Published on December 15, 2010
If you are in the market for an executive-level job and thinking of simply sprucing up your age-old resume, think again! It's a fact that for openings in the upper echelons, employers review resumes with a more discerning eye. In fact, the higher the position, the more cynical are the decision-makers. What you need is not just a good, but a superior quality resume to even just keep yourself from ending in the trash!
So, start thinking in terms of a new, well-written and impressive resume that not only conveys your experience, seniority and prestige but also bowls over the reader with your accomplishments while showcasing you in a distinctly unique and captivating light.
Then, where do we begin? Well, the regular resume writing rules still apply. Following a logical format with clear headings and bulleted points goes without saying. Misspellings, typos and grammatical mistakes at this level are an absolute no-no.
Also, ensure that you never ever misrepresent or even exaggerate, as employers will not only be more suspicious of your claims but less forgiving too. But some conventions become redundant too.
The length: You are no longer required to stick to the customary one-page length. To the contrary, employers actually expect that you have much more to say and would appreciate a lengthier document that summarises the depth and breadth of your experience/accomplishments. You can easily extend to two or three pages but do ensure that the length is justified by rich content. As a top recruiter highlights, “People who need what you are selling at the moment you get in touch with them are interested in knowing more, not less, about you!”
The objective line: Instead of stating a single line ‘objective', write a longer ‘profile' paragraph that highlights the unique value proposition you bring to the table. Concentrate on your key skills, expertise and other definite attributes throwing in your job title for good measure. Clearly state what you have to offer and how you can meet the company's needs and not just what you want.
Tom-tom a bit: This is not the time to be coy. Announce the name of your previous employer organisation. If you cannot name the company, at least describe the company size, business environment and challenges. Include board memberships, professional associations and related voluntary work too.
Keep it achievement-oriented: Instead of merely listing your previous jobs and responsibilities, create a result-focused description of your career history. Concentrate on selling your unique abilities to solve business problems, meet challenging goals or produce desired results through relevant accomplishments. Showcase your success in completing projects, initiatives that resulted in revenue-generation, process-improvement or cost-containment.
Supporting these claims with specific information and proof will make the resume more persuasive and aggressive. Another tip - beginning your sentences with the result followed by the action is bound to grab eyeballs every time!
Make it measurable: Numbers speak volumes. Make it a point to quantify your achievements by using appropriate metrics wherever possible.
The factual, descriptive, accurate and verifiable claims alongwith yardsticks for comparison will impressively portray exactly what you made, saved and achieved.
As another top recruiter states, “Among measurable items employers want to see are number of direct reports, number of people you've hired, size of teams you've led, amount of money you've saved, sales volume and ranking in comparison with peers/previous periods, performance gains or losses compared against results achieved by managers with similar assignments/previous incumbents/forecasts/business plan projections/other companies with similar products.”
For example, “General Manager, Food Manufacturing Plant: Achieved highest production in the history of the plant to that time -160,000 tons per annum - with consistent 13 to 20 per cent profit contribution.”
Use anecdotes: You can tell some interesting stories to substantiate your soft skills or to illustrate the business conditions in a more convincing manner. Even other complex or significant details can be brought to life but ensure that you do not sound arrogant or self-congratulatory.
Target the organisation: Instead of creating a general document, tailor your resume to the specific position that you are seeking by tying it to the company needs. Matching your resume to the job requirements will show that you understand the employer's needs and are qualified to meet the same.
Skip the ‘resume speak': While you should use dynamic and action-oriented language to show that you can deliver the goods, take care that you do not resort to flowery or grandiose phrases. So, avoid qualitative and subjective words like visionary, thought leader, results-oriented, dynamic, impressive, creative, engaging, significant, proactive, aggressive, innovative, universally, astonishingly, etc as they are not verifiable and thus mostly discounted by recruiters.
Instead, use robust words like drove, propelled, launched, maximised, benchmarked, generated or monetised. Also, weak words like aided, participated in, involved with or helped bring about, do not carry much weight while phrases like negotiated lease, managed sales force, conducted primary research, extinguished fights are both striking and bankable.
Last but not the least; do not forget to include a cover letter that highlights your value proposition, unique abilities and job fit in a stellar fashion.
To sum up, an executive resume should illustrate the value you bring through talents, qualifications and successes emphasising both what happened in your career and how you made it happen. This will compel the employer to pick up the phone and call you for the interview right now!
Payal Chanania
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