Q:  I am frustrated with my resume.  I have never led – nor do I want to lead – an organization or a team.  My professional life is only one part of what I do.  My employers can count on me to implement, execute and work well with others on the specific tasks that are mine.  I find that advice about resumes seems to target those who want to lead, direct and supervise others.  What can I do to make my resume a winner?

Answer:

You raise an important set of issues.  To what extent is it acceptable to be an excellent team-member?  Do you have to covet leadership to add value to an organization?  Sadly, our business culture needs all kinds of players but often shines the light exclusively on those with leadership attributes.  Although understandable, this is only part of the success story.  Leaders do have enormous influence and power over the organizations they manage.  (You are correct in noting that resume-craft tends to focus on leadership qualities:  the ability to direct others, manage budgets and people, coordinate a vision and mobilize key players inside and outside of an organization).  However, if we focus 100% on leaders, we will ignore the very real contributions of those who execute, solve daily problems and meet important deadlines. 

Great leaders succeed because they hire or coordinate excellent, efficient teams.  You are one of those who moves the ball ahead by doing your part to get things done on time and within budget.   Each day, reliable employees, contractors and staff members move the mission/organization’s goals ahead by meeting stakeholders, picking up the phone, gathering data, analyzing complex issues and creating reports.  These kinds of activities that occur behind the scenes do not qualify for “leadership” status. Yet, they mobilize ideas and produce results. It sounds as if you participate actively in these kinds of projects.  If that is the case, all sorts of organizations will benefit from your kind of work.

I would focus my resume on accenting team-building and participation skills.  You can create an opening profile for your resume that lists your ability to forge strong relationships, share information, support senior leaders and meet strict deadlines. You can highlight your contributions to different kinds of teams (virtual and onsite) and your collaborative, problem-solving approach.  Your efficiency, loyalty and ability to follow-up and through should define your resume and you should be bold about naming your contributions. If, for example, you participated in a project that raised significant money, expanded the organization’s membership, improved overall productivity or met an important goal, be sure to mention those activities along with the metrics associated with them. Cite dollar amounts, % increases and notable improvements in culture, operations and the bottom-line. Use hard data as the backbone behind your successful efforts.  It makes sense for the team to take credit for these advances – as well as the leader/main instigator/organizer.  Best of luck and thanks for bringing your perspective to the table.           

Last updated on March 9th, 2021 at 12:52 am