With all of the leadership books, seminars, blog posts, webinars, and MBA courses out there, you would think “leadership” would be clearly defined by now. But it isn’t. What makes a leader beloved might not make him or her successful; what makes a leader noteworthy might not make him or her admirable.
However, when it comes to your resume, showing leadership potential is a bit more straightforward—and easier to achieve than setting oneself up as the next Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, or presidential candidate. Your work and volunteer experience all contribute to demonstrating the soft skill of leadership on your resume.
You want to highlight achievements that show:
- Your ability to work with a team, even if you weren’t the team leader. Did you contribute, follow through on, or champion ideas or projects? Did you find a more efficient way for the team to operate? Those are signs of leadership.
- Your ability to communicate at different levels in the organization. Have you successfully interacted with support staff, managers, vendors, customers, and C-level leaders? Were you able to translate technical or complex information to others? Those are signs of leadership.
- Your organization skills. Have you taken on new challenges, job responsibilities, or a promotion? Have you delegated to or mentored others? Have you put a chaotic system or process into order? Those are signs of leadership.
- Your commitment to the organization. Have you finished a product on time and on budget? Did you help to land a project or a new customer? Have you contributed to increased income, marketplace awareness, or productivity? Those are signs of leadership.
Contact Robin’s Resumes® for help in describing leadership and other soft skills in your work and volunteer history. We will write a resume that lets your leadership potential shine forth.