Writing an effective resume in 2024 requires a strategic approach tailored to the Australian job market. Executive resumes need a more specific approach. Implement these psychological techniques to make sure your executive resume in Australia goes straight to the top of the pile.

How is an Executive Resume in Australia Different?

In Australia, an executive resume differs from a regular resume in several key aspects. It is typically longer, often extending to three or four pages, allowing executives to include detailed information about their achievements and skills.

Executive resumes focus heavily on achievements and results, emphasising the executive’s impact on organisations and their ability to drive success. They take a strategic approach, highlighting the executive’s ability to think strategically, make high-level decisions, and lead teams. This can be in contrast to regular resume, which focuses more on duties and basic skills.

What’s Different About an Australian Executive CV?

Australian English has its own spelling conventions (e.g., “organisation” instead of “organization” and “labour” instead of “labor”), so it’s important to use the correct Australian spelling and terminology. While it’s important to specify your achievements, in Australia it’s important not to come across as too ‘boastful’, which can sometimes be a difficult balance to get right. An expert executive resume writer can assist.

9 Psychological Techniques to Enhance Your Executive Resume

1. The Halo Effect (Use a Strong Executive Resume Template)

In the context of resumes and job applications, the halo effect can play a role in how recruiters perceive candidates.

The halo effect is a cognitive bias that influences the way people perceive others. It occurs when a person’s overall impression of someone influences their judgments about that person’s character or abilities.

A visually appealing resume can create a positive first impression, leading the recruiter to view the candidate’s qualifications and experience more favourably.

Utilise a professional executive resume template tailored for the Australian market.

2. Social Proof Theory (Showcase Achievements, Not Duties)

Social proof theory suggests that job candidates who can demonstrate that others have recognised and valued their skills and achievements are more likely to be perceived positively by recruiters and hiring managers. This can be done by listing specific achievements, awards, recognitions, or endorsements on a resume, as these serve as tangible evidence of the candidate’s abilities and accomplishments.

Highlight your accomplishments rather than listing job duties in your executive resume in Australia. Use metrics to quantify your impact, such as “Increased revenue by 30%” or “Reduced operational costs by 20%.”

3. NLP Techniques (Mirroring)

Mirroring is a technique used in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). It refers to the practice of subtly imitating the behaviours and speech patterns of another person to build rapport and influence. This technique can be used in writing your executive resume.

Here are some ways to apply mirroring in a resume:

• Use Keywords: Identify and use specific keywords and phrases from the job description, to show the employer that you have the skills and qualities they are looking for.

For example:

Job Posting: “We are looking for a proactive team player with strong project management skills.”

Resume: “Proactive team player with strong project management skills, demonstrated through successful completion of multiple projects.”

• Match Tone and Style: Reflect the tone and style of the company’s communication. If the job posting is formal and professional, your resume should be as well. If it’s more casual and friendly, you can adopt a slightly more relaxed tone.
• Align with Company Values: If the job posting or company website highlights certain values or culture, incorporate these into your resume to show alignment with the company’s ethos.

4. Values Congruence Theory (Highlight Your Cultural Fit)

Values congruence theory suggests that individuals are more satisfied and perform better in organisations where their personal values align with the values of the organisation.

This theory is based on the idea that people seek environments that support and validate their personal values, and they are more likely to thrive in such environments.

It’s little wonder then that organisations are placing so much emphasis on this aspect, particularly for executive resumes.

By highlighting your values and demonstrating how they align with the values of the organisation, you can increase your chances of being perceived as a good fit.

Spend some time researching the organisation’s values e.g. on their website, and then provide examples of how you have demonstrated these values through achievements and duties.

5. Reciprocity Principle (Show Your Motivation for the Role)

This principle suggests that when someone expresses liking or admiration for us, we feel a natural inclination to reciprocate those feelings. This is often because we feel valued and affirmed, which boosts our self-esteem and leads us to view the other person more favourably. In a job application, you can do this by expressing your enthusiasm for the role (e.g. in a cover letter), and putting effort into your resume.

6. Decision Fatigue (Optimise Your Executive Resume in Australia for ATS)

Decision fatigue occurs when the quality of decisions deteriorates after a long session of decision-making. Applicant Tracking Systems can help by filtering out less relevant resumes and reducing the number of decisions recruiters need to make, helping to maintain the quality of their evaluations throughout the hiring process. Most Australian large companies use ATS to filter resumes. You can optimise your executive resume for ATS by ensuring the use of relevant keywords throughout.

7. Social Proof (Demonstrate Effective Leadership Skills)

By showcasing leadership experience and accomplishments in your resume, you provide social proof of your ability to lead effectively, which can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Focus on your leadership skills, strategic vision, and ability to drive growth. Use examples that demonstrate your role in shaping company strategy and leading teams to success.

Emphasise the type of leader you are. For example, many employers value transformational leadership styles, where you inspire and motivate teams to achieve a common vision. Describe situations you have employed this (or other types of leadership), by emphasisng relevant exaples.

8. Primacy Effect (Reverse Pyramid Style of Writing)

The Primacy Effect suggests that people tend to remember information presented at the beginning of a sequence better than information presented later.

The reverse pyramid style of writing is a method often used in journalism and technical writing where the most important information is presented at the beginning, followed by supporting details and background information in descending order of importance.

How do you decide what’s most important? Look to the job ad and position description for clues. This may mean restructuring your executive resume for different roles. For example, if a role calls for certain qualifications or experience, you should highlight this information near the top of the resume. Less important qualifications ad experience should go more towards the end (or not at all).

9. Information Overload (Focus on the Most Recent 10-15 Years)

Usually in an executive resume, your most recent experience, qualifications and achievements should not only be placed at the top of your resume, but should be given a much larger word count compared to less recent experience.

Unless the experience is directly relevant to the role you are applying for (and you don’t have any more recent experience n that area), you should consider leaving off experience more tan 15 years old altogether.

Recruiters often have to review a large number of resumes for multiple positions. According to the Information Overload theory, people can become overwhelmed when they are presented with too much information.

Need help developing your executive resume in Australia? Contact our experienced executive resume writing team for a quote.