Top Rated Resumes

Top Rated Resumes

Top-Rated Resumes For Savvy Executive Job Seekers
Is there a better and smarter way to get top jobs? Absolutely. As employers get hundreds or thousands of resumes on a daily basis (especially in response to online ads), an executive with the strongest, most convincing message has a strategic market advantage.
The question is; how can you position yourself as a winning candidate companies want to hire? Here are 3 proven resume strategies to help you stay ahead of the rest:

1. AVOID COOKIE-CUTTER FORMATS - Most resumes look predictable and accomplish nothing more than make excellent candidates look mainstream. If you want to stand out and get ahead, don’t follow the masses. The format of your resume should be refreshing and personalized, never canned.

* TIP: Don’t use textbook resume templates, as they may make you appear typical and mediocre. Focus on making your career fit your resume, not your resume fit your career.

2. PROMOTE YOUR KEY STRENGTHS - Any executive has a decent list of achievements to show for. It’s expected at your level. However, few senior-level applicants effectively summarize their unique benefits and potential advantages. Most executive resumes prove the same point again and again, thus diluting candidates’ value.

* TIP: The effectiveness of your resume is determined by a clear synopsis of what you know and offer than by what you were challenged with by previous employers. Fast-forward your message and focus on what companies can gain from having you on board.

3. LOOK LIKE THE RIGHT FIT – Today’s employers are more selective and risk-averse. They want to be reasonably assured that you are not only qualified but actually well-positioned to join their team. The best ways to initially capture their attention is to highlight your understanding of current industry issues and convey what makes you a dynamic contemporary leader.

* TIP: Aim to look suitable not just experienced. Write your resume in the proposal style that shows why what you have to offer is better and more desirable than what is offered by other qualified candidates.

Executive resume writing is an art. You must carefully plan out your thoughts to grab the interest of the reader, and your document must surpass all the others being considered for a specific position. There is no difference between a television commercial and your resume…. both say: Buy me - I am the very best! Show your innovation and talent in driving change to improve the organization throughout the entire resume. Let yourself go! Toot your horn; no one else will do it for you! I know this is a tough mission considering there is so much competition in the marketplace, but it can be achieved.

Questions that my Clients Ask

1. How important is it to list challenges in the professional experience section?

* These challenges showcase your innovation and problem-solving abilities and tell the reader the type of situations you inherited.

2. How far back should I go pertaining to my work experience?

* Your potential employer is not interested in what you did 20 or 25 years ago. I usually tell my clients to go back around 12 years. You can condense your other experience in a small paragraph using the heading: PRIOR EXPERIENCE.

3. How important is the introduction?

* It is key that you demonstrate you are a leader in your field. How do you accomplish this? First you must develop a powerful introduction at the top of your resume with a lot of punch that will position you in the forefront of the competition. If you look at job descriptions on the Internet, the requirements usually go like this: We are looking for a CFO with experience in a specific industry. Use this information for your first line on your introduction. Continue by conveying to an organization why they should hire you versus the competition.

4. Why should I list three accomplishments after my introduction?

* By doing so, you are giving your executive introduction credibility. Simply list three dynamic accomplishments to back up your introduction and bullet each accomplishment.

5. What is the importance of key words?

* Specific key words tell reader that you have the skills to take on a specific position.

6. Should I list dates of my college graduation if it was in the 1970’s or early 1980’s?

* In my opinion, anything that ages you is a negative, so I usually tell my clients to only document graduation dates that go back 10 to 15 years.

7. Should I list my technology skills?

* Certainly if you are a CFO, CIO, or COO.