Collaboration is an important skill and attitude across every function and area of a company. In a Robert Half, 80% of CFOs stated that they are collaborating more now than ever before, especially with technology leaders. On the other hand, some companies are suffering from collaboration overload—in the attempt to include everyone, they generate a hailstorm of emails, voice messages, and meetings that bring productivity to a halt.
Therefore, in your resume, you want to show your ability to both collaborate and recognize the limits of collaboration. You do that by stressing:
- Benefits. What did your collaboration accomplish that was beneficial to the companies where you have worked in the past?
- Ability to meet a common goal. What was the goal everyone was striving toward, and what did you personally do to accomplish that goal?
- Results. What metrics or programs did you use to track and measure the results of the collaboration? Did you exceed those metrics?
- Leadership. What part did you play in starting, organizing, or implementing collaboration? Did you turn around a lack of collaboration or silo mentality that had caused problems?
- Rewards. Did the collaboration lead to a better working relationship long term? Did other parts of the organization copy it? Did it receive recognition from the company?
When discussing collaboration, keep in mind that strategic partnerships outside your company are just as valuable as those within. For example, suppose you collaborate with vendors, form or belong to an industry association, or build bridges with companies that attract a similar range of customers or operate in your geographic area. In that case, you are also demonstrating your collaboration skills. A recent survey by Booz, Allen & Hamilton revealed that company alliances have grown 25% a year over the past 25 years.
Another type of collaboration, often referred to as “closed collaboration,” occurs when you invite outside experts into your company for a limited contribution to a specific problem. Those experts could have the technology, people management, financial, or other specialized skills lacking in your company or in the project you want to initiate.
If you need help demonstrating your collaboration skills in your resume, contact Robin’s Resumes®, where collaborating with job seekers like you is integral to our business.