In the past, executive resumes were made, restructured & updated when senior executives were looking for the next wave of opportunities. However, the usage of executive resumes have evolved & gone beyond typical job search. In today’s scenario, executive resumes are being shared to open multiple opportunities beyond job search. We are discussing below some use cases which throws light on multiple uses of executive resumes:
- Retaining position in case of corporate restructuring (acquisitions, acqui-hiring): Chief executive can share their resume with the transition team managing the post acquisition integration & organisation restructuring. These transition teams evaluate the value points & accomplishment of each team member. Professional written executive resumes give you a winning edge since it articulates & communicates metrics driven achievements. Since these resumes are customized keeping the executive’s preference in mind, it gives them a level playing field to not only retain their position post acquisition but also opportunities for growth & vertical career elevation.
- Learning opportunities: Chief executives can use their executive resume as an important document for submission while pursuing advanced degree & certifications. This has been accepted with open hand by a lot of organisations & schools & have moved in favor of clients for programs which have been difficult to get into.
- Networking possibilities: Executive resumes can drive new conversations for new opportunities in your network. These opportunities span across private equity, venture capital funds , operating partners or board members. It is implicit that your executive resume should be populated with compelling tagline, related keywords which helps your audience/reader understand your title, industry, size of organisation & P&L you managed & geographical reach. In addition, including area of expertise such as board nomination, advisory roles, special skills( turnaround, acquisitions, org restructuring, divestitures etc) makes your executive resumes more powerful & a prepared document for endless networking possibilities
- Thought Leadership: You can utilize your executive resume to demonstrate your expertise for inclusion in various industry related articles across magazines & digital media. You can use it for submission to round tables at associations , trade platforms & TED talk.
- Developing connects with executive recruiters:C-suite can use their executive resume to update their recruiter contacts. If you have been considered for roles below your skill level, it is very hard to correct perceptions/images about yourself. But it can be done. Sharing a carefully written executive resume can help these executive recruiters understand how your profile would align with the next level of leadership you are striving to explore. One of the great values to transit to the next higher role is to write to the position you want next. This will enable you to have the right network that will remember your profile for any future leadership aligned with your skills.
