Keys to the perfect CEO Resume

As president of The Corban Group, a nationwide retained executive search firm located in Suwanee, Bob Rodgers has seen many bad resumes over the years.

“The greatest mistake I see are ones where an executive has had someone else write it,” he says. “The material, written in third person, is not reviewed very closely by the candidate for accuracy and contains generic information and flowery words.”

For a C-level visionary who has strong abilities and a history of exemplary results, this style of resume doesn’t translate accomplishments effectively. Unfortunately, independent C-level job seekers often pay $1,500 to $5,000 for such collateral, unaware there are other options.

Worse yet, the typical corporation utilizing outplacement services to aid high level executives can pay from $7,500 to $20,000 for an outplacement package that could hinder instead of help a transitioning VP or CEO. “The resumes created by these types of companies are typically not worth the ink on the paper they’re written on,” notes Ed Shammas, president of Atlanta Career and Resume Center, located in Duluth.

Shammas says that resumes produced by outplacement firms are most often given to lower end employees who lack passion for their jobs and don’t have the career experience necessary for relating to high-level bottom line issues. Shammas says the only person qualified to write a CEO resume from an effective point of view is either a current or former C-level executive or president. He claims that only two percent of professional resume writers fall into this category.

Winning C-level resumes have many distinctions from those of mid- to senior-level executives, Rodgers says.

“They need to be crisp, succinct and specific to accomplishments,” he says. “It’s less about ‘me’ and more about ‘we’ as in what was accomplished through a high performance team.”

As a general rule:

Be selective
High-level executives don’t typically mass distribute their resume. First, write and send a cover letter specific to the position being sought that bullet points five to seven career highlights and a few key accomplishments over the past 10 to 15 years. Volunteer to bring your resume to the interview or to provide it upon request.

Analyze
Chronological, also known as functional, resumes are long outdated in the C-level search. Analytical resumes that succinctly merge content in order to acknowledge achievements are the ones that get noticed.

Watch what you say and how it’s said
Resume verbiage should encompass broad, sweeping terminology with regards to team-building, corporate direction, initiated programs and accomplishments.

Bullet points
Sharpen your chances even further by having at least a half-page additional document that is bulleted with selected accomplishments that all relate to the bottom line. Whether it’s distributed or not, the information may be helpful in interview.

Size matters
C-level resumes should be no more than one page in length.

Use red when you read
When utilizing a resume writing service, use a red pen to mark corrections and inaccuracies until it is to your satisfaction. Remember that the resume should utilize business language and articulate your skills, experience and value.

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