Learn how to effectively list interim position on your resume with real-world examples. Includes top interim position skills, sample resume phrases, and detailed tips for making your resume stand out.
Including an interim position on your resume can demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and professionalism. It shows potential employers that you are capable of stepping into various roles and making a meaningful impact during times of transition or need. However, the decision to list interim positions depends on the regional context, industry standards, and personal circumstances. In some countries like the US, interim roles are increasingly recognized and valued due to their short-term nature and specific focus. On the other hand, in many European countries, temporary work is more commonly incorporated into the overall employment history rather than highlighted as distinct 'interim' positions.
Interim positions can provide opportunities for developing new skills, gaining diverse experiences, and expanding your professional network. They offer a chance to take on challenges outside of your usual role and demonstrate your ability to adapt quickly in ever-changing work environments.
Listing interim positions can help explain employment gaps, career transitions, or breaks in service (e.g., maternity/paternity leave or sabbaticals). By providing a clear narrative of your professional journey, you demonstrate consistency and commitment to your career growth.
Interim roles often involve filling specialized positions that require unique expertise. Highlighting these experiences can help potential employers understand your area of specialty and how it can contribute to their organization.
If the interim role was in a similar field or industry as your target job, list it under the 'Experience' section along with other relevant positions. Include a brief description of the company, the position title, the dates of employment, and a summary of the key achievements during that period.
In situations where the interim position is not directly related to your target role or industry, create a separate 'Contract/Temporary Work' section to list these experiences. This approach helps maintain a clear and focused narrative in the main 'Experience' section while still acknowledging your diverse skillset.
This example demonstrates the value you brought to an interim position as a Project Manager, highlighting achievements that translate across industries.
This example showcases an interim position in a specific field (IT), emphasizing the impact you made on the organization during your short tenure.
Example: "Assumed an interim Marketing Manager role to oversee the rebranding project, driving a 25% increase in brand awareness within the first month."
Example: "Led a cross-functional team, streamlining operations and reducing costs by 15%, enabling a successful company merger."
Example: "Filled the Interim HR Director role from January 2021 to April 2021."
Example: "As Interim Product Manager, I successfully launched two new products, demonstrating my ability to drive innovation and lead product development initiatives."
Example: "Took on an Interim IT Director role following a company acquisition, leading technology integration efforts and establishing new processes for improved efficiency."
Interim HR Director, XYZ Corporation (January 2021 - April 2021)
Interim IT Director, ABC Company (August 2020 - November 2020)
When listing a leave of absence on your resume, it's important to maintain professionalism and clarity. Here are some best practices to follow:
Highlight the Interim Position: Clearly state that you held an interim position during your leave of absence. This helps to show continuity in employment and commitment to the role. For example:
Interim Position: Project Manager (January 2021 – March 2021)
Describe Responsibilities: Similar to other roles, detail the responsibilities you handled during your interim position. This demonstrates your abilities and contributions.
- Managed ongoing projects, ensuring timely completion
- Coordinated with team members to address any arising issues
Mention the Reason for Leave (if necessary): Briefly explain the reason for your leave of absence if it is relevant and not confidential. This can help potential employers understand the circumstances without delving into personal details.
- Took a medical leave of absence (January 2021 – March 2021)
Emphasize Post-Leave Achievements: If applicable, highlight any significant accomplishments or projects you completed after returning from your leave of absence. This shows your resilience and dedication to your work.
- Successfully launched the new product line (April 2021 – December 2021)
In this example, let's say you were an IT Project Manager and took a medical leave for three months. Upon returning, you were appointed as the interim Project Manager for ongoing projects:
Suppose you were an HR Manager and took a sabbatical for personal reasons. Upon returning, you were appointed as the interim HR Manager to manage ongoing projects:
Highlight the Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of your interim role and the project you were responsible for. This sets the context for hiring managers immediately. For instance, "Assumed Interim Project Manager role to oversee the development and implementation of a new CRM system for XYZ Corporation."
Assumed Interim Project Manager role
Define Scope and Duration: Specify the scope of your project and the duration of your interim position. This provides context for the accomplishments listed under this role. For example, "Managed a team of 10 over a six-month period to complete the CRM implementation."
Managed a team of 10
Detail Achievements: Quantify your achievements wherever possible, emphasizing how you added value to the project and the organization. For instance, "Successfully led the CRM implementation project, resulting in a 25% increase in sales productivity."
Successfully led the CRM implementation project
Showcase Skills: Highlight key skills relevant to both the interim position and the project, demonstrating your adaptability and versatility as a professional. For example, "Demonstrated proficiency in project management, leadership, and CRM software during my interim role as Project Manager."
Demonstrated proficiency in:
Emphasize Flexibility: Emphasize your ability to adapt and excel in various roles and projects, showcasing your potential to take on future interim positions if necessary. For instance, "Adept at thriving in interim roles and adapting quickly to new project requirements."
Adept at thriving in interim roles
Interim Project Manager | XYZ Corporation (June 2021 – December 2021)
Interim Business Analyst | ABC Company (January 2021 – May 2021)
Highlight the Interim Position: Clearly indicate that the role was an interim position by using relevant keywords such as "Interim," "Temporary Replacement," or "Cover/Acting Position." This helps potential employers quickly identify your temporary status and understand the context of your employment.
Example: Acting Director of Marketing (Interim Position) - XYZ Company, June 20XX - January 20YY
Define Your Responsibilities: Similar to a permanent role, outline the key responsibilities you handled during your interim position. Emphasize how your temporary duties aligned with the regular job description and showcased your skills effectively.
Example: Led cross-functional marketing teams in developing and executing strategic campaigns that resulted in a 15% increase in brand awareness.
Acknowledge the Limited Tenure: Briefly mention the duration of your interim position, particularly if it was short-term or filled-in for a specific reason. This helps employers understand the context without assuming you weren't committed to the role.
Example: Stepped in as the acting Marketing Director during a period of transition, following the departure of the previous Marketing Director.
Emphasize Achievements: Highlight any accomplishments or initiatives that were successfully completed during your temporary tenure. This demonstrates your ability to produce results, even under time constraints.
Example: Implemented a new lead generation strategy that yielded a 30% increase in qualified leads.
Include Relevant Keywords: Optimize your interim position listing by incorporating relevant keywords from the job description or industry to ensure it is easily discoverable during ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scans and catches the attention of recruiters.
Example: Utilized digital marketing tools, including Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, and MailChimp, to drive campaign performance.
Interim Project Manager - Contract Assignment (Interim Position)
Detail Project Scope: Describe the project or assignment's scope, objectives, and results. Highlight your contributions and achievements during the contract period. This shows that you can deliver tangible outcomes in a time-bound setting.
Led a cross-functional team to deliver a critical software upgrade, resulting in a 15% increase in operational efficiency within 3 months.
Mention Key Skills: List the key skills required for the contract assignment, especially those that are relevant to the interim position you're applying for. This demonstrates your adaptability and readiness to handle similar responsibilities.
Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and Scrum frameworks.
Proven ability to drive change management initiatives in fast-paced environments.
Emphasize Adaptability: Since interim positions often require quick adaption to new work environments, emphasize your adaptability, flexibility, and ability to learn quickly. This helps employers understand that you can contribute effectively from day one.
Quickly acclimated to the company's unique culture and processes, facilitating seamless integration and collaboration with existing teams.
Delineate Duration: Clearly state the start and end dates of the contract assignment, as well as any extensions or renewals. This provides context for employment gaps and shows that you have a track record of successfully completing interim assignments.
Interim Project Manager - Contract Assignment (Interim Position) John Doe Consulting [Start Date] - [End Date] (Extended until [Extension Date])
Interim Quality Assurance Manager - Contract Assignment (Interim Position) Quality Services Inc. [Start Date] - [End Date] (Renewed until [Renewal Date])
Coordinated and managed quality control activities across multiple departments, improving processes by 20% within the first month.
Leveraged extensive knowledge of ISO standards to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Demonstrated adaptability by quickly learning new software tools and methodologies, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity.
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