If you are in the middle of a job search campaign or know that change is around the corner, your executive resume is going to be the primary tool you use to open doors for interviews. Before you start blasting your resume to everyone who will read it or begin calling every recruiter you know, make sure that your executive resume (your key career marketing document) is worth taking a second look.

Too often, even the most accomplished senior executives can make the mistake of turning their career highlights and professional experience into a boring, two- to three-page career obituary. Take a close look at your existing resume—does it show your personality, invite the reader to contact you, communicate your personal brand and convey a consistent theme of achievements?

In other words, unless your executive resume is doing an effective job of representing you on paper, your job search will keep going in circles. When developing your executive resume, make sure that it contains the following components:

Core Component #1: Have a Clear Target and Personal Brand

Be clear on the type of positions, companies or industries that you are targeting. Using a one-size fits all resume does not work and it makes you appear unfocused. Secondly, by adding a strong personal brand to your resume, you can clearly communicate your value to the potential employers. This thought-provoking process requires time and commitment, but the information you can extract is truly golden; a strong personal brand gives your executive résumé a great boost. Take the time to develop a list of your personal attributes – enlist help from your mentors, colleagues, peers, and family to help give you feedback on those areas. A good example of clear target and personal brand:

SENIOR MANUFACTURER EXECUTIVE

Engaging cutting-edge technologies to advance corporate-wide initiatives, expedite manufacturing processes, and achieve aggressive revenue / cost objectives.
Core Component #2: Make It Relevant

Executive resume must contract relevant content – for example, if you are targeting a position in manufacturing operations, but your resume contains intricate details about your early positions in sales, your job search will not progress very far. You want to always make sure that your executive resume presents you as part of a company’s solution and not as an “outsider” trying to get in. Here is an excerpt from a banker’s resume who was targeting non-profit management positions – this portion was used in her executive summary.

Articulate leader able to influence and solicit support from key executives, government officials, and community leaders. Expertise includes extensive knowledge and proven success in securing corporate funding and sponsorships. Repeatedly awarded for exceptional leadership in community affairs.

BOARD EXPERIENCE: Served actively on Board of Directors and committees for major business and community associations, including MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council, Bank of America Mid-Atlantic Foundation, First Book DC Local Advisory Board, and Capitol Hill Association of Merchants & Professionals

Note how she brought her volunteer work (a definite bonus in the non-profit world) to the forefront on her resume.

Core Component #3: Show Strategic Impact & Achievements

Your executive resume should use “big picture” snapshot statements that tell the reader what you have done. There is a huge difference between saying:

"Manage daily activities for real estate portfolio for investment management company and supervise staff members." and saying:

"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."

In three short sentences, you have captured the corporate challenges of your responsibilities and the long-term impact of your efforts. While quantitative achievements that relate to revenue and profits are highly-desirable, do not underestimate the impact of achievements that directly relate to other areas like customer retention, process/productivity improvement, cost containment and business development.

Core Component #4: Don't Age Yourself Out of The Game

If you are a candidate with more than 20 years’ experience, the age issue will surface when you are seeking new employment. A general (and safe) approach is to avoid listing any employment or education dates from the 60’s and 70’s. In addition, when making reference to years of experience instead of saying "30 years' experience leading programs in non-profit entities" say "Offering 15-plus years' executive-level leadership and program development expertise in a member-driven, non-profit organization."

Another good strategy to employ is to limit your professional experience to the last 15 years on your resume, and condense your early jobs in a summary paragraph. For example:

EARLY CAREER: Commenced industry experience through positions in materials and inventory management for 84 Lumber Company. At pinnacle of early career, managed up to $8 million in materials and supervised staff of eight. Major achievement included the introduction of new shipping practice which increased product delivery time 10% and simultaneously lowered shipping costs more than 25%.

Core Component #5: Infuse Differentiating Factors or Traits

The competition for senior-level and C-level positions is fierce regardless of what industry you are targeting. Make sure that you can demonstrate on your resume, the unique aspects of your experience and expertise that place you ahead of the pack. Use testimonials, excerpts from performance evaluations and management commentary to communicate your industry reputation.

For example:

"Dennis worked well with all members of the accounting team…there were no discrepancies and assigned work tasks were completed according to written policies and procedures and GAAP standards…he demonstrated a good basic understanding of essential equipment functions, operations, and applicable software in the accounting department." - Select comments from Corporate Accountant
Core Component #6: Speak The Same Language

For those of you considering changing careers, it is critical that you maximize relevant experience and career achievements that fit well with your target industries/positions. You don't want an executive resume that literally screams "I am changing careers."

Try this simple "flipping" technique that allows you to restructure your existing experience to position you for another career. For example, this candidate wants to transition from a technical, task-driven position into human resource management in the corporate sector.

BEFORE:

2005-present: Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Washington Division responsible for leading DEA and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) enforcement activities in northern Virginia, the State of West Virginia, all Division administration and budget allocations, and various high profile programs i.e. (Recruitment, Training, and Demand Reduction).

AFTER:

Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge, Washington, DC (2005 to present)
Provides pivotal leadership at the Washington Division heading federal drug operations in Washington DC, Maryland, northern Virginia, and West Virginia. Direct division administration, budget allocations, and oversee high profile programs including recruitment, personnel training, demand reduction, and division special projects. Created and developed "first-ever" division leadership program that promotes mentoring and hands-on experience/insight to executive management activities.

• Human Resource Management: Pioneered complete turnaround in office morale and division productivity by instituting year-long training in financial management and general administration.
  
  
• Program Management: Revitalized recruitment program by assessing program effectiveness and creating increased momentum for achieving annual goals.
  
  
• Program Development: Conceived and coordinated new leadership program to advance leadership opportunities for senior-level employees.

Getting prepared to develop a new resume is never an easy task especially if you haven’t done a one in a long time. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the entire process – start by working on one section at a time before pulling it all together.

Copyright 2007 Premier Writing Solutions