Hiring Managers:

Construction Managers, Project Engineers, Environmental Scientist are all technical jobs. Expect the hiring managers in these fields to be seasoned professionals. They are exacting people who execute tasks with precision. Your resume will be analyzed quickly and methodically.

It’s not uncommon for hiring managers to review 30, 50, or 100 resumes for a given job. Your resume needs to have a laser focus on the specific job for which you are applying. The hiring manager is looking for information presented in a way that allows for rapid assessment.

Main Areas of Focus:

Executive resumes include sections not found in resumes for lower or even mid-level management. There is no standard format, but most executive resumes will convey the same information. It needs to be clear and concise to identify you as a top prospect. The resume needs to single you out as someone who must be brought in for an interview.

Most executive level resumes open with an executive summary. This should be positioned at the beginning. Use this section to place you firmly as a top candidate for the position. This is where all the qualitative facts go that identify you as the best fit for the job. Showcase the qualities and expertise that make you indispensable to the company. Now move quickly to highlight your tangible results.

The achievements or professional experience section should follow the executive summary. This section is critical. This area must illustrate that you are a producer. Executives are hired because they solve problems, get answers, change bad situations, get results.

Use quantifiable examples that show leadership and accomplishments. Achievements that can be numerically displayed are easily understood. Cost reductions, increased production, improved operational efficiency; these are executive achievements, that are readily quantified.     

After the achievements include a section on core proficiency’s. List executive level skills here. These skill sets involve program implementation, improvements to employee growth, profit and loss management, process streamlining, and unique problem-solving solutions that benefited the client.   

Final Resume Thoughts:

Target your resume to the exact position for which you are seeking. You don’t have a lot of time or space. A resume is rarely read verbatim on the first pass. The opening section or what is read within the first ten seconds needs to be well-crafted. It should make the reader want to continue reading.

Avoid vagary; don’t include statements that ultimately say nothing. For example; “_____ is a highly effective engineer” or “_____ improved employee performance.” Statements need to be quantified or left as-is, they weaken the resume. They cause the reviewer to ask, what does that mean?  

Do not put the reader into a haze with verbose paragraphs and never-ending lists. Pare your resume down including only vital information and eliminate useless words. The format should be simple, straightforward and orderly. Don’t hinder the reviewer’s ability to rapidly extract information.

Please take a serious look at our website. Webuild Resumes is a top tier resume writing service that gets results. Webuild Resumes specializes in drafting resumes for Engineering, Construction and Environmental professions.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing www.webuildstaffing.com . To learn more about Michael or to follow his blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com