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Executive resumes are, basically, required if you are applying for a position in a high-level management career and, therefore, differ from standard ones. What’s the difference? Executive resumes contain a tiny answer to the question that means a lot for every recruiter.
So, your resume should explain the benefits that a company would get if you were hired. High-level recruiters, CEOs, COOs, CIOs, CFOs, or Board Members want to receive a convincing answer to the question “What’s in it FOR ME?” You are not supposed to write how brilliant your skills are. You are supposed to show the way you are going to increase sales, improve working conditions, develop new strategies, raise money or solve particular problems.
Coping with such a tough task is not easy. 95% of applicants don’t manage to do it. Trying to write an effective executive-level resume, they produce a standard basic resume. To avoid their failures, you can find executive resume writers who will provide you with executive assistant resume objectives, as well as, other types of executive documents. Such reputable online helping services like Resume Writing Lab, for instance, would be useful.
Otherwise, you can try to write this paper independently and be among that 5% of applicants with flawless executive resumes.
Never Lie, But…
… tell them what they want. Almost every recruiter at the very beginning doesn’t care about your wishes and goals. He or she only cares about themselves trying to choose a promising employer. Therefore, don’t try to amuse your potential employer with your brilliant skills and substantial working experience.
Look through the requirements given in the ad or somewhere else and fulfill your executive resume with things that are valuable for this particular company. Your goal is to show that there is a clear fit between their needs and your skills.
Your executive resume should contain a clear message revealing your value for a company. Detailed information about the positions you have ever occupied should support this message. If you have occupied several positions, you may write several resumes to demonstrate your skills in every field, if they differ.
Such examples give an overall picture of your skills and qualities that are essential for the position you are applying for. Obviously, that inappropriate information must be removed.
Describing responsibilities and showing achievements are two absolutely different things. Almost every recruiter would like to meet an applicant who provided a clear picture of his or her accomplishments. “Blah, blah, blah” doesn’t attract anyone nowadays.
Therefore, if you increased sales, don’t just write “increased sales”. Provide data, graphics, or statistics. If it is confidential, use “approximately” for every index that makes sense.
Flashy headlines containing main information and ready to attract attention are good. They are really good and able to create a good resume headline is essential for every job seeker, BUT context is everything. You must provide a reader with a little bit more information that is unimportant, on the surface, but important for the recruiter.
Here is a difference between:
And:
The difference is visible to the naked eye. Do you agree?
Your goal is to mention the challenges you have faced during your employment, but focus on the ways of their overcoming and solving. This step will prove the fact that you can work in unstable and stressful conditions trying to improve the situation.
Furthermore, the knowledge that was received during the tough period is more appreciated as it gives precious experience for every employer.
Remember, that formatting means a lot. Your resume has to be formatted wisely to draw attention and highlight the main information. Therefore, use bolding, highlighting with colors, and other formatting tricks to make your resume readable and nice.
Writing an executive resume may be hard, boring, or impossible, BUT you always have to keep in mind that nothing comes to us “for free”. A tidbit is often given to those, who worked hard and showed impressive results. Be patient and use our directions to create an effective and powerful executive resume. But remember, that you can always ask for advice from our top resume writers!
