Senior executive resume writing guide

Senior executives looking for work in today’s global market know it is essential to have a great resume. Many employees do not know how to use key words to describe their previous experience. In fact, many executive employees have job titles that weaken their resumes. The importance of knowing how to write a resume using key words to describe previous job experiences, abilities, and qualifications is essential to getting ahead in this global world. Remember a resume is a tool to market “the applicant” to the employer to get an interview.

The career objective statement:

The first step to having a great resume begins with a hook – a statement that will grab the attention of the reader. This hook is usually found in the beginning section of the resume called objectives. State the type of job wanted and why the applicant has the qualifications to do this type of work. Often if the employer’s attention is not caught in the first sentence he may not read much further. It is important to remember that a resume is a tool to get an interview. Determine what the employer wants for the specific position and then state the applicant’s qualifications and skills that meet these needs. The resume must convince the employer that the applicant is more qualified than his/her competitors.

Education:

An executive resume needs to show where the applicant obtained his/her education as well as listing classes that are job related to the position. Many employees have returned to college to get different types of degrees that have helped them climb the career ladder. What classes has the applicant completed? What computer programs does the applicant know? List any classes important to the position.

Experience:

The resume must describe any past experiences, skills, and abilities necessary for the position. Begin by making a list of all skills, abilities, experiences, and previous employment. While many people do not want to brag about themselves, it is essential to do a little bragging.

Be sure to list all job activities, projects, and special skills the applicant has. What “buzz” words describe these skills? What are some of the qualifications and skills of the applicant? Does the applicant have any leadership qualities? Does the applicant perform well under deadlines? What are his/her interpersonal skills? Be specific about what abilities and skills the applicant has.

Hobbies and Interests:

It is important for the applicant to show the employer that he/she can meet deadlines and can be counted on to finish projects. Does the applicant have any hobbies? Does he/she have leadership skills? Does the applicant belong to any local clubs?

Length of resume:

One to two pages are acceptable in length. Remove any lengthy descriptions that might not be related to the specific position. Has the applicant described his/her skills, qualifications, and abilities?

Revision process:

Once the resume is written it is essential to proofread it. Check for correct spelling. Check the dictionary if needed. Check for grammatical errors. Ask a friend to read over the resume. Make any needed changes.

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Why Your Resume Isn't Working

by Mike O'Brien, Climber.com


If you're like most job seekers, you're probably satisfied with a resume that does a good job of positioning you and presenting your skills and experience.


Unfortunately, "good" isn't good enough anymore. Climber.com recently polled its entire national database of recruiters, and that poll shows that these one- to two-page documents have never been more critical to the professional job-search process.


The primary reason is sheer volume: recruiters are now reviewing at least 300 resumes per posted position, and taking approximately 10 to 30 seconds per document to decide whether or not a candidate is worthy of further review. Now more than ever, resumes are being used as reasons to say no to a candidate, not yes. What used to be considered minor errors--typographical issues, lack of scanability, or incomplete or poorly executed job-experience descriptions--are now enough to get your resume discarded.


To keep this from happening to you, consider the following tips:


Use generic 12-point fonts. Climber.com's recruiters became visibly frustrated when they had to increase the font size so they could read it.

Save your resume as a Word or PDF document--nothing else. A number of resumes that cross recruiters' desks are saved as CSV or RTF files--but this approach can be dangerous. More than one recruiter said that they are unable to open odd files due to their company's policies.

Create an easily scanned document. Experienced recruiters can scan a resume in less than 30 seconds. They have trained themselves to process a resume quickly, and then sort it into the "yes" pile or the "no" pile. Resumes that appear confusing or too dense don't fare well in this system.

Optimize your resume with the appropriate keywords. Research the companies that interest you the most, and see what keywords they utilize over and over again in their website content. If those keywords aren't present in your resume, you may not pass the automated review process many employers now use to weed out non-viable resumes.

Provide context for little-known companies. If you've worked at a company that isn't top-of-mind for a recruiter, explain a bit about the organization within your resume. For example, the following description not only names the organization but also positions it well for a recruiter's consideration:

"Medical Device ABC, a $30,000,000 leading manufacturer of medical equipment, located in New York, with approximately 300 employees"

Your resume is often the first opportunity you have to share yourself and your experience with a prospective employer--and you often won't get a second chance. If you don't feel confident enough to make changes to your own resume, many career-management sites offer resume-analysis services that provide feedback and guidance. Whether you seek outside guidance or do it yourself, however, take the time to create the best resume you can. It will help get you noticed by the people who matter.

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10 Tips for Writing a Professional Résumé

1. Start with an attractive layout. Use bold and italics to highlight key points. I do not recommend downloadable templates because they are very generic and dull. Get creative but not crazy. You can use a little touch of color if you are modest.

2. Justify the text instead of using left align. Most people are accustomed to reading justified text. This will make your résumé easy to follow.

3. Choose a common font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Verdana are some of the best fonts for a résumé. Now is not the time to experiment. Most computers do not have 600 different fonts installed so the file will not read correctly if you use your decorative fonts. Do not use cutesy graphics such as candy canes or teddy bears if you want to be taken seriously. (Yes, I have really received a résumé with teddy bears and candy canes on it.) It is NOT appropriate for business correspondence, and I guarantee your résumé will be canned if you do this.

4. Do not use the word "I" in your résumé. Start each sentence with a powerful verb. For example:

• Organized annual student symposium by securing speakers and working closely with marketing department executives.
• Implemented production bonus incentives and "best practices" matrix for all divisions, raising overall productivity by as much as 40 percent.

5. Write a proper cover letter for each position to which you apply. Do not ever send out a résumé without a cover letter. This is basic business etiquette. Personalize each cover letter directly to the position you are applying to. A generic cover letter will not work to your benefit. If possible, address the letter directly to a person. If you do not know the hiring manager's name, use "Hiring Manager."

6. Print your résumé and read it word-for-word. You can use the grammar and spell check function, but don't rely on it.

7. When you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates of attendance, many résumé scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period.

8. Deactivate all e-mail links and Web addresses in your résumé and cover letter. To do this in Microsoft Word, highlight the link with your mouse, go to the "Insert" drop-down menu, scroll down to and click "Hyperlink", and on the lower left-hand side of this screen there should be a little button that says "Remove link." When you find it, give it a little click and voila! Alternatively, you can highlight the link with your mouse, right click on it, and scroll down to "remove link" to deactivate the link.

9. Be consistent! For example, don't list one date as 1/2005 and then list another date as 9/22/2005. List software consistently, too. MS Word and Microsoft Excel are both correct, but not consistent when used together.

10. Adhere to punctuation and capitalization rules. Use a reference manual if you do not understand standard punctuation and capitalization rules.


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Resume Writing Should We State Our Hobbies And Interests

By: Paul Hata



There are two types of resumes: chronological and functional. As its name implies, a chronological resume is one that lists your experience and education in order, starting with the most recent jobs or achievements.

This type of resume is sometimes also referred to as reverse chronological resume, because the order of the listing starts with your current employment.

Functional resumes focus on your qualifications, not your career timeline. This style of the resume highlights what skills you have, rather than where and when you acquired or utilize them. In other words, instead of listing your experiences by your job titles, your resume will contained sections titled by your skills such as verbal and written communication, customer satisfaction, project management, etc.

The functional resume style is recommended for college students seeking internships or their first jobs out of college, for those with no professional experience, those who have not worked for some time, or for career changers.

This resume style allows you to reference your hobbies and interests in a way that apply to your career objective only; listing hobbies and interests outside of your career objective is not recommended as it doesn't promote you as a professional in any way.

Any time you are composing a resume, it is important to keep in mind your career objective. You want to present yourself in a best possible light to your potential employer. Thus, the information on your resume has to answer one question: Why are you the best candidate for the job?

The biggest mistake people make on their resumes is including information that is not related to their professional experience. Facts pertaining to your volunteer positions, community work, interests and hobbies that disclose your race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or any personal descriptors that do not directly impact your professional performance must be excluded from your resume.

The functional resume does not require you to list names or organizations you have worked or volunteered for; thus, you can list the experience you have acquired there without potentially disclosing any demographic information. Additionally, don't create a separate section on your resume for hobbies and interests. This is typically seen as amateur, and gives your resume less credibility.

Listing hobbies and interests as they apply to the position you are applying for should be done under specific functional sections. For example, if you are seeking a position in graphic design, and have samples of work that you have done as a hobby, indicate this fact on your resume or in your cover letter.

If your hobbies are related to the type of work you are seeking utilize them to your advantage. If you have read books or completed seminars at the community center that are applicable to your job, make a mention of them. Any employer will welcome the opportunity to have you demonstrate the qualifications that make you a perfect candidate for the job.

As a final step, have a friend review your resume, or if you are a college student, seek assistance from a career center at your school.

Having another person review your resume will help uncover any items that may raise questions about your experience or education, as well as address if the inclusion of your hobbies and interests works to support your career objective.

Perfecting your resume will assure that you show your potential employer that you are the best candidate for the job.


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