Leadership is a Quality Employers Look For

Job seekers are tasked with the challenge of anticipating the most important qualities employers are looking for in the ideal candidate. According to a 2016 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, leadership skills rank among the most desired traits employer's seek. Even if you are just looking to get your foot in the door in an entry-level position, conveying your leadership strategies, approaches and experience may be the key to nabbing the job.

Let Your Resume Display Your Leadership Experience

Improve your chances of landing a job interview by accurately and precisely detailing your leadership experience on your application materials. Although you may not have held a leadership role in previous positions, communicate how you led teams, served as a trainer or mentor, or developed the leadership skills of your co-workers. Identify job duties that prompted you to lead others in a professional environment. Employers are not just seeking applicants who were given a title of manager or supervisor, they are looking for potential employees who have taken on these roles indirectly, too.

Show Your Leadership Skills During the Job Interview

Two of the most sought-after qualities of a leader are the ability to communicate well with team members and a dedication to work, explains CareerShift. Show these skills from the moment you walk into the interview. Answer interview questions honestly, provide specific examples to support your responses to the interviewer's questions, and maintain a professional demeanor at all times.

Keep your responses relevant to the questions, but also elaborate to communicate your loyalty and dedication to your previous employers. Hiring managers are seeking a candidate who has shown a consistent work history. Longevity with previous companies can boost your chances of impressing potential employers. Provide examples of how you worked to improve communication among employees, enhanced the company morale, and led team projects or meetings on a regular basis to put your leadership skills on display. Show that you are passionate about the industry.

Provide Proof of Your Leadership Experience

Arm yourself with tangible evidence that you possess the leadership skills employers are seeking by requesting letters of recommendation from previous employers or supervisors. Ask your references to detail your leadership style and communicate how you impacted the company and team members. Your references can accurately back up the claims on your resume and the information you convey during the interview, which ultimately could improve your chances of receiving a job offer.

Act the part to show that you possess the leadership skills employers are seeking. To make a positive, lasting impression, identify the leadership qualities that you possess, and confidently communicate how your unique qualifications, experience and skills can impact the company in a positive manner.

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