Picture this:
You are tasked with interviewing new college graduates for work in a “fast-track” manager training program. The job requires participants to work in each functional area of the company then be assigned to a position in operations. Most candidates are the “cream of the crop” with impressive academic credentials from top business schools. Each of them spent time abroad studying or traveling. They have excellent grades, a fine resume, speak intelligently, and present themselves with aplomb.
But one of the candidates is different from the others. He had “B” –level grades in college, went to a well-known but smaller university, and was employed full-time as a parking lot supervisor for a downtown professional sports stadium while attending school. He worked many nights and weekends, and had responsibility for hiring/managing as many as sixty people. On the strength of the information in this true story, should he be considered for the job?
Education Is Good, But What About Experience?
These days, most graduates from top business schools come with a great education, are well-versed in management theory and are current on business best practices. But one thing they sometimes do not to have is experience leading/managing people. Being able to exercise judgment and accomplish results through others is key. John Maxwell, noted management consultant and expert on leadership said,
“Most people who want to get ahead do it backward. They think, ‘I’ll get a bigger job, then I’ll learn how to be a leader.’ But showing leadership skill is how you get the bigger job in the first place. Leadership isn’t a position, it’s a process.”
Learning The Hard Way:
Organizations formerly offered entry-level positions with career tracks to higher management. However, many “flattened” organizations of today have removed these foundational entry level positions. New graduates are hired directly into management or supervisory positions and must learn leadership skills the hard way. Such learning may come at the expense of their direct reports and/or organization in which they work.
Highlight Experience:
Job candidates with leadership skills would do well to repeatedly bring such experience to light on their resume. If they do lack some knowledge of theory but are steeped in real world management experience coupled with the ability to learn, they offer a valuable commodity. A good result achieved through the excellent organizing, managing and leading of people provides the candidate something to talk about and be proud of. When properly done, highlighting of these skills can provide a competitive tipping point over other candidates. Whether from job history, military service or volunteerism, leadership skill and ability are worth tasteful emphasis on resumes and in job interviews.
So, What Happened?
What happened with the job candidate mentioned at the top of this article? After much discussion, the organization decided to take a chance and hire him into the management program. He thrived. Later, he became a valued leader in the supply chain and said that his people “made me look good.” In reality, he already knew how to manage and motivate people, while the rest he learned.
Tags: executive resumes, resumes
I understand that but where does it take us?
I need someone really bad! Are you really bad?
Hello, really love the layout of your blog. Would you be able to tell me what theme you are using? I’m new to this and I’m hoping to get mine looking anywhere near as cool as yours. Thanks a lot.
Hello, really love the design of your site. Would you be able to tell me what theme you are using? I’m new to this and I’m hoping to get mine looking anywhere near as cool as yours. Thanks a lot.
I absolutely accept the previously mentioned comment, the web is certainly growing into the most significant channel of communication around the world and it is because of blogs such as this that ideas are spreading so fast.
I was looking for some thing & got this blog. I just loved it. Keep working on it.
I’ve seen many weblogs and I can certainly say that this one is my favorite.
Thank you for this article, it was a great read.
Greetings, i I discovered your website on ask and read alot of your other blog posts. I just added you to my RSS feeder. Keep up the good job. Looking forward to reading more from you in the future. You know, I must say, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I?ve spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this.
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They are very convincing and will definitely work. Thanks for the post.
In the beginning just remember it was darked and then someone smiled! try this:
Forget world peace. Visualize using your turn signal.
I like the layout of your blog and Im going to do the same for mine. Do you have any tips? Please PM ME.
A subject near to my heart thanks, do you have a RSS feed ?
Who knows what happens next… All I know is:
Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.
Great entry cheers, You must have a Facebook group for this site?
I love ur blog posts! Appreciate it!
Nice site, you know after 4 years of studies I guess I have to admit I was wrong about this. Thanks for opening my eyes!
This is very interesting. I actually enjoy your writing style and your word choice more than anything Smile
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon
I don;t know how you find the time to write so well but here is a little something
You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever.
Who knows what happens next… All I know is:
Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.
Hoewel migraine op elke leeftijd voor het eerst kan optreden, begint dit type hoofdpijn meestal tussen de tien en veertig jaar. Bij de meeste mensen treedt
Migraine is hoofdpijn die in aanvallen komt. De hoofdpijn komt plotseling op, soms midden in de nacht zodat u er wakker van wordt. De pijn zit meestal aan
Migraine is een bonzende hoofdpijn die meestal voorkomt aan één kant van de schedel. De pijn is heftig en houdt 4 tot 72 uur aan.
Thanks for sharing this article.