Why Writing Your Executive Resume Is Difficult - And What You Can Do About It (1)

Are you struggling to get your job search started but are having trouble with the resume writing process? Do you find it challenging to summarize the reasons why you should be considered for a leadership position?
You have plenty to offer, especially if you are an executive or senior professional. Many leaders find it easier to drive change, improve company operations or transform revenue performance than to write about it.

These are three main reasons why resume writing can feel like a huge chore when you’re looking for a job. There are also some ways to make it easier.

1 – You are too close to the subject.

Executive leaders and skilled professionals are experts in all aspects of leadership, from team delegation to strategic planning.

When asked to describe their strengths, they will often resort to skills-based or tactical descriptions rather than showing how they add strategic value.

Why? It’s a different experience to be on the front than explaining your career history to your bosses. Although you are naturally skilled at your job, telling your story requires more strategic analysis. This is something that executives and other senior-level professionals often don’t have the time or ability to do.

Ask others for their opinions on your accomplishments and contributions to the executive team. This will help you write about yourself. What are your most significant accomplishments and professional achievements?

What are your favorite compliments? It’s important to consider how others perceive you. This can help you frame your resume and give you valuable insight into your leadership career.

2 – Marketing copy may not be your forte.

While COOs focus on ensuring that costs can be controlled and that the company has the infrastructure to support growth, sales managers assess the competition, CEOs form strategic forecasts, accountants close the books, IT Managers negotiate with vendors, and the CIOs deal with rising technology costs.

These activities take up a lot of time, so you have to be very proficient in marketing.

You’ll find it challenging to write promotional copy if the product is you, even if marketing campaigns are part of your leadership role. It’s often easier to describe your skills verbally rather than to write about them.

To get an idea of how employers view today’s job market, take a look at professional or executive resume samples online. What does yours look like?

These elements are essential to include in your sample resume.

-Summary section words, which often serve as an introduction.

This sentence structure demonstrates how to condense complicated success stories into a single sentence.

-Document design: You can see how white space is used for separating sections and jobs.

3 – Your personal brand message has not been developed.

Branding is an integral part of marketing, just like any other type of promotion. Your personal brand, which is the reputation and value proposition that you have built throughout your executive career, is crucial for your job search.

It can be challenging to define this value for your employer, even if you are familiar with it.

To help you communicate your brand message, it is a great idea to reach out to your network and get an idea about your market value.

What strengths have you brought to the company from your previous job?

What were your critical motivators for past promotions?

How does your professional reputation compare to others in your job title?

These questions will give you ideas for how to incorporate your executive resume. It’s essential to show that others have relied on your leadership in the past to achieve their goals.

Writing a leadership resume may seem to be the most challenging part of your job search. But don’t lose heart!

Instead, use the input of others and examine current resume formats to create a document that reflects your brand and catches employer attention.