So, it’s time to create a unique executive resume that will help you get noticed by your dream company and kick start your career. But where do you start in terms of organizing an executive resume that is not only impactful but stands out among the other candidates?

Well, let’s look at three tips for creating a unique executive resume that will help you make a good impression and land the job of your dreams.

Formatting is Key

Recruiters see so many resume applications each day that you really must strive to stand out among the crowd. For example, adding a catchy title that matches the job posting you are applying to is a smart way to draw attention and get the recruiter to read deeper into your resume and profile. Furthermore, including a notable quote from a business partner or important staff member for the job you’re applying to will make them see you are already aligned with their goals and values. This will make it easier for HR to choose you as the best candidate.

Besides including a catchy title and notable quote, the overall look of the executive resume in terms of formatting and branding is key to standing out from other applicants. Fore example, you want to make sure your headers match on your cover letter and resume. This means that your name and contact info should be aligned in the same position on each document. This looks good for branding purposes and helps HR easily determine which resume and cover letter belongs to each candidate.

Secondly, you want to have a good balance of colour versus white space on your resume. Yes, it is fine to use some colour on your resume but DO NOT include too many graphs, charts or pictures as this makes it difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to flag your resume. Additionally, make sure everything is properly aligned and your achievements are streamlined so that the recruiter can easily determine how you contributed to the overall success of your past organizations.

Lastly, one of the most important parts of an executive resume is a well-written and concise Executive Summary section. This should be a paragraph in length and goes right at the top of your resume. Here, you get to show recruiters your unique value proposition to their company.

Make the Details Clear

Once you’re set on how your resume will look in terms of formatting, you will want to be sure that you make the necessary details as clear as possible to the reader. This goes back to having well-written and concise information regarding your areas of expertise. For example, what qualifications, skills, or talents do you possess that make you better suited for the position over other candidates? How does this add value to their company? Or, how do you plan to push your skillset to the next level to deliver specific target metrics based on job criteria? You must go beyond basic clichés, such as telling the recruiter you are looking to advance your career; they already know that based on your application. By being specific and making the relevant details clear, you can help yourself to stand out to potential employers and land the job.

Another thing to consider is that the person reading your resume may not have existing knowledge of the previous companies you’ve worked for. This means that you may want to include a short sentence or two (under each job) summarizing the company. You can also embed a company link so that the reader can connect with the organization’s website and learn more about their products and services.

Less Can be More

Now that you’ve formatted and added all these relevant details, it is important to consider the length of your executive resume. It is true that executive resumes are generally longer than traditional two-page resumes, however, a resume that exceed 4 pages is likely too long. In this case, less can be more. A tactic to combat this concern is reading the job descriptions of the positions you are applying for and pairing down the information on your executive resume based on this. It is more important that a recruiter can easily find your relevant talents and accomplishments that are related to the given job, then to list tasks and duties that have nothing to do with the new job. Tailoring your executive resume to suit each position will increase your chance of hearing back form the recruiters and getting called for an interview.

If you find the process of writing your own resume frustrating and time consuming, you may consider hiring one of our executive resume writer to help you with this task. Consider reaching out to us at Great Resume Writer so we can connect you with an executive resume writer that will take the time to understand your unique skills and achievements and design a customized resume for you.