If you haven’t updated your executive resume in quite some time, you are probably overwhelmed with all the advice online and don’t know where to go from here.
The internet is not scarce when it comes to ‘expert’ advice on executive resume writing, and much of it seems contradictory. Correct? That’s because it all depends on your situation and the best approach.
Here is the thing, there are numerous and effective writing methods when it comes to content marketing, and that also applies to resume writing, which is a form of marketing.
Make no mistake, resume writing, bio writing, and cover letter writing is indeed marketing. The product you are marketing is you!
The Why In Strategic Executive Resume Writing
What I can say with certainty, as a professional executive resume writer, is that when you embark on writing your executive resume, you must carefully think about what you are going to include and why.
Don’t begin to dump everything on your executive resume. You must think strategically. In other words, before you get into the ‘how to write an executive resume’ of it all, you must figure out why.
Here is what you need to determine before you write your executive resume because how you write your resume truly depends on why you are writing your resume in the first place. Determining why will help you hone in on what you need to include on your resume.
Why are you writing a new executive resume?
What is wrong with the old/current one?
If the problem is that you don’t have your new information/employment updated, then this is a simple fix.
However, and this is often the case, if you are in need of writing a new resume because your current resume is not attracting the right job offers, then you need to identify the problem first.
What’s the issue?
What Must You Highlight To Bridge That Gap
Once you have diagnosed the problem (perhaps a recruiter has already told you), this is the first thing you must address on your new executive resume.
How can you best bridge that gap?
Creating another resume that looks better and sounds better isn’t going to be enough if you have a major self-marketing issue to overcome. Ultimately, the problem will still be there if you haven’t addressed it. The job search result will be the same.
What Must You Exclude?
What you exclude is a critical point. Often, job seekers are so focused on showcasing all of their experience and all of their talent, but this is a big mistake.
To perfectly align your new executive resume with your career target, you must stick to your lane, especially if you have an obstacle to overcome.
Taking twists and turns off the road, isn’t going to help you much when you have a big jump to make at the end of that road. Instead, calibrate your message to get as close as possible to closing that gap.
Some of the possible issues that you need to bridge could be the following:
- Making up for lack of experience in that position you seek.
- Translating value from diverse work history.
- Showcasing responsibility in alignment with the new job title even if you have not officially held that title.
- Relevant information to make a career transition.
- Underscoring qualifications for a first-time board position.
- Modernizing your executive resume for the new work environment.
Bottom-line is that you must connect the dots for your new employer. If you are searching the internet for information on how to write a resume, you won’t get too far if you have not diagnosed the issue and eliminated roadblocks.
Perhaps you think it is all there on paper for the employer or recruiter to determine if you are qualified. I wouldn’t leave it up to someone else to make that call without you intentionally making their job easier and skewing their perception in your favor.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your resume, contact our executive resume writing service at 321.704.7209
