When most people set about to write an executive summary, they do so in terms of themselves, what they need, what they want or worse, what makes them most proud. In fact, if you want to write a great Executive Summary, you need to write about what the reader needs and wants.
A sample of a typical executive summary reads like this: “Accomplished marketing executive with 18 years experience in the storage device arena.” And, “Respected Executive with distinguished 20-year career guiding cross functional teams in design, redesign and implementation of technology solutions.”
At first blush you may say, “What’s wrong with these executive summaries.” They are exactly what you are familiar with. But they miss the point. What is the most important aspect of your background the hiring authority needs to know about you in order to continue reading? They certainly don’t need to know how many years in service you have, especially if you are in the 45+ age group. They only need to know what you accomplished in that time.
Your executive summary must be compelling. Tell me what you can do for me. Don’t tell me you are a self starter or creative. Show me what you did to demonstrate these characteristics. Let the data speak for you.
Renn Zaphiropoulos, founder of Versatec and later a VP with Xerox has said, “Don’t tell me how hard you worked, don’t tell me how long you worked, tell me what you accomplished.” And that is exactly what your executive summary should do.
Sample Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Senior sales executive who builds teams who consistently beat quota expectations. Produced a sustained new business growth rate of 17% and same client sales growth of 21% over the last eighteen months. Specialize in new territories, new niches and new products.
Executive Summary: Directed all operations for early-stage technology company doubling annual revenues to $50 million by capturing new markets and negotiating major contracts which will yield up to $18 million over two years.
Executive Summary: Bottom line-focused technology executive with a track record of cost-saving and innovative solutions to complex problems. Architected and led two major releases and over a dozen minor updates in the last 12 months on time and on budget while developing new technologies and supporting existing customers.
If you can write a compelling executive summary similar to the sample executive summaries above, the reader will do more than scan your resume. And that is the reason to write the best executive summary you can create. Need help crafting your own? Here’s where you can find help.
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