Have you checked out your executive job search competition?

You might notice new trends in resumes for 6 and 7-figure careers.

No longer the staid documents seen in the past, executive-level resumes (and LinkedIn profiles) require fresh design and concentrated text to attract the right kind of attention.

Here are the latest trends in executive resume writing – with tips on incorporating them for a successful job search:

1 – Resume length should be tuned for your target audience.

How long should your resume be? It depends on WHO will be reading it.

For example, it’s common to shorten your resume considerably when applying to a Board seat. A Board resume typically contains a snapshot of leadership experience, education, executive accomplishments, and affiliations.

However, many recruiters and employers like to see 2-3 pages detailing your experience in growth strategy, M&A, international expansion, profit results, team size, and influence. Use a storytelling approach to describe how you’ve overcome business challenges or led turnarounds, complete with hard-hitting metrics.

No one has time to read more than 3 pages of your accomplishments. If you struggle to condense your achievements, rework your career into “sound bites” that capture the actions you took and the end results, similar to these examples:

Delivered 42% annual profits – focusing manufacturing on top 8 product lines and rationalizing underperforming products.

Cut $3M in excess work with digital transformation, bringing in automation and AI solutions reducing processing time 43%.

As you’ll see below, it’s also a good idea to keep your resume summary short and focused on your leadership style.

2 – Color is important when emphasizing key points.

Yes, you CAN use color. Black-and-white documents heavy with detail are easier to skim if you’ve added a bit of color.

Your executive resume needn’t employ flashing lights and neon green, however, in order to make your point.

Step into the use of color by altering your resume headlines with a subtle blue or shading a few areas for emphasis, as shown in this example of an IT executive resume (produced for CIO.com’s IT Resume Makeover series).

3 – Profile summaries must quickly convey your brand.

In the past, executive resume summaries were long paragraphs offering vague statements about leadership qualities and dedication (admirable qualities – but they could apply to anyone!).

Today, your resume qualifications profile should be short and stick to facts, such as a list of international regions managed or a reputation for leading turnarounds. This resume profile summary for a VP of Sales shows how to narrow the focus:

Executive rainmaker noted for quick assessment and turnaround of underperforming teams (Americas & APAC)—leveraging technology and marketing insight to correct sales methods for up to 70% improvement. High-energy, hard-charging leader who thrives on the “thrill of the sale” and structures teams for productivity.

4 – Accolades can help reinforce your brand message.

You’ve probably received commendations over the years for projects, sales awards, new products, or customer retention. Instead of forgetting about these testimonials, you can strategically incorporate them into your C-suite resume for a stronger personal brand message.

Be sure to include kudos that reinforce your ROI. For example, a note from the CEO on the success of a new acquisition can back up your experience in M&A strategy.

If you’ve excelled in mentoring junior executives, you could also pull in a quote from a direct report stating how much they’ve learned from you.

When using one of these recommendations in your resume, shrink it down to relevant facts and include the job title of the person issuing it (such as VP of Business Development at XYZ Company).

This award-winning CEO and Board Advisor resume shows short, powerful commendations in the first part of the document – illustrating his value to Wall Street and parent company executives.

5 – Symbols & headlines work overtime to convey your stature & ROI.

There’s more than one way to demonstrate your fitness for a specific industry or career level, as shown in this example of a VP Medical and Clinical Affairs resume.

To describe her area of focus, a simple symbol and headline noting her specialties were used at the top of the document.

Resume headlines are one of the best ways to convey salient points of your background, while preserving space for other relevant details.

Don’t use boring section titles! Create your own executive resume headings by using  phrases that encapsulate what you do best, such as Scientific & Medical Strategies Poised for Revenue Results. 

With just a few changes, your outdated executive resume can attract MORE than a passing glance for choice 6 and 7-figure roles.

Try some of these resume trends for better readability and results!

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- Laura Smith-Proulx, CCMC, CPRW, CPBA, TCCS, COPNS, CIC, CTTCC, NCOPE