How to Write a C-Suite Resume that Stands Out

When is the last time you updated your resume? 6 weeks ago? 6 months? 6 years? As a senior executive it wouldn’t be uncommon for you to omit this from your list of top priorities. You’ve spent years proving your value and working your way up the corporate ladder so you might believe your results should speak for themselves. This is true to an extent. However regardless of your position having a concise & compelling resume that summarizes the essence of your executive brand is essential to finding your ideal job or next role in the C-Suite.

5 Tips for Creating an Appealing Executive Resume

1. Keep it simple and straightforward.

Your resume does not need to tell your entire life story, only the chapters that are relevant to the position(s) you are applying for. If your target job is a CFO position that administrative assistant position you held in college can be omitted. Also, avoid being too wordy as this can be distracting. Recruiters and hiring managers spend an average of 6 seconds reviewing your resume before deciding whether or not it merits further review. Make each word count and eliminate those words that serve no purpose.

2. Include an Executive Summary.

Do you remember the infamous “Objective Statement” that was once a must-have for all resumes? You can replace it. Hiring managers are more likely to find your executive summary much more interesting. An executive summary should be at the top of every resume you submit and include a few key bullet points that indicate why you are a great fit for your target position. Before you decide what these points are take time to consider your brand. What’s your specialty? What’s your unique basket of skills? Do you recognize any patterns in the results you’ve generated over the years?

Have you transformed financially struggling companies, led teams through business model changes or facilitated major organizational culture shifts? Find a way to summarize your brand using 3-5 short statements that align with your resume. Make it compelling. This is the first section on your resume and a large determinant as to whether or not it’s worth continuing to read.

3. Focus on key career achievements.

Career achievements or MSA’s (Made/Saved/Achieved) are a vital part of your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers will use your past accomplishments to determine what you can do for their companies.  What are you proud of? List at least 6-10 key career achievements that show your value in the workplace. Keep in mind that quantitative data is the most objective and include whenever possible. Stating that you are “a proven revenue generator who consistently generates $10 million in new business annually” sounds much better than “a proven salesman with 5 years of experience.”

4. List your technical competencies and job specific skills.

While career achievements are significant technical competencies, industry expertise and job specific skills should also be listed. These are the technical and practical skills and abilities you need to perform a job more effectively than another candidate. You typically build these over time through experience. For example, as an executive, you should have strong leadership and communication skills. For a CFO position you can share your IPO, acquisition or financial restructuring experience.

5. Use a modern design.

Make your resume visually appealing. Experiment with different layouts and formats until you find one that works for you. Also try to sprinkle in some key words to help tie your experience into the requirements of the position. This will help to create the impression that you have the right experience and aptitude for the job. At the executive level don’t try to squeeze everything onto one page. Two page resumes are just fine.

When to Revise Your Resume

Even if you are not currently looking for a new position you should still consider keeping your resume current. If it has been a while since the last update it might take some time to perfect. Active job searching doesn’t always leave an abundance of free time. Remember, you want to have a solid executive brand that flows effortlessly into your career goals and experience. And your resume should be an accurate and current reflection of this.

To find out how Norstrem & Associates can help you revamp your executive resume, contact us at  tim@norstrem.com.