If you are ready to job search with a FANTASTIC executive resume, you have to strategize beyond functions, skills, and accomplishments. Yes, beyond achievements, because at the executive level EVERY candidate is competent and successful.
As a leader, you are not hired as a ‘cog in the wheel’ but to re-invent, fix, or upgrade the machine! Wouldn’t you agree? Therefore, you must decide to become the hero in your executive resume and paint that picture — make your mark! Are you a miracle worker? An innovator? A change agent? A turnaround artist? An all-star coach?
WRITING YOUR EXECUTIVE RESUME WITH POWER
1. Tagline: What is your promise to your future employer? Make them care!
2. Personal brand statement: No, it is not the same as a tagline. A tagline is your hook — a branding statement is a mini-preview of what is to unfold in your unmatched, superhero tale.
Ingredients for an ROI-driven brand:
Passion + Specialty + Legacy + Your distinct signature (why you and not someone else?) + Value Offer = SUPER BRAND!
Let’s take CocaCola for example:
They don’t say, “We are a beverage that has been serving the global market for decades.”
They say…
“To Refresh The World”
“To Inspire Moments of Optimism and Happiness”
“To Create Value and Make a Difference”
(You can read the rest here)
3. Brand-aligned high impact examples: Again, we want to reach beyond accomplishments. So, which of the many amazing milestones that you recall in your career were actually ‘game-changing’? Against what kind of opposition/challenges/backdrop? Set the stage — contrast is good! So, how did you…
pave the way
set a foundation
drive culture change
delivered hyper growth
changed corporate identity
yielded brand liquidity
saved the company
4. What’s your overarching story?
career overview that shows a progressive story
experience that reinforces your promise and brand
clearly defined results tied to long-term goals and immediate gains
5. Now prioritize and position, because it is true what they say about real estate!
“You have to think of your brand as a kind of myth. A myth is a compelling story that is archetypal if you know the teachings of Carl Jung. It has to have emotional content and all the themes of a great story: mystery, magic, adventure, intrigue, conflicts, contradiction, paradox.” ~Deepak Chopra
