877.258.3517 laura@anexpertresume.com
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS
Executive Resume Writers: Executive Resume Writing Services | Top Executive Resume Writer
  • Home
  • Why Hire Laura?
  • Samples
    • CEO Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • Healthcare CIO Resume
    • Global CEO Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • CEO & M&A Executive Resume
    • VP Business Development Resume
    • LinkedIn Profile Example
    • Private Equity CFO Resume
    • CMO Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • CTO Resume
    • CFO Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • Global CFO Resume
    • Sample CEO Biography
    • Healthcare CEO & COO Resume
    • Board of Directors Resume
    • Networking Resume
    • IT Director Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • CRO Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • VP Medical Affairs Resume
    • Tech Sales Resume (TORI Award Winner)
    • Banking CEO Resume (TORI Winner)
    • Corporate HQ CFO Resume
    • Chief Medical Officer Resume (TORI Winner)
  • Services & Pricing
  • Media
  • Resume & LinkedIn Advice
  • Contact
Select Page

Quit Using Your College Resume for Your Executive Job Search

by Laura Smith-Proulx | executive resume writing

college resume for executive job search
‹ Previous
What Your Executive Resume Should Look Like
Next ›
No Results in Your Job Search? Check Your Entire Google History

The executive job market is more competitive than ever! Your resume must show current experience, leadership influence, and strategic thinking.

However, many executives simply top off their old college resumes in preparation for re-entering the job market.

Don’t make this mistake! You’ll only add more miles to an already outdated document.

To avoid this problem and ensure your resume stays competitive with current resume trends, apply these high-ROI strategies:

 

 

Spice up your resume presentation.

executive_resume_writing_services

executive resume writer Laura Smith-ProulxIf you’re still using a plain-Jane document format, Microsoft Word template, or Times New Roman font for your executive resume, you’re definitely selling yourself short.

Consider adding a new headline separating out specific skills (see An Easy Way to Express Your Personal Brand in Your Resume) for a more compelling message and presentation.

You can also download newer resume templates online, but be crystal-clear on your personal brand and value-add before filling them in.

Even a simple change to borders and colors, as shown in this sample Healthcare CEO & COO Resume, can set off important information and make your resume easier to navigate.

To ensure compliance with ATS systems, save your resume as a plain text (.txt) file. You’ll quickly see what the ATS sees! If you’ve added data in tables or text boxes, re-add it under the right job. Use this version for online postings and send your presentation resume directly to contacts.

 

 

Keep your resume profile summary short.

executive_resume_writing_services

No one likes to read a paragraph more than 4-5 lines deep at the top of your resume. This outdated practice can inadvertently make it look as if your experience is stagnant and inconsistent with today’s click-happy audience.

To keep employers focused on your value proposition, unearth it from heavy detail, with a short and sweet description of ROI.

Consider the above example of a concise resume summary to help craft your own focused executive profile.

 

 

Show you’ve embraced today’s communications methods in your resume.

executive_resume_writing_services

Still adding two spaces after the period in your resume sentences? Get with the times and drop this habit.

Listing only a land line phone number on your resume? You might be turning off recruiters who prefer to TEXT interview confirmations or questions to you.

While these habits seem minor, they also tell employers a lot about your readiness to move ahead in your career – or about your ability to compete with next-generation leaders eager to claim their spot ahead of you.

 

 

Trim outdated affiliations and experience from your resume.

executive_resume_writing_services

Nothing says “inattentive to detail” like an executive resume that drones on for 6 pages or contains awards from decades past. Conserve employers’ time by keeping your resume to a maximum of 2-3 pages, or you’ll come across as unfocused.

If you’ve served as chapter President or Board member for an industry-related organization, then it makes sense to retain these details. However, your long-ago membership in an obscure association should be dropped from your career story.

Heavy emphasis on outdated experience also makes a resume difficult to read (attention spans are short!).

Instead, condense positions from decades past by rolling up older jobs into a few lines that convey basic facts (such as “Verified product performance for smartphone components” or “Opened EMEA territories enabling first global sales results”).

 

 

Consider the relative age of your email address.

executive_resume_writing_services

Small impressions add up to large ones, and this applies to your email address, particularly since it’s at the top of your resume.

If you’re still using the same address from more than 5 years ago, ask yourself if it represents you and your fresh executive brand.

An email address from Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, and other providers of their era can signify outdated thinking, especially in technology or engineering fields where you’re expected to remain on the cutting edge.

Not sure if your email address is affecting your search? It takes just minutes to set up a new Gmail address reflective of your leadership skills.

 

 

Strategically tune every date in your executive resume.

executive_resume_writing_services

executive resume datesAt a leadership level, employers expect to see 20 or more years of experience. However, it’s best to carefully assess every date on your resume (and LinkedIn Profile, too) for what it implies about your background.

In other words, feature your dates for a REASON.

For example, you might possess work history dating back 25 years in a high-tech occupation, but trimming experience to 15 years will put the focus on your expertise in emerging 2020 technologies.

When it comes to education, consider what your graduation year conveys. Engineering degree programs from 30+ years ago taught now-obsolete technologies, so it’s best to keep the degree and lose the date. In a non-technical field, however, your history of steady promotion can speak value to prospective employers.

Again, decisions on dates should be customized to your unique situation, industry, and goals.

 

 

Re-imagine the section headings of your resume.

executive_resume_writing_services

Instead of the long-used Professional History, why not call your work experience Career Progression? Or you could create an achievements section named Examples of Leadership Performance.

These headings convey executive acumen and readiness for a 2020 role:

  • Technology Improvements of Value to Financial Institutions
  • Sales Leadership & International Growth Wins
  • Value-Added Contributions to Operational Excellence

As long as your section heading makes sense, there’s no need to stick with old-school titles. Caveat: create a version with traditional titles when applying to an online job posting, as your resume is likely to be parsed by Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) systems.

 

The best way to ensure your executive resume hits the mark?

Think about WHO is likely to hire you, WHAT they’re seeking, and what YOU’RE conveying with the style of your writing.

 


 
executive resume writer

Need a competitive edge in your job search? As an award-winning executive resume writer, I create branded, powerful resumes and LinkedIn Profiles that position you as the #1 candidate.


My clients win Board, leadership, and executive interviews at Fortune 500 firms including Citibank, Google, Disney, and Pfizer, plus niche companies, start-ups, and emerging industry leaders.

Get in touch with me to experience the outstanding results I can bring to your transition.

Was this helpful to your job search? Leave me a comment! Cancel reply

Among the World’s Top Credentialed Resume & LinkedIn Experts

executive resume writing

More Job Search Insights

  • Why a First-Person LinkedIn Profile Will Help Your Job Search
  • 7 Executive Resume Trends Crucial to Your Job Search
  • An Easy Way to Express Your Personal Brand in Your Resume
  • 5 Reasons You Should Research Your Job-Seeking Competition on LinkedIn
  • Executive Resume Trends That Help You Stand Out
  • What Recruiters Really Think About Your Missing LinkedIn Photo

Featured in Global Media

executive resume writing

Globally Known Resume Writer Dedicated to Your Success

Laura Smith-Proulx

Get hired faster for an executive or Board seat.

I guarantee you'll benefit from the competitive edge I create in your job hunt. I specialize in RESULTS!


Laura Smith-Proulx

CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC, NCOPE


Schedule a Strategy Call With Me

Join 12,759 other subscribers

A Top 100 Career Advice Website

Top Career Advice Websites
Forbes Coaches Council Member Laura Smith-Proulx
“I hired Laura after an exhaustive search to find the best resume writer… I could not have been happier with Laura’s attention to detail and the quality of her work.

She took the time to understand who I am, my accomplishments and what I contribute to an organization before beginning to write my resume.

Anyone can write down your work history, but Laura identifies who you are and your accomplishments in a unique way that truly gets attention.“

– Rob H., VP Global Business Services

Read Rob’s review on my LinkedIn Profile

 

ExecutiveResumeWritingClients
top executive resume writing services

About Me

Laura Smith-Proulx is a multiple award-winning, 11-time Certified Executive Resume Writer, Job Search Columnist, Author, LinkedIn expert, and former recruiter.

Contact

An Expert Resume
Denver, Colorado
720.507.3885
Laura@AnExpertResume.com

Menu

Home
Meet Laura
Resume Samples
Services & Pricing
Awards & Media
FAQs
Resume & LinkedIn Advice
Contact Laura

© 2021 An Expert Resume | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.