Should You Put Acting Manager on Resume?

Should You Put Acting Manager on Resume?
Deciding Whether to Include Acting Manager Experience on Your Professional Resume

(By Javier Guerra)

Understanding the Role of an Acting Manager

An Acting Manager is an individual who temporarily assumes managerial responsibilities in the absence of the permanent manager. This role often arises during situations such as vacations, leaves of absence, or sudden vacancies within a company. Acting managers are entrusted with overseeing the daily operations of a team or department and ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently.

For those in management positions or aspiring to move into managerial roles, the experience gained as an Acting Manager can be valuable. However, the decision of whether to include this role on your resume depends on several factors, including the nature of the responsibilities, the duration of the role, and how it aligns with your long-term career goals.

When Should You Include Acting Manager on Your Resume?

Including the Acting Manager role on your resume is a decision that should be made based on several key considerations. Below are scenarios in which it might be beneficial to list this experience:

• Temporary Leadership Experience: If you were responsible for managing a team, overseeing projects, or handling operations, this experience can demonstrate your leadership abilities. Even though the role was temporary, it still shows that you were trusted to manage important tasks.

• Skill Development: As an Acting Manager, you likely had the opportunity to develop valuable skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and team management. Including this role on your resume can highlight your ability to step into leadership positions and adapt quickly.

• Short-Term Opportunity to Fill a Gap: If the Acting Manager role lasted for several months or was a significant part of your professional journey, including it on your resume can show that you handled substantial responsibilities, which may be seen as a positive by potential employers.

Example: Sarah was promoted to Acting Manager for a six-month period while her department manager was on maternity leave. During this time, she oversaw a team of 10 employees, coordinated projects, and reported directly to upper management. She included this experience on her resume, highlighting the skills she gained and the responsibilities she undertook during the interim role.

When Should You Consider Leaving Acting Manager Off Your Resume?

While including an Acting Manager role can be valuable, there are circumstances where it might not be necessary to list this experience on your resume:

• Short Duration: If the Acting Manager role was for only a very short period, such as a week or two, it may not provide enough depth of experience to be worth including. Employers typically look for more substantial leadership experience.

• Lack of Significant Impact: If your responsibilities as an Acting Manager were limited and didn’t involve major decision-making, team management, or significant results, it may not be as impactful to potential employers. In this case, you can focus on more relevant roles that demonstrate your expertise and achievements.

• Lack of Recognition: If your role as an Acting Manager was informal, meaning you were tasked with responsibilities but didn’t hold an official title, it may be best not to include it. However, if you gained important experience, it may be worth describing in your job description without specifically calling it “Acting Manager.”

Example: Tom stepped into the role of Acting Manager for only two weeks while the regular manager was on vacation. Although Tom was responsible for delegating a few tasks, he didn’t oversee any major projects or make any high-level decisions. As a result, Tom chose not to list this position on his resume, instead focusing on his previous, more impactful roles.

How to Present the Acting Manager Role on Your Resume

If you decide that the Acting Manager role is worth including on your resume, it’s important to present it effectively. Here are tips on how to showcase this experience:

1. Be Transparent About the Temporary Nature of the Role: When including an Acting Manager position, it’s crucial to make it clear that the role was temporary. You can specify this by using terms like “Acting,” “Interim,” or “Temporary” in the job title. This helps avoid any confusion and sets proper expectations for the employer.

2. Focus on Your Achievements: Just like with any other managerial role, highlight the accomplishments you achieved during your time as Acting Manager. Did you improve team productivity? Did you successfully resolve a challenging situation? These accomplishments will add value to your resume.

3. Describe Key Responsibilities: Outline the tasks you took on as Acting Manager, such as overseeing operations, managing staff, or making critical decisions. Emphasize the leadership skills you applied, even if the role was short-term.

Example:
Acting Manager | XYZ Company
January 2023 – March 2023

• Managed a team of 12 employees during the manager’s absence.

• Coordinated and delegated daily tasks, ensuring timely project delivery.

• Implemented process improvements that resulted in a 15% increase in team productivity.

• Reported directly to upper management and provided regular updates on team performance.

How Employers View Acting Manager Experience

Employers often appreciate candidates who have stepped into leadership roles, even on a temporary basis. It shows initiative, responsibility, and a willingness to take on challenges. However, how an employer views the Acting Manager role depends on how relevant the experience is to the position they’re hiring for.

• For Leadership Roles: If you’re applying for a leadership or management position, including your Acting Manager experience can be a strong selling point. It demonstrates that you have practical managerial experience and the ability to step into high-pressure situations.

• For Entry-Level Positions: If you’re applying for an entry-level role, the Acting Manager experience may not be as impactful unless it directly relates to the job you’re seeking. However, it can still demonstrate leadership potential and the ability to adapt.

Example: When applying for a team lead position, Emily included her Acting Manager role on her resume. The employer was impressed by her ability to manage a team and handle responsibilities typically reserved for a full-time manager, even though the role was temporary. Emily’s experience helped her stand out as a candidate.

The Benefits of Including Acting Manager on Your Resume

Including the Acting Manager experience on your resume can have several benefits, particularly if you’re aiming for future leadership positions. Here are the advantages of showcasing this role:

1. Demonstrates Flexibility and Adaptability: Employers value candidates who can step into different roles and adapt quickly. Including the Acting Manager role shows that you can handle responsibility on short notice.

2. Builds Leadership Credibility: Even if the role was temporary, it builds your credibility as a leader. This is especially useful if you want to transition into higher positions in the future.

3. Expands Your Skill Set: Managing a team, solving problems, and making key decisions all contribute to the expansion of your skill set. Including this experience demonstrates your readiness for more complex and higher-level roles.

Example: John’s resume included an Acting Manager role where he was responsible for managing a large team for several months. He was able to highlight his leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and ability to make quick decisions. This helped him secure a full-time managerial position at another company shortly after.

Final Thoughts: To Include or Not to Include?

Whether or not to include an Acting Manager position on your resume depends on several factors: the nature of your responsibilities, the duration of the role, and how it relates to your career goals. If the experience significantly contributed to your skill set and you believe it aligns with the roles you’re applying for, it can be a great asset to your resume. However, if it was short-term or didn’t involve major responsibilities, you may want to consider leaving it off.

In the end, the goal is to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate with valuable experience, whether you’re applying for a leadership role or a position that requires a different skill set. By making a thoughtful decision about what to include on your resume, you’ll be better equipped to showcase your strengths and potential to future employers.

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