I was having a conversation recently with a potential client was proudly stated that he wanted me to create a "brilliant" resume. After reviewing his existing resume and talking further about his career goals, it was evident that unless he determined a clear target, a "brilliant" resume was simply not possible.
Here is one of my favorite analogies when it comes to resume writing - you jump into a taxi and tell the driver to get you there in ten minutes, he/she agrees, but you cannot give them a solid location.
Sounds strange, right? Well, it is the same reaction I get when eager job seekers want to retain my services to create an executive resume, but are unable to tell me the types of positions they want to target.
I can always create a general resume, but an executive resume without a clear focus is like having no resume at all.
On average, recruiters, employers and hiring managers are going to spend about 10-30 seconds reviewing your executive resume. More importantly, the top-third of your resume's first page has to hook readers, so without a clear target, how do you know what to emphasize and/or highlight?
Here are some executive resume writing basics:
1) Know Your Target
A general resume makes you appear unfocused and leaves the reader to guess your career aspirations. With the millions of people actively looking for jobs, no-one has time to guess and your general resume will end up in the trash.
2) Know How You Want To Be Perceived
Think about your personal attributes, personal strengths and career-defining achievements that are most valuable to your target companies and make sure it comes through on your executive resume.
3) Know What Information Is Relevant
There is nothing more confusing than an executive resume that contains everything under the sun that you have done in your career. Only include aspects of your experience, qualifications and achievements that are most relevant to your target market.
4) Know The Facts - Numbers Sell
Incorporating quantifiable facts and numbers can take a simple statement or career achievement from ordinary to extraordinary. Which of these statements sound more impressive?
A. “Manage daily activities of real estate
portfolio for investment management company and supervise staff members.”
B. “Challenged to deliver 10% return on $700 million investment portfolio in unpredictable real estate industry. Oversee all daily activities including ROI maximizations, client relations, loan negotiations, and investment dispositions. Recruit, train, and coach 50 employees.
5) Know Your Achievements
Your executive resume should be more achievement-driven than task-driven. If your current resume only shows your tasks then you are simply showing potential employers what you are paid to do.
However, by bringing attention to top achievements for each position, you are demonstrating how well you have done your job - that is a huge difference and is bound to make a greater impact.
Revisiting Resume Best Practices
