Team Lead Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a team lead provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving reporting to management and coordinating team activities. A strong resume for team lead applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your team lead applications.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a team lead resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your team lead resume.
Core sections to include in a team leader resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your team lead resume, while there are also a few optional sections.
If you're applying for an entry-level team lead role and have limited relevant experience, consider using a skills-based, or functional resume format. The layout emphasizes your skills and education above your work experience. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
For those with some prior experience as a team lead work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
Senior job applications require a slightly different approach to mid-level or junior team lead roles. Use a reverse-chronological format focusing on your work experience, with a particular emphasis on the impact you've made. Some elements to include in a senior resume for maximum impact might include awards, publications, conference presentations or professional memberships. By adding these sections, it's likely that your resume will be longer than a junior resume.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Header and Personal Information
Your team lead resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Keep your header clear and concise, with only the most necessary information included. Opt for a stylish, professional design that creates a strong first impression.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Tyler Young
tyler.young@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
linkedin․com/in/tyler–young123
Resume Objective
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a team lead.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why team lead roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for team lead roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for team lead jobs below.
Good example:
Dynamic and results-driven team lead with an MBA and extensive experience as a Team Lead Manager. Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, team management, and project execution. Proven ability to drive performance improvements, foster collaboration, and achieve organizational goals. Adept at leveraging analytical skills and business acumen to optimize processes and deliver exceptional results. Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of mentoring and developing high-performing teams
Bad example:
Team leader with some experience in business and managing groups. Worked in roles where I planned things and helped projects move forward. Have worked with different teams and tried to improve how they work together. Focused on making processes better and helping the team reach goals. Have some skills in looking at data and understanding business needs. Known for guiding team members and helping them grow in their roles
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your team lead resume summary.
Work History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your team lead skills. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Also include some bullet points for each job mentioned, showcasing your achievements so the employer can see the impact you made on the company. Pay attention to the job description and make sure each point is relevant to team lead roles.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Team Lead Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechNova Solutions, Madison
- Successfully led a cross-functional team of 15, resulting in a 30% increase in project efficiency and on-time delivery
- Implemented agile methodologies, reducing project turnaround time by 25% and enhancing team collaboration and productivity
- Spearheaded the development of a new onboarding program, improving new hire retention rates by 40% within the first year
Bad example:
Team Lead Manager, January 2022 - Present
TechNova Solutions, Madison
- Managed a team to achieve project goals and improve performance
- Improved team processes and collaboration for better outcomes
- Developed programs to enhance employee integration and retention
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant team lead qualifications and educational achievements.
Typically, working as a team lead requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your project management skills or SCRUM methodology proficiency.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Master of Business Administration (MBA), 2017 - 2020
Howard University, Washington, D.C
Skills
The skills section of a team leader resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include software development expertise, conflict resolution skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a team lead.
Listing hard skills on your team lead resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your team lead job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the team lead role. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a team lead resume below.
- Project management skills
- SCRUM methodology proficiency
- Software development expertise
Soft skills on your team lead resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a team lead job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
The strongest resume soft skills sections include a mix of skills that match your best personal strengths, and that reflect the skills listed in the job description. See below for some examples of effective soft skills for a team leader resume.
- Communication and collaboration
- Conflict resolution skills
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to team lead jobs. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, list any official licenses and certifications, along with their dates, so employers can assess whether you've got the necessary qualifications to work as a team lead.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a team lead resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- Scrum Master, 2022
- Six Sigma Green, 2022
Optional Resume Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a team leader resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for team lead jobs.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world team lead experience. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for team lead roles beyond your main employment history. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard team lead resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Before adding any referees to your resume, ask them for their assistance and prepare them for contact by the employer.
References can be provided upon request.
Best words to use in a team leader resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Orchestrate
- Mentor
- Strategize
- Facilitate
- Coordinate
- Delegate
- Innovate
- Motivate
- Optimize
- Implement
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a team lead resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your team lead resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
12 Grimmauld Place, Brooklyn, NY
•
tyler.young@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/tyler–young123
Results-driven Team Lead with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as a Technical Team Lead. Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, streamline operations, and deliver complex projects on time and within budget. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Adept at leveraging technical expertise to drive business growth and enhance team performance.
Technical Team Lead
2020
-2022
Innovatech Solutions (Irvine)
- Led a team of 12 developers to successfully deliver a $2M project 3 months ahead of schedule
- Increased system performance by 40% through implementation of microservices architecture and optimized database queries
- Mentored junior developers, resulting in a 50% reduction in onboarding time and a 30% increase in code quality
Project management skills
SCRUM methodology proficiency
Software development expertise
Communication and collaboration
Conflict resolution skills
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
PMP Certification
Scrum Master
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for a team lead resume
Tips for best resume practices
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for team lead roles.
- Quantify the impact you've made in different roles by offering evidence of your key abilities and your contribution.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in team lead jobs (e.g. 'innovate', 'motivate', 'optimize').
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't include hobbies unless you're light on work experience and they help you prove a skill required for the job.
- Don't fill your resume with unnecessary details. Focus everything on showing you're right for the job.
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your team lead experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When you're writing your team lead resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions for a team lead resume
As well as writing a professional team lead resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the team lead role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
Writing a team lead resume with little experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Use a functional resume format instead of the standard reverse-chronological structure. This emphasizes your skills and education over your work experience.
Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your team lead applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Aspiring Team Lead with Experience
- Innovative Team Lead Driving Success
- Senior Team Lead Professional
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Takeaways for your team lead resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to get ideas from other cover letters, learning the best ways to craft yours.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
