Climbing to the C-suite is not easy. There’s no formula and no single predictor that anyone can say worked for those who’ve made it.
Globally renowned management consulting firm McKinsey surveyed what makes executives experience successful transitions. The study found that executives who successfully climbed to the C-suite had unique qualities. They communicated their priorities, valued their teams, spent time learning the organization’s culture, and applied their unique leadership approach.
Are you working with a senior level CV writer? Have these qualities show on your CV.
Here’s more about McKinsey’s formula and how you can put it on paper.
Making it to the C-Suite
Making it to the C-suite is not easy. Many people toil for decades to join this prestigious club and there are many more who fail to make-the-cut.
McKinsey’s survey found that nearly half of those who succeed failed to align others around their initial objectives. A further one third failed to meet their objectives. Worse still, fewer than one in three mentioned receiving adequate support from the employer.
These challenges cut across all new C-suite executives, whether they were internal hires or external. Therefore, it’s clear. Making it to the C-suite is less about how well you can achieve objectives but more about your character and how you can surmount challenges.
Work with a senior level CV writer to help you portray the right character for the role.
Communicate Priorities
Executives who experienced successful transitions had one thing in common, the organization bought-into their vision. They did not just communicate the vision to their teams and the organization. They communicated their priorities and the respondents understood these priorities well.
This allowed them to align resources and teams around their strategic direction and achieve results for the company.
Assembled Effective Teams and Valued their Teams
Most C-suite executives admit that they don’t have all the answers to the issues facing the company. Don’t try to show it in your CV that you do. Instead, work with a senior level CV writer to bring out your ability to assemble a team and lead it effectively.
In McKinsey’s report, successful C-suite executives indicated that they relied on their team’s input when developing solutions to the company’s problems. More than 80 percent cited mobilizing teams to function as a high-performing group as a core requirement of the C-suite.
Spent Time Learning the Company’s Culture
One of the best ways to assemble a team and mobilize it to high performance is by understanding how people behave in an organization. Executives who spent time understanding the organization’s culture, especially the external hires, had an easier time influencing a change in the culture to be in line with their business priorities. This made them more successful at achieving the desired results.
Does your CV portray that you are a person who can influence?
Took Time to Connect their Roles with their Unique Leadership Styles
Succeeding at the C-level is not just about submitting a well-written CV and landing the job. A senior level CV writer can help you bring out these attributes in your resume. But do you own them?
Have you taken the time to connect the role with your unique leadership style?
This is a vital part of the job and the job interview.
In McKinsey’s report, executives who spent time preparing for the role were more proficient in their skills, were more confident, and had time to focus on issues they alone could influence.
As you work with a senior level CV writer, ensure that your resume portrays a leader who can: communicate priorities, build and values their team, and assess as well as influence an organization’s culture. Most of all, spend time preparing for the role.
