Executive Resume Tips
If you need an executive level resume, there are some important tips that you need to know. First of all, like a CV, your resume should be several pages. This is in direct opposition to a normal resume that should be one page if at all possible. Length will vary depending on how long you’ve been in the work force, how many positions you’ve held, etc. If you don't have a resume, you can peruse our No Resume section.
Like a normal resume, your executive resume needs to include a list of the positions you have held, companies you’ve worked for, and most importantly, your accomplishments in addition to job responsibilities. You should quantify information whenever possible. For example, the number of employees you were responsible for, the approximate amount of the budget you handled, etc.
Performance is of major importance to companies hiring executives. Because of this, your executive resume must fully express all of your accomplishments in detail (another reason your resume needs to be longer than usual). For a high level resume, the work history portion is of the most importance.
For resume preparation, you should hire a person or company that specializes in executive resumes. These resumes are a different breed than a normal resume so you definitely do not want an amateur preparing it. Interview the person who will be preparing your resume, find out about their philosophy on executive resumes, how many executive resumes they have prepared and the results of their efforts. Ask to see sample executive resumes they have prepared.
You aren’t off the hook here – no one knows your career better than you do. You are the one who’ll be providing the information to the resume writer or resume writing service. You should make a list of each employer, your position, job responsibilities, accomplishments, your education, and any other information that will assist your executive resume writer.
Your resume preparer shouldn’t just format the information you have given him or her. They should be able to make suggestions and improvements above and beyond the information you have provided. If they are not able to do so, quickly hire a more experienced resume writer – one who has really written executive resumes in the past.
An executive resume is the crème de la crème of all resumes – you’ve worked hard to get to the level you’re currently at. Don’t disable yourself by having a less than stellar resume. You’ll probably have to pay several hundred or more dollars to have your resume created, but it will be well worth the investment in your career. Find a great executive resume writer, do all the work to provide him or her with detailed information about your career accomplishments, and you’ll be well on your way to your new executive position.