How to write a winning resume for High-level positions.

Writing a great resume can be a daunting task, more so if you are hoping to make it into a high-level position. Fortunately, paying attention to a few aspects can put you on the right track in your search for a suitable executive position. 

The purpose

Before you start writing your resume, determine the specific purpose that any given position serves. For example, it could be streamlining a company’s finances, the transformation of a company’s structure, entering a foreign market, or creating a new product. Once you know what purpose you need to serve, you will be able to create a resume that highlights the desired skills and traits. This is why you need to customize your resume every time you apply for a new position. 

Personal branding

There is a good possibility that there are others who can do a better job than you. As a result, you need to highlight aspects that set you apart from the competition. When you’re looking for an executive position, it is important that you create your own distinct brand.  Your branding statement should be clear at the top of your resume, just after your contact details. It should highlight your previous achievements and mention how they can provide value to a potential employer. 

Add credentials that match the position you’re applying for at the top of the resume because these get looked at first. You should also include your education, areas of expertise and core competencies at the top, preferably in an easy-to-read list format. 

Highlights of a resume for a High-level position

Your resume needs to start with an executive summary, and then move to provide details about your education and employment history.

• Executive summary. Your executive summary should focus on your contributions to and achievements in leadership roles related to the position you seek. The personal branding statement comes first, followed by listing how your expertise can help challenges faced by your potential employer. List out your areas of expertise based on a job’s requirements.
• Education & Qualifications. You need to provide basic information about your educational qualifications and offer to provide more information upon request. This is because potential employers are typically more interested in what you’ve learned through the course of your career.
• Professional history. As an experienced manager or executive, your professional history needs to showcase your achievements in different t leadership roles. Your resume should focus more on your current or last job while offering relevant information from previous roles. List the companies you’ve worked for chronologically. Make sure you add keywords that match your targeted position. Also, include any achievements that are noteworthy and relevant to the position you are applying for. 

The length

A two-page resume is ideal for executive positions in the first instance and a more detailed resume can be provided thereafter. If you wish to add more details, consider using an addendum. It is not uncommon for executives to provide addendums as follow-ups to their resumes or a more detailed full resume after the initial screening process. An addendum can include details about performance, leadership initiatives, and publications. 

It is important to remember that people going through your resume are in high- level positions and have specific sets of selection criteria. Highlight the skills they seek and make it easy for them to evaluate if you are a good fit. Finally, review your resume through their eyes and determine if it makes the cut.