How to Write a Resume When Changing Careers

Resume writing tips for baby boomers changing careers

Thousands of people, including baby boomers will be changing their careers in the near future. You may be one of them. One of the major questions that you may have is how to write a resume, when you are planning a change in your career. For some baby boomers, this may not be easy.

Changing your career can be a major shock to your system. Sometimes, this is something that is unexpected or not anticipated. If you have been planning a career change, that is one thing, but when you have to start from scratch to find a new career, it is not as easy. Writing a resume can be frightening.

Look at any career change realistically. No one has ever said that you can only have one career or just one job in your lifetime or that you cannot change your career, at any time in your life, if you wish to do so. That will take pressure off the question of how to write a resume.

A resume consists of two parts.

The first part of your resume is the cover letter.

The cover letter introduces you to your prospective employer. It gives him or her, the necessary information that identifies you and provides your contact information. You do not need to include your social security number or your date of birth. Being aware of this will make it easier for you to write a resume.

What you do need to include in your cover letter is your name, address and telephone number. Adding your e-mail address will allow your prospective employer to contact you immediately.

If you have a web site, include the address(URL). In our era, the majority of resumes are submitted by e-mail. There are employers who prefer to receive a resume in the mail or having a job application dropped off in person.

Make certain when you are preparing your cover letter, that you know what the potential employer expects. The format you use for your cover letter may be different from one you might submit in the mail.

Writing one or two lines in your cover letter about why your potential employer should hire you, can work to your advantage. 

The second part of your resume contains your academic and employment history, as well as other areas of interest. List these in reverse chronological order with the most recent education and employment experience first..

Your resume is about you. It does not need to be the story of your whole life. Include information from the last ten to twelve years, focusing on the areas in education and your previous employment history that are relevant to the job for which you are placing the application. Include your current interests, not ones that were important to you years ago. What are you doing now?

Remember to include special skills, certificates and awards that you have received.

This may be an entirely new career for you, but you can draw from your past experiences in terms of skills that you have previously acquired.

How about your new skills? Have you learned new computer skills? Do you know how to use a printer, scanner and fax machine? How about a video or digital camera?

In the past, have you learned to relate to people in terms of customer relations work of some kind? Include this information, if you are aware that the new job will be one where as a new employee, you will deal with people. People skills are important and baby boomers can relate well to people.

Have you had recent training or done upgrading in an area of interest? This might be exactly what your prospective new employer is looking for in a new employee.

Have you had leadership or motivational skills training? This may be something needed by an employer. Many times employers are too busy to be active leaders. You may have experience in an unrelated area, but if you are leader, that will look good on your resume and your application will likely be considered.

Remember that many times, someone who is a baby boomer can be an asset to an employer, particularly where there are young employees. Do you interact well with younger people? Include that information, too.

Do not let a negative response from any prospective employer frighten or intimidate you. If you receive a rejection, do not let that upset you either. Just apply somewhere else.

You may receive a positive response from a prospective employer by e-mail, telephone or mail. You will be asked to book an appointment for an interview. Those are appropriate responses to a job application.

Not all employers are looking for people in the baby boomer age bracket. Do not be alarmed or upset, if you are turned down because you are a baby boomer. Employers know what they are looking for in a new employee.

Many times, jobs demand young people with high energy levels. Other times, employers are seeking young people to train, because they realize that the baby boomers may retire within a few years. Then, they have to train someone else. Remember that there are other jobs baby boomers can do.

Is the new career or job that you are considering, one that is going to be physically demanding? Before you place an application for this kind of a job, make certain that you will be able to do the kind of work required. You might consult your own physician first, as to whether this is the right career choice for you or if you should be applying for this kind of work. Other kinds of employment might be more appropriate.

One of the ways to get a new job, as a baby boomer is to find a course that includes training and placement. If you have already done that, make certain that the information is included in your resume.

You will need letters of reference, although these do not need to be included in your resume when it is submitted.

Make certain that your resume is interesting to read, well typed and printed on good quality paper.

E-mail your resume, drop it off, apply in person or go for an interview, but with a happy face. As long as you have reasonable qualifications, you can expect to be hired. It may take more than one application, but keep trying regardless of the response.