But these days when one company acquires another there is absolutely no guarantee that top management will be retained. In fact, it is far more likely for executives to be given a nice severance package and fond farewell than it is for them to remain on. Therefore, it is always a good idea to constantly update your resume in the event that an unfortunate episode comes to pass.
So what do you do when you're sent packing after fifteen or twenty years with the same company? Many top executives find it difficult to deal with changing markets. They simply cannot believe that after takeovers or mergers, the new firms will customarily dismiss higher management, even when they were successful. They also have a tough time saying goodbye.
But executives who understand the new realities of the marketplace are always ready to explore new and exciting opportunities. Though they know that looking for executive positions after decades with the same firms may be challenging, they also understand that their skills and experience set them apart from the pact and could lead to even better positions with new firms.
The resume
No matter their level of experience, many executives who re-enter the job market after many years make the mistake of not updating their resumes. Sometimes it is deliberate. For example, a former vice president of an industry, or a leading firm may not believe that there is a need to submit an updated resume. Rather, he/she may think that he/she can simply coast on his/her reputation and explain everything during the job interview. But that is not what most interviewers expect these days. In fact, most of them would be deeply offended if an applicant acted unprofessionally and failed to turn in a current resume.
Another reason why experienced executives neglect to update their resumes is more innocent - they simply haven't done so in a long time. Surprisingly, the truth is that even some top executives are intimidated by the prospect of re-entering the job market after such a long absence.
They may also be unaware of how to write a resume for executive positions. It is simple enough to jot a few things down when you are first starting out, but when you have acquired a wealth of experience, how do you know what is most important? How do you know what to put on a resume?
That is precisely why many top executives who re-enter the job market contact professional resume writing services.
What to do?
Normally a resume writing service will ask you to submit an old resume and a new draft. The problems will then be identified and the resume will be rewritten and revised. The most common mistake more experienced executives make is that they simply include too much information. It is the job of the service to pick and choose the things prospective employers want to see and present them in a clear and professional way.
