We've entered a new decade, and top executive resume writing firms have new tactics they are including in executive resumes and career marketing documents to set their C-level and senior clients apart in the eyes of recruiters. As an executive resume expert, I've narrowed down the top 10 tactics executives should focus on in the new year:
1. Incorporate advanced marketing tactics in writing executive resume headlines. In 2020, it's all about catching the attention of the hiring manager, decision-maker or executive recruiter. If your executive resume writing service isn't up-to-date on the latest subject line studies and effective headline writing tactics, chances are your executive resume won't gain the attention of the person granting interviews.
2. Provide examples of your ability to attract high-caliber talent. As a 2020 leader, what matters most is your ability to attract that right talent to assemble effective teams that can execute plans that exceed corporate goals. So, you have to be able to attract high-caliber talent. Great employees want to work for you and you should show your track record of attracting the best.
3. Document measurable achievements relevant to your target position. Outlining tasks on your resume is so last decade. Effective 2020 executive resume writing is all about writing relevant achievements to show how well you made money, attracted talent, saved money, mitigated risk, improved a process or contributed positively to the company culture. Forward-thinking executive resume writing services are guiding you to include this pertinent information in your executive resume.
4. Factor in the audience reading your executive resume and cater content to that perspective. A common mistake executives make is only focusing the writing of the document on what the job seeker wants. This is a grave mistake. Why? If you don't factor in the audience reading your resume and cater the executive resume content to the hiring manager, you risk losing the attention of your reader. You further risk not getting that interview call if you are only focused on what you want in your executive resume and not including what the hiring manager reader wants to see in your executive resume.
5. Focus on highlighting people leadership skills in your executive resume. Once you attract and hire the best, you have to demonstrate your ability to develop and grow that talent. No company wants high turnover or talent resources managed poorly. Include achievements on how you mentored individuals into leadership and contributed to succession planning.
6. Showcase your ability to spot and capitalize on market trends in your strategic planning. The marketplace is tumultuous and unpredictable. One day tariffs are being applied, the next day they are not going into effect. There are geopolitical risks, market risks, economic risks, etc. Effective leaders are able to create revenue, maximize profitability and see opportunities in most situations. Showcase your ability to focus on trends and formulate plans to execute to increase revenues and profits. This will set your executive resume apart from other resumes.
7. Highlight recent, relevant achievements and don't focus on seniority. Make your resume ageless by focusing on recent, relevant achievements, rather than seniority. Using phrases such as "over 25 years of experience" or words like "seasoned" focus on the past, rather than the successes you've recently achieved.
8. Demonstrate your solution-focused thought process in writing executive resume content. Advanced resumes show the candidate's critical thinking approach and solution-focused mentality. Outlining challenges presented, actions taken and results gained in each role held will give the reader a strong impression of a desired pattern of thinking.
9. Present executives more as business partners and less like employees. Today's executives are nimble business partners. Gone are the days where stodgy executives sat in ivory towers. Effective presentations of senior leaders involve their ability to lead and embrace partnership thinking, horizontal organizational charts and collaborative workflows.
10. Use the executive resume effectively — and don't stop at the writing. As an executive, you need to know how to use the document properly, which means sharing it yourself. Consider this: 60-65% of hires happen through networking. There's no substitute for doing the search activity yourself. As a 13-year recruiter, resumes that came from job boards or were introduced by agents didn't carry as much weight as someone reaching out to me directly.
These new tactics that I've observed executive resume writing firms are using in 2020 can help ensure better success and more interviews for those executives looking for a new career in the upcoming year.
