Changing Industries? Create a Winning Resume

You have a great resume. Your background ofOnce you have gotten your foot in the door, you
experience is detailed in the most professional andcan compel your interviewer by emphasizing your
polished manner. Your accomplishments and career"cross functional competencies." These are skills you
history sparkle and shine.may use in your current industry. You can bring
Then why aren't you getting any response backadded value to a company via having this background
from potential employers and recruiters?of knowledge even though it might not be a
You could be one of the millions of people each yearrequirement for the position. Be creative! Positions,
who are making an industry change. Perhaps youtitles and responsibilities can fluxuate depending on
have noticed your current industry is on its heels. Youhow well your market your skills to your potential
have hit a glass ceiling or maybe your field has justemployer.
lost its luster in the ever-changing economic climate.Tip Three: Market ALL Of Your Transferable Skills
It's time to move on. But how do you get yourHave you interviewed, hired and fired or trained in
resume to convey your best skills to a new industryyour current position? These are Human Resource
employer?functions, though perhaps using this terminology is
Do you know the secrets to the best resume forforeign to you. Don't shirk your duties to own your
industry changers? If not, here are several solid tipstransferable skills! If for example you have owned
and guidelines that will dramatically improve yourand operated your own law firm of 20 employees -
chances of getting your foot in the door in your newthat does entitle you to state you have Executive
industry of choice.Managerial experience. Even if you have not thought
Tip One: Chronological Order vs. Action Orderof your responsibilities in that way before. You must
If you are planning to stay in your current industry,mentally embrace this terminology or risk undermining
but wish to move to another company, consider thatyour own credibility in the actual interview. If you
a chronological resume may be your best choice. Thedon't believe it, this will subtly transfer to your
basic format would begin with an objective, and theninterviewer.
lead right into your career history followed by yourA good way to practice owning your transferable
academic achievements. This is an effectiveskills is to print them out and place them where you
traditional format.can see the list daily. Rehearse what you will say in
However, if you are changing industries, it is best toanswer to various interview questions using the
highlight your transferable skills first and foremost,universal lingo you create to translate your skills.
taking the emphasis off the fact that you have notPractice will pay off big time here.
been in the industry of your choice.It is futile to invest in transferring your marketable
Additionally, you can add at the top of your resume,skills on paper without making sure you can
key phrases which capture the major functions youadequately convey them verbally as well. These
feel your target industry would value the most.methods will enhance your transferable skills on
Tip Two: Use "International" Language Topaper, so you will have the opportunity to continue
Communicate Your Transferrable Skillsbuilding your value in a face to face interview!
In order to adequately convey the value you canYou are welcome to publish this article in its entirety,
bring to a potential employer, it is critical to avoid theelectronically, or in print free of charge, as long as
error of using your own industry language. The trickyou include my full signature file for ezines, and my
to any interview is "It is not about you, it's aboutWebsite address in hyperlink for other sites. Please
them". This begins with the resume. You must usesend a courtesy link or email where you publish to
language that can be understood by those outsideCopyright 2006 - 2009. All Rights Reserved.
your industry.