Crafting an executive resume is a daunting task. Many people in executive positions haven't had to write a resume in years and may not be aware of the modern best practices. Furthermore, if your current position comes from being promoted from within, it might be difficult to determine what to include on your resume.
Executive resumes don't have to be long and drawn out, but they do have to include a rich narrative about your career. Here are seven steps to creating a powerful executive resume.
Choose an Impactful Template
First, start with a template design that caters to executive applications. These templates will look slightly different than a resume for an entry-level position, often spanning two pages (but no more). Choosing a template makes it easier to adhere to best practices without spending an extensive amount of time trying to format your document.
It's also worth considering working with executive resume writers to put together a powerful resume, a fleshed-out LinkedIn profile, and get some interview coaching for your new position. Great leaders know their strengths and know the value of delegation.
Draft a Professional Summary
One of the features of an executive resume that differs from standard resumes is the inclusion of a professional summary. This will be the lead into your resume, immediately following the header with your personal information. Many job applicants overlook the professional summary in favor of a cover letter, but both are necessary for success.
Your professional summary should outline your career highlights and aspirations for the future. This is also a section in which to sing your own praises and highlight your strengths as an executive.
Gather Compelling Data Points
By this point in your career, you should have some measurable accomplishments under your belt. Hiring managers and recruiters at this level want to see tangible metrics to back your accomplishments.
Statements like "contributed to an increase in profit margins" are vague and dismissable. Conversely, statements like "designed and implemented a sales system that increased profit margins by 8% quarter over the quarter" paint a more vibrant picture. These metrics also create a jump-off point to discuss how you contributed during your interview.
Go back through projects and initiatives that you played an integral role in, and use those metrics in your executive resume.
Highlight Relevant Skills and PD
Highlighting relevant skills and professional development is a standard section of any resume. However, the skills you include should look different compared to your previous resumes.
For example, proficiency with Excel would have been a great thing to include as an analyst who submits reports to the executive team. As a member of the executive team, data-driven decision-making and cash flow optimization— higher-level skills— might be more relevant.
This space is also where you should list continuing education and professional development courses, such as leadership programs, project management certifications, etc.
Include High-Level Employment Experience
While it's nice to look at your full employment history and see how you climbed the ladder over the years, you shouldn't include everything. Limit yourself to the past 15-20 years, stopping at 15 if you've moved around a bit and extending to 20 if you've been in the same role for some time.
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Finish with Education
In a student or entry-level resume, your educational background is typically listed prior to your employment history. For an executive-level resume, your employment should supersede education. Your years of experience will speak volumes about your expertise in your role; the educational background is just a bonus.
List Notable Extracirriculars
Finally, finish your executive resume by including notable extracurriculars. This is not the place to include your putting average but rather any mentorship services you provide, board seats you hold, or philanthropic endeavors.
The key to creating a powerful executive resume is to keep it simple and compelling. Use tangible data points and relevant information. When in doubt, work with a professional executive resume writer to put together a resume that showcases you in your best light.
Related: The Best Sales Prospecting Tools: Over 300 Tools to Increase Your Outbound Sales
The short version: An executive resume must lead with a sharp value proposition that shows the scale of your impact, not just a list of job duties. Quantify your results with real numbers, cut anything that does not support your candidacy for the specific role, and make sure every line earns its place on the page.
Frequently asked questions
How long should an executive resume be?
Two pages is the standard for most executive roles, though a third page is acceptable if you have a long career with board positions, publications, or speaking engagements that are directly relevant to the role you are targeting.
What should go at the top of an executive resume?
Start with a concise executive summary of three to five lines that states your leadership specialty, the size of teams or budgets you have managed, and one or two headline achievements backed by specific numbers.
How do I show leadership impact without just listing job titles?
Replace duty-focused bullet points with outcome-focused statements that include a metric, a timeframe, and the business problem you solved, for example growing revenue by 40 percent in 18 months by restructuring a regional sales team.
Should an executive resume include a photo or personal branding elements?
Skip the photo in most markets, including the US and UK, but do invest in clean, consistent formatting that reflects your professional brand, using white space, a modern font, and a header that matches your LinkedIn profile.
