An will help you stand out, especially since the job market for executives is cluttered with bad ones. , Macpherson says. "If I read the first page and don't know what you do for a living or why you're better than the next person, that's a problem," he says.

IT executives can distinguish themselves by including a powerful executive summary at the top of the first page of their résumés that focuses on what they do best.

"The remainder of the résumé should be performance driven," says Macpherson. "Too many résumés present too many bullet points that are part of a job description. What employers really want to see is impact. That's what they're paying you a salary for. They want to know the impact and benefits of your work."

: LinkedIn is a critical component of an executive job search for a variety of reasons. For starters, more companies are using LinkedIn to source and screen candidates for jobs. According to a , 95 percent of employers have successfully hired candidates through LinkedIn. Another reason, says Macpherson: LinkedIn is the first and easiest way for a job seeker to start building his or her online identity. Moreover, your LinkedIn profile markets you in a way that your résumé can't. You can capture more of your personality in your LinkedIn profile because you can write in the first person and elaborate on your professional interests and work experience.