Why an Executive-Level Resume is Critical to Advancing Your Career

Talking about yourself and your achievements can be awkward, but if you’re looking to get ahead and keep climbing the corporate ladder, being able to do so effectively is essential. How you present yourself matters, and if you’re still using the same resume from 10 years ago and just tacking on your most recent experience, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage.

October is one of the hottest months for hiring, and according to a recent LinkedIn survey, 89% of hiring managers fill job openings within four weeks during this time of year. Plus, if you are one of the first 25 applicants to an open position, you are three times more likely to land the job. That means that you have no time to waste, and your professional resume must be at its best.

Here are a few tips for polishing up your executive resume:

Focus on being strategic rather than tactical. Entry-level jobs tend to be all about execution, but when you’re eyeing a management or senior leadership role, it’s a given that you already have these skills. Instead, the emphasis should be on your strategic planning abilities. How well can you assess a problem and develop a plan to resolve it? What are you doing to keep the company moving forward over the next 1-3 or 3-5 years? How have you set the organization up for greater success by putting targeted policies, procedures, and teams in place?

Demonstrate your leadership. Yes, you can work well as part of a team, but how do you function as a leader? Are you able to coach and mentor others to do their best? Have you worked collaboratively across different departments or business units? Have you spearheaded a major project? Show that you know how to delegate, manage, and achieve results.

Emphasize your training. It’s essential to continue growing throughout your career. That means taking professional development and leadership courses. If you’ve participated in a management or executive leadership training program, whether through your company or an accredited university, make sure it is included on your resume.

Revamp your summary. If your resume still has an objective, that’s a clear sign it’s outdated. Rework your summary to highlight what employers value in senior management positions such as your ability to communicate, problem-solve, develop strategic plans, drive revenue, cut costs, and build relationships. Show what you bring to the table right upfront.

Your executive-level resume needs to show how you fit within the upper echelon of the business, not that you can accomplish basic tactical responsibilities. Employers need to know that you have the critical thinking and planning skills to make tough decisions and leverage data to guide strategy. The resume you used when you were first starting out isn’t going to cut it, and you’re throwing away your opportunity to advance in your career.

Make yourself stand out for all the right reasons by overhauling your outdated resume and creating a document that works for you and appeals to hiring managers. The team at Search Solution Group can help you position yourself to move into a management role or show you have what it takes to be part of senior leadership. Time is of the essence, so contact us today.