Executive Careers

Executive Resume Writing Tips

Features of effective executive resume

For most job seekers, the job market is a buyer's that is, an employer's market.

With so many talented people in the job market, the onus is on the candidates to sell themselves to the employer.

General rule for all resumes is – ‘so shorter it is so better results are’.

One of the most important features of an effective executive resume is that it looks forward rather then back and addresses the needs of the job being applied for. Many executives writing they executive resume by contrast are more concerned with what they have done, instead of what they want to do next.

Focus your executive resume. Ideally, an executive resume will have a clear and well-defined objective that fits well with the position sought. In such a way, it is far more likely that the candidate has a carefully thought out career plan and that the position sought fits into their long-term goals.

Customize your executive resume for a particular position: if you have done both R&D and manufacturing but you are looking for a position in manufacturing, emphasize your manufacturing experience.

Another aspect of focus in the executive resume is the exclusion of irrelevant material, especially past experience. Do not add details about yourself or your past experience that may call attention to your weaknesses or ability to do the job.

In addition, quantify your experience wherever possible. Cite numerical figures, such as monetary budgets/funds saved, sales target or budgets achieved, projects completed, time efficiency improved, numbers of machines administered/fixed, etc. which demonstrate progress or accomplishments due directly to your work.

An effective executive resume will highlight the candidate's skills, knowledge, attributes, competencies, professional approach, achievements, qualifications and experience described in terms of what the job seeker can do to solve the employer's problem.

Experience generally weights very heavily and should be emphasized over education.

An executive summary on page 1 (whatever the title may be - Key Strengths, Professional Competencies etc.) should bring to the employer's immediate attention the candidate's best selling features in relation to the position.

To boost your chances of getting past the screening process, follow the first rule of marketing: "Give'em what they want". Here, try to reflect back the very words they have used in their ad. Give specific examples of a how and where you have done the things, they are asking for.

Finally, this is not the time to be humble. Include as many relevant points as possible, without going overboard (save a few trump cards for the interview).

Professional, eye-catching presentation demands no errors in spelling or grammar, well-organized layout, consistent use of fonts and styles, and lots of white space!

So, when you have written a first attempt at your executive resume, get someone else to look at it and tell you how to make it better. What you have written may seem simple and obvious to you, but not to an employer!