Want to capture and hold the attention of your target employers in your executive resume, LinkedIn profile and all your career marketing materials? Hit them with your best shot above the fold. That is, the top third or half of the paper, digital or web page.
Recruiters and hiring decision makers are busy people, often overwhelmed with candidates and materials to assess. They will typically allow 10-15 seconds for an initial review. If you don’t draw them in that quickly, they may pass right over you.
Whatever lands in that first-to-be-seen spot has the most impact on the reader . . . it’s the most valuable real estate on any page.
That spot needs to stand on its own as your brand and career marketing calling card. It needs to tell enough of your story to compel readers to want to know more about you, and to want to talk to you.
For “above the fold” strategies for your documents and online profiles, see my Executive Career Brand post, Executive Brand Resume: Differentiate Your ROI Value Above the Fold.
Related posts:
4 Executive Job Search First Steps, Before You Write Your Resume
C-level Executive Resume Length: One, Two, or Three Pages?