Career change: cover letter example
When to use it
Moving into a new field: shows the skills that carry over from your past work and how you prepared for the switch.
The full letter
Dear [Hiring manager's name],
I am applying for the [job title] position at [Company name]. After [X] years in [previous field], I am deliberately moving my career into [new field], and I have prepared seriously for the change.
Over the past [period] I completed [course, certificate or programme] and [a real project in the new field — for example, "ran social media campaigns for two local businesses, growing their followers by 40% in three months"]. It showed me I can deliver results in this field.
My previous work also gave me skills this role depends on: [transferable skill 1 — e.g. negotiating with clients], [transferable skill 2 — e.g. working with numbers] and [transferable skill 3]. For instance, [an achievement from your old job and how it connects to the new one].
I would bring your team both my new knowledge and the perspective of someone from a different field. My CV is attached, and I am happy to talk through my transition in more detail.
Kind regards, [Your full name] [Phone] · [Email]
Replace the parts [in square brackets] with your own details. Cut generic phrases; add specific facts and numbers.
💡 Expert tips
- 1Explain the switch positively — never criticise your old job.
- 2Show at least one real result in the new field — a certificate alone isn't enough.
- 3Add a skills-based section to your CV (skill → example) so the transferable skills stand out.