here’s an example of a great cover letter from a career changer

by Alison Green on January 23, 2025

A reader recently sent me a cover letter that I want to share as a great example of explaining why you’re applying for a job in a different field and how your skills will carry over.

First, though, the caveats I’ve learned to give when sharing these:

  • The writer has allowed me to share this as a favor to me and to readers. Please remember she’s a real person when you’re commenting.
  • This writer’s voice is her voice. It will not be your voice, and that’s part of the point.
  • There is no single cover letter in the world that all hiring managers will love or that would be the right fit for every employer and every industry. But I receive letters all the time from people telling me that moving in this sort of direction dramatically increased the number of interviews they were getting.
  • Do not steal this letter or even parts of it. It works because it’s so customized to the writer. It’s intended for inspiration only — to show what the advice here can look like in practice.

First, here’s the context this writer sent to me:

Like many library workers, I burned out during the early years of the pandemic. I quit my job with nothing else lined up, which was scary. I applied to other library jobs, but also looked at other spaces. I ended up making a full career change into youth work at an LGBTQ+ community center, and while no job is perfect (as you always say) I am the most professionally fulfilled I’ve ever been.

The reason I’m writing to you is that I credit years and years of reading your advice with being able to make such a drastic shift. My supervisor has told me that without my cover letter, they never would have considered me, since they didn’t initially think a library background would be relevant to the work. Said cover letter was written from scratch for this specific job, and based largely on your advice about cover letters.

And here’s the letter, with identifying details changed for anonymity.

•   •   •   •   •

Dear Hiring Manager,

One thing I didn’t realize about working in libraries before I started was how much of the work is centered on programs, event planning, and community partnerships. But after eight years of developing programs for teens, coordinating large-scale events like the kickoff to a Summer Reading Program, partnering with local organizations, and visiting high schools to engage with teenagers in the place they spend the most amount of time, I’ve developed my skills in programs, events, and outreach and I am ready to take on a position focused more exclusively on LGBTQIA+ teenagers and their needs.

Some of my most successful work as a librarian has been with teens who are part of historically excluded groups, including LGBTQIA+ teens. On both Caprica and Gemenon, I partnered with after-school clubs created by and for queer teens to connect them with literature that reflected their lives and identities or to educate them on topics they were interested in. I have also worked with queer and trans teen volunteers at the library who vocalized the importance of having a safe community member to talk to and a way to connect and give back to their community. I have also formed ongoing partnerships with special education classes, groups serving teens with disabilities, teen parent support organizations, and other school and community partners that allowed me to bring services to teens who might not have accessed them on their own.

While moving to the Galactica would be a shift from my work in libraries, the last eight years have helped me to develop all of the core competencies needed to succeed in the position, especially critical thinking and adaptability – even before the pandemic, I was consistently evaluating and adapting programs and services based on outcomes, community needs, and teen requests, and adapting library services for a pandemic required constant flexibility – as well as collaboration and communication, necessary skills when working with other library departments and outside organizations to serve our community. I have also spent the time learning about adolescent brain development, talking with and getting to know a wide variety of teens, and advocating for the teens in our communities, skills and knowledge that will help me excel as the Youth Program Manager.

I am passionate about serving teenagers, especially LGBTQIA+ teenagers. Battlestar Galactica is the kind of organization I wish I had been able to access as a teen, and I would be thrilled to join the organization as the Youth Program Manager, or in another position that is youth-oriented and would be a good fit for my skills. I look forward to talking more about what I can bring to the Galactica and its services for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Sincerely,
Apolla Thrace

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{ 26 comments }

{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }

    1. Interview Coming Up*

      Yes, I didn’t even realize this was the naming reference I’d been waiting for.

      I might watch it a third time!

      Reply ↓
    2. Sara*

      One of the best things about AAM is the seemingly endless creativity used to preserve anonymity without sacrificing readability. Crafting truly anonymous examples without resorting to [job site] type naming structures is a true gift.
      S

      Reply ↓
  3. Hola Playa*

    Of course this is an amazing cover letter. And also this reminder of gorgeous humanity is perfectly timed right now. Thank you, Apolla!

    Reply ↓
  4. Also Named Bort*

    Great letter! If you’ve been in the same field for a long time it can be really challenging to switch roles. I love how the LW is able to give such specific examples of how her time at the library has built and developed skills that are also needed for this position.

    Reply ↓
  6. HugeTractsofLand*

    Great cover letter! I read it and immediately thought, duh, of COURSE a librarian would be really well suited for this work…but only because you spelled all the connections out and really highlighted the skills that were (presumably) part of your new job. I’m glad that the LGBTQIA+ community has you!

    Reply ↓
  7. Meaningful hats*

    As someone who has been in program and/or event management (in some companies they’re intertwined, in others they’re separate) for the majority of my career, it’s a skillset that can be adapted to fit into so many different industries and contexts. I’ve worked for tech companies, music schools, and the government. The possibilities are endless.

    Amazing cover letter and congrats, OP!

    Reply ↓
  8. Katie Porter's whiteboard.*

    I’m honestly pretty encouraged to see how similar this letter is to my own cover letters. I would hire this letter write in a heartbeat.

    Reply ↓
  9. KBMB*

    Amazing letter. Thanks to both Allison and the author. Inspiring. And Author, I wish you much success in your new career.

    Reply ↓
    1. Rook Thomas*

      Agreed! It sounds like the author was great working with teens in the public library (which is a real Thing!) so I wish them the best in their new career! Those teens are lucky to have this person in their lives.

      Reply ↓
  10. CL*

    Thank you! This is just what I need right now as an example (and confidence that career switching is possible). The BSG references are great too!

    Reply ↓
  11. Aspiring Great Manager*

    I really LOVED that the change was front and centre, there was no attempt to downplay the previous jobs! great example about how to highlight transferable skills.

    Reply ↓
  13. Pocket Mouse*

    This is a great letter, thank you to the writer for sharing!

    …But I’m commenting because of the signoff name, Apolla Thrace. Not to spoil anything from literal decades ago, but Starbuck is obvi queer and if Apolla is a character’s name after transitioning, that is *chef’s kiss* perfection and I would watch the shit out of that storyline.

    Reply ↓
  14. HailRobonia*

    This is also a great reminder that librarians are far far FAR more than just someone at a counter telling people where a book is.

    Reply ↓
  15. Daisy-dog*

    Has anyone else worked in a job that trained them against “negative” words? My customer service job did. One of those “negative” words: but. (As in, saying “I’m sorry, but…” would get you bad marks in a review. Don’t even get me started.) So I saw the “but” in the first paragraph and was just like NOoOOOoooOOOOO!!!! And then I realized I have been brainwashed. It’s been 9 since that training, lol.

    Reply ↓
  16. Kindred Spirit*

    I love that it’s personal and not a template cover letter. From the standpoint of an editor, I would omit the word “but” at the beginning of the second sentence. Well done!

    Reply ↓
  18. Great letter*

    This is such a great letter, thanks for sharing!
    I absolutely love the voice, even if I would do different stylistic choices, mainly shorter sentences.

    Reply ↓

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