Executives, Are You Still Using a Mid-Career Resume?

If you are ready for a senior executive position this year, your resume should no longer resemble the version that got you your current job. At your level, with about 20 years of experience, the candidates you'll be competing with might be just as competent, if not more so. The audience reviewing your resume now is at higher levels, including board members, CEOs, CHROs, and executive recruiters.

In this video, I shared what makes your profile average.

1. Using a chronological or functional resume:

The problem with the chronological format alone is that it doesn’t work because it "makes the reader work hard to figure out what you have to offer." In other words, you're not making yourself relevant to the audience. Hiring managers must read between the lines of the chronological format to extract what they are looking for.

Similarly, a purely functional resume doesn’t work because "you’re not giving the reader any chronological context for any of your achievements." With this format, candidates often have a section listing 10 to 15 bullet points containing all their accomplishments stacked up. You don’t know whether it was achieved 2 or 15 years ago.

Instead, you need a hybrid resume format that incorporates the best of both. The top part is functional, showcasing your competencies and signature achievements. The subsequent section places those accomplishments into context within a chronological framework of job descriptions.

2. Too short or too long:

Some executives make the mistake of outlining every responsibility they ever held, thinking that including every main achievement will capture the employer's interest. However, a resume that is 5-6 pages long is simply useless — no one wants to read that much, and nobody really cares about what you did in 1998.

Others fall into the trap of saying too little, writing a sketchy one-page resume, and expecting the opportunity to discuss details in interviews (which, of course, never come). To strike the right balance, aim to keep an executive resume to two pages.

How to tell compelling stories with two pages:

Firstly, restrict your impact to a short summary. This will force you to cut out unnecessary details or, in the case of those who write too little, it will compel you to include enough.

Consider the essential facts needed to understand the scope of your role. For instance, if you are a CFO, employers will generally know what that means. However, provide evidence of your involvement in developing and executing strategic financial plans aligned with overall business objectives, diverse financial experiences, leadership and change management, M&A activities, communication skills, and international exposure.

Tailor your resume to answer the questions employers have in mind when reading it. This is the key to standing out and getting invited to the next step, which is an interview.

3. Lack of Leadership Brand:

At the executive level, it's crucial to have developed a strong leadership brand. Clearly articulate your leadership brand and how it aligns with the company and team's needs. Are you a disruptive leader, willing to make people a little uncomfortable to drive transformative change? Are you a turnaround leader, adept at fixing broken processes and turning around underperforming functions? Or are you a stabilizer leader, understanding what's working well and leveraging momentum for future growth?

If you've worked hard to build your brand, ensure it's not overlooked in your résumé.

4. When describing achievements, use bullet points:

What is a story-based resume?

A storytelling résumé, or narrative résumé, is a creative alternative to the traditional bullet-point format. While maintaining similarities like a header, 1 to max 2 pages length, and describing an executive's career and value, a storytelling résumé stands out by presenting various sections in paragraph form, resembling short events summarizing the candidate's journey as the leading character of the story.

This format is engaging, offering a great opportunity to establish a connection with potential employers. The storytelling résumé is deliberately crafted to help you stand out in a competitive job market. It works well because it keeps the hiring managers in mind, allowing them to understand not only your achievements but also how you can benefit their organization.

Ensure that when submitting your résumé, it helps the audience picture the impact you had on the company.

5. Design Looks Unprofessional and Feels Outdated:

It’s not uncommon for senior executives to underestimate the importance of resume design, especially those who are results-focused. However, even the most compelling story can be ineffective without a high level of professionalism in the look and feel. Avoid common design problems such as inconsistent layout, small fonts, lack of white space, and narrow margins.

Having worked hard on the content, it's crucial to get the formatting right. Your goal is to use formatting selectively to highlight key information, ensuring even a skim-reader gets a clear sense of what you have to offer.

A resume that looks unprofessional or feels outdated can immediately turn off potential employers, regardless of your qualifications and experience. Make sure your resume has a modern design and uses clear, easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Calibri.

If you are serious about advancing your career to the senior executive level and want to ensure that your next move is fulfilling, submit your application to the 1% Academy program.

Book a free strategy call .

During the call, you will meet either myself or one of my team members. We will discuss your current career status, your goals, and evaluate if you are a good fit for the program.