Missing Formal Leadership Experience on Your Resume? Use Outside the Box Examples

You can’t fake leadership on a resume.

If you want to move into a leadership role, but you don’t quite have the experience, it can be pretty tricky. Who’s going to take a chance on you after reviewing your resume?

What you can do, in a completely candid and authentic way, is highlight leadership experience beyond professional managerial roles:

– Leadership roles in volunteer, networking or social engagements. Did you head up the Kindergarten PTA? Cub Scout Leader? Terrific.

– Projects you spearheaded and owned — even better if you can cite success metrics. Within your roles, what have you taken initiative on and gotten great results from?

– Language in your resume that conveys vision and teamwork. In the same way they say, “dress for the job you want, not the job you have,” you should “talk like the person you want to become.”

And if you’re ever unsure what to include and not include, talk to an expert. Those of us at Newcastle Associates who deal with hiring every day can offer you a perspective on how your resume reads before we submit it to a potential job opening.