If you have found yourself in an executive position long term, it may not have occurred to you to polish or touch up your executive resume. However, when immersed in the job search after a long tenure as a professional, your resume may be a little rusty. Appeal to potential employers by taking these 10 steps when marketing your skills and experience.
1. Market Your Brand
Your executive resume should clearly display your professional brand. Spend time during your job search evaluating your key attributes, your passions and your strengths within the industry, and craft a value statement that markets your area of expertise.
2. Customize and Personalize
Avoid compiling a generic resume that only skims the surface of your experience. Customize the document to cater to your target audience. Use keywords found in the job description to better appeal to the firm.
3. Show the Numbers
Employers seeking an executive want proof of success. Provide details about the sales goals you met, revenue you managed and employees you supervised to give employers a clear picture of your responsibilities in past positions.
4. Use Value-Driven Statements
Lead off with a statement that outlines your brand, and include bullet statements that detail your accomplishments during your professional career.
5. Include Testimonials
Your time as an executive has likely connected you with professionals in the field. Use these relationships to your advantage by seeking out quotes or testimonials about your performance. Include these on your executive resume instead of an objective statement to further impress hiring managers.
6. Position Information Strategically
Most hiring managers skim through resumes in less than 10 seconds, so it is crucial to position your most important achievements on the top of the page. Pay close attention to the formatting so your document is easy to digest and pinpoints the most important information in consumable bullet points.
7. Ensure Readability
While it may seem visually appealing to use script font or italics, focus more on readability when formatting your executive resume. Use a standard font that is easy to read, and avoid decreasing the size of the font just for the sake of including more information.
8. Proofread Carefully
You've established yourself as a professional in the field, but if you submit a resume that is overridden by typographical or grammar errors, your credibility takes a hit. Proofread the document multiple times, and ask a member of your professional network to review the resume before you submit to employers.
9. Opt for Consistent Format
The format of your resume is just as important as the information. Make sure your headings and font are consistent, and pay close attention to your margins. It's essential that employers can pinpoint the most important details and your formatting should make it easy for them to navigate through your skills and experience.
10. Eliminate Repetitive Phrases
Keep your information as concise as possible when compiling an executive resume. Instead of repeating tasks and duties, find ways to combine this information so your document is not repetitive.
An executive resume is designed to showcase your professional experience and ability to lead. Put your best foot forward by ensuring the document is clean and polished.
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