For a successful job search, your resume needs a powerful introduction, solid metrics, a cutting-edge format, and yes, even a mention of your COVID-related skills.

Most employers will look briefly at the top of your resume… then follow your career history to see the dates of your jobs. Then they’ll look to see where you attended college.

And they’ll wind up right back up at the top, especially if nothing piqued their interest!

Today, the format, metrics, and personal brand message of your executive resume are MORE important than ever– because busy recruiters and employers need you to connect the dots for them.

When you design a compelling document with clearly described accomplishments, you’ll be more likely to capture attention and land an interview. 

Here’s what your resume should look like now:

A Fresh, Cutting-Edge Resume Format.

Resumes should employ a powerful format designed around your personal brand and ROI. Don’t add onto your college resume format! Instead, consider what a strategically planned presentation can do for your career.

This example shows how your resume should look now. It proudly touts this executive’s career level, leadership philosophy, and signature wins.

Today’s employment market is been more competitive than ever – and your choice of format could make your resume either memorable or forgettable!

Use an easy-to-read font (try Calibri, which is a clean, sans-serif font popular on resumes and readable on nearly every platform).

For an even more elegant look, consider a slightly different font for headings.

The main idea? Easy navigation, with powerful elements that help you stand out.

See more strategically designed, eye-catching resume examples here.

Metrics-Driven Achievements.

Employers will ALWAYS want to see how much you’ve improved, grown, or turned around companies and divisions.

By quantifying your results in previous roles, you’re implying that you will achieve (or even EXCEED) these feats. An added bonus: metrics make your resume easier to read, as the eye is drawn to figures more than dense blocks of text.

What your resume needs now are specific wins – clearly expressed in percentages, dollar figures, and other measures of success. Use these examples as inspiration for a 2021 resume that impresses employers:

• Delivered global ERP implementation 14% ahead of schedule and $3M under budget.
• Created shipment tracking product suite driving customer satisfaction to 98% (all-time high).
• Maintained 99.999% systems availability (despite 23% less staff due to COVID).

To quantify your career wins, look at budgets, project deployments, headcount, revenue growth, cost savings, market rankings, technology improvements, and any other measurements important in your job – then fold these figures into your resume content.

Also, don’t forget to inject a dose of power into your resume with action verbs (also called power words); see Why Your Executive Resume Needs Action Words for tips on where to place these words, plus a full list you can use on your resume.

COVID-19 Leadership and Adaptability.

It’s rare to find an executive whose work wasn’t affected by the pandemic.

So add details to your resume that show how you held the operation together, retained customers, or maintained high levels of productivity.

You don’t have to emphasize the negative effect of COVID, either; it’s sufficient to state “Preserved 70% of B2C revenue streams during pandemic operations” or “Enabled remote work for 45% of FTEs in just 12 days.”

The main idea is to show how you influenced and led operations in pressure-filled situations.

By demonstrating the flexibility needed in uncertain times, you’re showing employers how you’ll react in any future crisis situation.

Your resume should look like an exceptional presentation of leadership skill and resourcefulness, with a well-designed strategy showing the right format, metrics, and value proposition to employers.

Recruiter-Endorsed, Premium Executive Resume & LinkedIn Writing Services

Become the TOP candidate by working one-on-one with a multiple award-winning executive resume writer and former recruiter skilled in positioning 3,600+ leaders for success at Amazon, Eli Lilly, GE, Disney, Google, EY, Kaiser, Oracle, Ericsson, UHC, Intel, Pfizer, UC Health, and others.

Your new, personally branded Resume and LinkedIn Profile will gain attention from Fortune-ranked, niche, PE, multinational, startup, and boutique companies - even in a competitive job market.

See why my resumes open doors to C-Suite, EVP, VP, Board, and Director roles by viewing interview-winning resumes that show a clear competitive advantage.

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