Cover letter for a career change

If you're changing careers, there are two things your letter needs to do that an ordinary applicant doesn't: explain why, and show what you bring from your previous work. Get that right, and your career change becomes your strongest point. Below is a letter that shows how.

Example of a cover letter for a career change

Dear Ilse,

I'm Marieke de Vries. After twelve years in hospitality, the last five as manager of a busy restaurant, I chose to move into care two years ago. In June, I'll complete my Verzorgende IG (healthcare assistant with individual health care duties) qualification, which I'm studying through a BBL work-study programme at a care home. When I read your vacancy for a Verzorgende IG in home care, I knew straight away this was where I wanted to start.

It started with one day a week of volunteering at a care home, alongside my restaurant job. There, I found the same satisfaction as I had on a good evening at the restaurant: making people feel welcome and cared for. After a year, I was certain, and I enrolled on the course.

On my ward, there's a gentleman with dementia who used to become restless in the evenings and leave his food untouched. I noticed he settled when he had something to do at the table, just as he used to in his own bakery. Since he's started helping to lay the table every evening, he clears his plate again and the evening goes more smoothly for him and for us. In the restaurant, I learned to really look at people, and I carry that into every shift.

Your vacancy mentions working independently in clients' homes, with a fixed local team to rely on. That combination suits me well. I'd be happy to tell you, at an interview, what hospitality and care have in common. You're welcome to call or email me at any time.

Kind regards,

Marieke de Vries

The names and figures in this example are made up. The letter you have written here uses your CV and the real job advert.

How to convince in a career change

  • In your opening, explain what step you're taking and why, as a deliberate choice. An employer wants to see someone who's heading somewhere, not someone who's running away from something.
  • Translate your experience into the new field: staying calm under pressure, working with people, planning. Describe it in the language of the new field, not the old one.
  • Show that you've already taken steps: a course, volunteering or a certificate. That makes it clear straight away that you're serious.
  • Mention your career change once, then move on to what you bring. Someone who keeps explaining what's still missing only makes the reader doubt them.

Frequently asked questions about a cover letter for a career change

Do I need to explain why I'm leaving my old profession?
Briefly, yes. One or two sentences about what draws you to the new profession is enough. Stay away from complaining about your old employer or sector.
My CV doesn't match the job advert. Does a cover letter still help?
Especially then. The CV shows where you're coming from; the cover letter makes the connection. Without a cover letter, an employer only reads the distance.
Do I have to settle for a lower salary?
Not necessarily. Experience in managing, planning or client contact has value in any profession. Prepare for the conversation by finding out what's standard in the new sector and what you bring from your old work.

Provide the job advert and your CV and tell us in a few words why you're switching. You'll get a cover letter that makes the connection, first free on your screen.

Have your career change letter written

Other situations

What people say about their new CV

5/5review translated

β€œIt was nice that I could upload my old CV, so I didn't have to type in all the details again. The system took it over well. On top of that, I can adjust the layout completely to my own taste.”

Esther, L
CorporateOctober 2026
5/5review translated

β€œThis tool is perfect! I quickly got my old CV looking new again, received a matching cover letter and practical tips for the conversation with my future boss. Really recommend it.”

Anoniem
Healthcare & Social CareAugust 2026
4/5review translated

β€œHandy tool if you don't really know where to start. My CV became clearer and the job vacancy analysis gave me some good insights. I also found the salary advice interesting. Sometimes I thought the texts were a bit too formal and I adjusted them myself a bit. But as a basis, this is really a nice tool.”

Jeroen de V.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œThe cover letter writer in particular surprised me. I'd always struggled to write a good letter myself. CV-Refresher used my experience and the job vacancy in a really logical way. In the end I was invited for an interview. The whole combination of CV, letter and salary advice makes it really complete.”

Amina El A.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œI was applying for jobs again after a few years and didn't really know what my CV should look like these days. CV-Refresher gave me a clear starting point straight away. The combination with the job posting analysis works well. My CV became much more specific and I ended up getting invited for an interview. Very positive about the whole experience.”

Sophie ten H.
August 2026
4/5review translated

β€œCV-Refresher helped me present my work experience much better. Some of the phrasing wasn't quite my own style, so I adjusted that. But content-wise the suggestions were strong. I especially found the analysis of my salary position valuable. I would definitely use the tool again for a future job application.”

Daniel P.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œReally handy when you want to apply for a specific job. What I liked most was that the tool didn't just churn out a standard cover letter, but actually looked at my CV and the job listing. That made the letter feel much more personal. The salary report also gave me more confidence during the interview.”

Femke van den B.
August 2026
4/5review translated

β€œI've recently moved to the Netherlands and wanted to adapt my Polish CV for Dutch employers. CV-Refresher was particularly helpful with the structure and highlighting my relevant experience. The cover letter was also a good starting point. I still had to check some Dutch phrasing, but it saved me a lot of time.”

Piotr K.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œMy CV hadn't been updated in a while. CV-Refresher turned it into a much stronger and more modern CV in a short amount of time. I especially liked the link with the job advert. Because of that, the cover letter really matched the role. I also liked that I could set the tone myself with four sliders, for example more formal or a bit more relaxed and warm. Because of that, the final letter really felt like my own story.”

Lisa van D.
August 2026

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