this post was submitted on 13 Mar 2024
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Has anyone here ever changed jobs without qualifications/experience and was successful in getting a new job in the new field? If so, how did you go about writing the cover letter?
Since I'm studying teaching and realise it is a lot of theory, I thought I might apply for a job as a teachers assistant but I don't have any experience in the field. I've been working on my cover letter and covered how I am studying my education degree, relevant skills I've picked up in my current and past roles, why I want to change careers and how I want to get some hands on experience so I can be best prepared to be a teacher and even mentioned it as an investment in both (the school and me) our futures.
I also mentioned Ive done work with kids for school talks with my books
I said I don't have any experience and someone told me I shouldn't mention that. But I figure being upfront about it is the best way to go. They're going to see it on the resume and even in the cover letter.
Any thoughts on including that part or anything else I should mention?
And should my resume cover my past work roles and all I've done or things that might be relevant to the role I am applying for?
Thanks,
The answer depends a lot on who you're applying to, and how they recruit. If you are dealing with a larger organisation or one that hides behind a tier of recruitment agencies, you'll be better off being less upfront as to your lack of experience. AI bots going through applications are looking for buzzwords. If the position description is asking for skills a, b and c - be certain to have those words in your application.
Once you reach a human, the best general advice I can offer is: Explain how you can solve their problem. They have two problems:
You're here to solve problems. Not create problems. If you lack the experience they're looking for, explain how you'll solve their problem anyway. It sounds like you're already doing this a bit, but really focus on it. I don't know anything about the education sector to give you specifics, but I know how employers think - I've been that person hiring people. That person wants someone who wants to be there, will be reliable, and who won't be a problem. Ideally someone who will be around for as long as they need (whether that's long-term or a school year etc). They most especially don't want to be back in this place a few weeks from now because you suck or you were over-qualified and got a better offer a few weeks after being hired.
So yeah - tell them that you don't have experience being a teacher's aid, specifically. But also tell them how that's not really a problem because you have worked with kids before, are studying an education degree, and whatever other skills you bring to the table. That's the sort of stuff they're looking for - and your honesty on the matter of experience will be appreciated.
As to the resume, I'd list employers and expand with dot points under each job anything relevant to the present position.
That has been pretty much my focus. Really on about the benefits and I am taking this career change seriously since I am studying, over anything else.
Pretty sure there is an Ask a Manager post about exactly this