Writing a career-change résumé

Switching industries or functions is one of the hardest job-search situations, because on paper you look like a stretch. The job of a career-change résumé is translation: turning what you did into what they need.

Lead with transferable skills

Hiring managers hire for outcomes, not job titles. A restaurant floor manager has run scheduling, handled conflict, hit tight margins, and led a team under pressure — all of which translate to operations, retail, and account management. Name those outcomes in the language of the target field.

Reframe, don't hide

• Use a short summary at the top to state the switch and why you're credible.
• Reorder experience so the transferable parts lead each bullet.
• Quantify results — numbers travel across industries better than jargon.
• Add relevant coursework, projects, or certifications if you have them.

Get an outside read

The hardest part of a career change is that you're too close to your own history to see which parts translate. Sloan scores your background against roles in the new field and shows where you already match — a fast way to find the bridges you couldn't see yourself.