The fifth candidate in the Great Résumé Makeover is seeking a position as a Technology Executive with an IT company.

"His original résumé does not look that bad, but is sometimes focused more on what his employers did versus what he did for the company."—Kathy Sweeney
Before & After #5

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Click to download pdf
Fundamentally, the layout did not portray an executive image. Nothing stood out, it just had a lot of bullets that become blinding to the reader's eye. Further, he opened the résumé with an objective—fine for entry-level candidates but not an experienced one with so many core competencies deserving to be highlighted. Finally, in his original document, he did not detail his achievements. A company wants to know a candidate's potential value, especially at the executive level, when determining whom to interview. (For a technology-related position, they also want to know if the candidate is current with the latest developments, another area of detail needing inclusion.)

I sought to directly relate his relationship to the product/company by placing this information in italics following the company listing. We worked to define the daily responsibilities he'd had at each company, and the resultant accomplishments. He turned out to have numerous quantifiable achievements which directly related to what made the companies successful. Finally, I composed a powerful opening statement describing the value he could bring to an organization; this statement also contains many of the keywords that employers and recruiters search for on executive job boards or networking websites.
The nips, tucks, and knock-it-offs
•When you have a great deal of experience, always include a profile rather than an objective. An objective says "this is what I want," while a profile says, "this is what I have to offer."

•In an executive résumé, ensure the format of your résumé communicates a position of power, strength, and command of your industry.

•Do not focus on the company attributes, focus on your own. A résumé details the value a candidate can bring to an employer.

•Always include quantifiable achievements under each position. This will prove your worth to the potential employer.

•Bullets are helpful in presenting specifics, but don't rely on them exclusively. The details in your bullet list should relate back to a broader statement or description that provides the big picture.
This Week's Makeover Pro:



Kathy Sweeney
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About Kathy Sweeney
Kathy Sweeney has been offering professional job search guidance for nearly 20 years. She has appeared on Good Morning Arizona and other national television and radio broadcasts, and her writing has appeared in major newspapers and trade publications nationwide.
Ms. Sweeney holds several prestigious professional accreditations, including Nationally Certified Résumé Writer, Certified Professional Résumé Writer, and Credentialed Career Master. Before starting her own company, The Write Résumé (www.awriteresume.com), she had a career in personnel administration and hiring.