Executive Resume Template for Word and Helpful Writing Guidelines

The executive resume template for Word utilizes professionally designed sections to organize and showcase your information so that potential employers see your accomplishments quickly. Clearly labeling lists of your experience, skills, and education allows recruiters to find what they need where they expect it to be with just a quick skim. This style nearly always provides you with a better chance of landing the job.

A summary statement is your opportunity for a quick introduction to potential employers. It is the first thing recruiters see, so it should stand out visually and persuade them to want to learn more about you. You should explain why you are the best-qualified candidate for the position, borrowing specific keywords, required skills, and other language from the job description.

Keep this section brief and succinct. You can use the executive resume template for Word to customize this section. Write in either list or paragraph form; sentence fragments are acceptable. Make sure to include the following information:

• Your title and job experience
• A position-specific characteristic
• Two to three skills relevant to the position

Here are some examples of solid summary statements:

List style:

• Skilled sales representative with 15 years of experience
• Goal-oriented account manager with superior writing and research skills
• Highly organized maintenance technician adept at problem-solving

Paragraph style:

Versatile project manager with over 12 years of management experience gained while working for small businesses and high-profile corporations. Diversified skills include the ability to manage and oversee hundreds of individuals while ensuring timely completion of project deadlines.

Computer-savvy staff accountant skilled in inspiring motivation, enthusiasm, and initiative. Confident, productive, and able to achieve organizational and personal objectives.

Business analyst with more than 10 years of expertise in project management. Skilled in cultivating positive relationships and communicating clearly with colleagues and clients.

Show potential employers you have what they want in the skills section of your resume by packing it with a short list of competencies related to the position. The skills section of the executive resume template for Word is at the top of the page to grab the attention of the hiring manager. Here are a few pointers for developing this section and showcasing your skills:

• Include only skills relevant to the opening and list those first.
• Try to incorporate a minimum of six skills.
• Replace nonspecific adjectives with hard numbers.

Look at this example of a skills section for an administrative assistant job:

• Highly proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office Suite and WordPress
• Proven time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Manages calendars, plans events, and develops office procedural plans
• Works accurately and independently with close attention to detail
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in French

The work history section allows you to back the claims you made in the summary and skills sections. Use it to target the job opening by briefly describing your experience. Our executive resume template for Word helps you organize your positions, background, and expertise in a visually pleasing manner that is easy to follow. Here are a few considerations:

• Add quantifiable metrics, specific projects, and significant achievements.
• Write job descriptions using action verbs.
• Borrow keywords from job descriptions and add them to your resume.

Check out these useful examples of engaging work history sections:

Customer Service Representative

• Answered inbound customer calls and responded to questions and concerns about service.
• Cross-trained and provided back-up for other customer service representatives to ensure prompt and quality customer service.

Financial Analyst

• Streamlined operational processes to create monthly performance goals and perform account reconciliations.
• Supplied, monitored, and analyzed key performance indicators using market research to target new businesses.

Project Manager

• Analyzed, negotiated, and prioritized sales processes and systems to meet targets and achieve revenue goals.
• Directed the recruitment, scheduling, and training of all production associates to ensure an understanding of respective responsibilities.

Maintenance Technician

• • Monitored, repaired, and replaced building maintenance equipment on an ongoing basis.
  • Operated power and hand tools to maintain proper functioning of interior and exterior building systems.

Most positions require a particular education level, and the best way to capture a recruiter’s attention is by writing an education section that is easy to scan. The executive resume template for Word makes it simple to locate this part with just a quick look at your resume. Following are a couple of thoughts for formulating this section:

• List the highest level of education first.
• Leave your GPA off unless you are a recent graduate.
• Include certifications applicable to your career.

Here is an example of an excellent education section:

Master of Science Degree: Information Systems – 2016

Johns Hopkins Carey – Baltimore, MD

Awards: Magna Cum Laude

Courses included: Statistical Analysis, IT and Global Sourcing Strategies, and Supply Chain Management

Professional Certificate in Six Sigma – 2015

Boston University – Boston, MA

Bachelor of Arts: Economics – 2014

University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA

Courses included: Statistics, Public Finance, and Economic Policy

An excellent method to catch the attention of hiring managers is incorporating keywords from the job description in the summary, skills, and work history sections. Read the position description thoroughly and make a list of relevant keywords or phrases for help writing your resume. Then, describe yourself in the first three sections of your resume using these exact phrases and keywords. Here is an example for a staff accountant position:

Keywords:

• Detail-oriented
• Proficient in tax law reporting and analysis
• Assisted with audit preparation
• Mentored junior accounting staff

Make sure to customize your summary statement, skills, and work history to align with the job description requirements.

Summary statement example: Proactive and professional staff accountant with over 12 years of expertise in implementing complex accounting regulations to ensure compliance.

Skills example: Highly detail-oriented and proficient in tax law reporting and analysis.

Work history section example: Successfully mentored junior accounting staff to assist with audit preparation.

Action verbs bring your resume to life, enabling hiring managers to envision you as the best fit for the position. Some excellent action verbs to use include: optimized, supported, increased, reviewed, generated, assisted, and maintained.

• Increased quarterly sales goals by controlling inventory setup
• Optimized spending recommendations by tracking project expenses
• Maintained relationships with client accounts
• Offered technical knowledge and insight
• Forecasted future trends to facilitate decision-making
• Reviewed financial statements and reports
• Closed out inactive accounts
• Generated spreadsheets and reports
• Resolved errors with vendors
• Assisted with year-end closings

Metrics are a quantifiable measurement of the accomplishments in your academic career or profession. Adding them to your resume establishes plausibility and exhibits strong examples of your achievements. A few examples of metrics include:

• Managed a staff of 20 junior accountants
• Successfully audited more than 100 client books
• Handled 30 professional accounts