Show employers why your experience transfers

A career change CV should make the connection between what you have done and what the new role needs. Lead with relevant evidence, use familiar language from the vacancy where it is accurate, and be clear about the direction you want to take.

Start with the role you want

Read a few suitable job descriptions and note the skills and outcomes that appear repeatedly. Choose the ones you can support with examples from paid work, study, volunteering, projects, or responsibilities outside work. Do not claim experience you do not have.

Put relevant evidence near the top

Use a brief profile to name your target role and strongest transferable strengths. Follow it with the work, projects, or training that best supports the move. You can keep older or less relevant details shorter.

Adapt the example to facts you can explain. If you have not held the target job title, show the tasks, tools, and outcomes that demonstrate readiness.

Translate your achievements

• Start with a clear action and explain the situation or task.
• Name the skill or tool that mattered to the target role.
• Add the result, audience, scale, or purpose when you can verify it.
• Use the job ad’s terms only when they honestly describe your experience.

Before you send it

• Make your target direction easy to understand.
• Check that the strongest relevant evidence appears on the first page.
• Use consistent dates and headings.
• Remove claims and keywords you could not discuss confidently.