Dear Lifehacker, I have recently been moved into an acting management position (team leader) while my manager is on extended leave. I am expected to be in this position for at least one month and potentially two or more depending, while still maintaining my current job and duties. Management experience is very useful in future job prospects, but how should I represent my time “acting” in a management role on my CV and on LinkedIn? Thanks, Managing Better
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Dear MB,
An acting manager’s role is definitely something you should mention on your resume. If the position was officially recognised by your employer it counts as work history; even if your pay cheque and job title remained unchanged.
Depending on the job you apply for, it might even be worth breaking it out as a separate item. Presumably the role came with its own unique set of responsibilities and challenges so milk these babies for all their worth! If you’re trying to keep your resume brief, you should still make it a bullet point under your ongoing role — this approach is also good for your LinkedIn account and other online profiles.
Cheers
Lifehacker
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One response to “Ask LH: Should I List Temporary Positions On My Resume?”
Just make sure if at all possible before applying for anything, talk about it with your boss and the reasons why you’d consider leaving, if you are valued (which you probably are given they gave you the opportunity) they will equally appreciate the opportunity to try and keep you. But either way – it will be enough to in most cases be able to give them as your referee at the company, rather than say, the HR departments main line.
Not only is it a nice touch on any resume – HR departments are notoriously bland with what they say about people, since they can’t really speak to your personality or work ethic as it’s all subjective. In reality, your boss probably shouldn’t do this either – but out of mutual respect usually will.