dressed individuals representing their brand. And even the best teacher career change resume will not cover up the negative impression a poorly dressed applicant gives during the interview.

11| Don’t fidget

When we get nervous, we do annoying things without even realizing it. We tend to tap our pencils, shift in our seats, click our pens, or clear our throats because we literally don’t know what to do with ourselves. 

But this is super-distracting to the interviewers. That’s why practicing with someone prior to your actual interview can be really helpful.

You can simulate the interview environment (including paper, pen, or pencil on the table) to see if you have any fidget or annoying habit that will cause the interviewers to be distracted. After the simulation, the person can give you feedback on things you are doing well and things you need to work on before completing your interview.

12| Show interest

It is sad to even have to mention this, but another thing my husband has mentioned that amazes him is how little people seem to care about the job for which they are interviewing. There have been times he wanted to ask the interviewee if they actually even wanted the job.

To avoid this, be forthcoming with all of the information you have to share and don’t make the interview panel prod you for answers. This doesn’t make a good impression and since the goal is to land this job, you want to show interest.

If you don’t feel like you’ve had the opportunity to truly express why you want the job, at the end say something like…

• “I want this position because…”
• “I would like the opportunity to work here because…”

Then mention anything you gleaned during your conversation with the supervisor in your pre-interview phone conversation. This may be exactly what they’ve been waiting for someone to say!

13| Don’t be afraid to ask questions at the end

In many interviews, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the panel. Be sure to take advantage of the time and ask any clarifying questions.

You want to make sure you’ve already determined the types of questions you want to ask BEFORE you step into the interview though so you don’t forget them when you get nervous. You might even want to write them down and pull out your note at the end.

This will allow you to show the panel how serious you are about the position and also give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you would like answered related to work environment, their favorite things about working for the company, and how long they have been with the company.

Staying Front of Mind

14| send a thank you.

This is such an important part of the interview process. You want to thank the supervisor for the opportunity to interview for the position. This can be done “old school” style by sending a physical thank you note or card or it can be sent via email.

Make sure you are specific so that it doesn’t appear to simply be a canned response that you send to everyone. This is also one more way for your name to stay in front of the supervisor’s mind.

15| Ask for feedback

After you have sent your thank you email, you will find out whether or not you were chosen as the candidate for hire. If you did NOT get hired, don’t be afraid to reach out to the supervisor and see if he/she could give you a little insight into why you didn’t get the position.

This isn’t a power move; it’s simply a way for you to determine what you could have done better. But if you are going to go to the trouble of asking what you could have done better, be sure to listen carefully to feedback given to you.

Then take the time to turn that feedback into  better interviewing skills. And who knows? You may be able to use this insight to secure a different position with the company in the future.

These 15 tips are designed to help you create an amazing teacher career change resume and deliver an awe-inspiring interview that leaves the company begging for you to work for them.

You are an extremely enticing candidate, but it is your job to show these companies just how badly they need you on their team.

So take time to create a standout resume designed for the position to which you are applying, prepare for the interview, arrive at the interview dressed professionally and confident that you are the best candidate.

You can do this!

If you know you need some help designing a teacher career change resume and strategic interview coaching, I can help! As a coach, I love helping clients leave the classroom ready to begin their new career with confidence. Click the button below for your free 30 minute Zoom call.

Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher (M. Ed.) turned literacy interventionist, blogger, podcaster, TpT author, and homeschooling mom. When she's not with her husband & boys, she's sharing her love for Jesus, designing websites, helping other teachers pursue online businesses, organizing ALL THE THINGS, or watching New Girl. Read More >>

How to Craft an Effective Resume for a Teacher Career Change

Crafting an impressive teacher resume when changing careers so that you can land the job you really want.

The path you chose in the early years of your career doesn’t have to stick! You could lose interest in your current role or find something more fulfilling along the way.  

If you’re feeling discontented in your teaching career, you don’t have to keep pushing through. There are several career paths you can choose from by leveraging the transferable skills you’ve developed in your career so far. 

Today, we’ll guide you on crafting an impressive teacher resume when changing careers so that you can land the job you really want . 

What Are Some Jobs For Former Teachers?

Here are some new career paths available to former teachers based on desirable skills requirements.

EdTech Professional

Turning to EdTech is the easiest career transition one could think of, as it allows you to continue impacting education but on a larger scale! Start from an entry-level role and fill the skill gaps by developing other relevant skills such as coding, design, product management, and data analysis. Course designing and content creation are some EdTech domains you could easily tap into as a former teacher.

5 key skills requirements:

• Strong communication 
• Problem-solving
• Web development 
• Knowledge of programming languages
• Data Analytics

See this example job listing for a Learning Experience Designer at Columbus State University. It’s a perfect opportunity for experienced university teachers with a passion for course creation.

Instructional Design

Instructional design is a division of EdTech that mainly focuses on creating effective learning experiences, including courses, manuals, learning simulations, and more. Your lesson planning and curriculum development skills will come in handy for this role. 

• Understanding of learning models
• Project management 
• Presentation technology knowledge
• Visual design and storyboarding
• Assessment development

See this example job listing for an Instructional Designer to direct adult learning in a workplace. If you’re looking to work in a corporate setting and have deep knowledge about workplace practices, this role could be perfect for you!

The love for reading and learning is second nature to most teachers, which is why a career as a librarian is a good next step for former teachers. They are skilled in creating and delivering course curriculums, which translates well to a librarian’s responsibility of curating collections and resources to meet the needs of diverse readers. 

• Organizational skills
• Community engagement
• Basic computer literacy
• Research skills
• Customer service

This example job listing for a Reference Librarian is ideal for someone who is great at research and has a knack for handling software related to library database management.

Writer/Author/Editor 

One of the most important skills a teacher possesses is the ability to articulate their thoughts and words effectively. If you’re great at this, you might want to consider writing or editing as your next career. You could try magazines, newspapers, websites, books, and any other publishing mediums that pay to write.

Additionally, you can tap into copywriting or advertising if consumer psychology and marketing excite you.

• Excellent writing ability
• Critical thinking
• Storytelling

See this example job listing for a copywriter, which is perfect for someone who excels at storytelling and editorial writing.

Assessing and evaluating a person’s skills are a daily part of teaching, and you can translate these skills into recruiting candidates for a company. All you need is an eye for good talent, and you’re gold.

• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills
• Sales and persuasion

This example job listing is for Recruiters in the financial services space, perfect for former teachers with a commerce background.  

Corporate Trainer

How about teaching, but in a different setting and to a different audience? Offering training in a corporate environment allows you to experience a whole new world and expand your horizons. This role also allows for flexibility to set your own schedule—something that is a welcome reprieve from the rigid schedule of most educators.

• Presentation skills
• Technical literacy
• Analytical skills
• Cultural sensitivity

This example job listing for a Corporate Trainer is ideal for you if you love helping individuals perform better in their roles.

Teacher Career Change Resume Example

Your resume plays a critical role when switching from teaching to a more corporate role—it’s all about how you present your experiences and skills in a manner to make them attractive to any potential employer.  

Here’s one resume example that has the potential to get attention:

Why does this resume work?

• Using numbers and percentages to talk about results and transformations. This shows that the candidate is data-driven (which is perfect in the corporate realm) and the ability to drive results and productivity with their work. 
• Employers love resume keywords such as “goal-setting,” “planning,” “strategy,” and “feedback.” These show the applicant knows the industry skills required and helps form a positive first impression.
• The work history tells how the applicant has been more than just a teacher and has been involved in the development of their previous institution . This involves other relevant responsibilities such as leading a team of instructors, building partnerships with local schools, collaborating with faculties, designing training programs, and more.

How to Write a Resume When Transitioning from Teaching

1. make the most of transferable skills.

Transferable skills are the experiences and qualities you develop in your teaching career that can also be applied to your new career. 

These skills not only include your hard skills (i.e., your expertise) but also include all soft skills (problem-solving, analytical skills, team-leading abilities, etc) you pick up along the journey. 

How to identify your transferable skills:

• Reflect on your teaching journey and note all your achievements, milestones, and the skills you demonstrated in those times.
• Review job descriptions of the roles you’re interested in and translate your skills per the specific job requirements. 
• Network with people from the industry you wish to join outside of teaching to learn about the potential roles you can apply to with your skills. 
• Consider all the training and courses you’ve done in your teaching career and use them to create a portfolio. You can create a mock project to showcase your skills in a real-world scenario. 

Suggested reading: Resume templates for various industries

2. Customize Your Resume for a New Field

One resume will not fit every job role. You must adapt the jargon, formats, and language specific to each field. Align your experiences and achievements with the requirements of your new field.

Here’s an example:

“Prepared and curated lesson plans for students.”

This line from a teacher’s resume becomes….

“Oversaw curriculum development to maximize learning for students while collaborating with team members and leadership.”

The updated version shows you’re a team player who likes taking end-to-end initiatives. 

3. Address Career Change Concerns

Transitioning from a teacher to a corporate role may raise objections and concerns from employers. 

Some of these concerns could be:

• Lack of experience in a corporate setting
• Being overqualified for entry-level roles
• Your ability to transfer and translate skills

You can address these concerns using the following strategies:

• Share instances from your teaching journey where you applied your transferable skills. For example,  instances where you led a team and contributed to the development of your past organization. Or where you navigated a change that increased students’ performance by a significant percentage. 
• Talk about the technical tools you’ve used in your past role and how they’ve helped you in the job.
• Prepare a solid answer to the question, “Why should we hire you.” Use your skills like adaptability, team player, problem-solving, critical thinking, etc, to lead the argument.
• Mention any courses, certifications, workshops, or additional education you have pursued or are pursuing to enhance your skills for the corporate role.

4. Showcase Accomplishments and Impact

Numbers speak louder than words, and quantifying your achievements emphasizes their impact. For starters, it shows the employer you really care about achieving results rather than just getting the work done. Secondly, it makes you look more credible and encourages the employer to trust you.

Here’s how to write a resume that highlights quantitative achievements:

• Avoid vague statements and be highly specific—always specify who you helped, how you helped, and the results you produced. 
• Highlight metrics relevant to the job you’re applying for, not just your old job.
• It doesn’t always have to be a percentage—you can include the number of people impacted or a range of data in case you don’t have the precise figures. 

Here are two examples of showcasing impact: 

• Led and managed a student mentorship program for senior students and helped 15+ students achieve scholarships to attend prestigious universities in Germany in 2022.
• Aligned with key stakeholders to manage additional events in the organization to drive student engagement and learning. Raised $20,000 from trustees for this cause. 

5. Include Professional Development and Upskilling

It’s good practice to focus on training and upskilling when transitioning to a different career. It helps you close the skill gaps between your old and new role and make you more qualified for corporate. 

Here are some places you can search for courses and certifications:

• Udemy: You get a huge library of courses for every field imaginable, at affordable prices.
• LinkedIn Learning: This comes with your LinkedIn premium subscription. Showcase the course certification as you finish; it’ll act as a huge employer magnet on your profile!
• Look for courses and certifications available in your local area. 

Don’t forget to highlight ongoing learning and upskilling on the resume. It shows the recruiter how invested you are in adapting to a new career path and the effort you put into making it happen.

Here’s an example of how to highlight it on your resume:

Currently pursuing a certification course, “Email Marketing Fundamentals”, on Udemy after finishing “Digital Marketing 101”, and “Basics of Branding” successfully. 

Key Takeaways

Transitioning from teaching into a new role can be a smooth ride if you know where to look and how to apply and position yourself. Your resume is your entry ticket into another role—make sure you create an excellent first impression!

Tailor your resume for the field you’re applying to and show off your transferable skills. Remain calm during the job hunting process and continue upskilling for new roles to complement your existing skills and experience.  

And if you want to fast-track the resume writing process and increase your chances of landing your dream job, consider giving Rezi’s resume builder a try!

How do I write a resume for a career change from teaching?

Identify your transferable skills that fit the requirements for the role you’re applying to and follow these resume tips .

What do you put on a resume when leaving teaching?

Mention all your relevant experiences from your teaching background in your resume and tailor these experiences to the new role. 

How do I switch to a career in teaching?

Get clarity about who you want to teach and what should be your subject, and apply for all the necessary certifications to complete the process. 

Kels Styles

Kels is a career writer and editor with a background in entertainment, advertising, and startups. Kels aims to provide, reinforce, and organize authentic, digestible content that helps you take the next step in your career. 

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11 Career Change Resume Examples Designed for 2024

Marketing Manager

Best for senior and mid-level candidates.

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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• Career Change Resumes
• Changing Careers To Resumes
• Changing Careers From Resumes
• Career Change Resumes for Teachers

Perhaps you’ve spent decades crafting your profession only to feel drawn toward a new challenge. Maybe you’ve only spent a few years in your job but realized it’s not everything you’d hoped for. 

While the decision to pursue a new career can be thrilling, it comes with a challenge—convincing hiring managers to employ you. Whatever else, don’t let  building your resume  or writing a cover letter be a source of anxiety.

We’ve compiled  11 career change resume examples and a free guide to help steer you toward your dream job in 2024 . 

Even if your new career isn’t in our samples, that’s okay! What’s essential in these samples is the how and why, so keep reading because we’re sure there’s something here for you!

Career Change Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• A summary merges your background with the opportunities you’re seeking. In other words, a summary demonstrates how your experience has prepared you for your new field. However, you should only use a summary if you’ve had  at least 10 years of experience.
• Choosing a  professional resume template  and  resume format  can help make your resume look professional and cohesive without much effort.

Multiple Career Resume

• The keywords you include will help tie your expertise together and prove that you have the right abilities for the job. 
• Start by listing hard skills (aka technical, learned skills) listed in the job description. If you don’t have a lot, then simply use soft skills like “analytical” and collaboration.”
• Whatever jobs you’ve held, find a common thread between them and the new job, then sew that thread into every job experience. It’ll be a subtle but powerful tool to increase credibility despite multiple career changes. 

Career Change To Accounting Resume

• If you’re applying to be an accountant but it wasn’t your most recent role, be sure to add a certifications section highlighting that you are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Career Change To Administrative Assistant Resume

• Enhance your career change to administrative assistant resume with a short summary that shows recruiters where to draw parallels between your past experience and target title.

Marketing Manager Career Change Resume

• There are numbers everywhere; look for percentages relating to your skills, like how you boosted efficiency or increased sales from last quarter. The sky’s the limit!
• If you can’t find (or don’t have access to) percentages, then use plain numbers relating to how many team members you worked with, how many clients you took on, or how many referrals you gained.
• Things like only using active verbs and avoiding personal pronouns might seem minor, but they make reading your resume easier, which is huge for recruiters and hiring managers.
• And speaking of details, always  double-check your resume  for proper grammar, punctuation, and overall flow.

RN Career Change Resume

• An objective is only two to three sentences, so make sure each word packs a verbal punch by showing off your years of experience, skills, and desire for the role you’re seeking.
• For example, mentioning your adherence to HIPPA guidelines can demonstrate to hiring managers that you will stick to the rules. On the flip side, explaining how you used active listening to assist patients will show your compassion and customer service skills.

Journalist Career Change Resume

• Start by keeping your resume to a single page. Otherwise, you’ll overwhelm hiring managers (who will likely toss your resume into the recycling).
• It’s best to use reverse-chronological formatting on your resume to keep your most relevant job history at the top. While other formats are necessarily wrong, they aren’t standard, and they’re harder for hiring managers (and the ATS) to read.
• In your contact header, include your email address (make sure it’s a professional email), your phone number, and your location. 
• Consider adding a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile if you have a LinkedIn account.

Mechanical Engineer Career Change Resume

• Consider asking a friend, relative, or even a career advisor from your alma mater to scan your resume for errors and discrepancies.
• Nothing tells a recruiter you’re not the right person for the job like saying you’re great at “time management.” 
• Put color in your section headers (or company titles) and your contact header. This will add visual interest without being overwhelming.
• If you’re applying to work at a conservative financial firm, you may want to stick to traditional colors rather than pastel pink or lavender.

Teacher Career Change Resume

• Look for ways to connect your previous duties to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
• Many skills  indirectly  transfer from one job to another. Consider your collaboration skills: your ability to work well with fellow teachers will help you work on team projects at your next job.
• Of course, if you have any skills, projects, or experience in your new field, include them, and explain how you’ve mastered them in your career change cover letter .
• Using a  resume template  is invaluable here, as you can easily scooch sections to the side, adjust your margins, and fix your font type to give you some extra wiggle room.

Teacher to Project Manager Resume

• The work experience bullet points to occupy the largest share of your CV—no more than four bullets for each role. As for your contact info, education, skills, hobbies, and certifications, a side column will do the trick. The cherry on top is restricting the entire resume to one page.

Teacher to Human Resources Resume

• But more importantly, mention the relevant transferable skills you bring to this entry-level role, a requirement Elijah executes well in his teacher to human resources resume. Better yet, let your bullet points show how you used these proficiencies in previous teaching roles.

Related resume guides

• Engineering

Teacher Resume Summary With Examples

To get hired as a teacher, you can make sure to write an inclusive summary to your resume. It is best to include any qualifications you have and which type of teaching position you want to apply for. In this article, you’ll learn how to write a great teacher resume summary and view examples of properly formatted teacher resume samples.

What is a teacher resume summary?

A teacher resume summary is a short paragraph that showcases educational achievements, classroom skills and past teaching experience. It may also be known as a teacher professional summary for resume or a teacher personal profile sample. 

Teacher resume summary examples

Here are some examples of statements from teacher resume summaries with helpful explanations:

Showcase emotional intelligence 

In the example below, a middle school teacher displays emotional intelligence by using the words, ‘social skills’ and ’empathy.’ Employers want to hire compassionate and intuitive teachers.

Example:  ‘Conscientious and flexible middle school English teacher well-versed in using social skills and empathy to manage student behavior; utilizes feedback from students to create compelling lesson plans that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of students.’

Display your leadership skills

You should show skills that other applicants might not have, including leadership skills. In the example below, the teacher states that they ‘trained a newly-hired teacher’s aide.’ This gives the teacher more credibility, Training requires patience, knowledge, authority and determination.

Example:  ‘Elementary school teacher with experience instructing grades one, two and three, and class sizes of up to 23 students; created unique activities that enhanced student literacy and mathematical ability; trained a newly-hired teacher’s aide.’

Use statistics to impress

In the following example, a high school chemistry teacher used a statistic to impress employers. This type of statistic shows that the teacher helps students to learn and excel. Statistics are facts that employers are able to understand immediately. 

Example:  ‘High school chemistry teacher with more than three years of experience teaching high school students. Introduced standardized testing and state curriculum; helped 42 out of 50 students to get scores of 3 or higher on the AP Chemistry Exam.’

Add teaching hours to show experience

In the example below, an art teacher writes that they have ‘400 hours of teaching experience.’ Adding this detail makes it easy for employers to see how much hands-on time was done in the classroom. Experience is something that a lot of employers are looking for.

Example : ‘Boston College art teacher and education degree graduate with more than two years of art teaching experience in Boston public schools; received a ‘Teacher of the Year’ award in 2018; interested in leveraging 400 hours of teaching experience to take on a new art teacher role.’

Add a brief slogan

This example includes a brief slogan that explains the applicant’s teaching philosophy. It also shows a high level of enthusiasm for teaching.

Example:  ‘Excited to provide an inspiring learning experience to students.’

Include language skills

This example highlights appealing language skills. If you’re a multi-lingual candidate, be sure to show off your language skills, as every applicant won’t have them.

Example:  ‘Fluent in verbal and written English and Spanish.’

Reference experience with technology and classroom innovations

This example includes information about embracing innovative learning techniques. Teachers need to adapt to plenty of new teaching methods, rather than resisting change.

Example:  ‘Able to use interactive whiteboards in the classroom.’

Show knowledge of a local school district

This example shows knowledge of an area and its school district. 

Example:  ‘Longtime local resident with detailed knowledge of district educational requirements.’

Highlight a commitment to diversity

This example shows inclusiveness. Teachers who value diverse classrooms send a positive message.

Example:  ‘Respectful of cultural diversity in the classroom and in the community.’

Showcase a well-rounded skill set

This example highlights a teacher’s comprehensive skill set. 

Example:  ‘Actively participate in all aspects of education from parent-teacher organized activities to district curriculum policies.’

Display concern for students and parents

This example shows a desire to connect with students and their parents.

Example:  ‘Builds strong and positive relationships with students and parents.’

Showcase troubleshooting skills

This example shows a teacher’s ability to find solutions to everyday problems in the classroom.

Example:  ‘Solution-oriented classroom management style.’

Focus on measurable achievements

In the following subpar example, the teacher focuses on their career ambitions, rather than highlighting measurable achievements.

Example:  ‘Seeking a job with the Los Angeles School District to utilize my teaching degree.’

• Transitioning Teacher Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Transitioning Teacher Resumes:

• Develop and implement lesson plans that meet the needs of all students
• Create a positive learning environment that encourages student engagement and participation
• Provide instruction and assessment of student learning
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues
• Collaborate with other teachers to develop and implement curriculum
• Monitor student progress and provide feedback to students and parents
• Participate in professional development activities to stay current with best practices
• Utilize technology to enhance instruction and student learning
• Maintain accurate records of student performance and attendance
• Enforce school policies and procedures
• Participate in extracurricular activities and school events

Speed up your resume creation process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to.

Transitioning Teacher Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented innovative lesson plans that catered to diverse student needs, resulting in a 10% increase in overall student engagement and participation.
• Established a positive and inclusive classroom environment, fostering strong relationships with students and parents, leading to a 15% improvement in student satisfaction scores.
• Collaborated with a team of teachers to design and implement a new curriculum, aligning with educational standards and resulting in a 20% improvement in student performance.
• Utilized technology tools and resources to enhance instruction and student learning, resulting in a 25% increase in student achievement and academic growth.
• Monitored and tracked student progress, providing timely and constructive feedback to students and parents, leading to a 10% improvement in student performance and grades.
• Participated in professional development activities and workshops, staying up-to-date with best practices and instructional strategies, resulting in a 15% improvement in teaching effectiveness.
• Implemented effective classroom management strategies, enforcing school policies and procedures, resulting in a 20% reduction in disciplinary incidents and disruptions.
• Participated in extracurricular activities and school events, fostering a sense of community and school spirit, leading to a 10% increase in student involvement and engagement.
• Maintained accurate records of student performance and attendance, ensuring data integrity and providing valuable insights for student support and intervention, resulting in a 15% improvement in overall student success.
• Innovative lesson planning
• Classroom management
• Curriculum development
• Student engagement strategies
• Inclusive education
• Parent-teacher communication
• Team collaboration
• Technology integration in teaching
• Student progress monitoring
• Constructive feedback delivery
• Professional development participation
• Instructional strategy application
• School policy enforcement
• Extracurricular activity coordination
• Record keeping and data integrity
• Student support and intervention strategies
• Community building within school
• Adaptability to diverse student needs
• Knowledge of educational standards
• Ability to increase student performance and satisfaction.

Top Skills & Keywords for Transitioning Teacher Resumes:

Hard skills.

• Curriculum Development
• Classroom Management
• Differentiated Instruction
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Lesson Planning
• Special Education
• Technology Integration
• Behavior Management
• Parent-Teacher Communication
• Classroom Organization
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Professional Development

Soft Skills

• Classroom Management and Discipline
• Instructional Design and Lesson Planning
• Differentiated Instruction and Individualized Learning
• Student Engagement and Motivation
• Assessment and Data Analysis
• Collaboration and Teamwork with Colleagues
• Parent and Guardian Communication
• Adaptability and Flexibility in Teaching Methods
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking in Education
• Time Management and Organization in the Classroom
• Empathy and Understanding of Student Needs
• Communication and Active Listening with Students and Parents

Resume Action Verbs for Transitioning Teachers:

• Facilitated
• Collaborated
• Differentiated
• Implemented
• Coordinated
• Communicated

Generate Your Resume Summary

Resume FAQs for Transitioning Teachers:

How long should i make my transitioning teacher resume, what is the best way to format a transitioning teacher resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a transitioning teacher resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a transitioning teacher, compare your transitioning teacher resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Transitioning Teacher job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Complete the steps below to generate your free resume analysis.

Related Resumes for Transitioning Teachers:

Teacher career change, career coach, substitute teacher, experienced teacher, teacher assistant, special education teacher, high school teacher, elementary school teacher.

Resume Worded   |  Career Strategy

Teacher resume summary examples.

Approved by hiring managers, here are proven resume summary examples you can use on your Teacher resume. Learn what real hiring managers want to see on your resume, and when to use which.

• Career Transitioning Teacher
• ESL Teacher
• Junior Elementary School Teacher
• Music Teacher
• Physical Education Teacher
• Senior High School Mathematics Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Substitute Teacher
• Teacher Assistant
• Teacher resume templates
• Similar summary examples

Teacher Resume Summary Example

Demonstrate versatility.

The phrase 'Educator with a decade of experience in the classroom' tells us a lot. But let's dig deeper. Here, the teacher is not just stating their experience, they're subtly illustrating versatility. Teaching in a classroom setting for a decade indicates adaptability to changing education landscapes and diverse student needs. It's a testament to their resilience, patience, and dedication.

Showcase Diversity

'Experience spans across both public and private schools' is a small phrase with a big impact. It shows the educator's ability to navigate different educational environments, each with its unique set of challenges. By showcasing this, they're communicating their ability to understand and adapt to the specific needs of students from varied backgrounds.

Career Transitioning Teacher Resume Summary Example

Leverage your unique background.

Having a non-traditional background can be a strength, not a liability. With your previous corporate experience, you bring a unique perspective to education. You're not just a teacher, you're a teacher with real-world business acumen.

Show the impact of your initiatives

By developing a real-world business curriculum and showing its impact (20% increase in student business literacy), you're proving that you understand what skills students need to succeed in the modern job market. This shows that you're not only an educator but also a visionary, preparing students for life beyond the classroom.

Your resume is your ticket to your dream job. But is it up to par? Our tool analyzes your resume and provides a comprehensive report on how to improve it. Get actionable insights and start landing more interviews today.

ESL Teacher Resume Summary Example

Showcase your impact.

'Helping non-native speakers achieve fluency in English' shows a tangible impact. It's not just about teaching English, it's about making non-native speakers fluent, a challenging and rewarding task. By highlighting this, the ESL teacher is showing the value they bring.

Junior Elementary School Teacher Resume Summary Example

Emphasize your specialty.

'Elementary school teacher with a specialty in literacy and numeracy development' conveys the teacher's focus and passion. It shows the teacher's commitment to foundational skills, which could be what a school is looking for. It's not just about being an elementary teacher, it's about specializing in areas that matter.

Link Actions to Results

'Increase student engagement and reduce classroom disruptions by 20%' not only exhibits the teacher’s creativity but also quantifies the result of their efforts. This clearly shows their ability to implement effective strategies that create a conducive learning environment.

Music Teacher Resume Summary Example

Highlight your specialized skills.

When you explicitly mention that you nurture student interest in music and enhance their performance skills, you're communicating a skill that's very specific to your role as a music teacher. Not only does it show your expertise, but it also tells potential employers that you're deeply invested in your students' growth and success.

Demonstrate your innovation and its impact

As a music teacher, bringing innovation to your work is a strong selling point. By highlighting your digital music program and its direct result (a 20% increase in student enrollment), you're showing you're a forward-thinking educator who can adapt and thrive in a digital age.

Physical Education Teacher Resume Summary Example

Show passion for extracurricular activities.

'Increased student participation in extracurricular sports by 25%' shows a commitment to holistic student development - it's not just about academics. This phrase highlights how the teacher encourages students to explore their interests outside the classroom.

Promote Health Initiatives

'Reduced student obesity rates by 10%' says the teacher is not just about teaching physical activities. They're focused on health outcomes, which is a critical part of education today.

Senior High School Mathematics Teacher Resume Summary Example

Specify your expertise.

The phrase 'focus on calculus and statistics' is a great way for the teacher to specify their expertise. Not only does it show they're adept at two complex mathematical areas, but it also helps recruiters who are looking for someone with these specific skills. It's a clever way to stand out from other mathematics teachers.

Highlight Innovation

'Developed an innovative, technology-based teaching approach' — it's not just about teaching, it's about how you do it. This phrase tells recruiters that this professional is forward-thinking and isn’t afraid to try new methods to improve student outcomes.

Special Education Teacher Resume Summary Example

Highlight special needs expertise.

'Autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities' is more than just a list of conditions. It positions the teacher as a specialist who understands the unique challenges and learning styles associated with these conditions. This specificity can be a powerful selling point.

Demonstrate Improvement in Behavior

'Improved student behavior by 30%' is a measurable outcome that speaks volumes about the teacher’s effectiveness. It's about changing lives, not just grades.

Substitute Teacher Resume Summary Example

Emphasize adaptability.

As a substitute teacher, being able to adapt quickly to various classroom environments is crucial. This phrase not only shows that you possess this skill, but also that you can maintain order, reinforcing your competency in managing different classroom setups.

Show off your creative teaching methods

When you mention implementing creative teaching methods, it gives potential employers insight into your approach to education. It shows that you're more than just a stand-in, you're a dedicated educator who can inspire and engage students in any situation.

Teacher Assistant Resume Summary Example

Showcase your adaptability.

When you mention your experience in both special needs and general education classrooms, you're demonstrating your adaptability and versatility as an educator. This is a strong signal to potential employers that you can handle diverse learning environments and meet a variety of student needs.

Highlight your contribution to a team

By stating that you played a key role in a classroom management strategy that reduced disruptions, you're showing that you're a team player who can make significant contributions to the overall success of a classroom.

Teacher Resume Templates

Social worker.

Other Resume Summary Examples

• > Executive Assistant Summary Examples
• > Operations Manager Summary Examples

Other Resume Objective Examples

• > Executive Assistant Objective Examples
• > Operations Manager Objective Examples

Other Resume Guides

• > Executive Assistant Resume Guides
• > Operations Manager Resume Guides

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

How to Change Careers to Teaching OR Transition Out of Education

Do you want to make a job or career transition and enter the field of education? Or leave the education field? Maybe you have thought about a career change to higher education .

If so, we can certainly help you make the process easier, quicker, and with less stress. Transitioning into teaching or education as a second career is quite common. For 16+ years, we have helped many people worldwide make career changes with great success. They find happiness and we truly love assisting them to reach their goals of having a better quality of life.

Any career change to teaching or out of teaching takes time, effort, and an effective job search plan with steps to get results.

Embarking on a second career in teaching or education or changing educational jobs can be overwhelming. With the right tools to land education job interviews in your desired field will lift a heavy burden from your shoulders.

Do you want to enjoy your job or career by going after your goals and professional dreams of teaching?

Do you know there are many career options for teachers? Alternative careers for classroom teachers are increasing; you can review these 10 career trends for teachers .

Do you want to know how to enter this new field from another sector, ensuring that you end up with a great teaching position?

Then let me tell you... we can help you every step of the way.

Tips to make a career transition into the education sector or to transition out of teaching, school administration, or higher education.

We know all the job search steps involved with making a career change to teaching, including resume writing, cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile writing, job search and interview coaching that will get your foot in the door to the school or organization you desire to work for.

Changing careers can be a very difficult task. You are going from the known to the totally unknown of a new job. If you have never taught a class in your life, you may be wondering how you can show prospective schools that you do actually have what it takes. If you look hard enough, you will find that somewhere along your career path, you have in fact taught children or mentored colleagues.

What is holding you back from making the decision to move forward with the career transition?

Is it, that you are concerned you will not like it? Wondering how others will react — will your family and friends think you are crazy? Wondering if you will do well in the position?

PUSH the negative thoughts to the back — move forward and have no regrets — meaning if you don’t do it, you will be in the same position next year as you are now.

When the naysayers tell you that you can't, just turn around and say watch me!

Are you tired of seeing other teachers and career changers land your dream job that you are just as qualified for?

Many professionals reach a point in their careers where they don’t feel fulfilled. They are looking for a job where they can really feel that they are making a difference in the world. This is why so many professionals decide to change their careers to teaching. Teaching allows you the opportunity to affect change in the lives of the students you teach. It’s incredibly rewarding and fulfilling!

So, if you are one of these professionals who have chosen to make the change, congratulations! You are on your way to fulfilling your professional and personal goals. When it comes to landing that perfect teaching job, however, there are many steps you need to complete to have a successful job search.

You need to know where to find teaching opportunities, it is CRITICAL to have an excellent resume and other job search marketing documents, you have to know how to ace the interview, and you need to know how to market yourself properly to schools.

If you slip up on any of these steps...then you are possibly setting yourself up for failure. You won’t be able to effectively show potential schools how you are special and unique...you won’t be able to grab their attention and get yourself to an interview... and you won’t have the ability to land yourself a teaching job.

If you don’t successfully make yourself stand out from the other applicants in a positive way, then you won’t stand a chance in securing the position you so desperately want.

If you've ever considered pursuing a teaching career because your current job is so stressful or unfulfilling... or if you wish to transition out of education we can help.

You could benefit from our services to begin your new teaching career as a career changer... as well as secrets to successfully navigate a teacher job search!

That’s right, we can help you:

Write Your Career Change Resume, Cover Letter, LinkedIn Profile to Overcome Job Search Transition Barriers

• Get started as a teacher or school administrator
• Choose the correct teacher or academic CV curriculum vitae or resume format
• Look for teaching or school administrator jobs
• How to use LinkedIn to connect and secure job opportunities
• Writing an application letter to showcase your passion and value
• Uncover your transferable teaching skills and traits
• Find and showcase your relevant education accomplishments
• Prepare and practice for a teacher job interview or a video job interview
• Coach you on presenting a demo lesson plan during a job interview
• Transition from specific industries into teaching or out of education
• Successfully complete the post-interview follow-up

We want to help you successfully transition into a teaching as a second career , school administration, or any other position you desire!

That's why it's so important that you discover the BEST and most innovative job search tips for career changers available to make you career transition easier and more successful without tons of stress. For example, you can review how applicant tracking system ATS software screens career change CVs curriculum vitas or resumes.

You need to create a rewarding career based on your teaching or other skills, authentic passion and talent, allowing you to be happier in your home-life, more successful in your career, and make a bigger impact in the world!

You deserve to land your dream job and be successful in your new career. Why settle for a job that you’re not satisfied with?

Not only is now a great time to focus on switching jobs or gaining meaningful employment, it is also time to make yourself happy and that makes you more successful!

Your Success is Our Success!

We Work With You Until You Are 100% Satisfied.

Don't you owe it to yourself to be as prepared as possible for your new teaching, administrator or any other career you wish to enter? This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for your whole life. So don't be unprepared and unsure and risk missing out on great career opportunities! Get started with your new teaching career today!

We will show you how to perfect your job search methods for a teaching job hunt, so that you will be able to quickly land a new position as a career changer!

This is your chance to say goodbye to all the unnecessary stress and burnout associated with focusing your energies in the wrong areas.

This is your chance to discover how to successfully make the transition from your current career to teaching.

Don’t procrastinate on making a change – it is action that will make it happen. You’ll be happy you got started to make the career transition you have been wishing to make.

Learn more about Candace, an  academic resume writer  with 16+ years of expertise helping educators and others to move their career forward. Review our  resume and curriculum vitae CV services  and packages.

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Career Change Resume for 2024 [9+ Examples]

Thinking of switching careers?

It might feel a lot like taking a leap of faith. 

You’re stepping into the unknown - that alone takes a lot of courage and determination.

You might even feel like a recent graduate all over again.

You have 0 experience, entering an entirely new field, competing with people who’ve been doing it forever!

That sounds pretty scary.

But here’s the thing:

As long as you’re armed with the right resume, the transition can be a piece of cake.

And luckily, we’re here to help and guide you through the process.

So, if you’re thinking of breaking into a new career industry, be sure to read on.

• How to pick the best resume format for a career change
• How to create a skill summary and wow the recruiter
• How to show off transferable work experience
• 3+ other ways to impress the recruiter (even if you have 0 relevant work experience)

Choosing the Best Career Change Resume Format

A big part of creating an effective resume is choosing the right resume format to tell your story with.

You need to structure your resume in a way that best shows your transferable skills and experience.

And when it comes to switching careers, the combination resume format does that best.

Here’s why:

This format places equal emphasis on skills and important work experience . 

This way, you can show you have the right industry transferable skills , even if you haven’t had the actual job title.

The format is ideal for people:

• Making a career change with transferable skills or work experience.
• With some employment gaps.
• With a diverse range of skills and experience .
• Applying to both creative and traditional roles.

And here’s what you include within this format:

• Contact information
• Resume objective or summary
• Skills summary
• Work experience
• Certification

Now, we’re going to go over each of those sections and explain how to write them step-by-step.

Here’s what you need to know:

How to Add Your Contact Information the Right Way

Your contact information is arguably the most important part of your resume.

Even if you’re the most qualified person in the world, it’s not going to matter much if you misspell your email and the HR manager can’t contact you.

So, here’s what you should include in this section:

• First name, last name 
• Phone number - Make sure to include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Something professional like [[email protected]].
• Location - The company needs to know if you’re located in the region or if they may have to sponsor your relocation.
• Title - Either your current professional title or your new desired one. We’d recommend including the job title you’re applying for word-for-word.

Once you’re done, we’d recommend that you double-check, even triple-check everything. You wouldn’t want to miss your chances of landing the job because of a typo, would you?

• Got an online portfolio? You can also mention the links here. For example, if you’re a developer, you can include a link to your GitHub profile. If you’re a writer, a Medium link, and so on...

All clear? Good!

Now, let’s cover how to write a successful career change resume objective or summary.

Impress the Recruiter With a Career Change Resume Objective or Summary

So you’ve got your contact details down.

Now, you need a reason for the HR manager to continue reading the rest of your resume.

So, how do you get the recruiter to stop and read your career change resume when they only look at resumes for 6 seconds on average?

The answer: by using a resume objective or summary.

Both of these sections explain why you’re the best person for the job and act as a preview to the rest of your resume.

Here’s how the two differ:

Your resume summary shows your best accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Your resume objective highlights how your current skills are relevant and will transfer to your new position.

As someone going through a career change, you can include either one.

But as a rule of thumb, if you were working in a related field and have some transferable skills, go for a resume summary.

On the other hand, if you were working in a completely unrelated field, go for a resume objective.

Check out these examples to get a better idea of what both of these might look like:

Career Change Resume Summary Example

• “Customer support specialist with over 4+ years of experience in over-the-phone technical support looking to leverage communication skills as a Sales Agent at Company XYZ. Excellent track record of delivering quality support, with an average rating of 4.6/5 over the past 2 years.”

A career change resume summary helps the HR understand how your skillset from your previous job can translate into your new one.

In that case, it’s best to mention:

• Your current relevant skills or experience.
• How your background can help you excel at the current job.

Career Change Resume Objective Example

• “Organized and hard-working employee looking to join XYZ as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my skills in Photoshop, graphic design, and creative copywriting to help XYZ with their marketing efforts.”

See the difference here?

Even though the person doesn’t have any relevant work experience, their resume objective still shows how their skill set is relevant to the new job.

Show Off Your Know-How With a Skills Summary Section

Your resume summary / objective is only an introduction. Now, you need to show the HR what you’ve got.

To do that, you need a good skills summary section.

Skills summary is a must-have section for just about any career change resume.

It puts more emphasis on your skill-set, as opposed to your work experience. This allows you to show how you’re a qualified candidate, even though you haven’t done the job before.

Here’s what a sample skills summary section might look like for a front-end developer.

Career Change Resume Skills Summary Example

• Built an online personal portfolio and resume website using HTML, CSS, JS.
• Created an online JS/jQuery quiz game that takes multiple answers and shows results to the user.
• Built a beautiful weather app with Angular 8 from scratch, designed UI with Sketch.
• Created responsive website templates (that are also mobile friendly) using modern CSS techniques and JS libraries.
• Worked with design and development groups to create applications from mock-ups in Sketch, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Familiar with Git, XDebug, and Chrome Developer Tools.
• Debugged over 10 JS web apps for a SaaS project.

Simple enough, right?

You list out each of your key skills, and then back it up with how you’ve used it in the past.

Now, you might be thinking, “what about the work experience section?” Do I just skip it, and use a skills summary instead?

Nope - you still need to list your work experience.

In this case, though, you’d want to use it to show off your transferable skills. Here’s how:

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Transferable Skills

Let’s take a different example and say you’re moving from a job in sales to copywriting.

A resume you’d use for sales compared to a more creative field like copywriting is probably going to be a bit different.

But what do both of the roles have in common?

Well, for one, they both require you to have excellent communication skills. You also need to be good at understanding your target market and conveying complex information in simple language.

And that’s the common thread you want to focus on in your work experience section.

So, when listing your previous jobs, think of some transferable skills that you bring to the table that are going to be relevant.

Even unrelated jobs have some universal skills that are helpful everywhere.

To give you a better idea of what we mean, let’s look at some examples:

Sales Executive

Company X - 11/2016 - 04/2019

• Created and presented pitch deck that secured a $500,000 deal - largest for Company X to date.
• Boosted sales for the most underperforming product by 40% by developing helpful and instructional material for prospects.
• Created and edited sales materials, scripts, and technical documents for accuracy and consistency.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Shows transferable skills and achievements.
• Highlights only the parts from the experience that are related to the new role.

While the above example doesn’t talk about product descriptions or ads, communication materials and sales scripts do show that the candidate can write.

So, for a copywriting position, it’s going to be relevant and worth mentioning.

Now, compare that to the career change work experience below:

• Cold-emailed 100+ prospects daily.
• Closed 14+ deals in 2019 so far.
• Hit and exceeded company KPIs for the past 2 years in a row.

Sure, this example is good. But only if the candidate is applying for a sales job.

For copywriting, though, none of the skills mentioned are going to come in handy.

So, when listing previous job positions, you should focus only on what’s relevant.

Now that you know how to properly list work experience, let’s move on to the next section: Education.

Make Your Education Section Shine

Your education section is going to be an important requirement for just about any position above entry-level.

Listing education on your resume is pretty straightforward.

All you have to do is list your latest educational entry (e.g. college degree), and then include all the important stuff below it.

For example, you can include things like:

• Name of degree (Minor - optional): e.g. B.A. International Business Administration.
• Name of educational institution: e.g. University of Groningen.
• Years attended: e.g. 2015 - 2019.
• Location of the program (optional): e.g. Groningen, Netherlands.
• GPA (optional): 3.84 (only include if you excelled).
• Courses that are relevant to the job (optional): e.g. Advanced Business Finances.
• Exchange programs (optional): e.g. exchange program in Florida, U.S.

Here’s what the full listing for this educational entry might look like:

You might be wondering, what if I don’t have the right education for the job? Maybe, you have an M.A. in Philosophy, but you’re applying for a job in marketing. Do you still list it?

The answer is a definite yes.

Even if the degree is not relevant at all, it still shows that you’re passionate about learning and education.

In some cases, you might even be able to show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s say, for example, you have a B.A. in English Literature , and you’re applying for a job in marketing. 

You could stress on how your degree gave you amazing writing skills (a must-have for most marketing roles), like so:

B.A. in English Literature.

University XYZ - 2014-2018

• Excelled in creative writing courses
• Part-time as a reporter for the university website

PS - Do you still have some questions on how to list your education section? Maybe you’re wondering what else you can include? Check out our full guide on how to list education on a resume with 13+ real-life examples.

Done with your education section? Awesome!

This brings us to the next section on your career change resume.

How (and Why) to List Skills On a Career Change Resume

When it comes to the skills section, what most recruiters want to know is if you can actually do what the job ad asks for.

And like with the other sections till now, relevance is key.

You should only ever list skills that are appropriate to the job you’re applying for.

To find out what’s relevant, start by scanning the job listing.

Most job ads usually include a list of requirements or skills they expect for a good candidate to have.

So, all you have to do is mention those exact skills on your resume.

Let’s take a look at an example.

Career Change Resume Skills Example

Assuming the job ad is for a junior front-end developer who has:

• 2-4 Years of professional experience using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
• Up to 1 years of visual design experience focusing on strong UX/UI.
• Good communication skills and team-player

You’d want to list the following skills:

• Communication Skills
• Team-Player

So, all you have to do is mention these skills, and you’re good to go!

• Not sure which skills are a must-have for your role? Check out our complete list of all must-have skills for any given field or position!

Showing Career Certifications on a Resume

When you’re switching careers, certifications are an amazing way to show you’re serious about your craft.

This shows you’re willing to put in the work and that you’ve already taken the first steps.

When listing certifications though, make sure they’re relevant to your field.

For a marketing role, here’s what that might look like:

• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certified, 2019.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification, 2018.
• SEMrush Content Marketing Toolkit Course, 2018.

And here’s an example done wrong:

• TechCamp Python Bootcamp, 2019.
• Udemy JavaScript 101 Course.

For a marketing role, those certificates are completely irrelevant and aren’t even in the same field.

While they might be impressive on their own, that doesn’t mean they make you a better marketer.

Listing Personal Projects

Another great way to show that you’re the right person for the job is to list personal projects.

This can be just about anything:

• Founding a sports team in university
• Project you did for business class
• A Part-time online store you created on Etsy
• Passion-project for wood-working
• And whatever else you love (that’s relevant for your new career)

Pretty much anything that can make up for your lack of experience in the field counts.

But of course, keep in mind that your projects should be relevant to your new job.

Getting into coding? Here’s what your projects section could look like...

Make sure to stick to relevant projects, though.

The HR manager cares about your CODING experience, not about the fact that you started a basketball team in college.

Now, compare that to:

• Excelled in Anthropology and Archaeology classes at University X.
• Self-taught knitting pro.

You shouldn’t list projects just for the sake of standing out or filling up space. 

The more irrelevant information you mention in your resume, the more likely it is for the recruiter to accidentally skip out on all your must-have sections.

• Still have some space on your resume? You can also include the hobbies & interests section. Check out our guide to learn how (and why)!

How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter

Done with your resume?

But wait, before you get too excited - you’re still not done.

You need to back up your resume with a career change cover letter.

And no - it’s not like the usual cover letter you’re used to writing. 

When you’re switching careers, you want to use your cover letter to highlight WHY you’re switching fields and WHY your skills are a good match for the new role.

To do this, make sure you bring up a ton of examples and call out any key statistics or measurable results to draw upon, if possible.

To help you craft the best career change cover letter, check out the example below:

Here’s what’s done right with this cover letter:

• Addresses the reader (i.e. “Dear Doris” or if you can’t find their name, “To Whom it May Concern.”).
• Makes it clear they want to transition into a different career (from marketing and retail sales into public relations in this case).
• Shows they’ve done the research and the letter is tailored to the company's products and brand.
• Provides specific examples and achievements (“raised more than $ 10,000 for the event.”).
• Ends on a confident note and provides a call-to-action (and where to contact them).

Think your cover letter game is lacking? Check out our complete, step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

If you're thinking about a career change, and want to join a community of global professionals who are also re-designing and reframing their careers, then consider Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator.

Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator program is a 4-week highly interactive “virtual retreat” for professionals seeking to redefine their career trajectory and be more intentional about designing their next steps.

Through original workshops, weekly live sessions, practical tools, frameworks and peer-to-peer conversations with a global and diverse community of professionals, they will help you identify the core tensions between the lifestyle you want and the career trajectory that aligns your values, interests, and skills.

Key Takeaways

To recap, going through a mid-career transition probably sounds intimidating. 

But if you craft your career change resume focusing on transferable skills and experience - then you’re good to go!

Just make sure you follow these main key tips while working on your resume:

• Use the combination resume format to highlight your transferable skills and work experience.
• Include all the essential career change resume sections - contact information , resume objective or summary , skill summary , work experience , soft and technical skills , certifications and personal projects.
• And while doing so, highlight only what’s relevant to your new position.
• Finally, make sure you attach a tailored cover letter to your resume and mention WHY you’re switching fields and what unique skills you’re bringing with you.

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you land your dream job, every step of the way. Be sure to check out our career blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice and more actionable tips.

Suggested Reading:

• How to Get Your Resume Layout Right [3 Free Templates]
• How to Write an ATS Resume
• 20+ One-Page Resume Templates [Free Download]

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