Resume Words and Phrases that Show the World You're a Leader (or Are Ready to Be One)
The struggle is real. Trust us. We've worked with thousands of job seekers and transitioning professionals over the years. And if there's one universal truth when it comes to creating a compelling resume, it's this:
It's hard.
It's just plain awkward to write about yourself in a powerful (yet, not cocky) way. It often feels overwhelming, confusing, or even impossible. And this extends to even the smartest and most articulate among us, including leaders (right on up to the c-suite) and aspiring managers.
In fact, writing a relevant and convincing resume that tells the reviewer (in an instant) that you're obvious leadership material can be challenging, especially if you're transitioning your messaging from "individual contributor" to "boss."
A rule of thumb to get you started:
When you're a leader, or working to become one, be sure that your strategic mindset, business acumen, communication skills, and leadership capabilities are loud and clear. Certainly, you'll want to pay close attention the the job description or any details you have on the job(s) you're pursuing--and cater to these specifically--but as you rise up the org chart, these four traits will be crucial.
Now let’s talk about specific wording that you can use to make it clear very quickly that you’re a high-performer with an interesting career story, notable (and transferrable) accomplishments, and a pattern of success. In short, these words and phrases will help you to create a resume that, in essence, says, “All roads lead me to this point,” with “this” being that leadership role you’re dying to land.
Words that SUGGEST “IN-DEMAND”
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for the performers. We all want to line up with the winners, and here are some words you can use (in the Experience section) that will make it clear that this is (without a shadow of a doubt) you:
Selected to…
Promoted based on…
Invited to…
Chosen for…
Hand-picked to…
Recruited into…
VERBS THAT SAY “HIGH-PERFORMER”
Your days of “assisting” and “helping” are done, at least so far as your resume goes. Leaders innovate, they pioneer, and they champion. So, if that’s what you’re going for job-wise, try sprinkling some of our current faves into that resume:
Achieved
Advocated
Conceived
Developed
Directed
Drove
Envisioned
Founded
Guided
Initiated
Inspired
Launched
Managed
Motivated
Negotiated
Orchestrated
Organized
Overhauled
Pioneered
Pitched
Revamped
Revitalized
Streamlined
Spearheaded
Transformed
Adjectives that add Leadership “Oopmh”
Now, you can be just a regular old manager, communicator, problem solver, or business partner if you truly want to. Or, you can add a bit of firepower through the strategic use of adjectives. Here are some we use frequently to give those basic nouns a bit more “oomph” for the reader:
Authentic
Articulate
Charismatic
Collaborative
Data-driven
Decisive
Dynamic
Enterprise-minded
Engaging
Entrepreneurial
Growth-minded
Inclusive
Inspiring
Intuitive
Persuasive
Steady
Transparent
Unflappable
Visionary
Of course, this isn’t nearly the exhaustive list of greatest resume words. But these are great ones to try out if you working to advance as a leader, or become one for the first time.
When it comes to the resume of a leader, strategic and deliberate choices on what you say, and how you say it, can make a world of difference.
Speaking of Advancing Your Career:
As you may have heard, Jenny’s got a new book coming out in a few short months. (Yes, it’s exciting, and a bit bananas.)
“Do This, Not That: Career” is designed to help people navigate all kinds of (75+) workplace situations, from negotiating an offer to dealing with your boss to finding a mentor to recovering from a major mistake.
And, check it out: There’s an entire section (18 lessons) called “Advancing Your Career / Becoming the Boss,” which may be mighty useful if you’re looking to manage a team or bump to the next level as a leader.
The book launches Jan. 10, 2023, but you can pre-order through most online retailers now. Just head here and click on your favorite store right through this link:
