Tips to Impress When Gunning for Top Executive Positions

Applying for a C-level executive position isn’t like applying for a typical managerial position. You’re looking to become a leader in a company, the kind of person that the stockholders can believe in. As such, you’ll need to up your game when applying for the position. Below are a few tips that are sure to help you impress the executive hiring committee.

Dress to Impress

Yes, looks matter when it comes to landing an executive position. It’s not necessarily your body that matters, though, but rather the way that you present yourself. This is the time to break out your nicest work outfit and to project an air of confidence. You want to look like the kind of person that others will follow and in whom both clients and investors will have confidence.

Build Up Your Resume

It’s vital that you look as impressive as possible on paper. As such, you’ll want to spend the months (or even years) before you start applying for these positions filling your resume with special projects and skills. The better you look on paper, the better the chance you’ll have to get an interview. Once there, you can use this experience to separate yourself from the rest of the pack.

Bring a Business Plan

Don’t just submit a resume – submit a plan that shows exactly what you can do for a company. This has the dual purpose of showing that you’ve actually done your research while also proving that you know what you are talking about. Taking the time to draft a spec plan will give the hiring committee something to talk about and will make it much more likely that they bring you in for a conversation.

Polish Your Resume

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that your resume is impeccable. The best way to do this is to work with an executive resume service. These services will be able to translate your skills and experiences into the language that hiring boards think in, giving you a better chance to get out of the circular file and into an interview.

Try to remember that applying for executive positions is as much about what the board needs you to be as it is the kind of person actually are. Make sure to project an air of confidence and competence so they have no choice but to believe in you. If you can talk the talk and walk the walk, you’ll stand a very good chance of landing your dream job.