A well-paying job with plenty of perks and the added peace of mind of high-value benefits is usually at the top of everyone’s job checklist. But first, in order to land a position like that, a resume has to wow a potential employer while highlighting the strengths that make them the best candidate for the job. Not all resumes are created equal and for candidates seeking either professional or executive-level positions, they need to realize that despite the fact that both professional and executive resumes have a lot in common, they probably have a lot less in common than they first thought. So how are they different? Read on to find out.
Professional Resumes
Professional resumes are documents that highlight relative work experience, relevant skills, and even education. Typically, a professional resume shows that a candidate has worked for at least five to seven years gaining necessary skills and knowledge in either one or several industries. These resumes are designed to show candidate competency for responsibilities that differ from those of executive responsibilities.
Professionals, specialists, managers, etc. with five or more years of reliability and experience that are currently creating a name for themselves adequately describe what a “professional” is. “These are the people who understand how to work with their department to get the desired results. There’s leadership responsibility with much more hands-on daily tasking” (Professional Resume Services).
For those looking to gain a resume edge, it’s important to note that one of the most important things they can do with a professional level resume is to focus on the evidence of success. According to Prime-Resume.com, It is crucial to show that a job candidate didn’t simply do the same thing over a certain period of time without any success. In addition, “growth” and “progress” are two main words that should be at the center of this type of resume. Employers always need people who can progress and offer growth to the position and the company in general.
Executive Resumes
Executive resumes are designed for executive management and C-level positions and those who are prepared to be at the head of an organization. They easily earn six-figure salaries (and above) and carry all the responsibility of the power to control major decisions. These resumes must show that a candidate is up to the task of leadership decisions that will affect the lives of coworkers as well as the future of an organization.
Executive resumes are similar to their professional counterparts in that they are written by and are for people with extensive experience and qualifications. However, as Prime-Resume.com mentions, “While employment history from a professional resume might include entry level and managerial positions, executive resumes are all about senior management or business executive positions.” They target positions like Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Business Director/Owner, among others.
If a candidate thinks that the executive level is the most appropriate for their career search, they should focus on two things: accomplishments and results. Achievements like these need to be quantifiable in terms of numbers, preferably involving money that the candidate helped to generate for the company, or money that was saved. Additionally, productivity, profits, and growth should also be stressed.
Writing a resume for an executive-level position demands a particular approach. Because of the high expectations for responsibility and leadership in executive jobs, candidates must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they have the capabilities to meet those challenges. This means structuring a resume not just around previous job titles, but on major achievements in those roles, highlighting concrete achievements and emphasizing “soft skills” as well (Houston Chronicle).
Soft skills are very important to a potential executive-level candidate because executives are in positions of leadership and must deal effectively with their subordinate employees. The Houston Chronicle furthers the idea: “While focusing on actual achievements in previous jobs, candidates should mention their ability to lead teams, think clearly under pressure, and communicate with coworkers at all levels. Even though a regular professional resume would also discuss soft skills, these might be cast in terms of one’s ability to take direction or work as part of a team. In an executive resume, they must always emphasize leadership and responsibility.”
Lastly, executives are valued for the contacts and the networking ability they bring to the company as well. While a professional resume might not take up space to boast about extensive professional networks, it is a recommended practice on an executive resume. For example, potential executive job candidates should always be sure that online profiles/pages like LinkedIn are up to date and are professionally-structured, similar to their resume.
At first glance, the differences between professional resumes and executive resumes might not be noticeable, but upon further review, they are most certainly different. Hiring managers and potential employers are always looking through resumes with fine-toothed combs, picking out the very best candidates. That being said, having a thorough and well-written resume is the best way for a potential candidate to get their foot in the door.
Regardless of the level of employment that someone is seeking, it’s always a good idea to tailor a resume to the specific job they are applying for. While not everyone can develop a dynamite resume, luckily, help with either professional or executive resumes is available.
