I am acutely aware of the varying opinions on what constitutes a Branded and High-Impact executive resume. I also appreciate the recommendations by some of my colleagues, that an Exec Resume must be limited to absolute brevity at 2 pages.
I’m of the belief that an executive resume can be 2 or 3 pages (some, even upward to 4 pages!), as long as the first page creates almost a ‘standalone’ snap-off story (not reliant on pages 2-3). With a writer’s/journalist’s training, I understand the design and word-smith strategies to be both content driven and crisp. As long as the executive’s story is written in a glimpseable format with the takeaway highlights and value prop tightly knit and showcased throughout, then the length becomes less relevant.
Often, executive recruiters tell me they LOVE the stories that I tell on behalf of clients – and they crave such content — not to rule the candidate OUT, but to help rule them in [i.e., provide substance behind the results ($$##%%) and nuance behind the leadership strategy that compels them to want to meet that person.]
Posted by Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, MRW
Seems like the length of a resume discussion has been around forever.
I just read a post on the CFO Linked In group by a resume writer who said a resume should NEVER be more than one page – no ifs, ands, or buts about it. YIKES! How does an executive with 25+ years of experience ever hope to compete with that kind of restriction.
With the Blackberry and Twitter driving messaging today, I do believe executive 2-page resumes are quite powerful. That said, I rarely create ONLY a resume for my finance executives. Instead, I add an addendum that highlights leadership initiatives fashioned in a way that allows them to attach 1 or more pages to the resume if they choose to do so and if it is appropriate to do so.
You’re spot on too – it’s all about value. When value is clear and compelling, especially above the fold on the first page, length is secondary.
Hi Cindy,
Yep, an ongoing conversation for sure.
I agree that 25+ years’ executive experience + a tight, 1-page resume restriction does not = an adequate opportunity to compete.
As well, I respect the various ways to peel the apple when it comes to parsing out resume content; e.g., your advocacy of a powerful 2-page resume + at-the-ready addendum document makes good sense.
Bottom line, we agree on the ‘value’ aspect – clear, compelling, above the fold on page 1 < this is where the initial grab should be, pulling through to the supportive, substantive stories.
Thanks for stopping by, Cindy! Thoughtful comment.
PS – By the way, I've quality tested one of my 3-page resumes on my 'new' Droid, and the glimpseable impact made even me smile 🙂
Jacqui
Impressive about the Droid, Jacqui. Deb has been having battery issues with hers. Wonder if after a week of hard use you’ll see any difference. Have a fabulous time – the warm temps and sunny skies await you!
…] length was touched upon, happily, the resume discussions did not get bogged down in the tactical concerns of page length, font style, listing years