Time to Change Career Directions? Five Tips for Creating a Great Resume

By now, you've weighed the pros and cons of staying in your current position. After, what I hope, was much thoughtful consideration, you've made the decision to look for another job.

Now you have a bit of a problem. You want to do something considerably different from your current job. How are you going to make that transition?

As with any job search, you're going to need a resume that will get you in front of a hiring decision maker. For you, the career changer, the resume will take a bit more creativity. While it's a bit of a challenge, there's no need to fear. Thousands of people have made career transitions into totally unrelated fields, and so will you.

Here are five tips to help you make the impression you want:

1. Make It Easy For the Prospective Employer To Contact You

Obviously, you need to make sure all of your contact information is accurate. You also need to remember who will see your resume after it leaves your hands. Be sure to use an easily readable font and letter size. Use bold lettering to highlight your contact information (including an e-mail address specifically for your job search), section headings, and the names of previous companies, schools, and associations.

Be sure to check your e-mail daily (along with your "junk mail" folder) to be sure your application and resume have been received, and so that you can respond to any follow-up correspondence that your prospective employer may send to you.

2. Have a Career Objective That Focuses on Your Prospective Employers Needs

I believe that you must have a career objective for two reasons. The first one is that it will keep you focused on the type of jobs you should apply for. The second is so that the resume screener will easily see that their company's needs are what you're qualified to do.

Back in "the good old days", it was difficult (and expensive) to make changes to your resume. Today, you can customize your resume for each position you're seeking. You should take the time to modify this section to match the stated requirements of the position to which you're applying. Be sure to keep it employer focused; not on what your end goals are. Briefly answer (50 words or less) the question "What can you do for us?" in a way that the screener will take the time to look at the rest of your resume.

Use the job title that the company is using in the description. Note the wording of the position's requirements and incorporate them into your objective.

For example, don't say something like "I'm looking for a (position that you're applying for) where I can utilize my vast experience in (whatever field of expertise) to eventually get into a supervisory position in your company."

Instead, try one similar to this - "A position in (field of desired job) that can utilize (specific skills you want to highlight that matches the job's description) gained from "X' years of experience in another industry, that helped my employer increase sales/cut costs/improve efficiency, and improved its position in the marketplace."

3. Use a Functional or Combination Resume Format

Since you're changing career paths, you need to show that your past experiences and accomplishments qualify you for your targeted position. Using the functional or combination formats will allow you to take your previous relatable work experiences and showcase them upfront.

Use the functional resume if you have large gaps between jobs, or little on-the-job experience related to your new career. Use the combination format if you've worked consistently, and you can show progressive acquisition of the skills needed in your new career.

For example, if you're an engineer that would like a position in sales, show how you made sales in your current position. Did you do presentations on a design or a process that was the key to the actual closing of a deal? If you're a computer technician, did you give information that helped a customer make the decision to buy an expensive upgrade to their system? Did you earn a certification from your hobby that makes you a strong candidate for your new position? All of these can be used to show your next employer that you have what it takes to succeed in your new position.

4. Use Numbers and Verbs

When thinking about your skills and qualifications, think about money and time. How did your efforts make or save your company money? What percentage of time was saved because of the systems you designed or implemented? Numbers can be documented. They stand out. They're good for your resume.

Showing your numbers and using action words that show you were an active participant in your company's success will show that you get results and can help your new employer reach their goals.

5. Limit Your Resume To Two Pages

Yes, I know you've done a lot in your career. You should be proud of your successes. However, the typical resume screener won't take the time to read your tome about how great you are. They want to see if you fit the basic qualifications for the opening.

That means you need to edit your resume to show only the skills that are directly related to your desired position. Stick to the basic information that's related to your new position:

Name and contact informationCareer ObjectiveSkills /Work Experience/Professional ExperienceEducationAssociations

I strongly recommend that you don't put the line "References Available Upon Request" on your resume. They know that you'll have references, and it wastes valuable space.

You should have three to five contacts' addresses and phone numbers on a separate sheet. Call your references to let them know that you're listing them as such.

Also, keep personal information and pictures off of your resume. The exception to this is if you're transitioning into a career where a specific look is required, such as acting, or TV personality. In those situations, you should have a professionally done portfolio in hand.

This is an exciting time for you. Try these five tips, and you'll have a resume that will open the doors to your next career.

Leon R. Scott is a Certified Master Life Coach specializing in Career Transitions for veterans, upwardly mobile employees, and those wanting to change career paths.

Get free access to Leon's advice and tips about changing careers in the report entitled "So You Want To Change Careers. Are You Sure About That?" Go to http://www.youtimestwoonline.com/services.