Team Lead CV Example & Writing Guide

As a team lead, your role is to be the driving force at your company. A powerful team lead CV can put you on the fast track to securing your next team lead role. 

Don't let a standard, poorly formatted CV slow your progress. At cvapp.ie, our professional CV builder can take your team lead CV from zero to hero in minutes. 

In this guide, alongside our engaging team lead CV examples, we’ll help you build a team lead CV that takes your job search to the next level. 

How to write a team lead CV

Before you begin, knowing what sections to include in your CV is essential. These include: 

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Whether you’re motivating staff or managing conflict, team leads are essential to any workplace. Here are our top tips for creating an engaging team lead CV: 

1. Discuss your experience leading successful team projects and elaborate upon any accomplishments and skills you possess that are relevant to the team lead role.
2. Select a professional CV layout that reflects the corporate image of the company you are applying to.
3. Incorporate specific keywords to help optimise your CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), ensuring your team lead CV stands out from the crowd.
4. Customise your CV to align with the specific needs and objectives of potential employers.

Pick the perfect team lead CV format for team leads

The three main CV formats to consider are reverse chronological, functional, and combination CVs. When crafting a CV for a team lead role, the reverse chronological format is often the most effective option.

This CV format prioritises the work history section by listing roles from the most recent to the least recent. 

By using a reverse chronological format, you can effectively showcase your team leadership experience and career progression, giving a clear overview of your expertise and accomplishments.

Provide important contact information

It’s crucial to include important contact information so potential employers can contact you.

Make sure to include the following details:

• Full Name & Title: Clearly state your full name and the position you are applying for.
• Email Address: Provide a professional email address that features your name, such as [email protected].
• Phone Number: Include a professional phone number with an appropriate voicemail message.
• Location: Specify your city and county, and mention your willingness to relocate if applicable, for example, "Galway, County Galway (Open to Relocation)."
• Professional Websites: List any relevant professional platforms like LinkedIn or portfolio links showcasing successful projects.

Craft an engaging CV summary

The CV summary, or personal statement, is your opportunity to summarise your professional background, skills, and career goals in a compelling and concise manner.

In 2-4 sentences, share your key accomplishments, as well as hands-on experience that demonstrates your qualifications for the team lead role. 

Take this summary from one of our team lead CV examples: "Consistently drove team performance to exceed project objectives and implemented effective strategies for successful project execution."

Looking for more CV examples? Browse our related Project Manager and Executive CV writing guides, or check out the team lead CV examples below: 

Highlight your work experience: your professional track record

Highlight your significant responsibilities and achievements in bullet points, using action verbs and active language like "executed," "enhanced," and "evaluated" to showcase your leadership in driving team success and progress. Roles should be listed in order of most recent to the least recent.

Spotlight concrete accomplishments with numbers and data to help illustrate your impact on team performance, project results, and organisational growth.

Consider transforming these task-oriented instances:

• "Managed project timelines and delegated tasks to team members."
• "Participated in team meetings and reported on project progress."
• "Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project milestones."

Now, let's refine these to emphasise outcomes and achievements:

• "Led the implementation of a project management system that improved task delegation efficiency, resulting in a 15% reduction in project completion time."
• "Boosted team productivity by 30% through effective collaboration and streamlined communication strategies."
• "Contributed to the successful completion of 50 projects, significantly exceeding client expectations."

These revamped examples help highlight your exceptional leadership skills and qualifications, making you a standout candidate for team lead roles.

Outline essential critical team lead skills

In the skills section of your CV, focus on emphasising essential leadership skills, technical proficiencies, and your experience with team management tools. 

These skills include communication skills, experience using tools like Asana and Trello, and strategic planning abilities.

Additional skills include: 

Highlight the positive impact of your leadership on team performance, project outcomes, and business growth. For example:

Team Management: Demonstrate your experience in effectively leading and coordinating teams, including details on the number of team members supervised. 

Strategic Planning: Showcase your expertise in strategic planning and execution, emphasising your ability to develop and implement innovative initiatives that drive business success. 

Performance Evaluation: Detail your proficiency in assessing team performance and setting performance goals.

Detail your education & relevant team lead certifications

In the education section of your CV, discuss your academic background and professional certifications, beginning with your most recent accomplishments. 

Highlight any specialised training or certifications related to leadership that signify your expertise in the field.

Consider incorporating the following elements:

Certifications: Feature relevant certificates, such as leadership development courses or management certifications, that validate your proficiency in leading teams effectively.

Practical Experience: Provide insights into your hands-on experience in team leadership by highlighting prominent projects, successful campaigns, or achievements demonstrating your ability to drive team success.

Professional Development: Illustrate your commitment to continuous learning by showcasing your active participation in professional organisations or networks focused on team leadership. 

Choose an engaging CV layout and design 

When applying for team lead positions, it is crucial to tailor the layout and design of your CV to align with the company's brand. 

We recommend choosing a sleek and modern design, such as our Toronto or Tokyo templates, or a simple layout with a clean aesthetic, like our Copenhagen or Chicago CV templates. 

Customising your CV to align with the company's aesthetic demonstrates thoughtfulness and meticulous attention to detail.

Being a team lead offers an exciting opportunity for individuals passionate about driving team success, fostering collaboration, and overcoming business challenges through effective leadership.

Discover the benefits of our impressive CV builder and start building a standout team lead CV today. Your dream team lead role is just a few clicks away!