DO YOU THINK YOUR RESUME IS READY FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR CAREER?

You’ve been diligently following your job-hunting strategy, and now you’re getting the call for the position you’ve been hoping for. The director of human resources has recently requested a resume from you. Maybe you’re prepared to take the next step in your career, but does your résumé reflect that? Do not waste your time or the employer’s by sending a CV that is uninteresting and lacks purpose.

Your resume needs to demonstrate that you have the experience, achievements, and motivation to go from middle management to the c-suite, even if you have all the necessary skills and abilities. Your resume should be more than just a list of your past jobs and educational institutions; it should be a document that creatively and excitingly communicates the full story of who you are, what you have accomplished, how you have accomplished it, and the value you will bring at the next level. Here are five simple guidelines to follow when updating your resume: I’m executive-level material and you should hire me immediately.

Visual appeal is crucial – 

Despite the adage, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” the format of your resume will be evaluated. Pick the most captivating one to begin with! While you shouldn’t go overboard with the fireworks of colour on your resume, drawing the reader’s attention with a splash of colour will help your application leap out from the stack. A professional, legible font style is also essential. In spite of their aesthetic appeal, fancy scripts are notoriously difficult to read, and you certainly don’t want your readers to have to struggle to understand what you’ve written.

The executive summary must contain numerous relevant keywords.–

Get rid of your objective statement if you still have one and replace it with a well-written career narrative that highlights your achievements and demonstrates why you should be promoted. Make sure to include relevant industry and position-specific keywords (not buzzwords, please!) in your resume.

Highlight your most notable accomplishments. –

If you choose, you may include a “Career Highlights” section in which you briefly summarise your most notable professional achievements. Advice: if you want to make an impression, focus on your measurable accomplishments rather than merely listing them. In a flash, you can get the gist of things from graphs and charts.

Concisely summarising your work history is essential. –

You’re an executive, so you have years of practise under your belt. Keep your most recent professional experience in the forefront of your mind. No more than 15 years into the past, please (you can summarise the earlier stuff). The clearest and most hassle-free approach is to use a chronological arrangement. With one exception, if your new job or career path has nothing to do with your current one, you should utilise a functional structure to emphasise the fact that you still possess the necessary abilities and expertise for the position you’re applying for.

An individual’s work experience trumps formal schooling – 

Unless you are a recent graduate, your education should appear at the end of your resume. Add any applicable licences or qualifications to your resume. Focus their attention on your abilities and achievements rather than your educational background.

Be prepared to back up any suggestion you receive for that executive-level position with solid evidence on your resume. Do not submit a boring CV that fails to sell you as the perfect fit for the position (or your friend who recommended you). The best way to increase your chances of getting the call that ends with “we’d like to offer you the position” is to take the time to update your resume.

Forbes has recognised Erin Kennedy’s Professional Resume Services as one of the “Top 100 Career Websites,” and she is the President of the company. Kennedy’s credentials include a Master’s Degree in Career Development, Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Executive Resume Writer, and Certified Executive Management Consultant. She is influential since she is frequently featured as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on both Twitter and LinkedIn.