As an executive, you are a top dog. You run the show and make things happen. So your resume must reflect that power, authority, and experience. The good news is that with the right tips, it’s easy to create an executive-level resume that will make hiring managers sit up and take notice.
Here is a list of the ten must-haves for a powerful executive-level resume:
What Is The Perfect Format For An Executive Level Resume?
An executive-level resume is a tool used to sell your skills, experience, and accomplishments to potential employers. It should be clear, concise, and free of any errors. What’s more, your executive resume should also be easily scannable so that recruiters can quickly see if you are a good fit for the position.
Using the right format is essential to creating an executive-level resume that will get you the job you want.
10 Must Haves For Your Executive Level Resume
Here are the 10 must-haves for your executive-level resume:
Place Your Credentials at the Top of Your Resume
As an executive, you likely have a long list of credentials and experience. Therefore, you must place them prominently at the top of your resume. This will not only save hiring managers time, but it will also demonstrate your executive-level experience. This is one of the most important things on a resume, don’t forget it!
Include Links to Online Profiles
In today’s digital world, many executives have online profiles, such as LinkedIn or Twitter. These profiles can be a great way to show off your executive-level personality and connect with potential employers. Through your social media profiles, a hiring manager can see how multi-faceted you are. Therefore, you should include links to your online profiles on your executive resume.
Place Related Achievements Section Towards the Top of Your Executive Resume
Your executive resume should also include a section for related achievements. This is a great way to show off your executive-level accomplishments and skills. Placing this section at the top of your executive resume will ensure that hiring managers see and recognize all the accolades and awards you have received.
In an Easy-to-Read Format, Place Your Core Skills Towards the Top of Your Executive Resume
As an executive, you likely have a wide range of skills. However, not all of these skills will be relevant to the position you are applying for. Therefore, you should place your core skills at the top of your executive resume. This will ensure that hiring managers see the most important skills first and do not have to wade through a long list of irrelevant skills.
Quantify Achievements
When listing your executive-level achievements, it is important to quantify them. Here are a few examples:
- Led a team of 15 people to complete a project
- Increased sales by 27% in one year by implementing new marketing strategies
- Managed an annual budget of $105,045 and saw a return of $230,127
By quantifying your achievements, you will give hiring managers a better understanding of the scope and scale of your executive-level experience. Figures give context and allow executive resume readers to easily understand the significance of your accomplishments. When you quantify your achievements, hiring managers will sit up and take notice.
Only Focus on Your Most Recent Work Experience
When it comes to executive-level resumes, less is more. You do not need to include every single job you have ever had on your executive resume. Doing so will only serve to clutter up your executive resume and make it more difficult to read. Instead, only focus on your most recent work experience. This will allow you to highlight your executive-level experience and accomplishments. Therefore, skip the entry-level and even mid-level positions as they will only serve to bog down your executive resume, leaving hiring managers unimpressed.
Use Two Pages for Your Resume if Needed
An executive resume should be clear, concise, and easy to read. However, this does not mean that you should try to cram everything onto one page. If you need two pages to effectively showcase your executive-level experience, then use two pages. Trying to force everything onto one page will only result in a cluttered and unreadable executive resume. The end goal is to create an executive resume that is easy to read and highlights your most important executive-level experience so getting an expert resume critique will do wonders for your resume.
Demonstrate Leadership Abilities
As an executive, you will be expected to have strong leadership abilities. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate these abilities on your executive resume. One way to do this is to include a section on your executive resume that highlights your leadership experience. This can be done by listing any executive-level positions you have held, as well as highlighting any times when you have taken charge in a difficult situation. This is a great way to show potential employers that you can lead and manage people.
Use a Modern Format
The best resume format for executives is one that is modern and easy to read. This means using clear and concise language, as well as a simple layout. You do not want to use overly complicated language, illegible fonts, or a fancy layout that will make your executive resume difficult to read. Instead, focus on using simple language and a clean and sophisticated layout. This will allow your executive resume to be easily read and understood by potential employers.
Incorporate Keywords and Phrases
When it comes to executive resumes, keywords and phrases have a powerful influence. This is because executive resume writers will often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to weed out unqualified candidates. Therefore, it is important to use keywords and phrases that are relevant to the executive-level position you are applying for. By using the right keywords and phrases, you can ensure that your executive resume makes it past the ATS and into the hands of a human hiring manager.
How Do I Find the Best Resume Writing Services for My Executive Resume?
If you need help writing your executive resume, a professional resume writing service can be a great resource. However, with many businesses offering resume writing for senior-level professionals, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.
When looking for a resume writing service, be sure to find one that has experience writing executive resumes. This will ensure that they have the knowledge and expertise necessary to create a powerful executive resume for you.
Testimonials also offer a great way to gauge the quality of a resume writing service. Be sure to read testimonials from executive-level clients to get an idea of what to expect from the resume writing service you are considering.
Looking For An Executive Resume Writing Service?
While there are several things you can do to write a powerful executive resume, working with a professional resume writer is often the best way to create a resume that will get results.
At The Resume Rescue, we have a team of executive resume writers with years of experience writing executive resumes for clients at all levels. We have helped clients get jobs at some of the most prestigious companies in the world, and we can help you too.
Book A Free Consultation Today!
