Tips for Writing Professional Executive Resumes
Professional Resume Writing Will Improve Job Interview Chances
Dec 15, 2009 Lyn Rasmussen
A generic CV is unlikely to impress recruitment professionals at executive level. The most effective resumes are written via a constructive working partnership between candidates and professional resume services.
Executive Resumes Should Target Advertisements or Job Descriptions
Professional resume writing services may be the best option for executives seeking to advance their careers, but candidates will benefit from some focused groundwork before selecting a professional CV service. Preparing a comprehensive draft that targets the desired position is an effective strategy to launch the professional resume.
Careful analysis of the advertisement or job description is crucial. Particular attention should be paid to requisites such as specific qualifications, skills and achievements. The professional resume must be consistent with the position’s requirements in order to achieve face-to-face interviews with senior decision-makers.
Matching and recording the desired qualifications is straightforward and imperative. Relevance is key; don’t include information only for the sake of showing the number of qualifications held.
A Professional CV Should Highlight Accomplishments, Quantify, and Include Examples
Potential employers are interested in how candidates handle complex situations and/or problems, with the ultimate target being escalated profitability. Business growth, strategic thinking, relationships with colleagues, staff, clients, shareholders and the wider business community are often central to the executive role. Marrying responses to the bullet-pointed requisites in the job description, illustrations of professional achievements may include concise examples of:
- Leadership
- Intervention to resolve issues
- Strategic thinking
- Influencing events
- Conflict management
- Relationship management
- Self management
- Business Analysis/Development
- Change and risk management
- Creating/identifying opportunities
Be specific and provide quantified evidence of accomplishments such as escalating profit margins, product development, organisational expansion, successful networking and relationship management.
Detail a particular issue or problem, how it was dealt with and what the outcome was. It is worth noting that the outcome needn’t necessarily have been positive. What should be evident is that the candidate took action and held accountability for the results. It should be seen that the experience led to an embedding of knowledge, giving confidence that similar, future circumstances would be handled effectively or that skilled risk management would avoid a recurrence.
Qualities such as vision and ‘big picture’ focus should be apparent in executive resumes. While qualifications and experience are important, solid accomplishments are more influential in gaining the sought-after interview.
Professional Resume Writing Services Will Fine-Tune the Executive CV
When the draft is completed, it would be worthwhile for candidates to recruit the services of a professional resume writer. The draft provides useful raw material for resume writers who understand the importance of the document as a marketing tool. They will be experienced in the nuances that can be produced through careful wording, formatting, and professional presentation. Tightening the text to provide concise accurate information requires particular expertise.
Purchasing these services may seem costly but in today’s competitive job market, the outlay should be seen as a core investment, not just for the present but for the life span of the candidate’s career.
