When crafting an Executive CV, it is vital to strike a tone that will accurately promote yourself in writing. The same goes for your experience and potential. Moreover, you have to do this without coming off as arrogant.
Packing too many adjectives around the facts of your experience and education can make the document difficult to read. On the other hand, sticking to the facts alone won’t engage a reader.
The key here is striking a balance when you promote yourself in writing.
Start with the hard facts.
Use concrete examples of your achievements. Relate your process improvements to measurable results, such as savings accrued, positive impact on workflow, and better employee satisfaction. These are what a recruiter or hiring manager wants to know.
Use descriptive words sparingly.
Sprinkle adjectives around the hard facts so that the reader can quickly scan them. Another good use of for identifiers is to demonstrate your level of commitment to your target position. It’s okay to be proud of your efforts and passion for a role when you promote yourself in writing. However, don’t make the mistake of overemphasising these points. After all, sounding desperate won’t prove that you deserve it.
Put yourself in the shoes of the reader.
A good rule of thumb when striking this balance between facts and adjectives is to put yourself in the shoes of the subject matter expert who will be reading your CV.
He or she will have a considerable understanding of the personal characteristics required to handle the job responsibilities you describe. Focus on showing that you completed these roles successfully, and trust the recruiter or hiring manager to infer the stellar personal characteristics that have led to your professional success.
Take advantage of your cover letter.
Your cover letter is an excellent opportunity to briefly describe your career motivation and why you are a good fit for this particular job. It is also where you can explain any mitigating factors that might not be immediately clear from your CV. This will be crucial if you are attempting to change industries or positions, as you’ll need to explain how your experiences are transferable.
Keep the information to the point.
If you need to make it long, spend enough time to create a compelling document. In general, there is no need to overemphasise personal strengths in the cover letter. As it is presumably the first piece of information about you that the recruiter or hiring manager will read, give them the info they need first.
Proofread your work.
Finally, remember that spelling and grammar speak volumes about you as a candidate. Careless mistakes may disqualify you, no matter your level of experience. If this is a challenge for you, consider engaging a professional CV writer and consultant. Not only will they be able to take all the different facts and figures that surround your professional experience and craft them into a readable and compelling document, but they will also ensure accuracy by having proofreaders review the final product before it is passed on to you.
Use these tips to strike the right balance in your written materials, and that dream job comes to a big step closer.
