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Executives Demonstrate Value with a Strategic Resume
An Article by Sharon Graham, CRS, CIS, CPRW, CEIP
Graham Management Group
These days, resume templates and formulas are widespread. Anyone
can find numerous clichéd and uninspired resume samples by
doing a simple search on the Internet. As an executive resume writer,
I advise my clients that it is critical to have a strategic resume
– a unique document that strategically markets their attributes
and talents.
If you are a business leader, it is essential that you articulate
your distinctive value to stand apart from the rest of the pack.
As an experienced professional, you have a unique blend of qualifications,
expertise, and accomplishments. No other executive has exactly what
you have to offer. Therefore, your resume must be different from
the rest in order to sell you effectively. So, just copying someone
else’s resume format and content will not work.
A strategic resume distinguishes you from the rest. It markets
your Value Proposition to your prospective employer by representing
you effectively and meeting the employer’s needs.
In your strategic resume, you must address your employer’s
buying motivators. These are the organization’s specific reasons
for opening up the position. For most leaders, this is directly
related to the organization’s bottom-line. So, you need to
tangibly show how you can generate revenue, save costs, eliminate
obstacles, increase market share, and improve profitability.
Next, you must provide your supporting qualifications – the
expertise and credentials that validate your claim to resolve the
employer’s buying motivator. In other words, you need to show
the employer proof of your value using real-life examples from your
background.
Finally, your strategic resume must incorporate your added value,
which illustrates to the employer the exclusive aptitude and contribution
that you have to offer. It creates an image of you that is unique
and valuable to the employer. Your added value shows that you bring
to the role much more than what is merely expected.
When writing your resume, think strategically about everything.
For example, you are selling your experience. It is unlikely that
an objective statement that implies “I want something”
will help you. Rather, put together a powerful professional profile
to show the reader your Value Proposition.
Make your resume strategically readable by speaking in the third
person to present a more professional tone and create impact. Emphasise
your offering with powerful, active language that caters to the
reader. Use keywords that sell your Value Proposition.
To craft a one-of-a kind document, purposefully consider the inclusion
and presentation of every word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph
in your resume. Deliberately compare each category in your resume.
Consider arranging each in order of importance.
In your strategic resume, focus on accomplishments rather than
responsibilities. Select achievements that directly relate to your
Value Proposition. Start each a past tense verb to show that you
have already attained your objective. Arrange your accomplishments
in order of importance, adding impact by ensuring that your final
bullet ends with a bang.
Once you have written your strategic resume, go through the complete
document. Deselect everything that does not add value. Only when
you are certain of the content, should you start to format your
resume using advanced Word Processing features to create an executive
look and feel.
Many executives leverage the expertise of a professional to create
a strategic resume that presents their unique Value Proposition.
The competition is stiff and a resume template just won’t
cut it. By producing a superb resume that is true to yourself, you
will attract appropriate employers. You will soon find that it is
well worth the effort to design a unique and targeted strategic
resume that rivals your competition.
Sharon Graham is a certified professional resume writer, employment
interview strategist, and author of Best Canadian Resumes. She assists
job seekers though her consulting firm Graham Management Group,
www.GrahamManagement.com and is executive director of Career Professionals
of Canada. You can reach Sharon by e-mailing info@GrahamManagement.com
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