Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid when Changing Careers

After you decide to change careers, you need to start applying for jobs in your new field. A cover letter is a key piece of this job search process. This means translating your employment history to show recruiters that you are the right candidate for the opportunity in your new field. Although the cover letter will not get you the job, it can cost you the opportunity. Our team of experts put together the following list of common cover letter mistakes when changing careers and the things to do instead. So let's dive in and discover the cover letter mistakes to avoid when changing careers.

Understanding the Concept of a Career Change Cover Letter

Before we delve into the specific mistakes to avoid, it's important to first understand a career change cover letter. A career change cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job in a new industry or role. It serves as a bridge between your past experience and the new position you're pursuing. The goal of a career change cover letter is to showcase your transferable skills, highlight your enthusiasm for the new opportunity, and demonstrate how your background aligns with the job description. Now, let's explore the purpose and importance of a career change cover letter.

The Purpose and Importance of a Career Change Cover Letter

The purpose of a career change cover letter is to provide the hiring manager with a glimpse into your qualifications, skills, and experience that make you the right person for the job. While it's true that not all hiring managers read cover letters, a staggering 53% of employers admit that they prefer candidates who send a cover letter, especially for a career changer. This means that a career change cover letter can significantly enhance your chances of landing an interview.

A well-crafted career change cover letter demonstrates your understanding of the role, showcases your fit for the position, and conveys your excitement about embarking on a new career path. It also allows you to highlight specific examples from your experience that are relevant to the new role and convey the unique value you can bring to the prospective employer. In a competitive job market, a compelling cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and position you as a strong candidate for the position. Now, let's explore common mistakes to avoid when writing a career change cover letter.

Highlighting Lack of Specific Skills

One common mistake job seekers make when writing a career change cover letter is focusing on the lack of specific skills required for the new role. Instead, a great way to overcome this gap is to focus on your transferable skills and highlight how your existing skills can benefit the new position. Emphasize your ability to learn new skills quickly and demonstrate a willingness to adapt and grow in the new role. By highlighting your transferable skills, you can position yourself as a candidate who brings a unique perspective and a diverse set of skills to the table.

Repeating Your Resume

When crafting your cover letter, steer clear of duplicating your resume content. Instead, focus on showcasing how your unique background can bring value to the prospective employer. Tailor your communication to highlight transferable skills that are pertinent to the new career path you are pursuing. Emphasize specific accomplishments or experiences that directly demonstrate your qualifications for the particular position you are applying for. By avoiding repetition and focusing on what sets you apart, you can craft an effective cover letter that captures the attention of the hiring manager and positions you as a strong candidate.

Remaining Stuck in Past Work Experience

The biggest mistake that people make when trying to write a career change cover letter is being stuck in their old industry or roles. Using the language of your current/past role or industry will hold you back when you are trying to make a change. This is because people won't be able to see you in their new role or industry. Or, the recruiter will think that you are not ready to make the change. There is a fine line to balance here as you must discuss your past experience, but you cannot only focus on it. Instead, you need to change the way you discuss that past experience to connect it to the future. This starts with stripping out the jargon of your current organization and industry and using the language of the organization that you are applying to or what is commonly used in that industry. By framing your past experiences in a way that aligns with the new role, you can position yourself as a strong candidate with valuable experience to bring to the table.

Remaining Stuck in Past Work Experience

The biggest mistake people make when trying to write a career change cover letter is being stuck in their old industry or roles. Using the language of your current/past role or industry will hold you back when you are trying to make a change. This is because people won't be able to see you in their new role or industry. Or, the recruiter will think you are not ready to make the change. There is a fine line to balance here as you must discuss your past experience, but you cannot only focus on it. Instead, you need to change the way you discuss that past experience to connect it to the future. This starts with stripping out the jargon of your current organization and industry and using the language of the organization that you are applying to or what is commonly used in that industry. By framing your past experiences in a way that aligns with the new role, you can position yourself as a strong candidate with valuable experience to bring to the table.

Making the Cover Letter All About You

One common mistake job seekers make is making the cover letter all about themselves, rather than focusing on how they can benefit the company. While it's essential to showcase your qualifications and experience, it's equally important to demonstrate an understanding of the company's needs and how you can fulfill them. Emphasize what you bring to the table that aligns with the job requirements, and tailor your accomplishments to demonstrate the value you can bring to the employer. By striking a balance between talking about yourself and highlighting how you can contribute to the organization as a team player, you can create a cover letter that resonates with hiring managers and shows why you would be a good fit for the role.

Being too Casual

Professionalism is key in the job search process. This is particularly true when pursuing a career change to demonstrate that you can fit into the new industry. Avoid using overly informal language or casual expressions that may undermine your professionalism. Show respect for the HR managers or heads of department by using appropriate salutations, such as "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team." Keep the content focused on your skills, qualifications, and fit for the role, avoiding unnecessary personal anecdotes or slang. By demonstrating professionalism in your writing style, you can convey your readiness to embrace a new career path and make a positive contribution to the prospective employer.

Being too Traditional & Overly Formal

While it's essential to maintain a formal tone in your cover letter, being overly traditional or formal can also make your writing appear outdated and less engaging. Using salutations like "Dear Sir" or "Dear Madam" is presumptive and outdated. The best practice today is to strike a balance between professionalism and approachability in your cover letter. Modernize your writing style to connect with hiring managers on a more personal level. Use a conversational tone while maintaining a formal and respectful demeanor. This approach will make your cover letter more engaging to read, demonstrate your awareness of current communication trends, and position you as a candidate who can adapt to the company's culture.

Telling Your Life Story

A common mistake to avoid when writing a career change cover letter is telling your entire life story. Instead, focus on relevant career highlights and emphasize your professional accomplishments and goals. Avoid providing unnecessary details about your personal life and keep your narrative concise and focused. Your cover letter should convey a clear and compelling story about your career journey, emphasizing experiences and skills that are relevant to the new role. By sharing career-related experiences rather than personal stories, you can create a cover letter that effectively communicates your qualifications and fit for the position.

Not Editing

Failing to proofread your cover letter will cost you the job. A staggering 70% of hiring managers say they would automatically dismiss a cover letter with a typo or other cover letter errors. To avoid this mistake, be sure to review and revise your cover letter for errors. Edit out any grammar or spelling mistakes, ensuring your cover letter is polished and error-free. Take the time to proofread your cover letter thoroughly, paying attention to details such as punctuation, capitalization, and formatting. By submitting a cover letter that is well-edited, you demonstrate attention to detail and a commitment to professionalism.

Using AI Content as-is without Tailoring the Content

Generative AI is a powerful tool that can make your job search easier. However, failing to use it properly or failing to tailor that generic content to your experience or the organization that you are applying to will cost you a career-changing job. Customizing AI-generated content to fit each job application is essential. Personalize the pre-written content to align with the job description, highlight specific skills, and showcase why you are the ideal candidate for the role.

Avoid sending generic cover letters to multiple companies, as hiring managers can quickly spot copy-pasted content. They will also be able to spot the mistakes or hallucinations in the AI-generated content if you do not take the time to read it and edit the generative AI cover letter. This customization is an essential step to providing a compelling cover letter that will land you the next role.

Forgetting Your Audience

The cover letter is your opportunity to connect with the hiring manager directly, so it's essential not to forget your audience when writing. Tailor your cover letter to resonate with the hiring manager's needs and expectations. Address the specific requirements outlined in the job description, use examples that demonstrate how your skills are a perfect match for the role, and show a deep understanding of the company's values and mission by referencing the company website. Personalize your cover letter to show that you have done your research and that you are genuinely interested in the company and role.

What to Do Instead

Now that we have explored common mistakes to avoid when writing a career change cover letter, let's shift our focus to what to do instead. By following a few key strategies, including best practices, you can create a cover letter that effectively communicates your qualifications, transferable skills, and enthusiasm for the new opportunity. Let's dive into these strategies and discover how to write a compelling career change cover letter to stand out as the applicant of choice.

Identifying Your Transferable Skills

When changing careers, it's vital to identify and showcase your transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that you have acquired in one job or industry and can be applied to a new role or industry. These skills may include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and more. Identify the transferable skills that are relevant to the new role and highlight them in your cover letter. Showcase how these skills can benefit the prospective employer, and emphasize your ability to adapt and excel in new environments.

Highlighting Relevant Professional Development

Another strategy to employ when writing a career change cover letter is to highlight relevant professional development, particularly in the area of communication skills. Professional development includes any certifications, courses, training, or workshops that you have undertaken to enhance your skills and knowledge. Showing that you are working on skills relevant to the new industry or career will show dedication to making the change. It also shows your ability to grow as a professional which is huge to many organizations. Highlight specific professional development opportunities that demonstrate your growth, dedication, and commitment to staying current in your field. Including industry-specific qualifications in your cover letter can further reinforce your readiness to excel in the new role, even if you lack direct experience.

Connect Your Past Experience to What You Want to do Next

One effective strategy when writing a career change cover letter is to connect your past experience to what you want to do next. Taking the time to clearly outline how that past experience connects to the particular role or company can be huge. This is because you are making it easy for the person skimming your cover letter to see you in their open job. You can do this in your cover letter to lay the foundation for what you want to communicate in the interview. Articulate how your previous experience aligns with the new role and connect the dots between your career history and your future goals. Highlight the skills and achievements from your past positions that prepare you for this career change and position you as a strong candidate.

Explain Why You Want to Make a Change

Another essential strategy when writing a career change cover letter is to explain why you want to do this particular job at this particular company. A generic cover letter can be spotted a mile away and recruiters don't want to promote candidates that are desperate for any job. Instead, they are looking to support candidates who want to become their colleagues. To show that you want this particular job or that you want to make a career change into this particular field, make sure to clearly state your reasons for transitioning into a new career.

Express your genuine interest in the industry or role you're pursuing. Articulate your motivation for embarking on a new career path, highlighting how your skills and passion align with the new field. Convey enthusiasm for the opportunities that the new career path presents, and showcase a strong desire to contribute to the industry. Taking this approach will keep people from assuming that you are running from your past and that you are instead looking forward to what you want next.

Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive tone throughout your career change cover letter is essential. Emphasize the valuable skills and experiences you gained from your previous career, and avoid dwelling on any negative aspects. Focus on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in this new role, and highlight your strong work ethic and dedication to success. By staying positive, you not only create a more engaging cover letter but also convey a sense of confidence and eagerness to embrace this career transition.

Focus on Your Audience

To make your career change cover letter more effective, it's essential to focus on your audience – the prospective employer. Tailor your cover letter to resonate with their specific needs and expectations. Address the requirements outlined in the job description, and use examples that demonstrate how your skills align with what they are seeking. Show a deep understanding of the company's values, mission, and culture, and ensure that your cover letter speaks directly to their needs. Here are some bullet points to keep in mind when writing your cover letter:

• Research the company to gain insights into its values and mission.

• Use specific examples to demonstrate your qualifications and fit for the position.

• Showcase your understanding of the company's needs and how you can meet them.

• Use a professional tone and language that reflects the company's culture.

• Personalize your cover letter to address the hiring manager or specific recipient, if possible.

• By focusing on your audience, you can create a cover letter that grabs their attention, demonstrates your fit for the position, and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Treat it Like a Written Interview

Approach your career change cover letter as if it were a written interview – an opportunity to make a strong first impression and showcase your qualifications. Craft compelling stories to illustrate your relevant experience, transferable skills, and achievements to show that you are a great fit for the open job. Use bullet points to highlight key accomplishments and transferable skills, making it easier for hiring managers to identify your strengths. Ensure your cover letter complements your resume by providing additional context to support your candidacy. Treat each paragraph as a chance to showcase why you are the best fit for the role, and position yourself as a strong candidate with the potential to excel in the new career path.

Conclusion

In conclusion, crafting a compelling career change cover letter requires attention to detail and a focus on showcasing your transferable skills effectively. Avoiding common mistakes like oversharing personal information or being too formal is key. Instead, highlight relevant professional development and explain why you are seeking a change. Approach your cover letter as a written interview, emphasizing why you are the right fit for the role. By tailoring your content to the job description and audience, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers.

Want more help in your efforts to change careers? Our team at The Contingent Plan would love to help. Claim your free consultation with our experts today!