Changing Careers? Here’s How to Rewrite Your Resume for a Totally Different Industry
Thinking about making a major career shift? Last week, I worked with a UX designer who wanted to take a leap from UX to a creative role in animation. It was a huge pivot, but here’s the thing: even if you don’t have full-time paid experience in your new field, you can still create a resume that positions you as the right candidate.
If you’re ready for a similar shift, read on for key lessons and actionable steps on how we transformed his resume to reflect his new career goals.
The Challenge: Turning a UX Resume into One That’s Career-Pivot-Ready
Our client had over a decade of experience in UX design. But while this background was rich in design skills, it didn’t reflect what hiring managers in animation were looking for—skills like visual storytelling, pacing, and scene development. Sound familiar?
When making a career pivot, it’s essential to rethink your resume so that it speaks to the hiring managers in your new field. Even if you haven’t held a full-time position in your target industry, you likely have related skills and projects that are just as valuable. Here’s how we approached this transition.
The Solution: Reframe, Reorder, and Own the Shift
A lot of people assume that the “Experience” section on their resume should only feature full-time, paid roles. Spoiler alert: any relevant experience counts—paid or unpaid. Here’s how we applied this strategy and other key changes to position my client as a strong candidate for his new field.
Step 1: Reframe the Experience Section
To make his resume relevant for a creative field, we moved his recent animation projects and training to the top, giving them full “experience” status, just like paid work. By making these projects prominent, his resume now showed immediate relevance to his new career path. His previous UX experience? Condensed from two full pages down to eight lines. Yes, really.
(Want to see how this transformation can work for you? Take a look at my success stories from past clients.)
This streamlined approach put the spotlight on his new skill set, letting recruiters see his capabilities and potential in a creative role.
Step 2: Switch the Skills Language
Next, we revamped his skills section. Instead of UX-centric terms like “user flows” and “interaction design,” we used storyboard-relevant keywords like “visual storytelling,” “scene development,” and “pacing.” This isn’t just about semantics; it’s about aligning his skills with the language hiring managers in his target industry use and value.
If you’re unsure how to identify the right language, a custom resume review can guide you on how to adjust your own skills section.
Step 3: Own the Career Pivot in the Profile Summary
Finally, we crafted a confident, no-nonsense profile summary that made his career shift clear and direct. His new summary read:
“With design expertise and an MFA in visual communication, I pivoted from UX to animation to bring my skills in pacing, visual flow, and storytelling to new projects.”
When making a career pivot, a bold profile summary helps hiring managers understand your new direction at a glance. Check out samples of my work to see how I help clients frame their unique stories.
The Identity Shift: Why Changing Careers Often Means Redefining Yourself
When my client saw his updated resume, his reaction was one I see often: “This doesn’t even feel like me.” And that’s the reality—pivoting careers can require an identity shift. You’re presenting a new version of yourself, and sometimes, that version might feel unfamiliar at first. But part of a successful pivot is embracing and owning your new story.
If you’re ready to make a career transition, remember: your resume isn’t just a record of your past. It’s a declaration of who you are now and where you’re headed. Here are the takeaways from this client’s experience:
Key Lessons for Anyone Making a Career Pivot
Your resume should reflect who you are now, not just where you’ve been.
Highlight any experience—paid or unpaid—that supports your new career direction. Every relevant project counts.
Focus on skills that align with your new field.
Tailor your skills section with keywords that match the roles you’re targeting. Use the language that resonates with hiring managers in your target industry.
Own your pivot.
In your profile summary, be clear and unapologetic about your career change. Confidence speaks volumes to potential employers.
Ready to Make Your Career Pivot?
If you’re ready for a bold career change, your resume should showcase your new path proudly and clearly. Whether you’re moving into a creative field, tech, or something entirely different, let’s get to work on a resume that tells your new story confidently and unapologetically.