The task of crafting an executive resume that stands out can seem overwhelming, but with the right approach, it can be your most powerful tool in landing that desired role. The secret lies not just in the writing but, crucially, in the preliminary work before you even put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
In this article, we’ll explore the essential steps to develop a top-caliber executive resume that does more than just list your qualifications—it uniquely showcases you and your impact.
1. Understand Your Target Role
Begin by asking yourself critical questions: What is your target role? Are you more concerned with the job title or is there something else driving your search? Which industry are you aiming for? What size company would you prefer? The famous marketing adage, “When you aim at nothing, you hit it every time” couldn’t be more relevant. Understanding your destination is paramount to ensure your resume communicates a marketing message targeted to your prospective audience.
2. Define Your Unique Brand
At the executive level, every applicant has qualifications. The challenge is standing out from the crowd. Crafting a compelling personal brand can make the difference. Your brand should not only be catchy but must also deliver real value to your potential employer. It’s important to connect the dots—a brand that seems valuable to you but lacks relevance to the hiring company may fall flat.
3. Forecast Future Needs
An impactful executive doesn’t merely respond to present needs but anticipates future challenges and opportunities. Try to ascertain what the future might hold for your potential employers and how your unique talents can help them not just weather the storm but also outpace competitors.
4. Showcase Your Impact
Before you delve into your career chronology, think about the impact of your journey. Each position you held should tell a story, painting a vivid picture of the situation before your tenure and the transformation that occurred during your leadership. It’s not enough just to describe your role—you need to demonstrate the significance of what you did with that role.
5. Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers speak volumes. As you recount your impact and achievements, quantify them whenever possible. This might require some homework but it’s worth the effort. Measure the impact of your leadership. How can you demonstrate that you made a difference?
6. Deliver the ‘Wow’ Factor with Design
“A well-designed room will make its occupants feel comfortable and in control, whereas a poorly designed room can leave people feeling uncomfortable and out of place,” said graphic designer Thomas Watson.
In a similar vein, the design of your executive resume plays an integral role. It should be as inviting as a well-designed room and should also communicate the appropriate level of professionalism.
An executive resume needs to grab attention and hold it. A poorly or blandly designed resume can quickly find its way into the discard pile, doing more harm than good. So, spend time on the visual presentation of your resume as much as its content.
7. Craft Your Hero Story
Finally, define your ‘hero story’. This narrative thread will tie your executive resume together, allowing your unique leadership journey to shine through. Once you have this concept, you’re ready to write a powerful, impactful executive resume.
Writing an executive resume involves careful thought, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of your personal brand and career journey. It’s more than a record of where you’ve been—it’s a persuasive document designed to showcase where you can lead an organization in the future. Remember, an outstanding executive resume is not just about you—it’s a strategic marketing tool that communicates the unique value you bring to your potential employer.
Diving Deeper into How to Write an Executive Resume: Common Questions Answered
As an experienced career strategist, I often receive inquiries from executives struggling with their resumes. Let’s delve into some of these common questions to further enhance your understanding and application of the strategies discussed:
1. “Should I include industry-specific jargon in my resume?”
Yes, industry-specific jargon is important. Utilizing terms that are highly relevant to the job and industry demonstrates your command of your role and expertise, fostering an emotional connection with your target employer. For instance, consider two phrases: “Great massages by a professional” versus “Therapeutic massages by a licensed massage therapist, experienced in a range of modalities such as aromatherapy, Swedish massage, shiatsu, and acupressure for total wellbeing.” The latter, laden with industry-specific terms, will undoubtedly resonate more with a potential employer in the massage therapy industry (and perhaps it made you itch for a massage as well).
2. “How should I optimize my executive resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Where can I find keywords?”
While keywords are indeed significant for getting through the technical sorting of ATS, beware of stuffing your resume with them. Overdoing it may be counterproductive. The best keywords are often nouns and noun phrases found in job advertisements. Remember, when you write with industry and job-specific terminology, you naturally incorporate relevant keywords into your resume.
3. “Should I tailor my resume for each job application?”
Yes, it’s best to customize your resume for each job. However, at the executive level, it’s not about addressing the job description verbatim. Instead, tailor your resume to encapsulate the strategic contribution expected from the job title you’re pursuing. Consider the broader scope of accountability, the vision for the company, and how you can contribute to its success, both presently and in the future.
4. “Should I include soft skills in a leadership resume?”
Including soft skills in a leadership resume is a great idea, particularly in the post-COVID era, where relatable and approachable leadership is key to culture creation. Rather than merely listing these skills, demonstrate their impact throughout your career history. Decide which soft skills align with your personal brand and illustrate how they’ve contributed to your “hero story.”
As you navigate the process of writing your executive resume, remember that your journey, your uniqueness, and your vision matter. Treat your resume not just as a document, but as a strategic marketing tool that tells your compelling career story. It’s not merely about cataloging your past achievements, but about crafting a clear, concise, and engaging narrative that shows potential employers your true value. Remember, the ultimate goal of an executive resume isn’t just to land a job, but to secure the right role in which you can make a significant, lasting impact
