Ken Termini says that you’ve just graduated. Picture that diploma as your championship trophy. Now, the real game begins: landing that first entry-level job. Most of you won’t have years of formal leadership experience on your resume. But that’s like saying a point guard isn’t a leader because they don’t rack up the most points.

Here’s the truth: you’ve been honing incredible leadership skills your whole college career. Remember those late nights strategizing club events? The fiery debates in student government? The sheer grit it took to captain your intramural team. These are your MVP moments!  You just need to learn how to translate them into the language employers understand.

This is where Ken Termin comes in as your personal coach for the interview room. Lace-up and get ready to showcase your untapped leadership potential and leave those hiring managers speechless.

Scouting Your Leadership Skills: On-Court Experience Off the Resume

Let’s face it, your resume might be a little light on the “work experience” front. But here’s the thing: leadership can take many forms, just like different players bring unique strengths to the court. Here are some hidden leadership skills you might be overlooking:

• Campus life: Playing a leadership role in a club or organization or spearheading a fundraising campaign for a cause can demonstrate hustle, the ability to inspire teammates, and the smarts to run a successful play.

• Academic pursuits: Participation in research projects or mentoring younger students, showcases your ability to problem-solve like a star point guard, communicate complex ideas with clarity, and guide others towards shared goals.

• Volunteer work: Organizing a community clean-up project highlights your social responsibility, delegation skills that would make any coach proud, and dedication to making a positive impact.

Ken Termini explains that even if your official role wasn’t “leader,” taking the initiative to solve problems, motivate your peers, or lead a project to victory are leadership qualities employers look for. Unlocking the power of these experiences translates them into interview gold.

The Interview: Your Personal Championship Game

The interview is your stage. Here’s how to showcase your leadership journey in a way that grabs attention:

• Game Plan for Success: Research the company and understand the specific skills they’re looking for. Highlight leadership experiences that directly align with their needs.

• The STAR Playbook: This powerful framework stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Use it to structure your responses like a well-rehearsed play. Briefly describe the situation, the task you were faced with, the specific actions you took as a leader, and the positive results achieved. Be specific and quantifiable! – show them the stats on your leadership win.

• Passion is Your Secret Weapon: Speak with genuine enthusiasm about your leadership experiences. Your passion is contagious and will resonate with the interviewer, just like a player’s love for the game is undeniable.

Beyond the Resume: Showcasing Your Leadership Hustle

Leadership isn’t just words on a resume, it’s showcasing your leadership experience throughout the interview process.

You’ve got the skills, experience, and fire to become a leader in your chosen field. Believe in yourself and unleash your leadership potential. It’s your championship moment waiting to happen. 

Remember, in the words of a legend, “Champions are made, not born.”

To learn more about Leveraging Leadership Experience, contact Ken Termini at Kentermini@yahoo.com.

Published by: Holy Minoza