Continued from the first part of the series: Writing a Resume in case of Career Switch (Part 1)
Case 2: Same industry/company, different vertical/functional area, like a Content Writer for a Resume Writing Company to a Business Development Executive in a Resume Writing Company
This transition is a little tricky, but again, a little effort and persistence on your part will reap you rich rewards later on.
In this scenario, I assume myself as a Content Writer for a Resume Writing Company at present, wishing to apply for a Business Development role in another company that also happens to be into the business of writing resumes. While being fully aware of the fact that the role I aspire is completely different from what I am doing at present, I believe that I can perform well at the job, if given a chance.
So, how do I reflect that on my resume? I figure out that if I can somehow show the recruiter that through my experience in dealing with content, I have gained a fairly strong understanding of the product itself and can easily sell it to the client, then they might consider calling me for an interview. I need to strongly pitch in the fact that my content writing role involved extensive client interactions, either convincing them or explaining them about a certain approach that I took with their documents. Not to forget that I have brought in referrals due to my work, and am also definitely mentioning the fact that on few occasions, I might also have taken client inquiries and then converted them into clients for the organization.
Through researching some relevant job descriptions, I can easily portray how I can be an asset to the BD team by virtue of my skills in understanding the product which is being sold. I effectively highlight my “product understanding”, and downplay my writing skills, which in turn, prompts the recruiter to call me up for a one-on-one discussion, because they consider me as a potential fit for the role. Mission accomplished.
Case 3: Different industry/company, different vertical/functional area, such as a Content Writer in an Internet Publishing Company to a Business Development Executive in a Real Estate Firm
I have to admit, I find working on this kind of transition literally mind boggling. I find these difficult than the rest because the projection of the client’s suitability for a completely new role involves an in-depth analysis and understanding of both the present as well as the new situations, and calls for careful establishment of common ground amidst the transition.
So, I happen to be a Content Writer in an Internet Publishing Company. I now want to shift to a business development role. I do find one, but it is in a Real Estate Firm. There is absolutely nothing in common; no job responsibilities, not even the functional area, or even for that matter, the new company’s business area. How do I get the hiring manager to even consider me for the role? Though tricky and difficult, this is possible.
The first step, as evident by now, is to conduct research. I need to compare my accolades, achievements and responsibilities in an entirely different way. I need to figure out what in my experience, education, achievements or skills could be of use/importance in the new career path that I am taking a step into. I will have to portray myself in a completely new light; re-brand myself such that the recruiter can consider me for the role without a moment’s hesitation.
This can be achieved in a variety of methods. The very first, keeping the resume objective clearly aligned towards the new role I am pursuing. Then, I can either adopt a functional resume format or a combination of functional and chronological format. A functional format will help me in highlighting my relevant skills (such as communication, client need understanding, pitching writing ideas/topics to seniors, etc.) more prominently, and it will also be helpful, in case I turn out to be an extensive “job-hopper”. On the other hand, a combination (functional and chronological) resume is great for me if I have a steady career with less job changes, as it can more accurately reveal my skills with the addition of a “Profile Summary” section, which is a clear portrayal of the relevant qualifications required for my new job.
Next, I will ensure my resume has keywords and terms that are required to catch the eye of my target recruiter. I will also ensure that my resume is crisp and succinct in its approach, with no unnecessary information. To reflect the fact that I am suitable to be considered for the role, I will try my best to quantify as many achievements that I can. Lastly, I will mention my non-work related activities, which I feel might assist me in convincing the recruiter to call me up for an interview.
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When job searching, nothing is difficult. You just need to take the right approach and in due time, with a little patience you will receive what you aspire for. Transitioning from an old job to a new one might seem difficult at first, but it is achievable, if you take the first step right. As always, your resume can be your interview gainer, or can be a deal breaker. Therefore, take the right approach, and be confident; you will surely achieve your dreams. Best of luck!
This post first appeared on the getsetResumes.com Blog
