The Key Element Missing From Your Executive Resume

Your audience

We’ve already let you in on the not-so-secret secret: the average time spent on a resume is 6 seconds. This is true even for executive level recruitment – at least for the first look. The key to writing anything is writing for the audience. So now more than ever you need to make sure you’re writing your executive resume for the time poor. 

Summarising vs. synthesising

The best way to do this is by building a summary of qualifications.

This builds on the six areas of capabilities demonstrated by an applicant. 

Where capability meets industry meets level: qualified.

The 6 capabilities a person can have are:

The capabilities are:

• Problem Solving
  • Technical problems
  • Non-technical problems
  • Research and analysis
• Communication
  • Written
  • Verbal
  • Non-verbal/interpersonal
  • Negotiation and influence
• Collaboration
  • Teamwork
  • Partnership building
  • Relationship management
• Expertise
  • Knowledge
  • Niche expertise
  • Subject matter expertise
• Leadership
  • Of self
  • Of others
  • In projects
• Organisational
  • Time management
  • Priority management
  • Process improvements

While it might feel a little reductionist that you fit into that, the reality is, you do. 

An example of a summary of qualifications for an IT C-suite leader might look like:

1. Over 10 years of progressive experience in IT leadership roles, steering multidisciplinary teams through complex technological advancements and solutions deployment.

2. Proven ability to identify and solve critical IT challenges, resulting in 30% improved operational efficiency and 20% cost savings across past roles.

3. Expertise in facilitating cross-functional collaboration between IT, operations, finance, and HR, ensuring seamless integration of technology solutions with business processes.

4. Strong communication skills, demonstrated through successful management of external vendor relationships, inter-departmental negotiations, and presenting technical updates to C-suite executives.

5. Deep knowledge in modern IT infrastructures, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.

6. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects concurrently, ensuring timely delivery without compromising on quality.

7. Adept at fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation within IT departments, leading to enhanced team morale and up-to-date technical proficiencies.

8. Proven track record in strategic planning and execution of IT roadmaps, aligning with overall business goals and objectives, and ensuring ROI on technology investments.

9. Outstanding team leadership and mentorship capabilities, with a history of developing high-performing IT teams and nurturing talent to achieve their full potential.

A summary of qualifications, when well-constructed, will control your narrative, set the tone for your CV, and lead the impact that we want a good CV to have. 

Ever been “wow’ed” by something? It’s really hard to un-wow your audience. So hit them right where we want to hit them– at the core of what it means to be a highly functional human in a corporate environment.

Happy hunting!