Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are responsible for managing a company’s day-to-day operations and for transforming a company’s vision into an operational reality.
A successful COO is one whose strategy yields tangible results.
A well-crafted COO resume tells the reader how this was accomplished. In particular, a focus on Strategy, Results, Scope and Leadership will set the stage, tell the tale and impress.
STEP 1: SHOW STRATEGY
The first order of business in any Operations leadership role is to figure out what’s wrong or needs improvement and outline a strategy for success. Whether the approach involves improved talent, improved processes, improved equipment or all of the above, include a high-level overview to set the stage.
STEP 2: SHOW RESULTS
A strategy without results is like a tree falling in the woods with no one around – it doesn’t count for much because no one is there to hear it.
Fortunately in the world of operations, numbers, analysis and figures can be found in abundance. Use them to tell the tale of growth, closing the gap or turnaround.
Stats to quote in the COO arena include impact to margins, time and money savings and, of course, monthly, quarterly and annual growth.
STEP 3: SHOW SCOPE
Figures and numbers speak volumes and resonate with a reader much more powerfully than words. They also provide context. If a job entailed managing teams as large as 100 or a $50M P&L, be sure to share this. It helps the reader judge a role’s complexity.
STEP 4: SHOW LEADERSHIP
COOs don’t operate in a vacuum. They must show leadership working with others to affect change in three ways:
#1 COOs must lead teams that execute their strategy. If you are proud of your leadership, be sure to share. Include information about people you have developed and promoted, or about how long your team has stuck together.
#2 COOs must collaborate cross-functionally to get the job done and gain buy-in from many stakeholders in order to go forward with a strategy. Be sure the reader knows this by understanding the parties involved and those requiring persuasion to achieve success.
#3 COOs must build or rebuild teams that work well. Spell this out by discussing how talent was recruited, hired, developed, motivated, retained and/or even overhauled.
THE BOTTOM LINE: A resume focused on strategy, results, scope and leadership will quickly and clearly show a company looking for a COO that you have what it takes to transform a CEO’s vision from a dream to tangible reality.