Regardless of the field that you work in, incorporating leadership skills on your resume is a crucial step in making sure your application is noticed by employers. While technical and field-specific skills are important, employers want to know that the person they hire is going to be an effective employee who works well with others. Some examples of leadership skills that can and should be included on your resume are:
- Problem-solving
- Working in a team
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Relationship Building
- Delegating Tasks
- Adaptability
- Organization
- Creativity
- Strategic Planning
- Empathy
And the list goes on. A great way to make sure you are demonstrating leadership skills on your resume is to think of leaders in your life. What skills do they have that makes them a good leader? How can you develop and embody those same skills?
Developing Leadership Skills
Look for Opportunities to Take Initiative
Even if you don’t hold a leadership position at work, you can boost your leadership skills by taking the initiative to lead specific tasks, projects, or groups. Start by asking yourself, “What problems can I solve?” Then propose solutions to your supervisor and offer to lead the efforts. These responsibilities can be added to your resume as an excellent example of being an effective leader and employee.
Get Involved Outside of Work
Joining professional organizations related to your field and volunteering for a cause you believe in can provide opportunities to develop a wide variety of skills. By getting involved outside of work, you can join planning committees, attend conferences, and build relationships that will strengthen your ability to lead projects and people. This involvement also shows employers your commitment to your industry, community, and personal development in a way that can be easily captured on a resume.
Learn How to Lead
Take it a step further and commit to growing your leadership skills by completing a leadership training program, course, or certification. If you feel like you’re new to the world of leadership, this is a great way to boost your confidence, build your awareness of leadership techniques, and gain tangible credentials to share with employers.
Ask for Feedback
So many people have great leadership skills, but they just don’t know it! One of the best ways to learn about your own skills and abilities is to ask others. Ask your supervisor, coworkers, employees, or anyone else who sees you in action what they think you’re good at; not just related to your day-to-day job duties, but as a person, employee, and leader. You’ll learn how your work is coming across to other people and what you do that really leaves an impact. This can also be a great starting point for developing your skills because it will show you where you might need to improve and grow. There’s a good chance that when you ask for feedback, you’ll learn that you already have more leadership skills than you realized!