Career change tips : career guidance

I have been unemployed in the building products industry both wholesale and retail, and thinking about a career change. I have been asked by someone in local public office, friend of my father, to send him something about myself. He says he would possibly be able to assist me in finding some work. I don't have any particular information on any specific jobs available so I am inclined to send him a note explaining what I am looking for; a cover letter; as well as some type of skills resume for him to use as needed. Looking for a little guidance at this point as I would like to send him something soon.

Without knowing what jobs are available, what I might want to do, and the fact that I would like to get out of the building industry, what should I offer as some kind of job objective? Do I need to be specific or should I just emphasize the skills that I have obtained and that I am looking for a position that utilizes my skills? Should I mention the fact that I am looking for a change?

I have acquired a lot of skills and abilities over the years. Without having decided on a new career, what general skills are most important for me to emphasize in switching careers?

Before you start working on your resume/cover letter, you need to decide what type of job or career you are looking for. Once you have a rough idea, you can place your skills into your resume in a way that is relevant to the positions that you are interested in. The first step here is to get yourself in the desired direction.

-CubeDrama

If you have trouble nailing down precisely what you want to do, you can try and capture the ingredients - those skills and responsibilities that you a) like doing, b) are good at doing, and c) can demonstrate experience in.

i.e. I am still narrowing down my search, but I am certain that the ideal role includes project management, client service management and team development....

Of course, you have to figure out what those things are.

Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach

I agree that I do need to highlight my skills. The problem I guess lies in the fact that I don't know who he might be passing my information on to. He was willing to see if he could help me find a position but I won't necessarily be offered a job in his department. I don't want to lose an opportunity to get a job that I am qualified for because I have narrowed the scope.

Here is a copy of a cover letter I have come up with. If you want to, I would not mind you offering any suggestions. Thank you.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to send you some information about myself after my recent layoff. I have been in the building industry since graduating from Ohio State in 1981. With the recent downturn in the home building industry, and the lack of work, it is my desire to find a more stable position. Attached is my resume, showing my work experience and some of the many skills I have to offer.

Most of my 25 years experience has been in the management of window and door products; in both a wholesale and retail environment. It was my sole responsibility to handle all the duties required to make these product lines efficient and profitable. Customer service skills were also a very critical part of what I did because these products were a substantial part of the business for my employers. Therefore, it was important that I dealt with both customers and vendors in a very professional manner. I believe that I was an integral part of the success my employers had.

I am a conscientious, self motivated, detail oriented person with the willingness to learn whatever is necessary for my employer to be successful. I can work independently or in a team atmosphere and am able to begin working immediately.

If you would like to give me a call, I can be reached at home () or on my cell (). Feel free to pass my information on, if you will, to anybody who might be interested in my services. Thanks again for your consideration.

Okay. This is good. A few thoughts

Employers don't like to hire people who are moving away from something. You want to word your desire to enter a new industry as a Want, not a Need. Time for a change. Apply your skills. Expand horizons.
I would like to hear more in the letter that relates to your level of responsibility. I think you are fairly senior, but the letter is vague enough that I don't know whether you are a junior supervisor, or a business unit leader or something in between. Did you have P&L responsibility? How much revenue and budget were you responsible for? How many employees reported to you? What title of person did you report to? What was the scale of the operation or operations?
Was there movement? ie. for the last X years you were Title, and prior to that Title, etc.
On the 2nd last paragraph, can you add a few things here. If you are in fact a leader / manager, then something about management skills, team development, analytical skills, etc.

Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach

1) I agree

2) I was given sole responsibility in all of my positions with little supervision, although I had to answer to someone above me who was responsible for P&L. It was expected that I maintain a certain level of profitability (i.e. margin). I would consider my positions as business units in that the products I handled were a part of the overall product lines that were sold. I can say that the products I handled were a majority of the sales for these companies. The total dollars purchased were different for each job but were anywhere from about 2 to 6 million dollars.

3) Not sure what you mean but basically I was given the responsibility from taking orders, placing orders to loading material on trucks for delivery. I really wasn't directly involved in the P&L area,

4) I can. Multi tasking, problem solving, research skills?

Does this look better?

Mr. Dorrian,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to send you some information about myself after my recent layoff. I have been in the building industry since graduating from Ohio State in 1981. With the recent downturn in the home building industry, and the lack of work, it's time for a change to a more stable field. Attached is my resume, showing my work experience and some of the many skills I have to offer.

Most of my 25 years experience has been in the management of window and door products; in both wholesale and retail operations. My yearly purchases were anywhere from $2 to $5 million. It was my sole responsibility to handle all the duties required to make these product lines efficient and profitable. Excellent customer service skills were also a very critical part of what I did because these products were a substantial part of the business for my employers. Therefore, it was important that I dealt with both customers and vendors in a very professional manner. I believe that I was an integral part of the success my employers had.

I am a conscientious, self motivated, detail oriented person with the willingness to learn whatever is necessary for my employer to be successful. Being organized and having experience in solving problems allows me to manage multiple assignments at one time. I am computer literate and a person who feels comfortable working independently or in a team atmosphere.

If you have any questions please give me a call, I can be reached at home (). Feel free to pass my information on, if you will, to anybody who might be interested in my services. Thanks again for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Thomas Della Flora

It is better. Good work. I have done a bit of editing just to show how it can be cleaned up. One thing that is missing is your recent title. It should be on your resume. And other tangible areas of responsibility. Staff? SKUs? Shipment volume? Something to "tangify" what you have done. But otherwise, moving in right direction.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to send my background to you. I have worked in the building products industry since graduating from Ohio Statein 1981. However, with the recent downturn in the home building industry, it is time for a change.I am looking forward to applying my experience, skills and energy to a new industry. I have attached my resume for your review.

Briefly, mostof my experience has been in wholesale and retail management of window and doorproducts. I managed annual purchases ranging from $2 to $5 million. I had full responsibility for ensuring that these product lines were efficientand profitable. Excellent customer serviceskills were also a very critical part of what I did because theseproducts were a substantial part of the business for my employers.Therefore, it was important that I dealt with both customers andvendors in a very professional manner. I believe that I was an integralpart of employer's success.

Iam a conscientious, self motivated, detail oriented person with thewillingness to learn whatever is necessary for my employer to besuccessful. Being organized and having experience in solving problemsallows me to manage multiple assignments at one time. I am computerliterate and feel comfortable working independently or ina team environment.

Ifyou have any questions please give me a call, I can be reached at home(). Feel free to pass my information on, if you will, to anybody whomight be interested in my services. Thanks again for your consideration.

Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach

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