To pique the interest of potential employers, you must provide a C-Suite resume, value proposition letter, and other career marketing documents that are believable. One way to check if your executive resume is believable is to conduct the “scratch test.” If you were to scratch your name off the top of the resume and write in the name of a CXO colleague in the same field and industry, would the information still be valid?
If the answer is “yes,” you need to revamp your content. Vague responsibility descriptions, a lack of accomplishments, blatant overuse of keywords, and an incongruent LinkedIn profile can all cause your reader to question whether the information on your CXO resume is actually true. Here are 5 things you can do to make your C-Suite resume believable.
How to Add Credibility to Your C-Suite Resume
- Back up your expertise. Don’t just say you’re a strategic mastermind—prove it! Use quantifiable achievements and attention-grabbing accomplishments to back up your claim. Provide specific details that demonstrate your expertise.
- Write in your authentic voice. When writing your executive resume, use terminology and language that you would use in a real conversation. Drastic differences in vocabulary usage can raise questions in an interview as to the authenticity of the candidate.
- Strategically use keywords. Using keywords effectively isn’t as simple as counting how many times you use a particular keyword throughout your document. The placement of keywords matters, too. If you have a “Core Competencies” section, or something similar, make sure you have bullets throughout your employment history that loop back to those competencies.
- Unified visual brand. A harmonious visual brand sends the message that you put in the time and effort to ensure your career marketing documents accurately reflect your knowledge, skills, abilities, goals, and expertise. Not only that, but you can strategically use the design to guide your reader to see the information that is most relevant and unique about you.
- Include only relevant, tailored information. Even if you have a breadth of experience, portraying a jack-of-all-trades on your CXO resume can actually work against you. Instead of wowing your reader, it may make it all seem vague and, therefore, less believable. Instead, show your reader that you can blend perfectly into their world by targeting your executive resume to their needs.
If you need help passing the “scratch test” and making your resume more believable, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.
