How to write a transitional resume and tools to help you

This blog contains the talking points to the presentation and worksheet which you can download here.

Transitional Resumes (TR)

The goal of a TR is to translate your experience to match relevant opportunities – those in which you are currently targeting. While working in your previous career field, you gained a wealth of training, education, and experience. Now, all you have to do is show in your TR how all of your past experience can benefit your future employer.

Do TRs get fair consideration?

Not usually. Let me explain why and what you can do to overcome this.

Most resume reviewers (recruiters, hiring managers, screeners, etc) don't like to consider transitional or functional resumes. They're simply not the norm and they take longer to review and interpret. Additionally, many HR folks think candidates are hiding something when they use transitional or functional resumes (gaps in employment, changing jobs too quickly, etc). Now, if you are changing careers or have some other reason for using a TR, then here's what you can do to increase your chances of getting fair consideration. First, make sure your resume is physically appealing by using a standard layout and including ample amounts of whitespace. Next, your resume should be inviting to read and each section should support the others. Any discrepancies between your objective and profile or other sections will raise a red flag. Lastly, now that you understand the challenges of using a TR, make certain that it is easy to quickly locate the most common and important information. Use clear, consistent headings and equal amounts of space between similar entries.

Why you need a transitional resume

A well written transitional resume will draw a clear connection between what you have done in the past and what you desire to do in the future. Having never actually done what you plan to do, you will want to use the tools shown below to help you talk the talk of your future career.

When to use a transitional resume

Transitional resumes are most often used by exiting military personnel entering the civilian workforce. Transitional resumes, however, are becoming increasingly popular in today's employment landscape where more and more people are reinventing themselves and starting new careers. The further the gap between your past experience and your newly chosen career field, the more compelling of a story you will have to write to connect these two areas.

Now that we've set the foundation for why and when to use a transitional resume – let's access a couple of resources that will help us build your resume.

Resources to reference BEFORE writing your transitional resume:

Save yourself a lot of time and anguish by doing your homework before putting the pen to paper. Start by completing a career assessment at www.assessment.com. You will reference the results of your assessment when writing your resume.

Next, cross-reference the results of your assessment with this site to identify new career fields that fit your characteristics, desires and experience.

Occupational Information Network (O*NET OnLine)

http://online.onetcenter.org

Additional resources

Meet with employers for informational interviews. This will help you get a real-world view of possible career fields and industries.

When writing your TR consider activities outside of work such as hobbies, involvement with associations and volunteer activities

Writing a transitional resume can be a difficult task. In fact, the military understands just how difficult this is and has been providing transition assistance to exiting military personnel for many years. The good news is that you should only have to write a transitional resume once in your life. The great news is that you have this guide to help you. Yours truly has assisted thousands of transitioning military personnel and others changing careers. Now, let's write your transitional resume.

Writing a Transitional Resume

Step 1: Use a clearly stated objective.

This is best accomplished if you have a thorough understanding of your past experience and how it relates to your career goals – hence the homework above. No other type of resume uses an objective statement, but transitional resumes not only allow for them, but objectives set the tone for the reader, telling them you are making a transition.

Example of a well written objective: "To take my experience in quality assurance to the product development sector where I can use my keen attention to detail and process improvement skills to deliver even better consumer services."

Step 2: Include a profile.

Your profile should incorporate the attributes developed in your former career as they relate to your stated objective. Remember the point made earlier about how each section should complement the previous section. In order to accomplish this, you must have a thorough understanding of what employers are looking for in your next career field. You can build your profile, at least in part, from the MAPP assessment (above).

Example of a well crafted profile: "Creative, self-motivated professional who can adapt to any situation with ease. Talent for conquering new technology and software applications, while retaining creative flair. Trained in cross-cultural communication and fluent in two foreign languages." Notice that the profile is all about you, and it should be relevant to the position for which you are applying.

The next step is crucial as it will further build upon your objective and profile and more closely bridge the gap between your past experience and future career. Recruiters, resume reviewers and hiring managers expect you to build this bridge for them. With this in mind, pay special attention to step 3.

Step 3: Translate your skills within functional categories.

Before sitting down to write this section, use a separate piece of paper and jot down your skills, responsibilities and accomplishments. Write them all down and don't worry about which ones you may or may not include at this time. After completing this exercise, categorize your skills under the appropriate functional area (see the transitional resume worksheet below). Next, choose the right functional categories based on the career for which you are considering.

Most resumes mix responsibilities and accomplishments and this can make it difficult for the resume reviewer. One way to differentiate between responsibilities and accomplishments is to remember that the latter is measurable. How I like to think about this section is to recall one of my favorite quotes, "Effort is admirable. Achievement is measurable."

Functional categories may also be referred to as experience. Examples of functional categories may include sales experience, leadership experience, etc. Whichever naming scheme you choose, skills-based or experience-based, stay consistent throughout your entire resume.

Step 4: Include brief employment history.

The employment history should be formatted for neatness, organized in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow and contain the important elements: Title, employer, location and dates

Step 5: End with education, training and certifications

Don't underestimate the value of a one-day sexual harassment or safety class. Use this area to showcase all education, training and certifications.

Now, you have all the instructions and a worksheet to craft and write your own transitional resume. If you still need help and want us to write your resume for you, please visit our premium services page.

Download the Transitional Resume presentation

Download the Transitional Resume worksheet