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Need a professional executive resume? Use our executive resume examples and writing tips to land your next leadership position.
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For a solid foundation for your own resume, use the structure and content organization of this executive resume sample.
Every position inside a company has to be filled via job search, including top-level executive positions. If you’re looking to become a senior executive, then you need to know how to make the most of a resume just like everyone else. Here’s how you can create a professional resume for this high-level position.
Create your resumeUnderstanding who uses an executive resume can help you understand what you should emphasize in your own resume. Here are a few of the jobs in the “C-suite” that would utilize an executive resume.
These jobs require different competencies and certifications, but they all tend to be part of a board of directors and have a huge impact on how a company functions on a day-to-day basis.
Create your resumeYour executive resume structure will depend partially on what resume format you use. Most executive resume examples utilize the chronological format, which emphasizes work history, but you may also use the functional format, which emphasizes skills, or the combination format, which emphasizes both. Regardless of the format, you’ll be using the same sections, just with different structures.
Your header goes at the top of the resume and includes your full name, contact information including phone number and email address, and any related links such as your LinkedIn profile URL.
A resume summary is an encapsulation of your skills and work history. For an executive job, this typically means detailing some top metrics you’ve achieved, how many years of experience you have, and what you’ve done in the past.
Your skills section should feature significant management skills. After all, as a member of the so-called “C-suite,” you’re essentially going to be managing people. Executive recruiters want to know that you have these skills and that you can transfer them to a new position and a new company. In this section, highlight skills and qualifications that show you have the know-how to direct your company’s development, which could include high-level skills like budgeting, business development and conflict resolution.
Every executive should display an extensive work experience
section. Although you might not have a history that’s exclusively in the executive field, you should include work experience revolving around project and product management, and initiatives you’ve taken in previous jobs that resulted in success. Make sure you feature experiences that connect with the needs of the company you’re applying to.
Not every executive position needs an extensive education section, but don’t forget to include your college information (name, location, major) and any related certifications and credentials.
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You should include a cover letter alongside your executive resume. Most of the time, for a position of this importance, a cover letter will be required. However, even if it isn’t required, a cover letter gives you a chance to showcase your personality and further discuss how you fit the job.
Although you need a lot of experience for an executive position, it’s not restricted solely to executive experience. If this is the first C-suite job you’re applying for, then make sure you showcase how the skills and experience you built up in previous jobs make you the right candidate for the job. Highlight your experience and achievements in jobs that align with the executive job you want, even if they’re not a perfect match.
Resume keywords will help you apply to different jobs while getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to screen out applicants that don’t meet certain criteria. Read the job description to learn what skills and requirements are most important for the specific application. Then apply this knowledge to your resume. You can also use the ResumeHelp resume builder, which then makes it easier for you to update your resume and save different versions of it for different jobs.
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