Changing Careers? How to Make Your Print Job Application Stand Out

Key Takeaways

• You don’t necessarily need previous print experience to enter the industry.
• Identify transferable skills from your current or previous career.
• Explain how those skills relate to the print role you’re applying for.
• Show genuine interest in developing a career in printing.
• Tailor every application to the specific position.
• Be confident about your career change and demonstrate a willingness to learn.

Changing careers can feel like starting from scratch, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re interested in moving into the printing industry, the experience you’ve already gained could be more useful than you think.

Whether you come from manufacturing, design, sales, administration, customer service, or another hands-on industry, you may already have skills that printing employers value.

The key is knowing how to present them in your printing job application.

Identify Your Transferable Skills

You don’t need to have worked in a print shop to have relevant experience. Think about the skills you’ve developed in your previous roles.

These could include:

• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Time management
• Teamwork
• Customer service
• Working with machinery or equipment
• Following safety procedures
• Meeting production deadlines

For example, someone with manufacturing experience may already understand production environments, machinery, quality checks, and workplace safety.

Connect Your Experience to Print Jobs

When applying for print industry jobs, don’t simply list your previous responsibilities. Explain how your experience relates to the position you’re applying for.

For example:

Manufacturing experience:
Experience operating machinery and following production procedures can be relevant to a machine operator role.

Graphic design experience:
Knowledge of layouts, colour, typography, and design software can be useful for print design or prepress positions.

Customer service experience:
Communication and relationship-building skills can transfer well into print sales or account management roles.

Administration experience:
Organisation, scheduling, and data management can be valuable for production coordination and office-based print roles.

The goal is to help an employer see the connection between what you’ve done and what you can bring to their business.

Show That You’re Interested in Printing

Employers are more likely to take your application seriously when you can explain why you want to move into the printing industry.

Have you always been interested in design or manufacturing? Are you looking for a hands-on career? Do you want to develop technical skills?

Whatever your reason, explain it honestly.

You can also demonstrate your interest by completing relevant training, researching printing processes, or learning about the equipment and software commonly used in the industry.

You don’t need to know everything before applying. Showing that you’re willing to learn can be just as important.

Tailor Your Application to the Role

Avoid sending the exact same application for every job.

Read the job description carefully and identify the skills and qualities the employer is looking for. Then highlight your own experience that matches those requirements.

For example, if a position requires attention to detail, teamwork, and the ability to meet production deadlines, make sure your application demonstrates examples of how you’ve done these things before.

A targeted application is much more effective than a generic one.

Don’t Hide Your Career Change

There’s no need to apologise for changing careers.

Instead, make it part of your story.

Your previous career may have given you skills that someone entering the workforce for the first time doesn’t have. You may bring experience in customer service, leadership, technical work, problem-solving, or managing deadlines.

Explain what attracted you to printing and how your previous experience can contribute to your new role.

A career change can show employers that you’re motivated, adaptable, and serious about finding a new direction.

Be Ready to Learn

Some printing careers require specialised knowledge, and you may need time to develop it.

Be open about what you already know and what you still need to learn. Employers often appreciate candidates who are honest, curious, and willing to take guidance.

Entry-level positions, training programs, and apprenticeships can also provide a practical way to build industry experience while developing your skills.

Start Your Next Career Move

Moving into a new industry can be challenging, but your previous experience can give you a strong starting point.

The printing industry offers opportunities across production, design, prepress, sales, estimating, finishing, and other specialised areas. Take the time to understand which role matches your skills and interests, then build your application around what you can bring to the position.

Ready to explore your options? Browse printing jobs in Australia on PrintJobs and take the next step towards your new career.