www.sharongraham.ca

Anyone can type a page or two and call it a resume. To write an effective executive resume, you need to be much more than a typist; you need to be strategic.

When it comes to writing resumes, strategy is not about:

• Following the pack just because they say that something “should be done a certain way.”
• Copying a resume template or sample just because “it already exists.”
• Following primitive formulas indiscriminately because that’s “how it’s always been done.”
• Using one specific technique because that is how “everyone else does it.”

There is nobody on earth like you. You have a unique blend of experience, skills, and accomplishments. Nobody else has exactly what you have to offer. Therefore your executive resume must be different from the rest in order to sell you effectively.

A strategic executive resume is a marketing tool. It is well thought out. Not only does the resume effectively represent you and your background, but it also addresses your potential employer’s needs. Your goal is to highlight your specific qualifications, experience, and talents in the very best way possible.

Here’s a short test you can take to determine if you know how to strategically position yourself. Consider each one of these questions thoroughly. Ensure you are doing the right things to strategically mitigate concerns and feature your strengths in your resume. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, take action to find out the best strategy for you:

1. Do I know the optimum number of pages my resume should be? One? Two? Three? Or more?
2. Do I know exactly how I should structure my resume? Reverse Chronological format? Functional format? Or something entirely different?
3. Am I clear about what information I should include? What should I exclude?
4. Should I be concerned about privacy, confidentiality, and Internet theft? Or should I include as much information as possible so people can find me?
5. Have I selected the best font(s)? Is the overall design and readability of my resume helping or hurting my chances?
6. Am I using the right amount of bolding, underlining, and italics? How much is too much?
7. When should I use abbreviations and acronyms? How about idioms and other jargon? Am I sure I’m using them appropriately in my resume?
8. Do I know how far back I should go when listing my career history? How many positions should I feature? Would it be more advantageous for me to condense or expand my background?
9. Am I certain that I’m dealing effectively with barriers to employment such as age, unemployment, multiple positions, career change, and career gaps?
10. Have I featured everything I need to feature in my resume? Am I sure I’ve eliminated the rest?

When it comes to writing a strategic executive resume, nothing you do is arbitrary. Everything has a reason. If you were able to answer these questions without doubt, then you are very likely to have a strong, strategic resume.

If you’re uncomfortable with your responses to the above questions and you don’t know how to start, then you should consider retaining a writer to help you create a solid document. Select your consultant carefully. Ask good questions. A good strategist will not spew off old “resume rules and regulations” and tell you that it’s the only way things can be done.

By retaining a writer who can think and write strategically, you will generate a superb resume that is true to yourself and will also attract appropriate employers.

Thank you for reading my blog! Please email me if you spot any errors in this post.