There is a costly investment to companies looking to fill executive positions. Executive search firms, head hunters, and corporate recruiters may all be hired to help find a pool of candidates to be interviewed. As a result, the time and energy devoted to finding the right fit for a C-Level position will be much greater than an entry or mid-level position. In order to make sure you are grabbing the attention of these executive search firms, there are some simple yet important strategies you must employ. Below are five tips to help you get noticed for an executive position:
- Write an Impactful Career Summary – The first paragraph of an executive resume should illustrate your skills and attributes that set you apart from other candidates for the position. This section should clearly identify that you have the chops to be an executive within the company and provide insight into your transferable experience.
- Tailor Your Experience – While you likely have enough experience to fill five pages or more, be sure to tailor your extensive experience to the particular job ad or referral opportunity you are responding to. This will likely help you get your resume down to two pages and at the most three. While traditional resumes should be no more than two pages, executives can utilize three pages if necessary.
- Emphasize Relevant Achievements – Just like with any resume, be sure to highlight your achievements as a professional so the employer or head hunter reviewing your candidacy can see your potential impact on the bottom line. One strategy is to have an achievements section below your career summary but above your work history section that encompasses your career accomplishments. Another strategy is to have sub-headers within each work history section with specific achievements from that job.
- Keep it Recent – Make sure you go back no further than 20-25 years on your resume. While it is okay to list previous experiences, omit anything beyond the 25 year limit. Executive search firms and recruiters are more inclined to focus on the most recent, relevant accomplishments you’ve had up to this point.
- Don’t Underestimate Visual Appeal – Make sure you use a quality format or template that gives your experience the best first impression. Great experience with a poor format on paper will be less impactful to the reader. First impressions are paramount in any setting; the same rules apply when preparing your resume.
The general themes for crafting any type of resume are just as important with executive resumes. With such a wealth of experience and knowledge, it may be tough to put the right information down on paper. Keep in mind that there are executive professional resume writing services available should you want help with your resume.