Example Resumes

Posts Tagged ‘executive resumes’

Most of the time, when you write a resume, you spend most of your time listing out accomplishments. Accomplishments are certainly a very important part of a resume, and they’re often the first focus of potential employers, so it’s important to spend some time figuring out how to represent them.

However, at the executive level, there is more to consider than your accomplishments. Companies will want to see integrity, a vision for the future and good self control on your executive resume. You can add these types of elements to your resume in very effective ways. Here’s a look at a few ideas to incorporate.

 

Sell the Idea that You’re a Visionary

When writing your executive-level resume, you want to make sure to show employers that you’re able to create and follow through on a vision that matches the goals of the company. You want to show that you’re an “idea person” that challenges ways of conducting business.

 

Companies love the thought of shifting their business in new and innovative directions. You’ll have a big leg up on the competition by focusing your resume around ways that you’ve adapted your previous companies and changed them in ways that made them more innovative and current, especially if you can emphasize how you were able to motivate employees and adress challenges in unique ways.

 

Let Employers Know You Trust Yourself and Have Self Control

At the executive level, you are relied upon to make some pretty heavy decisions, many of which offer no blueprint for guidance. You’ve had to make gut-level decisions, likely on many occasions. Employers will take notice if you can show that you’ve got the necessary instinct to be a successful executive, and they’ll be especially interested if you show a great sense of self control.

 

One way to get this done is by listing one or more instances where you were faced with a major challenge and overcame it. Whether you had to locate additional resources (money, workers) where there seemed to be none, or had to corral other execs to sit down and do some grunt work to accomplish a goal, if you succeeded in the end, you should definitely make mention of it in your resume. It’s still considered an accomplishment, you’re just explaining what you had to go through for that accomplishment.

 

Showcase Personal Integrity

When employers are looking for new prospects at the executive level, they want to make sure that the choice candidate is a person of personal integrity. Companies want an ethical businessperson that can be trusted, and who will be accountable for everything that happens under their leadership. They don’t want to worry about whether you will make side deals to stuff your own pockets, or work out business deals that benefit you more than the company. You can show superior business ethics in your resume by mentioning awards you’ve won, and by having a few high-level recommendations that showcase your integrity.

 

Executive resumes can be a bit tricky to write at times because you have to showcase so much more than with a standard entry-level or mid-career resume. Executives have more experience and more stories to tell, though, so keep your focus on goals and your personality along with accomplishments and you’ll have a well balanced, successful executive resume.