A job applicant shakes hands with a potential employer.
Are you looking for a leadership role? Well, it takes years of experience in leadership to convince a recruiter that you’re a good fit to be in management. And Khadyjah Jenkins, a former talent scout at Adobe, told me that professionals looking to be managers should make sure to be thorough on their resumes.
“Speak in great detail on the projects or the teams that you lead. Take the time to really write down your impact in your resume. When you are in your interview show personality while also showing that you can foster a welcoming and warm culture,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of including work experience relevant to a potential role. “You want someone who can lead confidently. Leadership means having a clear sense of self especially as it relates to work. You want some who can lead confidently,” she said.
She has extensive experience in hiring and wants to tell you about how to acquire a managerial position. I spoke with Khadyjah Jenkins about three things recruiters look for in professionals applying to be managers.
Leadership Skills
When applying for jobs in leadership, you should have the ability to manage a team, your own work, and the needs of potential investors or partners. Only apply to jobs in management if you have experience leading a team in a professional setting.
You may feel discouraged from applying to job after job for months. If that is the case, make sure someone has reviewed your resume. Most importantly, include your experiences in leadership roles. “When we look at resumes it is kind of your narrative of your professional career,” she told me. “We want to hire a candidate that has been in leadership positions before,’’ she said.
According to Jenkins, there’s a lot more to it than your resume including “being able to be flexible when you need to pivot or adapt.” She also had a few thoughts about how managers can improve.
“Managers can be better leaders by having effectiveness and directness in their communication with their teams, whether it’s verbal or written communications. Also, having empathy and compassion when it comes to their team or teammates,” she said.
Years of Experience
Experience is something recruiters actively look for when hiring managers. And Jenkins agrees. “It’s important to hire an experienced manager due to guidance. You want somebody that had to strategically think or critically think through. Those years of experience are testimonies to overcoming obstacles and challenges,” she said.
Remember, you can always have more than one resume depending on the jobs you are applying to. One resume may focus more on leadership while the other focuses on freelance work or a side hustle. “Advocate for yourself on your resume. Speak in great detail on the projects or the teams that you lead. Take the time to really write down your impact in your resume,” Jenkins told me. Having extensive experience in leadership can make a world of difference when competing with hundreds of applicants.
Comfortability with Public Speaking
In corporate America professionals in leadership positions are expected to speak in front of their team and partners, especially at work-related events. Maybe there’s a fundraiser gala or a holiday party. You could be expected to give a speech in the office to boost morale.
Regardless, being comfortable speaking in front of people is a crucial part of getting hired as a leader. If you are applying for a job at a prominent company, you might be expected to speak at large events and conferences.
Know that recruiters are looking for managers who will leave a good impression on other people— and that includes being an enticing public speaker. “You are going to be working in close contact with internal and external stakeholders,” said Jenkins.
“Being confident in your public speaking also helps get the message across clearly and effectively. Confidence in public speaking helps with advocating for your own political mobility or your team’s career mobility, short-term and long-term,” she said.
