Crafting a compelling CV that effectively highlights your strategic leadership and business acumen is a significant challenge for any executive. By utilising our guide, you'll receive tailored advice on structuring your achievements and expertise to position yourself as the standout candidate.
Structure, write, and edit your executive CV to land the role of your dreams with our exclusive guide on how to:
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
Resume examples for executive
Explore additional executive cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Junior Sales Executive
- Structured Layout for Easy Navigation - The CV is meticulously structured, using clear headings and bullet points to guide the reader through sections such as personal summary, professional experience, and skills. This clarity ensures that potential employers can quickly evaluate the applicant’s qualifications without getting lost in dense text.
- Impressive Career Growth - The candidate's career progression is noteworthy, having consistently climbed the professional ladder from an entry-level analyst position to a senior management role. This trajectory showcases their ability to adapt and grow within the industry, underlining significant promotions that reflect their dedication and competence.
- Deep Industry-Specific Knowledge - The CV highlights the candidate’s proficiency in industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as proficiency with CRM platforms and agile project management. Their technical depth in utilizing these tools for operational efficiency sets them apart as a specialized professional in their field.
By Role
Chief Executive Officer
- Clear Progression in Leadership Roles - The CV effectively maps Jacob Roberts' career trajectory through incremental leadership advancements, moving from Programme Manager to Head of Diversity and Inclusion, and later to Director of Community Engagement. This progression highlights his ability to grow and take on more significant responsibilities in community-focused roles.
- Solid Evidence of Industry Impact and Innovation - Jacob has spearheaded noteworthy projects like enhancing programme outreach by 40% at Stonewall UK and implementing an inclusion project resulting in a 30% boost in LGBTQ+ service utilisation. His work on forming multi-agency partnerships showcases innovative approaches and tangible impact in the sector.
- Impactful Achievements Framed with Business Relevance - The CV effectively communicates achievements with concrete business impacts, such as the £1.5 million increase in annual funding—a direct result of Jacob's strategic insight in financial management. This emphasizes his capability to align growth strategies with organizational objectives and secure valuable resources.
Executive Assistant
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is organized with well-defined sections, offering a logical flow from personal details and summary to experience, education, and skills. The use of bullet points under each job position highlights key achievements and responsibilities, ensuring quick comprehension and easy navigation.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - The experience outlined in the CV demonstrates a clear path of advancement from Administrative Assistant at Barclays UK to Senior Executive Assistant at BT Group. This progression showcases consistent career growth and an increase in responsibilities over time, evidencing Poppy's capability and readiness for leadership roles.
- Achieved Business-Relevant Impact - Poppy's achievements are not just listed as numbers but are tied to significant business outcomes. For instance, reducing document retrieval time by 40% or travel expenditure by 20% highlights her contributions to operational efficiency and cost-saving, resonating with organizational goals and making her a valuable asset.
Executive Project Manager
- Strategic Career Development - The CV illustrates a clear path of progression, moving from an Assistant Project Manager to a Senior Project Manager across reputable companies like Heineken, Nestlé, and Unilever. This trajectory is reflective of Charlotte Powell’s growing expertise and increased responsibilities, showing her ability to handle more complex and higher-stakes projects over time.
- Effective Presentation of Achievements - Charlotte’s CV is rich with quantifiable achievements, with metrics such as a 40% acceleration in workflow processes and a 15% improvement in resource allocation. These numbers don’t just highlight her competencies but suggest a significant business impact in her roles, emphasizing her capability to drive substantial results.
- Diverse Skill Set and Adaptability - The blend of skills in project management, data analytics, and team leadership, alongside her proficiency in English and French, reflects her ability to adapt across functions and cultures. Her experiences in remote project management signify her adeptness at dealing with diverse teams and technological innovations to enhance performance.
Sales Executive
- Strategic Leadership and Growth - The CV showcases a clear trajectory of increasing responsibility and leadership within the healthcare sales industry. Each role illustrates a jump in scope, from managing regional sales teams to leading transformative sales strategies on a larger scale, highlighting a career marked by impactful growth and strategic leadership.
- Effective Presentation and Structure - This CV is an excellent example of clarity and structure. It is well-organized with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements, allowing easy navigation and immediate understanding of the candidate's professional journey. Bullet points are concise yet informative, ensuring that key accomplishments stand out.
- Adaptability and Use of Industry-Specific Tools - The CV highlights the use of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as Salesforce for CRM and data-driven analytics for lead generation processes. This technical depth is complemented by the candidate's adaptability and success across diverse roles and companies, from GE Healthcare to AstraZeneca, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare sales sector.
Finance Executive
- Comprehensive leadership and strategic capability - The CV clearly demonstrates Matilda Hunter's progression through increasingly senior roles, reflecting strong leadership skills. From Finance Director to Chief Financial Officer, the trajectory highlights a proven track record of strategic decision-making and effective leadership in complex healthcare finance environments.
- Impressive financial impact and achievements - The achievements outlined in the CV provide clear, quantifiable results that underscore the candidate's ability to drive substantial business impact. Notable accomplishments, such as securing a £25 million funding increase and achieving a 40% reduction in financial liabilities, show their capacity to deliver meaningful financial transformations.
- Cross-functional expertise and adaptability - Matilda’s experience is enriched by her ability to integrate financial strategies across different domains. Her work within multi-disciplinary teams on capital projects and risk management plans highlights adaptability and a collaborative approach, fostering innovation and operational cohesion across departments.
Executive Operations Manager
- Logical and Coherent Structure - The CV is well-organized and clearly structured, with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements. This logical layout facilitates easy navigation and allows the reader to quickly identify the candidate's qualifications and expertise relevant to the Executive Operations Manager role.
- Steady Career Growth in Healthcare - Lucas Adams' career trajectory reflects a consistent progression in roles within the healthcare sector. Starting as a Business Analyst and advancing to Operations Manager and now Executive Operations Manager, this path demonstrates his ability to take on increasing responsibilities, indicating strong professional growth and a deepening expertise in healthcare operations.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The achievements section emphasizes Lucas' capability to drive significant outcomes with quantifiable business impacts. Highlights include a 25% increase in operational productivity and saving over £50,000 in expenses, illustrating his effectiveness in strategic planning and operational efficiency within healthcare organizations.
Human Resources Executive
- Clear and Logical Structure - The CV is organized in a manner that ensures easy navigation and readability. Each section is clearly defined, with bullet points used effectively to present information concisely. The sections logically progress from the candidate's professional summary, through their career history, and onto their skills and achievements, allowing recruiters to get a comprehensive view of the candidate's qualifications without unnecessary information clutter.
- Consistent Career Growth in Software Engineering - The career trajectory detailed in the CV illustrates a consistent progression within the software industry. The candidate has moved from junior roles to senior positions, showcasing a clear advancement path through promotions and increased responsibilities. This reflects their ability to grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, further evidenced by transitions from software development to managing development teams.
- Proficiency in Cutting-Edge Technologies - The CV highlights the candidate's expertise with industry-standard tools and methodologies specific to software development, such as Agile methodology, DevOps practices, and proficiency in languages like Python and JavaScript. This depth of technical knowledge indicates the candidate's ability to contribute significantly to projects and stay current with the latest technological advancements in their field.
Executive Business Development Manager
- Concise and well-structured content - Theodore Green's CV is organized in a clear manner, presenting information in a structured format that includes headers, bullet points, and logical sections. Each section is concise, allowing the reader to quickly grasp the key details of his career, skills, and achievements. This clarity ensures that potential employers can efficiently extract the most relevant information.
- Progressive career trajectory - The career path outlined in the CV demonstrates a steady progression through the ranks of business development in the SaaS industry. Starting as a Partnership Manager at Salesforce, advancing to a Senior Partnership Manager at HubSpot, and currently serving as a Business Development Lead at Dropbox, the trajectory showcases continuous growth and increased leadership responsibilities, indicating a successful upward progression in his field.
- Achievements with strategic business impact - The CV highlights specific achievements such as a 40% increase in upload minutes at Dropbox and a 25% growth in partnership initiatives at HubSpot. These accomplishments, described in terms of their strategic impact on business metrics, show how his efforts have not only driven performance improvements but also contributed significantly to the overall business goals and market competitiveness of his employers.
Executive Data Analyst
- Emphasizes career growth and industry focus - Mia Ward's CV illustrates her progression from a Data Processing Specialist to a Data Analyst at prestigious organizations, reflecting a consistent focus on data within the sustainable energy sector. Each role demonstrates an increase in responsibility, highlighting her dedication and expertise in environmental data analysis and thermal imaging.
- Highlights unique technical skills and tools - By showcasing her proficiency in industry-specific tools like DREam software and advanced Excel skills, as well as certifications in Infrared Thermography, the CV illustrates Mia's deep technical knowledge. This specialized expertise aligns well with her roles focusing on energy efficiency and retrofit data management.
- Demonstrates impactful achievements - The CV stands out with significant accomplishments that not only present numbers but also their broader impact. Mia's efforts in reducing energy waste by 20% and cutting data processing time by 30% underscore her contributions towards sustainable development and operational efficiency, directly aligning with the goals of her employers.
Executive Product Manager
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is organized with a clear structure that allows for easy navigation through various sections, from career history to education and skills, ensuring that each key detail is accessible and straightforward.
- Strategic Career Progression - Samuel’s career trajectory displays a deliberate progression from Management Consultant to Product Manager, showcasing a significant pivot into the gaming industry, underlined by roles at prominent companies like Riot Games and Electronic Arts, highlighting substantial growth and an ability to adapt to new challenges.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - The inclusion of specialized knowledge in A/B testing, LiveOps implementation, and creating data-driven enhancements speaks to Samuel’s deep technical understanding and innovative approach within the gaming industry, reinforcing his unique contribution to player engagement and business growth.
Executive Quality Assurance Manager
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is logically organized, with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements, making it easy to navigate. Each job role is concisely detailed with bullet points that effectively highlight key responsibilities and achievements, demonstrating a clear and thoughtful presentation style.
- Consistent Career Progression in Quality Assurance - Oscar Evans' career trajectory shows a consistent growth path from a Quality Assurance Engineer to a Senior Quality Assurance Manager, indicative of strong performance and career advancement within the industry. The progression illustrates increasing responsibility and leadership, while staying within the quality assurance domain, reflecting a focused and strategic career advancement.
- Emphasis on Achievements and Business Impact - The CV efficiently conveys significant business contributions by tying achievements to quantifiable metrics, such as a 25% reduction in bugs reported and a 30% improvement in process efficiency. This approach not only highlights technical skills but also demonstrates an understanding of their impact on key business objectives and customer satisfaction.
Executive Event Coordinator
- Clarity and Conciseness in Content Presentation - Freddie Hughes’ CV is structured clearly, with each section neatly organized and easy to read. The use of bullet points for job responsibilities and achievements allows for concise and impactful presentation, ensuring the reader can quickly grasp key information without sifting through unnecessary details. This enhances the overall readability and effectiveness of the CV.
- Demonstrated Career Growth and Progression - The career trajectory of Freddie Hughes showcases a clear advancement through roles with increasing responsibility, evidencing a proactive and successful career in event management. Transitioning from an Event Operations Assistant to an Event Manager in just a few years highlights their ability to grow and adapt within the industry, subsequently enhancing their expertise and leadership potential.
- Industry-Specific Tools and Methodologies - Freddie’s proficiency with industry tools such as MS Office and data management systems is a crucial element of the CV, showcasing technical depth in event management. Additionally, the successful implementation of a digital feedback collection system and efficient budget management strategies underscores their capability to integrate technology and innovative methodologies to improve event outcomes.
Executive Supply Chain Manager
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is laid out in a logical manner, with a clear progression from contact information and personal summary to work experience, education, and skills. This structured approach allows for easy navigation and ensures that key information is highlighted efficiently, making it accessible to potential employers.
- Consistent Career Growth in the Insurance Sector - The document illustrates a steady career trajectory within the insurance industry, starting from a Claims Specialist role and advancing to Claims Operations Manager. This showcases the candidate's capacity for professional development and increasing responsibility, reflecting dedication to the field and adaptability to more complex roles.
- Focus on Achievements with Business Impact - It stands out by emphasizing achievements that directly contributed to business objectives, such as reducing processing time by 20% and increasing supplier compliance by 25%. These metrics demonstrate the candidate’s ability to drive operational efficiency and highlight the tangible value they bring to an organization.
Executive Customer Service Manager
- Clear and Organized Content Presentation - The CV is structured clearly, organizing sections into distinct categories such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section opens with a concise heading that allows for easy navigation. The bullet-point format provides streamlined information delivery, ensuring that the reader can quickly grasp the key points without sifting through unnecessary details.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - George Johnson's career progression is depicted through a series of significant roles, showcasing a clear path of growth and advancement. Starting as a Customer Relations Manager and evolving into a Senior Customer Service Manager, his career trajectory emphasizes a consistent climb in responsibility and leadership within reputable organizations such as JCB, Caterpillar, and Rolls-Royce.
- Substantial Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights achievements with substantial business relevance, going beyond numbers to emphasize impact. For instance, a 30% year-on-year increase in sales performance and a 25% boost in customer satisfaction are directly linked to strategic initiatives Johnson led, demonstrating his ability to drive growth and enhance customer experience effectively.
Executive Research Analyst
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, with each section clearly defined and easily accessible. The concise format ensures that the most important information is quickly absorbed, making it easy to understand Henry's career path and professional competencies.
- Defined Career Growth - Henry's career progression illustrates a steady advancement in the field of rural development. Starting as a Junior Researcher and moving up to a Research Executive, the CV reflects a growth trajectory that showcases increased responsibility and expertise within the industry.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV highlights Henry's proficiency in rural development through the mention of unique tools and methodologies, such as survey design and knowledge management systems. It indicates technical depth, showing Henry's ability to apply specialized skills to enhance project outcomes and client satisfaction.
Executive Media Planner
- Structured Career Progression - Isabella Watson's CV presents a seamless career trajectory, showcasing a clear growth path from Junior Media Planner to Senior Digital Planner. This progression highlights her ability to consistently leverage her skills and take on increasing responsibilities, reflecting her dedication and capability in the media and digital planning sphere.
- Industry-Specific Expertise and Tools - Throughout her roles, Isabella demonstrates a strong command of industry-specific tools such as Telmar, Nielsen, and SimilarWeb. These tools are critical for gaining insights and optimizing media strategies, underscoring her technical depth and adaptability to integrate cutting-edge methodologies into her practices.
- Client-Centric Achievements - The CV emphasizes Isabella's commitment to client satisfaction with achievements like driving a 30% increase in client ROI and maintaining a 98% client retention rate. This focus on impactful results indicates her ability to translate strategic initiatives into business success, making her a valuable asset in any client-focused setting.
Executive IT Manager
- Structured Presentation with Emphasis on Key Skills - The CV is presented in a structured manner with clear headers, making it easy to digest. It effectively highlights key skills like system monitoring, security compliance, and user support right at the beginning, ensuring that the reader quickly understands the candidate’s core competencies without having to sift through too much information.
- Progressive Career Growth in the IT Sector - Finley Robinson's career trajectory shows a steady progression in the IT field. Starting as an IT Systems Administrator and advancing to an IT Manager role at a healthcare trust reflects both growth and the accumulation of greater responsibilities over time, indicating a reliable and promotable professional profile.
- Impactful Achievements with Clear Business Benefits - The CV details specific achievements such as reducing IT-related downtime by 30% and cutting ticket resolution times by 35%. These accomplishments are not just numbers; they underline significant enhancements in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, key metrics for any IT management role.
How complex should the format of your executive CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your executive CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a executive CV
- Professional Summary offers a snapshot of your achievements.
- Key Skills section highlights leadership and strategic abilities.
- Professional Experience showcases career progression and impact.
- Education and Professional Development indicate your foundation and growth.
- Board Memberships and Associations show networking and influence prowess.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Focus on strategic impact by showcasing outcomes where your decisions resulted in significant organisational growth or transformation, highlighting your ability to operate at a high level of influence.
- Include specific examples of leadership, such as change management or culture development initiatives you've led, demonstrating your capacity for driving organisational success through people.
- Emphasise financial acumen by detailing experiences where you've directly impacted the bottom line, whether through cost-saving measures, revenue generation, or effective budget management.
- Highlight your ability to foster stakeholder relationships by providing instances where you have successfully navigated complex negotiations or formed strategic partnerships.
- Reflect your forward-thinking mentality by mentioning any innovative projects you spearheaded or how you have integrated emerging trends and technologies to advance your organisation's objectives.
Recommended reads:
Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning executive CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for executive:
- Chief Financial Officer | Strategic Financial Planning | ACA Certified | 20+ Years of Leadership Experience
- Director of Operations | Efficiency Optimisation | Six Sigma Black Belt | 15 Years Progressive Management
- Head of Marketing | Brand Development | Digital Strategy Expert | MBA | 12 Years Industry Insight
- CTO | Innovation & Technology Leadership | Ph.D. in Computer Science | 18 Years Driving Change
- VP of Human Resources | Employee Relations | CIPD Qualified | 25 Years Cultivating Workforce Excellence
- Global Sales Director | Market Expansion Specialist | BSc in Business | 10 Years of Sales Mastery
Choosing your opening statement: a executive CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a executive job:
- With over 15 years of experience leading marketing strategies for Fortune 500 companies, I possess a proven track record of increasing market share and revenue. Expertise in digital marketing, brand management, and data analytics, with my most notable achievement being the successful launch of a cross-channel campaign that resulted in a 27% increase in product sales.
- Seasoned finance executive with 20 years of experience managing portfolios exceeding £10 billion. Specialised in risk management, financial analysis, and regulatory compliance, with a staunch commitment to maintaining fiscal integrity. Spearheaded a financial turnaround project, resulting in a sustained 15% growth in net asset value over five years.
- Former healthcare professional transitioning into corporate leadership, bringing a wealth of experience in patient care, team management, and operational efficiency. Having led a hospital department for a decade, I possess a unique perspective on customer service and employee satisfaction paired with a passion for streamlining organisational processes.
- Accomplished educator with 12+ years shaping academic programs at top-tier universities, now pivoting to corporate training and development. Combines an in-depth understanding of adult learning principles with cutting-edge curriculum design skills, eager to leverage these to enhance employee performances and drive organisational growth.
- Eager to embark on a career in technology sales with no prior industry experience, bringing a rich background in client relations and a tenacity for results-driven success. Dedicated to mastering product knowledge and sales strategies, with an objective to consistently exceed targets and contribute to market expansion.
- Graduating summa cum laude in environmental science and aiming to transfer academic prowess into actionable, sustainable business practices within a leading renewable energy firm. While having no direct industry experience, I bring analytical skills, a fresh perspective on ecological challenges, and a commitment to driving environmental innovations.
How to meet job requirements with your executive CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Highlight strategic leadership roles and decision-making responsibilities, detailing how your vision and governance have positively impacted the organisation's trajectory and profitability.
- Showcase your experience in driving organisational growth, providing specific examples of successful mergers, acquisitions, or market expansions you have managed.
- Include measurable accomplishments, such as revenue growth, cost reductions, or efficiency improvements, using precise percentages and financial figures to substantiate your claims.
- Emphasise any experience in digital transformation or innovation within the company, demonstrating your ability to adapt and lead in a rapidly evolving business environment.
- Mention key stakeholder engagement experiences, highlighting your ability to communicate effectively with boards, investors, and industry partners to secure buy-in on critical initiatives.
- Detail examples of robust risk management and decisive action in crisis situations, underscoring your capability to maintain stability and confidence under pressure.
- Quantify the scope of your leadership by specifying the size of teams you've managed, budgets you've overseen, and the geographic or global reach of your strategic influence.
- Address your involvement in developing and executing corporate social responsibility programmes or sustainability initiatives, reflecting your commitment to ethical leadership and social good.
- Articulate any contributions to industry thought leadership, such as published articles or speaking engagements at high-profile events, positioning you as an expert and influencer in your field.
Work Experience
Chief Executive Officer
Techstart Solutions Ltd
01/2020-Ongoing
- Spearheaded a digital transformation initiative by consolidating disparate systems into a unified tech stack, boosting operational efficiency by 30%.
- Negotiated and secured a landmark deal with a leading tech company, expanding the product reach by 200% and substantially increasing market share.
- Launched a sustainable business strategy that reduced carbon footprint by 15% while maintaining profit margins through investment in renewable energy sources.
Work Experience
Vice President of Operations
BrightEdge Technologies
06/2017-12/2019
- Orchestrated the turnaround of a struggling business division, resulting in a revenue increase from £2m to £6m within two years.
- Implemented a rigorous cost control programme, slashing operational costs by £500,000 annually without compromising product quality.
- Launched three new product lines that captured an additional 12% of the market share within the first year of introduction.
Work Experience
Global Chief Executive
Innoventive Dynamics
04/2014-05/2017
- Directed global marketing strategies, elevating brand presence in 10 new countries and increasing brand awareness by 25% internationally.
- Enhanced corporate governance policies, ensuring compliance with new regulatory standards and mitigating risk exposure by 40%.
- Fostered strategic partnerships with four industry leaders, delivering collaborative projects that enhanced innovation and customer satisfaction.
Work Experience
Corporate Executive Director
Maxwell & Co.
03/2011-03/2014
- Cultivated a high-performance culture that saw employee satisfaction scores improve by 20% while reducing staff turnover by 15%.
- Streamlined the company's supply chain processes, enhancing efficiency and resulting in cost savings of £1m+ annually.
- Pioneered the expansion into three untapped markets, growing the customer base by 100,000+ and boosting topline revenue by 18%.
Work Experience
Senior Executive Manager
Crestpoint Solutions Ltd
07/2009-02/2011
- Led a cross-functional team in a major enterprise software overhaul that increased system productivity by over 35%.
- Initiated a leadership training programme that developed ten new managerial candidates, cementing the company's future leadership pipeline.
- Delivered cost-effective solutions by renegotiating vendor contracts, leading to a 20% reduction in expenses while maintaining service levels.
Work Experience
Executive Director of Business Development
QuantumTech Enterprises
05/2015-04/2019
- Championed the development of a customer-centric approach that achieved a 5% increase in client retention rates year-on-year.
- Executed a company-wide rebranding strategy that positioned the brand as a leader in the marketplace, attracting a 40% increase in potentials investors.
- Drove the successful acquisition and integration of two competitors, expanding the company's footprint and enhancing economies of scale.
Work Experience
Chief Executive of Technology and Innovation
Vertex Innovations Ltd
08/2016-07/2020
- Pioneered the adoption of AI-driven analytics tools, enhancing data-driven decision making and increasing quarterly revenues by 22%.
- Oversaw the launch of a multi-platform marketing campaign that resulted in a 45% increase in user engagement across digital channels.
- Nurtured a culture of continuous learning, reducing skills gaps and increasing team productivity by 32% through targeted upskilling programs.
Work Experience
Group Executive Leader
Prestige Worldwide Inc.
02/2012-01/2016
- Transformed company operations by leading a successful merger, yielding a 25% increase in overall business capacity and diversification of service offerings.
- Initiated and managed a growth strategy that expanded the company's global presence into 8 new markets, enhancing international revenues by 20%.
- Directed a cost reduction initiative by optimizing logistics and procurement processes, resulting in annual savings of £750,000.
What to add in your executive CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Key executive CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your executive CV:
HARD SKILLS
Strategic Planning
Financial Acumen
Business Development
Operations Management
Corporate Governance
Risk Management
Change Management
Market Analysis
Project Management
Data Analysis
SOFT SKILLS
Leadership
Communication
Critical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Decision-Making
Negotiation
Innovation
Adaptability
Integrity
Collaboration
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Further professional qualifications for your executive CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your executive CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Recommended reads:
Key takeaways
What matters most in your executive CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
