How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job in 2020 (12+ Examples)
It took weeks to find *this* job. It took hours to get your resume right. Almost there. You just need a cover letter. The problem? You only get one shot.
Here’s a career change cover letter sample that proves your transition will be smooth.
Your biggest problem?
It’s that hiring manager. We’ll call her Cheryl. She’s got 150+ great, qualified applicants.
And then there’s you.
Your experience is toddler-level. Your neck heats up so much thinking of it you could fry an egg.
Chin up. You belong here.
But you need to convince Cheryl.
The good news?
It’s not hard. It just takes a little evidence you already have in your back pocket.
This guide will show you:
- Persuasive career change cover letter samples better than 9 out of 10 others.
- A cover letter for a career change that convinces hiring managers to take a chance.
- How to write a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field.
- Why achievements will make or break your cover letter for a transition to a new career.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Career Change Cover Letter for a Resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.
For a successful transition to a new profession, send a great career changer resume. See our guide: Career Change Resume: Sample and Complete Guide
Are you at a particular stage in your career and need to find specific cover letters for this? Check out some of our guides:
Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Best Cover Letter Examples for All Professions
Here is a career change cover letter example proves you’re no mere fly-by-night:
Career Change Cover Letter Sample
Your Name
Title
Current Company (If Any)
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Hiring Manager Name
Title
Mailing Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I'm so excited to apply for the IT Project Manager position at Weniger Aerospace.
At A/G Systems, I saved 10 meeting hours a week for 20 engineers. I did it by automating our program requirements management with Oracle Primavera. At $90 an hour, that’s $864,000 saved per year. I'm proud of that—not least because my title wasn't "IT PMP" but "Program Administrator." Transitioning to 100% IT PMP at Weniger would use my IT skills and passion to the full.
I know you're looking for an IT PMP with 5+ years of experience. I've spent 6 years creating robust IT systems with these achievements in the skill areas in your ad:
- Customer Relationship Management. Worked directly with 200+ customers to integrate our software into daily workflows. Slashed complaints by 25%.
- Training. Trained, mentored, and on-boarded 15 new IT hires. Handled all new user training, cutting customer issues 30%. Gave software training to 12 business units nationwide.
- Automation. Led project to develop custom ERP software, automating requirements-tracking from 20,000 customers and 150+ programs.
- Programming. Wrote test scripts and coordinated testing through cross-functional teams. Expanded custom software to integrate with ERP. Slashed daily disruptions 50%.
I'm very interested in sharing how I can deliver IT PMP excellence at Weniger Aerospace. Can we schedule a call?
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
PS—I'm also happy to explain how I used Oracle Primavera to automate project tracking, eliminating 120+ work-hours per year.
That’s Olympian. The hiring manager just forgot you’ve never held the job.
Now, here's how to write a career change cover letter like the one above:
1
Choose the Best Career Change Cover Letter Template
Rule #1: Simplify.
Use this career change cover letter template to lock in the basics.
Here’s what you’ll need in a cover letter for a career change:
Cover Letter for Career Change Samples—Checklist
- your contact info
- the company’s info
- dear (hiring manager name)
- paragraph #1: big achievement and career change reveal
- paragraph #2: job-matching achievements
- paragraph #3: make an offer
- best regards + your name
- PS—with one more accomplishment
Pro Tip: The hiring manager’s name works best in a cover letter for a transition to a new career. Can’t find it? You can say, “Dear XYZ Team Hiring Manager” instead.
Not sure this change of career cover letter format works best for your situation? We’ve got options. See our guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide
2
Start Your Career Change Cover Letter Irresistibly
That hiring manager? Cheryl? She’s seen a million cover letters.
She barely reads them.
Get her attention.
Do it with the first sentence or you’ll lose her.
How?
Put an accomplishment in sentence #1 that:
- Blows her hair back.
- Matches her job ad like the last piece in a tricky puzzle.
These cover letter for career change samples show right from wrong:
Career Change Cover Letter Examples [First Paragraph]
Look at the first of these sample cover letter with no experience in the field snips. It shows you were born for this:
| right |
|---|
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I'm so excited to apply for the IT Project Manager position at Weniger Aerospace.
At A/G Systems, I saved 10 meeting hours a week for 20 engineers. I did it by automating our program requirements management with Oracle Primavera. At $90 an hour, that’s $864,000 saved per year. I'm proud of that—not least because my title wasn't "IT PMP" but "Program Administrator." Transitioning to 100% IT PMP at Weniger would use my IT skills and passion to the full. |
That persuasive career change cover letter opening sells it. Especially if automation was the keystone of the job ad.
But check out this cover letter for career change opening:
| wrong |
|---|
| I’m transitioning from a career as a Program Administrator to a career as an IT Project Manager. I’ve never had an IT PM job yet, but I did do a lot of IT work in my last job and I’m very passionate about it. |
Oh-oh. The hiring manager just made a face.
Pro Tip: In an email cover letter for a transition to a new career, drop the snail mail address at the beginning. List your email and phone number at the end.
Want more examples to start your changing careers cover letter right? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide
3
Write an Exciting Middle for Your Cover Letter for Career Change
Catastrophe.
The hiring manager loved your first paragraph. But then she dropped you like a Tinder reject.
What did you do wrong?
You didn’t keep her interest.
These career change cover letter samples show how:
Career Change Cover Letter Examples [Middle]
Check out the first of these sample cover letter with no experience in the field clips:
| right |
|---|
I know you're looking for an IT PMP with 5+ years of experience. I've spent 6 years creating robust IT systems with these achievements in the skill areas in your ad:
|
Wow.
You’re changing careers, but you’re the new hire of the employer’s dreams.
You plucked the key skills from the job ad. Then you showed you’ve used each one to help employers massively.
But the next of our career change cover letter examples practically evaporates:
| wrong |
|---|
| I’m really very passionate about IT PMP work. I’ve been dreaming about a career in it for decades now, and I’m finally ready to make the move. |
Dreams are beautiful, but they don’t get the job done. Hiring managers love passion, but they need proof. Your cover letter for career change needs to show you’re not a lemon.
Pro Tip: Not sure whether to use Mrs. or Miss. in your cover letter for changing careers? Neither. Use Ms. instead because it works for both married and single women.
Should your cover letter for a transition to a new career be a half a page? A full page? Two? See our guide: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Sample & Guide
4
End Your Career Change Cover Letter With a Pitch
They didn’t call.
Why not?
Because you didn’t give them a reason.
Your cover letter for career change ending has to make them want to call you.
There’s a right way and a wrong way.
The right way: offer to give them something in the interview.
Check out these sample cover letter with no experience in the field snips:
Career Change Cover Letter Examples [Ending]
The next of our career change cover letter samples will make the hiring manager rush to call you:
| right |
|---|
I'm very interested in sharing how I can deliver IT PMP excellence at Weniger Aerospace. Can we schedule a call?
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
PS—I'm also happy to show how I used Oracle Primavera to automate project tracking, eliminating 120+ work-hours per year. |
Enticing. That career transition cover letter example has a shiny prize.
But the next of our changing careers cover letter examples sounds whiny:
| wrong |
|---|
| Thank you for reading my resume and cover letter. I strongly urge you to consider interviewing me. I think you’ll be impressed. |
Yikes. Don’t quit your day job. That career change cover letter example ending begs, but doesn’t offer.
Pro Tip: Make sure your cover letter for transition to a new career says why you’re interested in the company. Do a little research on the firm first to find out why it’s such a perfect fit.
Need more advice for how to write a cover letter for a career change? See our guide: How to Write a Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps
Key Takeaway
Summary:
How to write a career change cover letter:
- Choose the right format. The 3-paragraph change-careers cover letter format says it short and sweet.
- Lead with an achievement. Your cover letter for career change needs to hook them fast. Do that with a past win that fits the new job.
- Prove you can make the switch. List accomplishments that prove transferable skills in your career transition cover letter middle.
- End your persuasive career change cover letter right. Offer something in your ending that the hiring manager wants.
Still not sure how to write a cover letter for changing careers? Wondering how your career change cover letter can prove you love the company? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
