Executive Resume Writing: Revealing Your Personal Brand

Posted By: Jessica Holbrook In: Job Seeker - Resume

Your executive personal brand is what defines you as a top candidate in your field—and it should be felt throughout every professional action you take, whether you’re networking or blogging.  Of course, when writing your resume, your executive brand is a major piece of the puzzle, as well.  This is why it’s important to take the steps necessary to reveal your personal brand before ever putting pen to paper.

1. Assess Your Top Brand Attributes

When thinking in terms of the value you offer to any role you might assume, as well as your field as a whole, what conclusions do you draw?  Come up with about three or four adjectives that best describe the value you offer, incorporating a few words that best describe your personality.

2. Define Your Vision and Purpose

Another important step in revealing your personal brand is defining your vision and purpose as an executive.  What goals do you hope to accomplish over the remainder of your career?  How do you think you make a difference in your field?  And how do you want to make changes that will improve any company you work for in the future?

3. Identify Your Core Strengths

Though you’re an executive with a series of strengths, there are bound to be some functions and responsibilities you excel at more than others.  What makes you stand out in your roles?   Under what conditions has someone designated you the go-to person?  These attributes are considered core strengths that define who you are and why you’re a strong candidate in any role you apply for.

4. Research How Others View You

A great way to identify how you should present your brand in your resume is to research how others already view you.  You might be surprised by the brand attributes and core strengths others share that you were unaware of.

After you’ve revealed your personal brand, it’s time to incorporate all you know about yourself into your resume.  Take time to write a creative branding statement, then add bits of your brand to your professional history, career summary, and other areas of your resume to show prospective employers you are indeed meant for the role you intend to assume.