Crafting a compelling resume can be one of the most challenging tasks you’ll undertake, and with good reason. A well-crafted resume can make all the difference between landing your dream job or languishing in the reject pile. The process is even more complex for seasoned executives.
So, let’s simplify things a bit. Your ultimate objective is to create a resume that accomplishes two key goals:
- It stands out immediately in a typical 5-second human scan, so much so that it is read in its entirety.
- It is simple enough for a screener (HR and/or recruiters) to understand but sophisticated enough for a hiring executive to be impressed.
Do’s
- Ensure that you have an understandable and descriptive title at the top of your resume. Don’t make the reader guess what you do –they won’t take the time.
- Grabs readers’ attention by starting with an executive summary that summarizes your hard skills and value proposition. It should include your industry and areas of expertise. Avoid using generic or vague terms like “results-oriented” or “dynamic leader.”
- Provide clear descriptions of prior employers. Where possible, use metrics to describe their size and scope. Unless it is a well-known company, don’t assume the reader will be familiar with it.
- In the experience section, instead of listing your duties or responsibilities, focus on your accomplishments and make them quantifiable. Instead of “successfully led acquisition” say, “successfully led acquisition resulting in 20% annual growth.”
- Be succinct, direct, and straightforward. Filling it with fluff and hyperbole will leave the person screening your resume confused as to whether you are qualified for the role and more likely to add your resume to the pile of rejects.
Don’ts
- Avoid hyperbole. (It’s so important, it’s worth repeating!)
- Avoid distracting formatting. A good resume is easy to read. Resumes that are not formatted well look sloppy and unprofessional, and worse than that, they are hard to follow and understand. You do not want readers focusing on misalignments…you want them focusing on substance.
- Do not fall for the one-page resume myth. Entry-level candidates should have a one-page resume. But executives with 15+ and 20+ years of experience? No.
- Do not overload it with awards, trade organizations, and speaking engagements. A little bit is good but if it dwarfs your professional experience, it may lead the employer to question when did you have time to work?
- Avoid graphics, pictures, and colors – these mask substance. You want a resume that is all substance and portrays you as an executive, not a graphic artist.
The bottom line: resume writing is a complex craft. So, you may be thinking – why not just hire a professional resume writer? The answer is that most professional resume writers do not have what it takes to craft a successful executive-level resume. They do not understand your industry or the nuances of your role and responsibilities. As a result, they often resort to hyperbole and vague statements like “results-oriented leader” which will get you nowhere.
So, what’s the answer?
20/20 Foresight Executive Marketing
20/20 Foresight’s Executive Marketing experts specialize in real estate and financial services and will collaborate with you to create a compelling resume that gets read and secures you interviews. Unlike resume writers, we understand your industry and know what hiring managers are looking for, so we know how to make your resume effective. In many instances, we create multiple versions of your resume to help market you for different positions in different sectors.
If you are interested in learning about 20/20’s Executive Marketing & Job Finding services, we welcome you to connect with us at foresight@2020-4.com.