How to Write a Compelling Executive Resume Summary

How to Write a Compelling Executive Resume Summary How to Write a Compelling Executive Resume Summary Updating your resume as an executive can be uniquely challenging. How on earth are you supposed to capture the full breadth of your value as a leader in a single document? Enter the executive resume summary.When done right, a compelling executive summary near the top of your resume will serve as your schlussverkauf pitch. In just a few impactful sentences, it should highlight your relevant experience, detail your accomplishments, and provide insight into what you can do for an organization. Thats why well-written resume summaries are such a must-have especially for executives. Brainstorm Your ContentBefore you begin drafting your executive resume summary, youll want to dedicate some serious thought to what youd like to say. Not sure where to start? unterstellung brainstorming questions should get you moving in the right direction.If I could tell a hiring panel just three things abou t myself, what would they be?What career achievements am I most proud of?What are my areas of expertise?What are my most valuable intangible traits (e.g. pragmatic, relentless, entrepreneurial)?What would I like to achieve next?What unique skills, traits, or experiences do I bring to the table? Quantify Your AchievementsAssigning a tangible metric to the achievement(s) you choose to highlight in your summary boosts credibility and provides context. Heres what that might look likeGrew net revenue by 23% in just six months. Reduced IT infrastructure overhead by 40% by transitioning from company-leased data centers to a public cloud.Restructured customer success function, resulting in 30% increase in revenue and 74% decrease in client attrition.Identify Your Value PropositionYour value proposition is comprised of your unique blend of skills, personality, and expertise the things that make you attractive to an employer. It answers the question, why should we hire you?If you already hav e a solid handle on your areas of expertise, great But if you arent quite sure what your unique value proposition is, it may help to work backwards. abflug by reflecting on why you think a company might be interested in hiring you. Are you a dynamite change agent? A bona fide finance guru? A proven revenue-generating wizard?Executive Resume Summary Template and ExampleNow that youve got the ingredients of a winning summary, its time to start writing You may find the below template helpful its kind of like career mad-libs as youre getting started. (Insert key strength(s)) (insert target job title) with (insert years of experience) in the (insert specialty/industry) space. Specialties include (insert 3 5 areas of relevant expertise). A (insert key strength) (insert noun to describe yourself i.e. leader, change agent, etc.) recognized for (insert key trait) and/ with (insert key trait) to (insert outcome i.e. achieve goals, drive revenue, ensure operational efficiency, etc). Heres what an exceptional finished product might look likeStrategic, well-connected CEO with 15+ years experience in strategic transitions, corporate strategy, business development, alliance management, and finance. A results-oriented executive with a strong background in enterprise sales management, having closed and managed over $500 MM in sales just last year. Recognized for collaborative leadership style, proactive, approach, and keen ability to effectively translate complex operational concepts into tangible action plans. A proven leader with a strong executive presence, capable of blending big-picture viewpoints with tactical considerations to inspire, build trust, and achieve record growth. Writing a winning executive resume summary will require a bit of work and reflection, but as a proven leader, youre not afraid of a challenge, right? This will also be a valuable exercise as you prepare to update the rest of your resume andput your best foot forward in interviews. Having a clea r understanding of your true value and most relevant accomplishments will inevitably serve you well throughout your job search.Learn more Does your executive resume summary have the right resume keywords?Jaclyn Westlakeis a career advice columnist and founder ofThe Job Hop. With more than ten years of experience in the recruiting and human resources space, shes passionate about empowering job seekers to achieve their career goals. Shes also particularly fond of coffee and instantly falls in love with every dog she meets.