Career transitions can be tricky, but with the right tools your resume will explain where you have been and why you are the best candidate for the job. Because of this, your Objective Statement is important for filling in some of the blanks that may be in your resume. This is the perfect place to briefly explain the direction you want your career to go at this point in your life.

Regardless of your past experience it’s nearly always possible to mold your past to fit the vision of your future. For example, Natalie started her own bakery business and has since taken the Bar exam and wants to transition into business law. Even though baked goods and law are completely different fields, they have a lot in common since she happened to own the bakery.

Owning any kind of business requires quite a bit of experience with law from obtaining the proper permits to zoning laws and Health and Safety inspections, so use this experience to your advantage. On top of this, Natalie mentioned specifically in her Objective that she wanted to work with local business owners, so that fact that she was a small business owner only adds to her resume.

Key Points to Remember:

• Utilize your Objective: When transiting careers it’s easy for your future employer to become confused trying to link your past experiences and the job you’ve applied for, so connect the dots! Utilize your cover letter to explain the reasoning behind the career transition and exactly what experiences and skills you have acquired that will be of use in your new position.
• Wow your Audience: Keep in mind that the law professional reading your resume will probably not have any experience or knowledge of the work that goes behind owning a bakery, so be sure to spell out your accomplishments. It’s important for the employer to know that your business was successful and you aren’t transitioning careers because your bakery went belly-up.
• Showcase your Education: Going back to school and passing the Bar exam is imperative for any career in law, so be sure to place these accomplishments front and center. Also, internships show your desire to learn, so be sure to list your duties and quantifiable accomplishments.