Crafting a Career Changer Summary Statement (Guide + Examples)

If you’re considering a career change, one of the most important things to include in your resume is a career changer summary statement. This short passage will introduce you to potential employers and showcase your skills and experience in a new field.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a career changer summary statement is and provide some tips for crafting one that will help you make the switch. We’ll also provide some examples to help you get started.

What is a summary statement?

A summary statement is a part of the resume that gives an overview of your professional experience and highlights your skills and accomplishments.

It is also sometimes called a career summary or profile. The summary statement should be placed at the top of the resume, beneath the contact information.

For career changers, a summary statement is an important tool for highlighting your transferable skills and explaining why you’re interested in making a career change.

The summary statement should be tailored to each job you apply for and should address any concerns the employer might have about your career change.

What is the purpose of the summary statement?

The career changer summary statement has two main purposes:

1. To introduce yourself to the employer and explain your career change
2. To showcase your skills and experience that are relevant to the new position

By following these tips, you can craft a career changer summary statement that will help you successfully make the transition to a new career.

When done correctly, the summary statement will pique the employer’s interest and encourage them to read the rest of your resume. They may even contact you for an interview if your summary statement catches their attention.

What is the difference between summary statement and objective statement?

Objective statements were popular in the 1990s, but have since fallen out of favor with career experts. An objective statement is a brief sentence that states what you hope to achieve in your career.

For example, “To secure a position in XYZ field where I can use my skills and experience to make a positive impact.” Objective statements are often seen as outdated, and career changers should avoid using them.

In contrast, summary statement is a modern way to introduce yourself to potential employers and explain your career change or other circumstances.

Is summary statement necessary for career changers?

Absolutely! The career changer summary statement is one of the most important parts of your resume. It’s your opportunity to explain your career change and showcase your transferable skills.

Without a strong summary statement, employers may be hesitant to consider you for the position, since you are a novice in their industry.

However, if you write a summary statement, you get the chance to explain why you’re interested in the position and prove that you have the skills and experience required to be successful.

Do recruiters even read summary statements?

This is actually a good question. As you may have heard, busy recruiters spend an average of only six seconds reviewing a resume. So, the question is: do they even read summary statements?

Well, it depends. If the summary statement is formatted well, placed properly, has an engaging beginning, and is relevant to the position, then the answer is yes, recruiters will read it. However, if the summary statement is poorly written or does not address the employer’s needs, then the chances of recruiters reading your summary statement are probably low.

Keep in mind that even if the recruiter does not read your summary statement, it is still an important part of your resume. The career changer summary statement is one of the first things employers will see when they review your resume, so it’s important to make a good impression.

How long should a summary statement be?

Career changer summary statement should be 2-4 sentences or 3-5 lines long. Making your summary statement longer than that will likely result in the employer skipping over it.

However, if you can succinctly and effectively communicate your career change and showcase your skills in 2-4 sentences, then that is all you need.

You may feel the need to make your summary statement longer and include more relevant facts and details about your background; however, this will only result in the employer getting lost in the details and forgetting your main points.

You should aim to be clear and concise in your career-changer summary statement.

What should you include in a career changer summary statement?

When crafting your career changer summary statement, there are a few key things you should include:

1. A brief explanation of your career change
2. The skills and experience you have that are relevant to the new position
3. Why you’re interested in the new career
4. Any relevant accomplishments or awards

You may also want to mention any relevant coursework, volunteer experiences, or internships you have that can help fill any gaps in your work history.

By including these things in your career changer summary statement, you can show employers that you are serious about making a career change and that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful in the new role.

Career changer summary statement tips

Now that you know what to include in your career changer summary statement, here are a few tips to help you write an effective one:

• Start with a bang: The first sentence of your career changer summary statement is the most important. This is your opportunity to grab the employer’s attention and make them want to read more. Start with a strong opening that will pique the employer’s interest and make them want to learn more about you.
• Focus on your transferable skills: When writing your career changer summary statement, be sure to focus on the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the new position. This is your opportunity to show employers that you have what it takes to be successful in the new career.
• Highlight your accomplishments: Be sure to mention any relevant accomplishments or awards in your career changer summary statement. This will show employers that you are a high achiever and that you have a track record of success.
• Keep it short and sweet: As we mentioned earlier, your career changer summary statement should be 2-4 sentences or 3-5 lines long. This is not the time to get lost in the details; instead, focus on being clear and concise.

Templates for writing a career changer summary statement (+examples)

Now, let’s look at some templates and examples of career changer summary statements.

Template 1: Focus on action

1. Introduce the career change
2. Emphasize relevant and transferrable skills learned in the previous industry
3. Steps you have taken toward the career change
4. Vision of the future and goals

Example of template 1

I am a career changer with 4 years of experience in the customer service industry. In my previous career, I developed excellent communication and problem-solving skills that I plan to utilize in a career in software development. I am currently enrolled in an intensive coding bootcamp and have completed several personal projects using various programming languages. My goal is to become a software developer who creates user-friendly and innovative applications.

Template 2: Focus on passion

1. Introduce the career change
2. Explain what passion sparked your career change
3. Steps you have taken toward career change
4. Emphasize transferrable (past) and new skills
5. Connect passion with goals and future aspirations

Example of template 2 of a business analyst changing career to software engineering

I am a business analyst who is passionate about making a difference in the world through technology. I am excited to make a career change into software engineering and utilize my skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and communication to help create innovative applications that make people’s lives easier. I have taken several steps toward this career change, including completing a Master’s degree in computer science and completing several personal projects using various programming languages. My goal is to become a software engineer who creates user-friendly and innovative applications.

More examples of career changer summary statements

Example 1

After years of working in the fast-paced world of sales, I made the decision to switch careers and become a software engineer. I was drawn to the challenge of learning a new skill set and the satisfaction of seeing my work have an immediate impact on people’s lives. In just two years, I’ve gone from zero experience to being one of the top performers on my team. My success is due to my willingness to put in extra effort, ask for help when, and maintain a positive attitude even when things get tough.

Example 2

After five years of working in the customer service industry, I made the career switch to software engineering. With no prior experience in coding or programming, I self-taught myself using online resources and landed my first job as a Junior Software Engineer. In my current role, I have been able to contribute to new product development and achieve significant improvements in system performance. With this application for a Mid-Level Software Engineer at your company, I hope to utilize my skills in software development and problem-solving to achieve similar success for your team.

Example 3

After a decade of experience in the banking industry, I am now career-changing into web development. My background in finance and customer service has given me strong problem-solving skills, which I hope to use in my new career. I am passionate about learning new things and excited to enter a field that is constantly evolving.

Example 4

I have experience in both the public and private sector, and I am now career-changing into project management. I have a proven track record of successful project delivery, and I am passionate about helping organizations achieve their goals. I am excited to enter a new field and use my skills to make a positive difference.

Example 5

I am a career changer with experience in marketing and sales. I am passionate about helping organizations grow and reach their goals, and I believe that product management is the perfect career for me. I am excited to enter a new field and use my skills to make a positive difference.

Example 6

I am a career changer with experience in human resources and administration. I am passionate about helping organizations run smoothly and efficiently, and I believe that project management is the perfect career for me. I am excited to enter a new field and use my skills to make a positive difference.

Conclusion

Career changers often have a lot of skills and experiences that can be transferred to a new career. The key is to connect your passion with your goals and future aspirations, and then craft a career changer summary statement that showcases your unique qualifications.

We’ve provided several examples of career changer summary statements to help get you started. Use these as inspiration, and then tailor them to fit your own individual experience and qualifications.

Remember, the most important thing is to be clear, concise, and specific about what you bring to the table. By highlighting your skills and passions, you’ll increase your chances of making a successful career change.