Executive Level Resumes or CV

Love it or hate it you are going to need to rely on your resume during your search. There are no right or wrongs on style or content, however we do have views on best practice and have included our 12 top tips on executive resumes.

1) The objective of your Resume (CV) is to secure an interview

The objective of your resume is purely to secure you an interview with a prospective employer or a search firm. Therein lies the challenge, you need to formulate a sufficiently detailed and well presented to sell you but not overly wordy or complicated so as to create a negative impression.

As a senior executive you will be expected to have a resume that is stylish professional and succinct and convey your relevance to the role or company in question. While such a resume will not guarantee that you secure an interview, a poor resume will almost certainly guarantee that you do not get past the first stage.

2) It’s your document – there is no right or wrong.

Every professional recruiter will have their views on how to prepare your document. It is your advertisement and as such it should reflect you and your personality. Spend the time to make sure that you are happy with it and that you feel that it communicates the right message about you.

3) Know what CEO’s, chairmen and executive recruiters look for

In considering whether to interview you at executive level, recruiters will review your resume looking for relevant “labels” that suggest you may be a contender. These labels generally include

• Personal details (name, contact details, personal summary etc)
• Knowledge (qualifications, schools and universities)
• Skills (technical and technological)
• Experience (employer names and responsibilities, achievements)

A huge emphasis is placed on your experience, particularly recent experience and the organisations you have worked for.

It’s important to make these “labels” prominent and readable in your resume.

4) Make your resume/CV relevant to the job or employer in question

Spend the time to make sure your resume (CV) fits the job application (or employer) otherwise you’re unlikely to win an interview.

This means tailoring the skills and experience you have to the job or employer in question and positioning this information as labels to be read. It does not mean being liberal with the truth, if you have to do that then you are not right for the role. Include unusual skills and experience if relevant.

For example; if you are wanting to meet with an executive recruiter, it’s likely that you will provide a much more detailed and comprehensive resume than you would with a direct employer. Advanced resume writing e-learning can assist you to write this.

Similarly at second interview with a direct employer, you or your agent may be asked to provide a comprehensive and detailed resume or CV.

Limit detail on your experience to the last 10-15 years and use a sentence or two to summarise your early career. We would suggest that an executive resume (CV) should be no more than 3-4 pages long for opportunities in Australia. This is longer than is expected than in other parts of the world such as the USA.

5) Include your value proposition

Sell yourself. Tell the reader why you can help their organisation or their client. A popular method is to split your responsibilities from your achievements. You should quantify your achievements where possible and ideally they will correspond to the desired profile for the role.

6) Make sure you have style

As in interviews you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. Your resume/CV must create the right impression quickly. Whatever the content it needs to look professional and anything less will count against you.

Use lots of white space, ensure that the type face is consistent. Italics, bold, capitals and underline should be used sparingly as this will threaten the resume’s consistency. Use action words (such as ‘achieved’, ‘implemented’ or ‘developed’) and ensure no spelling or grammatical errors. Economise on the words used. A bullet point format will assist the reader.
While almost all resumes are now delivered electronically most are printed for easy reference. Therefore it must pass the professional test both physically and electronically.

7) What to include

Again it’s your CV but our view is that the front page needs to include sufficient information to encourage the reader to continue. A summary of who you are, personal details and the key details on your education, professional qualifications and current experience will cover the important questions. Exclude salary from your resume (CV) at the first stage as this can be discussed at interview stage.

8) The protocol on other personal details

Social convention often determines what personal information should be on your document. These change over time but currently I would recommend including name and residence but exclude nationality, health/disabilities, marital status and salary.

Age, nationality and salary are contentious issues. Your potential employer will invariably want to know your age as a benchmark to your career progress and will try to guess if your date of birth is not stated. You can help them or hinder them. Your nationality is not relevant but you should stress that you have a valid work visa if you have one and also your language abilities.

9) Include your referees if they are willing and able

Including your referee’s names and contact numbers can work in your favour if they are prominent executives and will be happy to endorse you on a regular basis. If neither of these are applicable I would suggest including a line saying that references can be provided on request. In this way you have more control over the recruitment process.

10) Include a cover letter as “expensive wrapping paper” and send it to the right person

A cover letter or email summary is effectively wrapping paper. It’s not essential but it certainly improves the experience to follow. It should briefly outline why the resume (CV) was sent and using no more that 3-4 bullet points and sentences why you are relevant to the role/employer and what value you can add.

If your career objectives are not obvious, for example you’re starting out in your career or wish to make a career change then restate your career goals. You should ensure that you find out the name and title, both correctly spelled, of the relevant manager as this will improve your chances of ensuring the right person reads your resume or CV.

11) Before you send it – objectively review

Once you’ve prepared your resume, leave it a day or so and then read it again objectively. Preferably ask a friend or partner to review it also. Does it provide the potential employer with the right information and does it portray the right impression? If so then it is ready to send.

12) Follow up

Finally, you will undo all your good work if you don’t follow up after you’ve sent it with a friendly phone call to the recipient. While you just want to ensure it’s reached the destination, more often than not it provides you with an opportunity to engage in a dialogue which may improve your chances of getting to interview.