Simply listing out your career accomplishments and highlighting your experiences on an executive resume isn’t enough to get recognized today. In a way, writing resumes that get you hired is all about how you display the information and what keywords you use, no matter how experienced you actually are. You generally only have about six seconds to impress a recruiter with your resume. And that’s assuming you’ve already passed the automated trackers using the right keywords to even get your resume in the hands of the recruiter. Here are some insider tips about executive resume writing you may find useful.
Unused Keywords and Basic Formatting Issues Can Hurt You
One of the keys to writing resumes that get you hired is using the right keywords throughout the resume. The best way to find these keywords is to look directly at the job description or the list of requirements from the job posting. Identify certain keywords from those places and use them early and often in your resume. Another aspect that can make or break you is not using the best executive resume format. Use should use bullet points, bold text and indentations to your advantage to make the resume look clean. No one likes to spend a lot of time reading a resume, so the fewer words you can use to get your accomplishments highlighted, the better off you’ll be.
Many Companies Use an Applicant Tracking System
The main reason why keywords are so important today is many companies use an applicant tracking system to filter through resumes. Any given job posting could generate thousands of applicants. The only way a recruiter can narrow them down efficiently is to use technology to identify certain keywords. If your resume doesn’t have the keywords they are looking for, it won’t even make the cut to be looked at by human eyes.
Professional Writing and Feedback is Critical
Receiving objective feedback is important when writing resumes that get you hired. You can get feedback from family, friends, colleagues or even professional executive resume writers. A professional resume writing service can look at a job description, identify the keywords and incorporate them into your resume to optimize it as much as possible. Professional Resume Services is here to help executives by providing services from some of the top professional executive resume writers. Whether you need to start from scratch with your executive resume, or if you only need a final proofread, we are here to help you. Feel free to contact us at any time for more insight into executive resume writing and how we can help you.
Making a mistake in your executive resume can be detrimental to your success in landing your next job. Even if you use the best executive resume format imaginable, a typographical errors shows you could lack attention to detail, which is an important characteristic of any executive. Proofreading your executive resume is essential, but proofreading it the right way is even more important. When you’re working on your resume for several hours, it’s easy to overlook a mistake. Here are some of the top ways you should proofread your resume.
Proofread Out Loud
When you read your resume out loud to yourself or to someone else, you’ll be able to identify some obvious issues. Whether the issues revolve around the overall flow of your resume or a word that simply doesn’t make sense, sometimes reading it out loud will help identify problems you overlook when reading it silently.
Don’t Skip Sections
The key to writing resumes that get you hired is to treat every section of your resume with equal importance. If you have a references section, proofread the phone numbers or other contact information. It’s easy to skip sections like this, but it will look unprofessional if your potential employer calls a wrong number when trying to reach your reference.
Have a Peer Review Your Resume
Your peers can play a big role in your effort to create resumes that get you hired. Ask a friend or family member you trust to look over your executive resume in detail. When you’ve looked at your resume for several hours over the course of a few days, sometimes it’s easy to overlook minor details. Having a peer review your resume can help identify these minor issues to clean up your resume overall.
Hire a Professional Resume Service
Hiring a quality professional resume writing service to proofread your resume should be your last step before finalizing your resume. But just because it’s the last step doesn’t mean it should be skipped. With the highly competitive job market today, having a professional proofread your resume can ensure it is in the best shape possible for improving your chances of getting an interview. At Professional Resume Services, we can help executives not only write their resumes, but proofread them and provide constructive criticism and suggestions to make it better. If you are pleased with your resume, but want another set of experienced eyes to review it, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
With the world of automation today, it can be virtually impossible to get your executive resume into human hands if you only submit it online through job boards. It may be much easier and convenient to send in your resume online, but there’s no guarantee it will ever been seen. Recruiters will scan resumes for certain keywords and keyphrases using technology in order to eliminate as many as possible. If yours isn’t formatted perfectly, or if you don’t use the right words, it will be quickly brushed off. So how can you write resumes that get you hired, but have a better chance of getting them into human hands? Here are a few tips to consider.
Optimize Your Keywords
Keywords are the most essential component of any effective resume. Any executive resume writer will look at your skills, qualifications and accomplishments and simply reword them to use appropriate keywords for your industry. This is the best chance you have at getting your executive resume through the automated keyword filter.
Look For Connections
Sometimes the best way to get your resume into human hands is to bypass technology completely. When you make connections with people in your industry, you may not even have to send in a resume online. You still have to focus on writing an effective resume, so don’t think your connection will guarantee you an interview. It’s just one of the best ways to get around the initial resume submission stage.
Be Short and Concise
No one wants to read a long resume. You have an average of six seconds to impress a recruiter or HR manager. The first thing an executive resume writer should do is look how to tighten up sentences and sections. Try to keep your resume to two pages or less, but the shorter the better.
Choose Your Approach Carefully
Whether you choose to submit your resume online or in person, following up with the company is important to know where you stand. Sometimes your resume is filtered out right away because of keywords, but sometimes it could have been lost in the shuffle. Without checking in periodically, you may never know. Just be careful not to follow-up too much to the point where you look desperate. Professional Resume Services helps executives with writing an effective resume every day. Our skilled professionals know the tricks to getting resumes into human hands, so if you are struggling with the process or need assistance in any way with your job search, feel free to contact us at any time.
Choosing the Right Executive Professional Resume Service
With the widely known importance of writing an effective resume, more companies are popping up claiming they write the best ones. Choosing an executive resume service is a big decision relating to your executive career. It’s easy for these services to claim to be the #1 service, but how do you really know they aren’t just using a standard template and switching things around to make yours look unique? There are plenty of ways to distinguish a legitimate executive resume writing service from a fraud. Here are some things to consider when you’re looking for one.
Make Sure They Are Experts In Your Industry
If the resume service doesn’t indicate specific industries they have experience in, then you may need to look elsewhere. Resumes have to be very specific and specialized. If they aren’t, recruiters will see right through them.
Ask For Credentials or Certifications
When you contact an executive resume service, the writer should be able to provide you with one or more certifications. Those certifications could include:
Certified Expert Resume Writer (CERW)
Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)
Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW)
Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM)
While these aren’t the only certifications and credentials available, your resume writer should be able to show proof of at least one of them.
Check Out Any Samples
Any executive resume service should have an abundance of samples to provide you. Sometimes the key to writing a professional resume is incorporating different ideas from other resumes into your own. This is a good practice for writing your own resume, but the best resume writing services will treat you as a unique individual instead of just another resume. Samples should be available, but only for your own benefit.
Talk to An Actual Resume Writer
It’s always important to call an executive professional resume service prior to hiring them. If you talk to a sales person who only offers you their different services instead of learning about you, then you need to look elsewhere. A good company will ask you insightful questions about your career, accomplishments and achievements to get a complete understanding of your background. This could be in the form of an online survey, a phone interview, an in-person interview or a combination of these. The more questions they ask you, the better you should feel about their service. At Professional Resume Services, we take the time to get to know the backgrounds of each of our executives. We can’t write your executive bio unless we know your complete career history, accomplishments and aspirations, so gathering as much information as possible before getting started is key. Feel free to contact us to learn more about our services and how we can be the right executive resume service for you.
Top 5 Secrets to a Great Senior-Level Executive Resume
Executives today may struggle with formulating a quality resume to get a senior-level position. Many executives haven’t had to search for a job in a while, so they are rusty when it comes to how the process works. One of the main things helping you out will be if you have strong c-level personal branding. When you combine your personal branding with a professional resume writing service, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in your job search. But how exactly can you create a great senior-level executive resume? Here are our top five secrets.
Highlight Personal Branding
C-level personal branding is the most important attribute any executive can have. Display it on your executive resume by highlighting your passions, strengths, attributes and the value you bring to the table. Making your resume pop is critical in today’s job search process, and personal branding can put you a step ahead of the rest.
Be Specific and Targeted
General resumes don’t do the trick anymore. You have to do research on any given company before you send them a resume. Then tailor a resume to fit what they are looking for. Be specific about what skills you have displayed in the past, and how they will translate to the position you’re seeking.
Limit Your Resume to Two Pages
When you have years of experience, it’s easy to get carried away on your resume. One of the toughest things for executives to do is limit their resume to only two pages. The reality is no recruiter or HR manager is going to read the entire resume anyway, so you have to pick out your strongest strengths and highlight them. This is one of the biggest reasons why people choose to use an executive resume service.
Display Your Value
Companies don’t care what you’ve done for other companies, for the most part. All they want to know is how you can help them. But the two go hand-in-hand, since skills and attributes can translate from one job to the other. Just be sure to tailor your resume to show how valuable you can be for the company you’re applying for.
Remove Vague Objectives
The “objective” section at the top of a resume is a thing of the past. Saying you’re seeking a job is understood. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have applied for the job in the first place. Instead, replace the objective section with a headline stating what you bring to the table. Consider hiring a professional resume writing service to help you target specific keywords to help your headline stand out as well. At Professional Resume Services, we aren’t afraid to tell you our secrets for crafting the perfect senior-level executive resume. Our main focus is helping you get the job you desire, and we are available to help in any way you need us. Feel free to contact us at any time for more secrets to writing a great resume.
Which Skills Are Optimal For An Executive Job Search?
Anyone who has worked as a recruiter or hiring manager knows the difficulties in sorting through executive resumes. And as an executive, you may quickly realize you possess very similar skills as your competition when searching for a new job. Highlighting your best skills and attributes will help set your resume apart from the others. When you combine your tangible skills with writing an effective resume, you’ll have a better chance of distinguishing yourself. Here are some of the most optimal skills that look great on an executive profile.
Critical Decision-Making
Being able to make highly critical decisions with limited time and information is extremely valuable. Quick and thoughtful decision making shows you are very aware of any given situation and aren’t just making a random decision just because you have to. You’ve thought through and anticipated certain decisions that may have to be made, so you’re always prepared. This is a key skill for executives in any industry.
Multitasking
There’s a difference between multitasking and doing busy work. Multitasking means you can get multiple jobs done at the same time in order to be more efficient and move business forward. Be sure to explain situations where you had to multitask to meet a strict deadline in your executive profile. Every executive has to multitask at some point, but the best ones will create positive results out of it.
Team-Building
One of the best things you can put in your executive bio is your team-building experience. Every company wants to hire a team player, whether it’s a lower-level employee or a high-ranking executive. Many executives like to stay tucked away in their office and not talk to others. So if you are actively building stronger teams for your organization, then you’ll stand out.
Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking just means you think about the past, present and future in any decision you make. You’re also willing to take some risks if the potential reward is high. It’s difficult to display strategic thinking in an executive profile, but it’s a great skill to demonstrate when you have an interview. Professional Resume Services has seen thousands of executive resumes, so we know which ones stand out. The key to writing an effective resume is making yours stand out somehow. If you’re struggling with the concept, but have plenty of unique skills, feel free to reach out to us at any time for assistance.
Important Features on LinkedIn You Should Be Using
LinkedIn offers so many features, but it can be difficult to know which ones to use and how to use them. The reality is many executives aren’t using the right features, and some of the features they are using aren’t being used properly. Your executive LinkedIn profile is many times the first thing a recruiter will see about you. When you use these important features in the right manner, you’ll set yourself up to land the job you desire.
LinkedIn Groups
The more LinkedIn groups you join, the better off you’ll be. You can join a maximum of 50 groups, and each of them can help you build your network if you utilize them properly. You just have to be somewhat active in each one and connect with other individuals with like minds. This is a great way to network and make strong connections before actually meeting them in person.
A Quality Headshot
It should be assumed that your LinkedIn profile picture should be a professional one. However, executives still sometimes put photos of them with their family, pet or taking part in some sort of activity. While those photos may mean something to you, it means nothing to recruiters. Stick with a simple quality professional headshot to make the best impression.
LinkedIn Endorsements
Don’t plan to optimize your LinkedIn profile by giving and receiving a bunch of endorsements. While LinkedIn endorsements can be somewhat silly, they can be valuable. You should only endorse people you know personally and can endorse their skills. Alternatively, you should only accept endorsements from people in the same way. Recruiters want to see the quality of your endorsements, even if it is just a handful, rather than dozens of meaningless ones.
Multi-Media Content
LinkedIn allows you to upload photos and videos to your profile, so why not take advantage of it? You may upload a short clip of you giving a speech, accepting an award, working in the community or anything else you think may boost your value and perception. Most executives don’t include multi-media content in their LinkedIn profile, but it’s a feature that could help set you apart.
Concise Headline
Most executives use the headline feature on their LinkedIn profile, but not properly. This shouldn’t be about the job you’re seeking. Instead, consider it to be a one-liner advertisement about yourself. The main goal of your headline is to entice people to keep reading, so make your headline concise and interesting. Professional Resume Services offers services to help you optimize your LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn has many features executives don’t take advantage of, so be sure to contact us to see how you can better utilize them to help advance in your career.
The Ultimate Job Search Survival Guide for Women Executives
Believe it or not, there still is somewhat of a notion that women shouldn’t be in top positions at certain companies. However, this has changed significantly over the years, and many companies are viewing women at a higher standard than ever before, and rightfully so. With more women obtaining higher education and having the same or similar qualifications as men, companies are opening their executive roles up to women as well. However, the job search for women is still difficult, so here are some tips to consider.
Network With Other Female Executives
The power of networking is huge for women looking to land an executive role. Update your LinkedIn profile with your current skills and goals. Join LinkedIn groups and attend professional events in your area related to your industry of interest. Getting tips from other female executives is one of the most valuable things you can do to ensure you’re on the right path.
Visit Specific Career Websites for Women
There are many different career websites specifically for women looking for jobs. Some of these websites are general, but some are specific to the career or industry you desire. Some of those websites may recommend you submit a general cover letter or resume, so it may be worth your time to look into a cover letter writing service to optimize keywords, highlight skills and other attributes.
Check The Culture of Companies You Apply To
You don’t want to waste your time applying for a job if the company culture doesn’t fit your views. With the technology and resources available to you today, you can find out all you need to know about a company’s culture online. You may be surprised at how much you can narrow your options down by doing this bit of research.
Optimize Your Resume
There are many different keys when it comes to writing an effective resume. If you’re a woman looking for an executive job, one of the best things to do is visit a cover letter writing service to have them critique your current cover letter and resume. As a woman, your resume has to stand out to a recruiter looking at it, and a resume writing service can help you do that. Professional Resume Services has helped many women executives get into the career roles they desire with companies that fit their style. If you’re a female executive searching for an executive job, feel free to contact us for help with your job search, whether you’re just getting started or have been searching for a while.
Simply listing out your career accomplishments and highlighting your experiences on an executive resume isn’t enough to get recognized today. In a way, writing resumes that get you hired is all about how you display the information and what keywords you use, no matter how experienced you actually are. 
Executives today may struggle with formulating a quality resume to get a senior-level position. Many executives haven’t had to search for a job in a while, so they are rusty when it comes to how the process works. 
