Tailoring your CV to an Industry Sector

Summarising key selection criteria for executive and board-level positions across various UK industry sectors involves distilling a broad range of qualities and competencies.

Financial Services

• Risk Management - Expertise in navigating financial risks and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic Financial Acumen - Proven track record in financial strategy and performance enhancement.
• Innovation in Financial Products - Experience in developing and introducing new financial products or services.

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

• Healthcare Regulations - Deep understanding of healthcare laws and regulatory environment.
• Patient Care Quality Improvement - Commitment to elevating patient care standards and outcomes.
• Pharmaceutical Innovation - Experience in pharmaceutical product development and market launch.

Technology and Telecommunications

• Digital Transformation Leadership - Leading technology-driven business transformations.
• Cybersecurity - Expertise in protecting company data and IT infrastructure.
• Innovation and Product Development - Demonstrated ability in spearheading technology innovations.

Energy and Utilities

• Environmental Sustainability - Leadership in promoting sustainable energy solutions.
• Regulatory Compliance - Familiarity with energy sector regulations and compliance requirements.
• Infrastructure Project Management - Experience in managing large-scale energy projects.

Manufacturing

• Operational Excellence - Proven efficiency in managing manufacturing operations.
• Supply Chain Management - Expertise in optimising supply chains for efficiency and resilience.
• Product Innovation - Track record of innovative product design and development.

Retail and Consumer Goods

• Customer Experience Enhancement - Strategies for improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Digital Marketing and E-commerce - Expertise in online sales strategies and digital customer engagement.
• Brand Development - Experience in building and managing consumer brands.

Education

• Strategic Fundraising - Skills in securing funding for educational initiatives.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Ability to engage effectively with educational stakeholders.
• Programme Development - Experience in developing and evaluating educational programmes.

Non-Profit and Charities

• Mission-Driven Leadership - Demonstrated commitment to the organisation's mission and values.
• Fundraising and Resource Allocation - Proven ability in fundraising and efficient resource use.
• Community Engagement - Skills in building relationships with the community and stakeholders.

Property and Construction

• Real Estate Market Analysis - Insight into property market trends and opportunities.
• Project Management - Expertise in managing construction projects from conception to completion.
• Sustainability in Construction - Commitment to sustainable building practices and technologies.

Transport and Logistics

• Logistics Optimisation - Efficiency in managing logistics and supply chain operations.
• Transportation Regulations - Understanding of the regulatory environment in transportation.
• Innovative Transportation Solutions - Leadership in adopting or developing new transportation technologies.

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Dangers of Relying on Generic Sector Selection Criteria for Executive Job Applications

When executive job applicants rely solely on generic sector selection criteria to build their CVs and application materials, they face several risks that could potentially undermine their chances of securing desired interviews:

• Lack of Differentiation - Relying on generic criteria may result in an application that blends into the crowd, reducing the chances of standing out in a competitive job market.
• Misalignment with Specific Organisational Needs - Generic criteria may not accurately reflect the unique culture, challenges, or objectives of the target organisation, making the applicant appear less suitable.
• Underestimation of Soft Skills and Leadership Qualities - Generic selection criteria can lead to an oversight of crucial soft skills and leadership attributes that are vital for executive roles.
• Ineffective Communication of Value - Applicants might fail to convey their unique value and how their achievements align with the strategic needs of the organisation due to a generic approach.
• Overlooking Industry-Specific Challenges and Innovations - A generic application might not highlight an applicant's experience with industry-specific issues, reducing its relevance.
• Failure to Showcase Cultural Fit - Generic applications may not adequately demonstrate an applicant's alignment with the organisation's culture and values.
• Diminished Impact of Achievements - Presenting achievements without tailoring them to the specific strategic goals of the organisation can lessen their impact.
• Risk of Being Overlooked by ATS - Generic applications may fail to include targeted keywords and phrases, decreasing visibility and chances of being shortlisted by Applicant Tracking Systems.

while relying on generic selection criteria can provide a foundational understanding of industry expectations, customised research and application tailoring are essential for senior roles to address the specific needs of the organisation and to stand out in the executive job market.

Scope of Research for Constructing an Effective CV and Job Application for a Senior Role

• Organisation-Specific Information - Delve into the company’s mission, culture, strategic objectives, and challenges.
• Industry Trends and Challenges - Stay informed about the latest industry developments, regulatory impacts, and economic factors.
• Competitor Analysis - Understand the competitive landscape and the company's position within it.
• Role-Specific Requirements and Expectations - Identify the nuanced skills, experiences, and qualifications the role demands.
• Key Stakeholders - Recognise and research the needs and expectations of key stakeholders relevant to the role.
• Network Insights - Utilise professional networks for insider information on the company and role specifics.

Benefits of Relying on an Industry's Generic Selection Criteria

• Efficiency - Facilitates a quicker initial job search process.
• Baseline Competitiveness - Ensures basic industry-wide requirements are met.

Shortcomings of Relying on an Industry's Generic Selection Criteria

• Lack of Differentiation - Reduces the ability to stand out in a competitive job market.
• Misalignment with Specific Needs - Potentially overlooks the unique needs of the target organisation.
• Oversimplification of Skills - May not convey the applicant’s full range of capabilities in context.
• Missed Opportunities for Personalisation - Loses the chance to closely align the application with the organisation’s culture and values.
• Underutilisation of Unique Selling Points - Fails to highlight specific achievements and skills that are directly relevant to the organisation’s strategic goals.

Executive job applicants should strive to customise their CVs and application materials based on detailed research into the target organisation’s unique needs, culture, and industry challenges. Tailoring applications in this way can significantly improve their chances of success in the highly competitive executive job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Executive CV Imperatives, The CV development process, inclusions, fees and packages

How do I engage you to write my CV?

Most people like to start with a phone call to chat about the options and my process. More...

This phone chat provides a valuable opportunity to ensure you select the most appropriate CV package that caters to your unique needs.

Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.

During this initial call, we will go through my process, and I will outline the kind of support and communication you can anticipate throughout our partnership. The primary objective here is to instil confidence in my ability to present your profile in a light that optimises your chances of securing interviews.

Ready to proceed? Kindly choose a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Following this, we'll arrange an initial call to explore your requirements. Together, we'll refine your CV and any additional documents included in your chosen package until you're entirely satisfied. Should you require further assistance, additional CV services are available at your discretion.

If your needs are urgent, the best approach is to complete my form with as much detail as possible. This provides me with important context.

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My process and my credentials

We will work together to carefully align your CV with the employer's selection criteria. More...

• Review of selection criteria

  A detailed examination of the employer's specific criteria to ensure your application aligns precisely with their expectations.
• Discussion about potential employer

  We explore the employer's culture, market dynamics, and broader industry factors to inform a nuanced application.
• Personal attributes 'gap' analysis

  Evaluating the alignment between your attributes and the employer's criteria, we strategise to accentuate your strengths and mitigate any weaknesses.
• Initial CV build

  This stage involves developing the first draft of your CV, highlighting your achievements and experience in a manner tailored to the role.
• Review and Refinement

  Rigorous refinement of your CV ensures it presents a compelling narrative that aligns closely with the employer's requirements.
• Preparation of supporting documents and social media profile

  We also prepare any necessary supporting documents and optimise your social media profile for a consistent professional image.
• Application

  The final step is the submission of your carefully crafted application, maximising your chances of securing an interview.

CV Writer Certification and Memberships

I am a founder-member of the UK-based CVRA, which professionally certifies and educates CV and Resume Writers worldwide.

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Can we chat before I make a purchase?

Yes, we can have a brief chat before you place an order for any CV package. Once an order is placed, for the £205 and up CV packages, we can Zoom meet or phone at mutually convenient times to discuss your CV needs and the best approach, or to hone the documents. It's best for me to see your old or existing CV, and the job ad or job specification before we meet for the first time.

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How do I select a CV package?

The job ad or description will set out exactly what an employer wants from you. More...

It's quite common for senior people to feel that they can skip certain aspects of the application because of their status, but if your resume doesn't align with the selection criteria it almost certainly won't pass the ATS, let alone be read by a human.

Executive CV Elements

The key elements of most executive job applications are: the CV, the Cover Letter or e-note, and the LinkedIn Profile.

• A CV (referred to as a Resume in the USA and Australia) is a concise summary of your qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements, tailored to the selection criteria of the job you seek.
• The cover letter, often digital (an e-note) in today’s online application processes, distils your CV’s pertinent attributes into a succinct pitch.
• Applicants are frequently required to "address the selection criteria," providing responses for both essential and desirable skills, knowledge, experience, and achievements.

Implicitly, your application should demonstrate alignment with the employer's selection criteria, even if not explicitly requested.

The cover letter (or its electronic counterpart) and LinkedIn profile derive from your CV, supporting your application for the specific role. LinkedIn is crucial for roles where a professional network is key and serves as a platform for potential headhunting.

If your needs are urgent, the best approach is to email me with as much detail as possible.

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What exactly are 'selection criteria'?

Consider this your blueprint for differentiation, addressed to ensure your pitch precisely mirrors the attributes sought by the employer More...

Selection criteria delineate the exact qualifications, experiences, and personal attributes a company values in candidates, especially critical for executives poised to align with an organisation's strategic aims and culture.

Such criteria typically include a blend of essential and preferred qualifications, highlighting:

• Demonstrated prowess in leadership and adeptness in team oversight.
• Advanced educational qualifications and pertinent professional history.
• Strategic acumen and sector-specific insight.
• International experience, showcasing a global perspective and cross-cultural competency.
• Notable accomplishments that have had a tangible impact on previous organisations.

Often referred to by various titles like Job Specifications, Position Requirements, and Competency Frameworks, these criteria provide a detailed blueprint of the expectations for applicants, addressing both technical abilities and behavioural virtues.

What sectors do you specialise in?

I have extensive experience across private, public, and third sectors on three continents. More...

I have authored executive CVs for, and/or been employed by, organisations in these sectors, among others:

Executive and C-Suite CVs

• CEO, Director, Senior Executive roles in the private, public and third sectors
• Overseas postings and migration Resumes and CVs (USA, Australia, New Zealand)
• Third sector Executive CVs
• Pharmaceutical, Health & NHS Trust Executive CVs
• Financial services and Insurance Executive CVs
• Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education Senior Appointment CVs
• Construction and Engineering Executive CVs
• Transport and Logistics Executive CVs
• Technology, e-Business and Digital Executive CVs
• Retail & Hospitality Executive CVs
• Government, County Council, political and Local Authority CVs
• Marketing and Sales Executive CVs
• IT and Information Management Executive CVs
• Mining & Resources Executive CVs (extensive experience)
• Franchisee application CVs (McDonalds etc)

CVs submitted to these organisations

The accomplishment checklist

A compelling CV must convey your potential capacity to drive success in complex corporate landscapes. More...

A compelling executive CV must showcase your capacity to drive success in complex corporate landscapes, focusing on significant and measurable achievements over duties and responsibilities.

	Personal action accomplishments In this context, consider problems as constraints on an organisation from a prospective employer's viewpoint. Reflect on challenges you've overcome or opportunities you've seized.
	About the PAR Technique The Problems->Actions->Results (PAR) method helps highlight your professional accomplishments, filling the 'experience' sections of your CV to show you meet an employer's needs.
	1.Financial Accomplishments Consider any actions taken to save or make money, boost efficiency, or enhance productivity. Have you expanded sales, developed new areas, or streamlined operations?
	2.Innovative Accomplishments Reflect on any adopted innovations or identified needs leading to new products, services, or strategies, showcasing your ability to think ahead and bring about change.
	3.Interpersonal and leadership accomplishments Your contributions to improving team relations, enhancing communication, or leading initiatives underline your leadership and collaborative skills.
	4.Quality and added-value accomplishments Have you improved training, recruitment, product quality, or customer experience? Highlight how you've raised standards or added value.

Alternatives to the STAR technique, include CAR (Context, Action, Result), PAR (Problem, Action, Result), SOAR (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result), SCAR (Situation, Challenge, Action, Result), SAO (Situation, Action, Outcome), OAR (Opportunity, Action, Result), and DAR (Difficulty, Action, Result), offer versatile frameworks for articulating competencies and achievements.

Each model varies slightly, focusing on different aspects of a situation, whether it's the context, problem, obstacle, challenge, opportunity, or difficulty faced. This variety allows individuals to tailor their storytelling to best match their experiences and the interviewer's expectations, ensuring a concise and impactful presentation of their skills and successes.

How to Stuff Up Your Job Application

Numerous individuals submit applications for countless roles, only to be met with silence. More...

Here's where they often stuff up:

Overlooking the ATS

The primary stumbling block? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). A staggering 70% of CVs are thought to be sifted out by these digital gatekeepers at the first hurdle because they fail to align with the employer's selection criteria, marking the downfall of the one-size-fits-all CV.

The Generic CV Trap

Distributing the same CV for varied applications is a guaranteed misstep. Personalise your CV for each role, highlighting how your unique skills and experiences position you as the ideal candidate.

Incompatibility with Job Specifications

If your CV doesn't echo the skills and experience the job advert demands, chances are it'll be passed over. Ensure your CV meticulously matches the job requirements detailed in the employer's specification.

Overly Stylised CVs

Avoid overly stylised CVs that prioritise aesthetics over functionality. Laden with colours and complex layouts, these CVs often confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), rendering them fatally ineffective. Also, many organisations and jurisdictions will reject applications containing photographs to avoid accusations of gender or ethnicity bias.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on devising a CV that's not just clear and concise but also bespoke for the job in question and compatible with ATS requirements.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on devising a CV that's not just clear and concise but also bespoke for the job in question and compatible with ATS requirements.

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Elle has consistently provided personalised, results-driven CV consultancy services, with a fifteen-year track record in delivering personal support that accentuates the achievements and aspirations of her clients. This means moving beyond a comprehensive job history to spotlight accomplishments and skills that directly address the employer's wants and needs (selection criteria).

Aligning your CV

Tailor your CV to the prospective employer's specific needs and demonstrate how your accomplishments align with their requirements. Providing concrete examples with metrics strengthens your case and enhances your chances of securing an interview.

1. Your attributes: The first circle represents your (the applicant's) knowledge, achievements, and skills
2. Job description: The second circle represents the employer's strategic and operational needs in filling the post
3. The market: The third circle represents the broader trends and challenges facing the employer's industry