Former HR Manager and Writing Professional
A chief executive officer, otherwise known as CEO, is to an organization what a president is to a country and commands quantifiable respect from subordinates. The responsibilities and expectations of a chief executive officer are enormous. The CEO supervises all activities and is responsible for the success or failure of a firm, and this comes with a Herculean recruitment process. Hence, you cannot afford to submit a shabbily written executive resume.
For the records, a CEO resume is different from regular resume samples. It is unapologetically professional because of the level of authority a Chief Executive Officer yields within and outside the company.
Other than your career path and personality, the next greatest secret to getting hired for such a position is the quality of your resume. But how do you occupy the stage when others are also trying to please recruiters with their executive resumes?
Without much ado, this article will give you premium insights into what an executive resume is, its properties, things NOT needed in a resume, CEO resume samples, and how to create a distinguishing CEO resume.
What is an Executive Resume?
A CEO resume, also known as an executive resume, is an A4-paper-size document used when applying for the post of chief executive officer in a company. As a sensitive position, the first impression of your capacity and personality comes from your resume. So you must ensure it oozes authority, charisma, good spirit, and professionalism.
Creating a compelling executive resume gives you an edge over other applicants. Remember it is a delicate position, and no stone will be left unturned in the recruitment process. Endeavor to maximize your first opportunity – the executive resume.
Sections of an Executive Resume
An ideal executive resume has different important sections, yet they are still closely related to each other. These features are always present in modern-day executive resume samples, and you can find one below. But before then, here’s a rundown on the characteristics of an executive resume.
1. Detailed profile statement
This section is the introductory part of your resume that gives the hiring manager a quick entry into your career. In not more than six sentences, describe your executive experience, leadership and management skills, and what the company stands to gain via your employment.
The professional statement also includes skills relevant to the company and position you are applying for. This means that you have to provide only necessary details related to the CEO’s office. Nothing less, nothing more!
2. Core competencies and skill-set
Although action speaks louder than words, recruiters need you to tell them what you can do before allowing you to showcase those abilities. The hiring manager is not interested in knowing how you swam through an ocean; list all you can offer to the company only.
In this section, you can also outline technical and human-related skills. Any chief executive officer resume sample without this feature is bland. This is one of the top sections that interest hiring managers. So, do well to impress them.
3. Career journey
Showing the facets of your career is a part of proving your expertise. Let recruiters know how far you have come as an executive personnel. Give a detailed list of your previous job titles, descriptions, responsibilities, and accomplishments. It is also important to state facts, add figures and maintain assertiveness while selling yourself to the company.
For example, revealing that you increased a company’s monthly income by 30% through integrating technology into service delivery is a piece of the necessary information to include in an executive resume. Hiring managers also believe that occupying several positions doubles your performance. So, show how you transitioned from an entry-level officer into someone who deserves to hold an executive officer position.
4. Educational background
This section is for explaining your educational background and necessary certifications. Most times, this part supports your skill-set and validates your claim of being in the know of the chief executive officer role. Most job ads will request that the candidate have postsecondary education, so start by adding your highest degree, then subsequent degrees, institution name, location, and duration.
5. Additional sections
Additional sections are not always mandatory, but they add flavor to your executive resume. Like a regular resume, most resume examples for executives have provision for you to include other extracurricular information, such as hobbies/interests, volunteer experience, and preferred languages. This also shows that you’re a human being and not a robot. However, whatever detail you provide in this section should be relevant to the position you are applying for.
What NOT to include in an Executive Resume
For every action, there is a reaction. The same way you can’t afford to miss some tiny details in an executive resume is the same way some things are irrelevant in a resume. Below are some things not suitable for an executive resume:
- A picture. Do not add a photograph of yourself to prevent bias during selection, except if asked otherwise.
- The reason you left your former job. Nobody is ready to read a story of how you went from grass to grace or vice versa in your executive resume. Don’t try to garner pity or talk trash about your former workplace(s). Be professional, not condescending.
- Do not refer to your age and religion unless you are asked during the interview.
Other Tips for writing quality CEO Resume
- Write your resume in short comprehensible sentences, using the English language.
- Use bold headings (when necessary). Unify the text styles and font size.
- Create different examples of CEO resumes and send them to trusted parties for proofreading and editing.
- Attach an executive-level cover letter.
CEO Resume Sample
There are too many similar resume examples for executives on the internet. To avoid joining the “copy-and-paste” bandwagon, here is a free sample CEO resume for you. Note that the information below is fictitious; all you have to do is tweak it to your preference.
Peter Kofer Cincinnati, Ohio Phone: 5132878292 Email: Peterkofer@gmail.com A result-driven chief executive officer with over 6years of experience in managing and growing small and large-scale businesses. Charismatic, detailed, and avid team leader with a proven record of leadership skills locally and internationally. Forbes “30 Under 30” award recipient, American Business Awards recipient, and Chief Representative of the Cincinnati School of Business.
Skills
Note:
CEO resume examples only serve as templates, but the job of advertising yourself lies on your shoulder. Do not disappoint yourself.
Let’s Wrap it Up!
Your resume is the ticket to your dream job. Creating a robust executive resume is tasking. It requires lots of brain work and introspection to discover your strengths, but the final result is always rewarding. Ensure you have a well-written resume, void of errors, and easy to understand. In addition, always send your executive resumes in PDF format to ensure it retains their quality when viewed from different mediums.
Instead of searching for executive resume examples, the few tips above will help you master the art of writing a worthy resume.
