Q: I have been working at my job for 26 years. I am contemplating retirement and would like to do something more fulfilling. My question is, how do I transition from graphic design to Child Protective Services? I have done volunteer work for several nonprofit agencies. How do I compile my resume? – Brenda

Kate: Well, you’ve served your time in computer graphics, so no one can fault you for wanting a change of scene. In fact, we’ve just completed a survey of The Five O’Clock Club’s job-search clients and found that six out of 10 end up changing either industry or field. Less common are people who change both, but it’s certainly doable. You start by changing your resume to position yourself for the new career. You want to list all your relevant experience first – that is, anything to do with your not-for-profit dream.

Dale: And, if you then send your new resume to agencies posting openings, that gentle whooshing sound you’ll hear will be human-resources people Frisbeeing your resume into the wastebasket. You are a special case, requiring a special approach, and I’d recommend either the No Resume Search or the Double Arabesque. The latter would be a graceful two step dance from one career into the next. You’d get a job at one of the nonprofits, but still in computer graphics. Then, once inside, you can spot jobs in which you’d thrive, and position yourself for an internal move. If, however, you want nothing to do with computer graphics and want to go for a move directly into a new career, then I’d urge you to forget you have a resume. Instead, go to your friends at the nonprofits and tell them your dream. You don’t just need to find a job opening to respond to with a resume; you need to find an employer with an open mind and convince him or her to take a chance on you.