Executive Resume Writing Tips
In this blog you will find some expert executive resume writing tips to help you market your leadership value online, on paper, and in-person is critical in today’s competitive employment market. With applicant tracking systems evolving to accept a wider variety of document formats, not only can you have a compelling writing strategy in your executive resume, but you can also add some visual pop to enhance the readability factor of your CEO resume, IT Director resume, or resume for an Operations Manager position. Long-gone are the days when you presented prospective employers with a list of your skills and responsibilities.
DIY Executive Resume Summary: Tip #1
With the summary being among the first sections that readers will review upon receipt of your executive resume, write an attention-grabbing summary that quickly speaks volumes about who are and what you can deliver. Below are some practical suggestions.
- Write your resume qualifications summary in three or four lines. Remember to keep it tailored to your target role or prospective employer.
- Synthesize your leadership experiences into easily digestible highlights. Maybe you have created value by leading day-to-day PMO operations for large, complex IT projects, or led an organization through a $5-million multi-divisional restructuring and cultural shift. Either way, the key here is to create a job-winning resume that conveys what makes you a perfect fit for the role.
- Tilt the scale in your favor by adding a quantifiable achievement and balancing industry-specific keywords with soft skills that showcase what you bring to the table.
DIY Executive Resume Storytelling: Tip #2
Have you progressively moved up the career ladder? Do you have an ability to look beyond the obvious to solve problems, or have you coached and developed a team into the most profitable division in the company?
Your story is unique to you—and your personally branded executive resume should frame your career trajectory and how your experiences have prepared you for your target position.
Placing your experience and contributions in context for the reader will help strengthen your marketability. For example:
- Achieved an increase in GPM of 11.5%
is a good accomplishment:
But …
- Achieved an increase in GPM of 11.5% through strategic outsourcing during an annual period of 13.5% declining sales
more effectively paints the picture.
Maybe you restructured a $3-million division … or maybe you reduced expenses, resulting in a 30% under-budget performance for 4 consecutive years … Highlight it! Using percentages is a great way to present your leadership efforts in context. You will want to avoid releasing sensitive client data, performance results, or numbers that are proprietary or confidential.
Tip: In the event your environment does not support the release of certain quantifiable information, try showcasing results as: delivered 6-figure savings; or use roughly or approximately when communicating quantifiable outcomes.
DIY Executive Resume Presentation: Tip #3
First impressions are important! A customized resume that is focused on and tailored to your target roles versus an executive resume template will prove to be the most attention-getting format for senior-level leaders.
Format your resume to reflect—upfront—your most relevant and significant career highlights—keeping in mind your audience and industry. Pepper in some bold typeface to further emphasize financial impact and allow impressive results to pop out at the reviewer.
Need help with writing modern COO resumes, Financial Services Resumes, Manufacturing Executive Resumes, IT Director Resumes, LinkedIn Profile Writing, or Resumes for Professionals, contact our professional resume writing service at info@resumesbyjoyce.com or 404-790-4883.
Wishing You The Best!
