Creating an Executive Resume
There are several distinguishing characteristics that set an executive resume apart from others. Follow these guidelines and you can rest assured that your resume lands on top of the pile.
Format and Design More than anything, the format and design of your resume will draw the attention of the reader or cause them to set it aside. For executives, it is always recommended to use a very clean, organized, and polished design that conveys your professionalism. Avoid cramming too much information into your resume but use it as an overview of your most recent 10 years of experience. Also, make sure to use a font size that is 11-12 point in size and allow ample white space so that the reader is not overwhelmed when reading. Professional Profile Generally, an objective is for entry-level candidates because it focuses on what the applicant wants to get out the job rather than what skills and abilities they bring to the table. On the other hand, executive resumes should start with a very clear profile explaining how you benefit the company. For clarity sake, you should ALWAYS include your targeted position or current professional title. Hiring managers scan information and if you title your resume correctly, such as Sales Executive, then there is no searching for what you’re intentions are. The reader can easily glance over the rest of your organized and straight-forward information to see that you have the experience and strengths that they need. Click here for more information on How to Craft a Professional Resume Profile. Experience At the executive level, you have the experience to back up your career intentions. For this reason, it is best to summarize your general daily duties in a brief paragraph and only use bullets to highlight the key accomplishments you want noticed. Remember, hiring managers scan information so only pull out your most notable achievements for each position. Do not include too many bullets or your most impressive skills and abilities will get lost in the long list. Generally 3-4 bullets should be the maximum for each position. Sentence Structure Since you are at the executive level, you need to present yourself as such. Stating that you were “responsible for” something does not convey the personal effort and commitment that you have shown your previous employers. Use powerful sentences, such as “played a key role in operations by…”. In doing so, future employers will see that you could likely do the same for them. You always want to present yourself in a proactive manner rather than someone who just showed up everyday. References Again, you are at the executive level and your experience should speak for itself. References do not need to be included or even mentioned at this point because a hiring manager assumes you have fantastic references and that you will be bringing the list to your interview. Do not waste valuable space on something that is not initially necessary. Polish It Do not even think about sending out your resume without getting someone else to proofread it for you. You need another person to review your work for you so they can catch any awkward sentences or misspellings. For more assistance on writing an executive or professional resume, check out our professional writing services today! Subscribe to our mailing list and receive updates on new articles and helpful advice to make sure your professional resume and cover letter stands out from the crowd! |
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