6 Tips for an Impactful Executive Resume

Marketing oneself represents a daunting task for the majority of people, even executives.  Regardless of what level an individual has achieved, we all fear that a single typo might derail the opportunity of a lifetime before we’ve even had a chance to participate in an interview. At our core, we’ve most likely realized by now that no one is perfect. That said, there’s an expectation that a resume needs to be free of errors, providing a small spark of anxiety that can quickly transition into a dumpster fire of dread. 

Take a breath. Yes, you need to have a resume that’s free of spelling and grammatical errors. After that, keep in mind that there’s no perfect format. Your job at this point is to remember that it’s not your job to make everyone like you. It is your job to clearly state your value proposition, pick a format that you find appealing, and drive home your accomplishments. When the right opportunity comes knocking, you can be confident that you’ve done an excellent job marketing yourself. 

Below are some powerful tips on writing a persuasive executive resume.

1. Organization impact
   An executive resume is not the right place for broad, high-level statements. It demands specificity. Executives are expected to present their professional strengths supported by tangible results or achievements. The resume should tell how you impacted each organization with your actions and decisions.
2. Content is king
   As an executive, the content of your resume is of higher importance than the design or formatting. As long as the details are noteworthy, it is acceptable to have a simple, clean, and professional format. 
3. Resume length
   There’s no specific rule for resume length, though best practices dictate that a 2 page executive resume works in most cases. At a maximum, 3 pages is also acceptable. 
4. Attention to detail
   Hiring managers expect a high-quality document from an executive-level candidate. It needs to clearly present your experience and why they make you the best fit for the role without any factual, spelling, or grammatical errors. And as we mentioned above, if an error does arise, the candidate will most likely be seen by the hiring manager as someone who doesn’t pay attention to the details of anything. 
5. Showcase credentials/accomplishments
   The top of your resume is the place that gets the most views from hiring managers. Select 3 to 5 accomplishments. It’s recommended that you start with your latest job and work backwards. Also, add performance metrics to support your points.
6. Less is more, start capturing the hiring manager’s attention
   It’s just as important to decide what to leave out of your resume as it is important to know what to include. Select only the most relevant accomplishments from your exciting professional journey.
   Read more about  – Qualities Hiring Managers Look for in Executive Candidates

If you’re interested in a deeper dive on the subject, check out some of the links below.  

Forbes – Executive Resume Tips
The Muse – Resume Tips for Senior Level Jobs
The Undercover Recruiter – Tips for Writing a Killer Executive Resume

Don’t forget that in today’s world of work, it’s not just about your resume. The majority of companies are now integrating the use of pre-interview videos to assess your fit for a position. Executive recruitment platform – SucceedSmart gives executives like yourself an opportunity to increase your familiarity with the digital transformation taking place throughout the interview process, helps connect you with hiring managers, and offers an exclusive executive peer network to build relationships.