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:
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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:
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:
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
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:
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
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:
These cover letter for career change samples show right from wrong:
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
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:
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
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:
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
Summary:
How to write a career change cover letter:
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!
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