Dear Sam: I am in my mid-40s and have driven a tractor-trailer for most of my career; however, due to a recent accident, I have been forced to look for another occupation. How do I create a cover letter explaining why I am changing careers? – Tim

Dear Tim: When embarking on a career change, you must first define your purpose and identify your transferable skills. This is much more important than explaining the reason for the transition because if your resume and cover letter do not make a strong case for your ability to perform within the new occupation, then you probably won’t get the interview in the first place. Additionally, explaining that you had an accident, without going into too much detail as to the limitations it has now presented, may make a hiring manager question your ability to perform other job functions. Therefore, the best approach is to market your transferable skills and not mention the reason for the career change.

I always tell clients that it typically never serves them to highlight a potentially disqualifying factor unless, by not doing so, you won’t get the call for an interview. In your case, explaining the impetus for the move will do nothing but highlight the lack of experience in your newly desired profession. It will also tell the hiring manager that it was not your choice to change fields and could make them think you might be less enthusiastic. Stick with making a case for how well you can perform within your desired profession based on your past experiences, skills and education.

Samantha Nolan is an Advanced Personal Branding Strategist and Career Expert, founder and CEO of Nolan Branding. Do you have a resume, career, or job search question for Dear Sam? Reach Samantha at [email protected]. For information on Nolan Branding’s services, visit www.nolanbranding.com or call 888-9-MY-BRAND or 614-570-3442.