Career Advice for Job Seekers

The Executive Resume Makeover: 4 Steps to Job Seeking Success

William Frierson AvatarWilliam Frierson
May 16, 2012


Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

If you’re not getting hired for the executive job you want, there are a couple of issues that could be hindering the process.  One is that your interview is not making the impact you want, and another is that your resume may not be scoring interviews in the first place.

When the latter is the problem, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your chances of a callback.  Here are four that could help make over your executive resume, giving you a renewed chance at success.

Step #1: Choose New Keywords

If you’re applying for an executive position via a company website, it’s possible that your resume is being screened by scanning software that searches for specific keywords to determine whether your skills closely align with the job you’re seeking.

To ensure your resume isn’t being overlooked for this reason, your first step should be to incorporate new keywords.  By choosing some that follow descriptions found in the job posting, as well as those that relate to your field as a whole, you increase your chances of passing the initial screening process.

Step: #2: Create an Impressive Branding Statement

Your branding statement is a critical piece of information in your resume.  Placed near the top of your resume (usually underneath your name and contact information), it offers insight, in just a few words or sentences, into who you are as a candidate and why you are the ideal person for the position.

In order to create an impressive branding statement, you should note your title, number of years worked, standout career moments, and an overall summary of how you plan to make a difference in your new role.

Step #3: Make Your Best Skills Shine

In addition to showcasing your standout skills in your branding statement, it’s important to choose pieces of your professional history that also make you shine.  Don’t just list the biggest responsibilities you had as an executive with a previous employer.  Take time to share information such as how much money you earned a company and/or how you were able to guide it in new directions with your wisdom and expertise.

Step #4: Add Testimonials

If you want to give hiring decision makers a quick glimpse into your qualifications from the mouths of others, consider adding a few testimonials to your resume from some of your most impressive associates.  Just a couple of sentences from two or three top leaders in your field could make a lasting impression on prospective employers.

It requires only a few brief steps to make a huge difference in the quality of your executive resume—and the results could be remarkable.  Try it for yourself, then look for an increase in the number of callbacks you receive.

Author Info: Jessica Hernandez, expert resume writer, is a nationally-recognized resume authority and former HR Manager who has achieved over a 99% success rate securing interviews with prestigious organizations through exclusive, personal branding strategies.

Author Website: http://eliteresumebranding.com

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.

 

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