Training and development specialists are tasked with assessing an organization, developing a training program that will help them maximize efficiency and productivity, and successfully administering the training.
The need for this position in companies is being recognized more and more as companies shift to an employee-focused model for success rather than a solely customer-focussed model of success. In fact, the projected growth rate of this occupation between 2016 and 2026 is 11% which is faster than the average growth rate of all occupations, which stands at 7%. It is also a fairly well-paying job with an annual salary of about $59k.
Let’s look at some training and development positions, some strong resume samples for each, and some tips to help you bolster your resume further.
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A training and development manager is in charge of assessing an organization’s employee productivity and designing and executing a training program to help maximize employee productivity. As a manager, you will be leading a team of specialists so strong managerial skills are required. Other necessary skills include problem-solving, communication, presentation, and project management.
While an educational background in the organization’s field or the field of training is beneficial to your application and resume, it is not required. Extensive experience as a successful trainer and leader of a training team is what recruiters will be looking for the most.
Do not make the mistake of only mentioning your experience managing a team or the successes of your training programs. Show recruiters that you have had experience and success assessing a company, designing training programs, conducting training, and doing the administrative tasks required for that cycle as well.
If you have to choose between including all your experience in the organization’s field and including all your training experience across different fields, prioritize your training experience. Training experience is what recruiters value most, especially because training skills are easily transferable across fields.
A training and development specialist is the person on the ground who assesses a company's employee productivity, creates effective training programs, and conducts training. They will most likely work as part of a team and will be led by a training and development manager. This could be an entry-level position depending on the demand of the position, but recruiters will prioritize those with experience in the field already.
One of the legacies of Covid is a shift of many workforce functions into the digital space. As a result, there has been a rise in the need for trainers to be able to conduct their training online. If you have conducted training virtually, highlight that, and include group sizes and any marked improvements of the group as a result of your training.
Because you will most likely be the one conducting trainings, having proficiency in other languages will expand your ability to train in multi-national companies. Likewise, any presentation skills should be mentioned. If you don’t have a lot of position-specific experience, you can include presentation experiences like debate experience, or theater/acting experience. The presentation skills are transferable.
As a Director of Training and Development, you're the driving force behind educating a company's employees. It's a role that's been evolving, particularly with remote work becoming the norm. Companies are moving towards more digital, self-driven learning programs, so you'll need to show you can adapt to this new landscape. When crafting your resume, it's crucial to convey not only your knowledge of traditional training methods but also your proficiency with e-learning platforms and virtual training.
In recent years, we've seen increased demand for Directors of Training with comprehensive understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. It's no longer about just training employees - it's about ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can benefit from the training. So, weaving in your experience and commitment to DEI into your resume can give you an edge.
As more companies shift to remote work, the importance of virtual training capabilities has skyrocketed. Highlight any experience you have with e-learning platforms, online training tools, or developing digital training programs.
Showcasing your knowledge and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can make you stand out. Include specific examples of how you've incorporated DEI principles into your training programs, or any relevant certifications you hold.
A director of training and development oversees the work of the training and development department. They will take part in the development of the training programs and assess the success of the same. They will also ensure that they create a strong and effective training and development team.
Most professionals will have at least a bachelor’s degree in HR, psychology, business administration, or a related field. Beyond that, they will need their resume to illustrate their effectiveness as a leader and the effectiveness of their training programs on employee efficiency. Take a look at this strong resume template.
Show recruiters your longevity in the profession by showing a career progression from an intern to a director. This will signify your commitment to the profession and also your success in previous positions and acknowledgment by previous employers that you were an exemplary employee deserving of promotions.
As a director, you are expected to have a wealth of training and development experience. Furthermore, the trainers under you will be training employees in a variety of departments. Show recruiters that you are equipped to lead trainers interdepartmentally by showing your experience doing the same. This applicant has trained students, HR personnel, finance personnel, etc.
As a hiring manager who has recruited for training and development roles at companies like Amazon, Deloitte, and Accenture, I know what it takes to create a compelling resume that stands out. In this article, we'll share some tips and examples to help you craft a resume that showcases your skills and experience in the training and development field. These tips are based on real-world insights from recruiters and hiring managers who have helped job seekers land roles at top companies.
Employers want to see that you have experience designing and delivering effective training programs. Highlight your instructional design skills by including examples of courses or training materials you have created.
Avoid simply listing the courses you have taught without providing context or results.
A resume summary for a training and development role is optional, but it can be a valuable addition if you want to provide context or highlight details that aren't immediately apparent from the rest of your resume. This is especially useful if you're changing careers and your past experience doesn't directly align with the training and development field, or if you're an executive with extensive experience. Remember, your resume itself is already a summary of your qualifications, so avoid repeating information that's already covered elsewhere.
When writing your summary, focus on your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that demonstrate your ability to excel in a training and development position. Tailor your language to the specific job you're applying for, and consider including keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Keep your summary concise, limiting it to a single paragraph of no more than a few sentences.
The work experience section is the core of your resume. It's where you'll spend the most time tailoring your resume for each job application. Hiring managers and recruiters are looking for relevant experience that shows you have the skills to succeed in the role.
Follow these tips to write a compelling work experience section on your training and development resume:
Your education section is a key part of your training and development resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the role. In this section, we'll cover what to include and how to format your education section for maximum impact.
The action verbs used in a training and development professional’s guide should highlight the professional’s experience in all steps of the training cycle. They should indicate their experience assessing, developing training guides, training, and doing all the necessary paperwork.
The right action verbs make your successes and experience stand out and help showcase your most relevant skills in a few words.
For more related action verbs, visit Teaching Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
When looking at the skills section of a training and development professional’s resume, recruiters will need to see competency in your assessment of organization needs, your development of training plans, and your ability to effectively train employees.
We have compiled a list of recruiter-approved skills you would expect to see in a training and development professional’s resume. Use some of these to strengthen the skills section of your resume.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Training and Development job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
