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In a job market where skills, adaptability, and communication increasingly shape long-term career success, the traditional résumé alone is no longer sufficient to tell your professional story. A résumé may list job titles, dates, and responsibilities, but it rarely captures why your experiences matter, how you solved problems, and what motivates you to grow. That’s the central insight from Kellogg Insight’s podcast “Focus on Your Story, Not Your Résumé,” where Suzanne Muchin, clinical professor

In a job market shaped by layoffs, AI screening tools, and an overwhelming number of applicants, getting your resume noticed can feel like an uphill battle. Many qualified professionals never make it to the interview stage—not because they lack experience, but because their resume doesn’t clearly communicate value in a way that stands out to both technology and humans.

The good news? A strong, modern resume isn’t about stuffing in more information. It’s about clarity, relevance, and strategy.

Executive resumes are changing faster than ever. What impressed hiring leaders in 2020 can feel outdated—or even raise red flags—in 2026. AI-powered screening, shifting leadership expectations, and the rise of digital-first organizations have reshaped what recruiters look for in senior talent. Today’s executive resume must be part strategic narrative, part business case, and part proof of digital fluency.

Here’s what’s in for 2026—and what needs to go.

What’s Working in Executive Resumes for 20

Understanding how companies determine compensation can help you negotiate more effectively and evaluate job opportunities with clarity. Salary offers are carefully structured decisions built to reflect the role, the market, and the value an individual brings.

1. Market Research and Competitive Benchmarking

Organizations begin by analyzing current pay data for similar roles by industry, location, and experience level. The goal is to offer compensation that attracts strong talent while remaining

For years, the job hunt revolved around polishing a résumé, tailoring keywords, and hoping an application cleared the ATS gauntlet. That still matters—but for “power jobs” (high-impact roles with influence, budget, and visibility), strategic networking now outperforms résumé-first tactics. Three forces are driving the shift: how companies actually source talent, how platforms amplify relationship “signals,” and how skills—not pedigree—are reshaping hiring.

1) Companies trust relationships more

For job seekers and professionals in transition, September is one of the most strategic times of the year to get hired. After the slower pace of summer, employers ramp up hiring efforts, and opportunities open across industries. If you are unemployed or actively job hunting, taking advantage of this seasonal surge can be a game-changer.

Post-Summer Momentum

The hiring cycle tends to slow in June, July, and August as decision-makers take vacations and many organizations defer major hiring deci

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Looking for a new role before the year ends? Fall is your season to shine.

1. Fall: The Opportunity-Rich Season

The autumn months—especially September and October—are crucial for job hunters. As businesses conclude summer slumps and prepare for year-end goals, hiring activity surges. Companies seek to allocate remaining budgets and fill critical roles before the year closes, creating a window of opportunity for job seekers.

2. Proactivity as Strategy

Proactivity involves se

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way companies recruit talent, streamlining processes, improving candidate experiences, and introducing new ethical challenges. From résumé screening to predictive analytics and conversational bots, AI is reshaping hiring across industries.

1. Automated Resume Screening and Shortlisting

One of the most common uses of AI in hiring is the automation of resume screening. Traditional hiring processes often require recruiters to

Your LinkedIn profile is more than just a digital resume—it’s your first impression, your personal brand, and often the deciding factor in whether a recruiter reaches out or scrolls past. If you are unable to pitch your experiences and skills in person, a strong LinkedIn presence is one of the most powerful tools in your job search toolkit. READ MORE AT PROFESSIONAL ALTERNATIVES

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In today’s hyper-competitive job market, especially in fast-moving industries like tech, marketing, and finance, the best roles often get filled before they’re ever posted. According to a Jobvite Recruiter Nation Survey, as much as 40% of positions are filled through internal referrals and networks before they go public. So how do you become the person they call before a job even hits the market? Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve and land those hidden opportunities.

1. B

Industries like technology, consulting services, and startups move fast and shape the world in exciting ways. Working in these fields can be invigorating. Breaking into them can feel daunting, however. Employers are more selective, expecting employees to work smarter and faster. A traditional job search approach often isn’t enough.

If you’re aiming to transition into a highly competitive industry, or if you are pursuing a role at a desirable employer, here are three strategies that will help

With technology and job-hunting habits continually changing, an executive resume today must communicate more than just a list of accomplishments or generic competencies. It needs to embody your unique professional identity so you’re positioned as the right fit for a specific role and company. So, what do these changes mean for your resume in 2025? READ MORE AT CAREER IMPRESSIONS

Job scams have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting job seekers with a variety of deceptive tactics. Cybercriminals exploit the vulnerability of individuals seeking employment, often using fraudulent job postings, phishing emails, and social engineering techniques to lure victims into sharing sensitive personal information. READ MORE AT UNDERCOVER RECRUITER

When you’re looking for a new job, the time it takes can feel brutal. Every day, you hope the right job will fall into your lap. Not only are you anxious about this, so are your friends and family. They’ve never seen a job search take so long. Something must be wrong. Right? Not necessarily.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to getting a new job. First, think about this. When you finished college, you would take any job, working anywhere, doing anything, for any amount of money.

If you are ready for a mid-career pivot, you are likely hoping for a job that will value your outsider experience, pays well and doesn’t have huge barriers to entry. There are certain industries where coming from a different career track won’t be an issue and in some cases can be a plus.

The key is to figure out what experience you already have that can help you make the transition but also succeed in your next role. READ MORE AT FORBES

Today's job search process can be daunting. Whether it's creating a résumé that will stand out from the crowd, preparing to ace a preliminary phone interview, figuring out how to wow a hiring manager in a second- or third-round interview, or negotiating an offer, unique challenges come with each step of the process. Read more at Refinery 29

Thinking about finding yourself a new 9-5? It can be hard to figure out what exactly you can do to make your résumé stand out in a crowd of other, similarly polished, one-page masterpieces. Even after you've looked at every template around and re-written your cover letter fifteen times, there are still ways to make the recruiter or hiring manager in HR notice your résumé first — and help them remember it when they're looking at 200 others.

These résumé writing tips from experts can help you pol