A job applicant shakes hands with a potential employer.
Looking for a leadership role? Well, it takes years of leadership experience to convince a recruiter that you’re a good fit for management. And Khadyjah Jenkins, a former talent scout at Adobe, told me that professionals who want to become managers should make sure to be thorough on their resume.
“Talk in great detail about the projects or teams you lead. Take the time to really capture your impact on your resume. When you’re in your interview, show personality while also showing that you can foster a welcoming and warm culture,” she said.
He also emphasized the importance of including work experience relevant to a potential role. “You want someone who can drive with confidence. Leadership means having a clear sense of self, especially when it comes to work. You want somebody who can drive with confidence,” he said.
He has a lot of experience in recruitment and wants to tell you how to get a management position. I spoke with Khadyjah Jenkins about three things recruiters look for in professionals applying for manager positions.
Leadership
When applying for leadership positions, you should have the ability to manage a team, your own work, and the needs of potential investors or partners. Only apply for management jobs if you have experience leading a team in a professional environment.
You may feel discouraged from applying for a job after working for months. If this is the case, make sure someone has reviewed your resume. Most importantly, include your experiences in leadership roles. “When we look at resumes it’s a narrative about your professional career,” he told me. “We want to hire a candidate who has been in leadership positions before,” he 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.” He also had some thoughts on how managers can improve.
“Managers can be better leaders by being effective and direct in their communication with their teams, whether verbal or written. Also, having empathy and compassion when it comes to the team or their teammates,” he said.
years of PIRAS
Experience is something recruiters actively look for when hiring managers. And Jenkins agrees. “It’s important to hire an experienced manager because of guidance. You want someone who has had to think strategically or critically. These years of experience are testimonies to overcoming obstacles and challenges,” he said.
Remember, you can always have more than one resume depending on the jobs you are applying for. One resume may focus more on leadership, while the other focuses on freelancing or a side hustle. “Support yourself on your resume. Talk in great detail about the projects or teams you lead. Take the time to really document your impact on your resume,” Jenkins told me. Extensive leadership experience can make all the difference when competing against hundreds of candidates.
Comfort with public speaking
In corporate America, professionals in leadership positions are expected to speak in front of their team and colleagues, especially at work-related events. Maybe there’s a fundraising gala or a holiday party. You might be expected to give a pep talk to the office to boost morale.
Regardless, being comfortable speaking in front of people is a critical part of being hired as a leader. If you are applying for a job at a prominent company, you may be expected to speak at large events and conferences.
Know that recruiters are looking for managers who will make a good impression on other people — and that includes being an engaging public speaker. “You’ll be working closely with internal and external stakeholders,” Jenkins said.
“Being confident in public speaking also helps you get your message across clearly and effectively. Confidence in public speaking helps support your own political mobility or your team’s professional mobility, in the short and long term,” he said.
