How to Put Shadowing on a Resume (2 Examples)

Job shadowing allows you to learn how a job gets done by someone with more experience than you.

But how exactly do you put shadowing on a resume?

Job Shadowing example 1:

How to put shadowing on a resume:

1. Create a resume entry with “Job Shadow” as the title.
2. Follow with the job title of the person you shadowed.
3. Add the company name and its location.
4. Include the starting and end date.
5. Add a bullet with the job title and the responsibilities of the person you shadowed.
6. Describe the daily routine of the person and any responsibilities you had besides shadowing.
7. Add any learning experiences you consider relevant.

Job Shadowing example 2:

What if shadowing is a small part of your professional experience?

If you have a long professional career, consider adding job shadowing as a bullet point rather than an entire entry to your job experience section.

As a general rule, shorter careers should put more focus on their shadowing experience. Longer careers should focus on other professional accomplishments.

Include other responsibilities besides shadowing

Shadowing is rarely just observation. You often have responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to include them if they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Did you achieve something significant? Did your ideas get used by the professional you were shadowing it? Put it on your resume.

Lessons learned while shadowing

The most important outcome of job shadowing is the lessons you learn along the way. Describe what you learned in detail and put them on your resume.

Do you need to ask for permission?

No. Companies understand job shadowing exists to enrich the career of those who benefit from it. Adding it to your resume without asking is perfectly fine.

However, if you use the name of a professional in your resume, it’s a courtesy to ask for permission. Including the name of the person is common in clinical settings.

What if you have no experience?

Nothing wrong with having just shadowing or internship experiences in your resume. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Adding shadowing will set you apart from those with zero experience. It shows passion and willingness to learn.

Who shouldn’t put job shadowing in their resume?

Those who have very long and accomplished careers should focus more on hands-on experiences and goals they reached.

That said, a single bullet point is fine. Especially if you shadowed someone with a long and successful career.

Tailor your resume to fit the job ad

Highlight skills and experiences relevant to the job ad.

Tailor your resume to fit the expectations of the hiring manager. Use relevant keywords and expressions and try not to use a one size fits all resume.

I know it’s hard to tailor your resume for each job. But try to create a few versions for each category of job you apply for.

Don’t forget Application Tracking Systems (ATS)

Companies are using ATS to automatically sort through job candidates. These systems automatically search for keywords in your resume and will throw it away if you don’t include them.

Be sure to optimize your resume for ATS.

What’s the difference between shadowing and an internship?

Not sure if you should describe your experience as shadowing or as an internship?

Internships are hands-on. You are given tasks to accomplish by someone who supervises your work. Most internships include job shadowing.

With job shadowing, you mostly observe how the job gets done. Not all shadowing experiences include hands-on work.

Where can I get more job shadow experiences?

Look for opportunities in your college if you’re still in school. Talk with teachers or your college career center.

Companies will often ask subordinates to shadow their managers ‌to groom them to a higher position.