The Self-Congratulatory Executive Resume
There was a time when all resumes started with objectives. And all objectives essentially said the same (boring) thing: “To take on a challenging role in which I can make a lasting contribution to a progressive organization.”
As time evolved, objectives evolved as well. Employers demanded something more than the usual first line of fluff, and candidates started to realize the importance of beginning the executive CV with something more substantial.
Time evolved further, and today the objective is out the window, replaced by “professional summary,” “executive profile,” or something similar, particularly on higher-level, Vice President of Sales Resumes, Chief Executive Officer resumes, CIO resumes, and the like. Yet time and time again candidates continue to offer up similar fluff, only in a rather more expanded version, which typically goes something like this:
“Dynamic, results-oriented operations executive offering 22 years of experience. Excellent team leader and team player, committed to demonstrating strong organization, communication, and management. Forward thinker, sound judgment, with the ability to issue solid decisions that benefit the organization.”
Oh, I just woke up from my nap, because the above was most definitely a snoozer.
So what have we learned here? The candidate is “dynamic,” whatever that means, as well as “results-oriented.” Well, I should hope so. He is “excellent,” which is a nice opinion to hold of one’s self, and he knows how to both lead and team and be on a team (so which one is it?).
This person is organized (so is my closet), can communicate (so can my dog) and can manage (very good, after 22 years of work). He is a forward thinker (as opposed to…a backwards thinker?) with sound judgment (would you advertise that you had questionable judgment?) and his decisions benefit the organization (good, or else he wouldn’t be able to hold a job.)
The lesson here is quite simple: don’t say any of these things. Period.
When it comes to the profile at the beginning of your resume: more fact, less opinion. Here’s a snippet from the profile of a hedge funds manager to whom I provided professional resume writing services, “True value is the ability to conduct intensive research, explore market inefficiencies and optimize investment performance.”
This is a statement by a senior finance manager, “Strong management and operational analysis skills with a track record of success in limiting financial risks and increasing profitability.” An attorney who came to my CV company began his resume this way, “Expertise in complex domestic and international commercial transactions.”
When the fluff is gone, the facts speak for themselves.
Learn more about separating the facts from the fluff in our webinar, “How To Write A Perfect Resume.” We’ll also discuss the three critical elements an executive resume must have in order to garner you calls, interviews, and offers.