How to Write A CV — Career Change

Are you someone who has gotten your feet wet in a particular department, but wants to branch out into something else? Maybe you were initially hired into Finance, but while working side by side with Supply Chain, you discovered you like that side of the business better. Perhaps it also has more room for growth and future opportunities than where you are now. Or, if you are one of the millions of people who had career impacts from the 2020 pandemic, then a change might be the very thing to get you back to work sooner.

Whatever your situation may be, this CV formulation overview is for you. Writing a CV is something that should inevitably include necessary information so your prospective employer can determine if you are a right fit or not. But if you are someone making a career change, then orchestrating your CV to reflect that should be done in a very strategic way to deliver your underlying message: where you have been, where you are now, and where you want to go.

Elements to Incorporate in your CV

When it comes to just about any CV format, you will want to include the following sections no matter what industry you are trying to get into:

1. Name, contact information
2. Photo — Optional
3. Profile summary / CV summary / Objective — Optional
4. Education
5. Work experience
6. Other experience
7. Skills and languages
8. Interests — Optional but highly recommended
9. Any certifications or awards — Optional
10. Publications or conferences — Optional

Have a look at how to write a general CV for more insights on what to include in those sections

Though the above are vital in landing an interview, when you are changing your career, a key element is by far the addition of what is called a CV summary.

CV Summary

A CV summary, sometimes referred to as a CV objective, is the pinnacle way to convey your message to potential employers on what you are trying to obtain. It should also entail information that demonstrates your best accomplishments that show you would be an ideal fit for the role. This should be located right at the top of your CV, just under your header, so it is one of the first things that employers see.

Example CV Summary

Highly dedicated and goal-oriented Finance professional who is committed to pursuing a long-term career change in Supply Chain. I cultivated a track record of demonstrating strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and have streamlined cutting-edge financial protocols that have improved company efficiency by 15%. As someone with proficient knowledge of increasing productivity, I desire to bring that into the Supply Chain field to optimize shipping and logistical procedures to support business growth.

Additional CV Tips

When formatting your CV, make sure to highlight your transferable skills, the ones that you hold that can apply to any role you enter into. Showcase these and prove that you have the right foundation to grow within any new industry based on that. For example, if you are going from Finance to Supply Chain, find common traits required for both and reflect them, such as attention to detail and multitasking.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for people, both fresh out of college and experienced, to embark on a different career choice. Whether you were forced to do so because of the current economic standpoint, or simply found a new interest along your journey, you always have the ability to redirect your path. But to give yourself the best chance of being recognized as a respected employee in your new field, make sure to consider the above CV tips. Leverage the skills, qualifications, and experiences you have already cultivated and use them to market yourself as a viable person to take on those “foreign” opportunities. In the end, with some CV tweaking (without stretching the truth) and perseverance, you will be able to start over fresh and begin your new career in no time.

Good luck!

To get more insights on how to write a CV in general? Then click here to explore.