Three Secrets of Senior Executive Resume Writing
……….”Failure – the Path of Least Persistence”
Writing the senior executive resume offers a unique set of challenges. At the senior executive level, the strength of the competition demands that a resume create a level of interest in the recruiter far beyond that required of lesser positions.
Here are three secrets that will make writing the senior executive resume far more productive than you ever previously experienced.
1.) Do the Research - In the classic musical comedy, The Music Man, we were warned that to be successful, “You gotta know the territory.” Forgive the poor grammar, but this statement is as true for the senior executive resume as it was for that Iowa anvil salesman.
Research is the foundational key to a strong senior executive resume. Employers do not hire senior executives unless they feel certain that this individual will greatly benefit the company. The ultimate hiring decision is far more about the company than about the individual. By knowing the company and its needs, the senior executive candidate can tailor a winning resume message.
Research in advance of writing the senior executive resume doesn’t stop with the company. Know all you can about the position being advertised. Titles can have different meanings at different companies. After you’ve reviewed the company website, search for news articles using the company name and the title of the position being offered.
One final thought on this subject. Research the challenges currently faced by this company or its industry. Searches of past news clippings can provide information vital to writing the senior executive resume.
2.) Pick the Right Format – Before you begin to write, decide whether a chronological or functional resume will best advance your candidacy. When writing the senior executive resume, this is not as simple a question as you may think.
Chronological resumes display your work history from most recent to earliest. They are probably the most well recognized format. However, they can prominently display gaps in employment or lateral moves that you may prefer not to highlight.
The employment section of the functional resume focuses on a few primary achievements you have performed during your career. This format gives you the opportunity to highlight your best performing assets and hide less desirable career attributes. Before you dash to this format, a word of caution. The functional format can also downplay an impressive career trajectory that might otherwise work in your favor. It is also known by some recruiters as a format used to hide certain aspects of the employment history.
Write using the inverted pyramid – Virtually every good writer uses some variation of the inverted pyramid theory. In short, this calls for the most important or most interesting aspects to be placed near the beginning of the story or article.
As the writer of a senior executive resume, you should apply this theory as you structure each sentence and paragraph. Use powerful words early in each statement to grab the reader’s attention. Remember, the end of each paragraph and each section is an opportunity for the recruiter to stop reading. It is your job to make them want to read more.
3.) One Final Thought – Writing a superior resume for a senior executive is no easy task. It is as complex as it is important. Invest the time it takes to get it right. A great senior executive resume will get you interviews. Without interviews, that great job is only a dream.
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