How should I structure a resume when applying for management positions post-Internship?

Question

My work experience is structured as follows:

• 2013-2014 Junior Business Manager, ABC Company (large)
• 2012-2013 Business Associate, ABC Company
• 2012-2012 Internship, DEF Company (major Fortune 500)
• 2006-2009 Business Manager, XYZ Company (small)
• 2004-2006 Business Assistant, KLM Organization (medium)
• 2002-2004 Business Freelancer

^{* Let's imagine "Business" could mean any business unit, Marketing, Sales, Finance, IT... and my experience was always in the same or similar unit (e.g. Marketing and Sales).}

I am applying for management-level job interviews as prior to university that was the role I held (from 2006-2009). However, I am finding it difficult to be called back for management-level positions, potentially because my most recent work experience includes an internship done right after university.

As someone who has had education and internships after my management-role, how should I structure my resume to emphasize my management skills and pre-university experience when applying to management-level positions?

Answer 1

This makes me wonder whether the fact that I studied and did an internship (non-management role) makes recruiters think that I am not management material, or that my "true" experience is only what I gained after university.

I pretty much agree with this. But the thing is this all depends on age, when you were a manager & what field you were in.

And more glaringly, you claim so many management positions—assuming you are jumping from place to place—and then have an internship happen after that signals to me that while your title might have been “manager” that title was pretty much in name only.

This is not saying your experience is not important. I think it is. But if someone with the basic qualifications you outline were to apply for a job I had a role in reviewing, but first instance would be to ask, “Well, if this person claims to be a ‘manager’ at so many places, why are they cold applying for our gig? Wouldn’t the fact they have a degree now open up more opportunities at old companies?”

You see the thing is, employers are happy to re-hire a person who worked with them 10 years ago if they worked out well. Especially if they held a position prior to formal training. It saves them time & money on recruiting. And since you know their business you can pretty much hit the ground running.

But seeing a list of positions as you presented which ends with an internship makes me just think, “Who is this person? Why would I take a risk on them.”

Meaning the internship is only icing on the cake of jumping from company to company. It’s all a big red flag that you need to address right off the bat when applying for a position or even going on an interview.