When preparing a resume, you’re probably used to listing accomplishment after accomplishment. Accomplishments are certainly a very important part of a resume, and they’re often the first focus of potential employers, so it’s important to spend some time figuring out how to represent them.

However, at the executive level, there is more to consider than your accomplishments. Companies will want to see integrity, a vision for the future and good self control on your executive resume. You can add these types of elements to your resume in very effective ways. Here’s a look at a few ideas to incorporate.

Sell the Idea that You’re a Visionary

When writing your executive-level resume, you want to make sure to show employers that you’re able to create and follow through on a vision that matches the goals of the company. You want to show that you’re an “idea person” that challenges ways of conducting business.

Companies love the thought of shifting their business in new and innovative directions. So if you can illustrate in your resume that your accomplishments include moments of strategy, motivation to your direct reports, and the ability to act tactically when having come up with new concepts and values, employers will better understand how you could do the same for them.

Let Employers Know You Trust Yourself and Have Self Control

At the executive level, you are relied upon to make some pretty heavy decisions, many of which offer no blueprint for guidance. Many of these decisions require quick, gut decisions. Employers will take notice if you can show that you’ve got the necessary instinct to be a successful executive, and they’ll be especially interested if you show a great sense of self control.

One way to get this done is by listing one or more instances where you were faced with a major challenge and overcame it. Whether you had to locate additional resources (money, workers) where there seemed to be none, or had to corral other execs to sit down and do some grunt work to accomplish a goal, if you succeeded in the end, you should definitely make mention of it in your resume. It’s still considered an accomplishment, you’re just explaining what you had to go through for that accomplishment.

Showcase Personal Integrity

When employers are looking for new prospects at the executive level, they want to make sure that the choice candidate is a person of personal integrity. You need to show that you’re accountable for mistakes, and that you’re honest and trustable in order to take on positions of high responsibility. They don’t want to worry about whether you will make side deals to stuff your own pockets, or work out business deals that benefit you more than the company. Your personal integrity is thus extremely important, and you can show it by listing awards and upper-level recommendations that you’ve received that give a good sense of your personal worth.

Executive resumes can be a bit tricky to write at times because you have to showcase so much more than with a standard entry-level or mid-career resume. The good news is that you undoubtedly have plenty of stories to tell, so as long as you focus on more than your accomplishments, you’ll be able to create a great executive resume.

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