| You already know that having an effective resume is | | | | slightly different. |
| an important part of finding a job. What you may not | | | | Length |
| realize is that the higher the stakes, the more vital it | | | | As with any other resume, an executive resume |
| is to have a good resume. Executive-level jobs are | | | | needs to be concise. However, "concise" does not |
| harder to find and generally have more competition, | | | | mean leaving out important detail. In order to convey |
| so an attention-getting executive resume can make | | | | your achievements and special skills, your resume will |
| the difference between getting the job and getting | | | | need to include more detail than the average resume. |
| left behind. | | | | The executive resume is typically one to two pages; |
| A successful executive has more than just education | | | | however, your level of experience should determine |
| and experience - they also have a unique skill set | | | | the length, rather than a general guideline. As long as |
| that enables them to handle the scope and stress of | | | | you avoid unnecessary words and "filler," the length |
| their job. Keep reading to learn how to write an | | | | of your finished resume should accurately reflect |
| executive-level resume that presents you as a | | | | your level of experience. |
| well-rounded professional. | | | | The "Executive Profile" |
| Goals of an Executive-Level Resume | | | | The key to a distinguished executive-level resume is |
| Executive-level resumes are geared toward a | | | | an attention-getting executive profile. When hiring for |
| different type of career, and therefore need to be | | | | such an important position, it is more important to an |
| written a little differently than your average resume. | | | | employer to see what skills you have than what your |
| When applying for the average job, you are selling | | | | career goals are. Instead of objectives or a summary |
| your education and experience; but when hiring for | | | | of qualifications, a hiring manager for an |
| an executive position, employers want to hire you as | | | | executive-level position looks for an executive profile. |
| a person, rather than simply your past. An effective | | | | Although the content is somewhat different, the |
| executive-level resume sells your achievements, your | | | | executive profile does the same thing in an executive |
| skills, and even your personality together - as a | | | | resume as the objectives and summary of |
| package deal. | | | | qualifications sections do in a lower-level resume: |
| Highlight Your Achievements | | | | provides an at-a-glance summary of your skills and |
| Your executive-level resume demonstrates not only | | | | qualifications. The difference is that the executive |
| your work history, but also your achievements - | | | | profile has to be harder hitting. This section presents |
| which should be impressive enough to justify your | | | | your key achievements, essentially setting up a hard |
| salary. Types of achievements that employers want | | | | sell as to why you would be valuable to the |
| to see include:o Saving your company moneyo | | | | company. If your executive profile indicates that you |
| Reducing costso Saving clients moneyo Saving timeo | | | | have what the company is looking for, the hiring |
| Increasing productivityo Improving moraleo Resolving | | | | manager will continue reading; if not, your resume will |
| long-term problemso Improving the bottom line (the | | | | be quickly tossed aside. |
| difference between billable hours and expenses) | | | | Work History versus Achievements |
| Did you notice that most of these achievements | | | | The professional experience section of the executive |
| have to do with money? There's a reason for that! | | | | resume also differs from the same section in a |
| Employers want executives who save the company | | | | normal resume. Instead of presenting your work |
| money, and they are willing to pay a high salary for | | | | history in terms of job descriptions, you will focus on |
| the right person. An effective executive-level resume | | | | your achievements in each position. |
| needs to demonstrate your track record of cutting | | | | Just like in a normal resume, you will start with the |
| costs and increasing profit. | | | | most recent position you have held. After listing the |
| Sell Your Soft Skills | | | | company and your job title, however, you will write a |
| An employer won't be helped by the money you | | | | short, focused description of the company and why |
| have saved other companies - they need assurances | | | | were hired on. For instance, you might write, "XYZ |
| that you can replicate past achievements. Your | | | | Company is a manufacturer of top-end widgets. |
| resume should therefore sell not only your track | | | | Originally brought on board to increase efficiency and |
| record, but also the skills you can offer your new | | | | cut costs." Remember to be concise, but also be |
| employer. The following qualities are among some of | | | | sure that you include enough information to provide |
| the more important in a successful executive:o | | | | an accurate overview of your role in the company. |
| Emotional self-control - An executive needs to be | | | | Following this short blurb about the company and the |
| able to think clearly and maintain control, especially | | | | position you held, you will write a bulleted list of your |
| when under pressure.o Leadership skills - An | | | | achievements in the position. Rather than giving |
| executive needs to be able to make the best use of | | | | vague or general achievements, describe specific |
| their resources in order to get things done.o | | | | events. For instance, one bullet point could explain in a |
| Communication skills - An executive needs to be able | | | | few sentences how you solved a long-term |
| to hand down orders that are clear and concise, to | | | | inefficiency problem, thereby saving the company $1 |
| ensure that things go as planned.o Charisma - Besides | | | | million per year. Or you could how you resolved a |
| being able to communicate effectively, a good | | | | company-wide crisis in 24 hours by making the best |
| executive is someone who is liked and respected.o | | | | use of your resources. Providing enough detail will |
| Integrity - Although the corporate horror stories that | | | | reassure the employer that you can replicate these |
| make the news may suggest otherwise, most | | | | successes in a new company and a new situation. |
| companies look for executives who are honest and | | | | Regardless of what achievements you list, they need |
| trustworthy.o Vision - An effective executive has the | | | | to be explained in quantifiable terms. This means that |
| ability to envision where the company is headed, and | | | | numbers - percents, dollar amounts, etc. - are vital if |
| knows what must be done to improve the outlook. | | | | you want to make a serious impression. For types of |
| Remember, the hiring manager's priority is to find an | | | | achievements to list, review the list in the "Highlight |
| executive who will be an asset the company. Your | | | | Your Achievements" section, above. |
| executive resume needs to clearly demonstrate the | | | | The Executive Package |
| skills you have to offer. | | | | The most important thing to remember when writing |
| How an Executive-Level Resume Differs | | | | your executive-level resume is to consider how it |
| Most resumes contain the same information, | | | | presents you as a whole. In top-level jobs, there is |
| regardless of the format: objectives, qualifications | | | | much less room for error, so companies will be more |
| summary, education, training, work experience and/or | | | | discerning about who they hire. A well-written |
| skills, and special honors or awards. The | | | | executive resume will sell your skills, achievements, |
| executive-level resume differs slightly from this | | | | and other qualifications in such a way that the hiring |
| formula. Although you still provide a summary of your | | | | manager can see exactly why you will be an |
| qualifications and a listing of your previous jobs, the | | | | unparalleled asset to their company. |
| "slant," or the way you approach the information, is | | | | |