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Executive Resume Templates with C-Level Examples & Tips

Follow our guide and learn how to write a Tim Cook-like executive summary that will highlight your strengths and achievements.

Tom Gerencer
Career Writer at ResumeLab
Executive Resume Templates with C-Level Examples & Tips

You see the big picture, drawing up strategies and policies that lead to massive ROI.

 

But your executive resume needs to prove that to the BoD.

 

After all, they know a bad C-level hire can sink the ship.

 

So—

 

Your resume for executives must turn heads like Elon Musk at the DMV.

 

Scroll down to make it happen.

 

In this guide:

  • An executive resume template better than most.
  • How to write a resume for executive jobs that surpasses expectations.
  • How to create an executive job description for resumes.
  • Why you can’t just list executive skills (and what to do instead).

 

Create my resume now

 

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOWexecutive resume example

 Create a job-winning resume with little effort. Hack your way through ATS software with our 21 beautiful templates—give our builder a try!

Looking for specific executive resumes? See our dedicated guides:

 

And here you can find dedicated resume examples for managers: 

 

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples for Over 200 Jobs.

 

Trying to put executive on a resume? Try this guide: Resume for a Career Change

 

Executive Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

 

Joss Dayal

Business Development Executive

 

Personal Info

 

Phone: 410-622-4599

E-mail: josszdayal@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/josszdayal

twitter.com/josszdayal

 

Summary

 

Driven business development executive with 4+ years of executive experience and 4 years of professional experience. Seeking to drive massive ROI at SoftSaw Mobile. At Bluetech Nugget, educated and curated 150+ client firms, driving $20M in revenue. Developed and implemented marketing and sales plans gaining 25% annual earnings.

 

Experience

 

Business Development Executive

Bluetech Nugget

2015–2019

  • Proven IT educator and resource for 150+ organizations. Led and trained team of 7 top sales staff to drive $20M per year in revenue.
  • Grew annual revenue 25% through developing marketing and sales plans. Trained 28 sales and support employees in plan details.
  • Assessed and recommended money-saving IT strategies for small startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.
  • Developed relationships with 30+ new customers.

 

Business Development Executive

Angstfire Media

2014–2015

  • Developed and implemented in-depth market research leading to 50+ new clients and $650K in new business.
  • Educated clients in company offerings. Result: 20% increase in repeat business, 30% increase in sales, 15% increase in upsells.

 

Education

 

MBA, University of Maryland

2010–2014

  • Concentration in business development.
  • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society member.

 

Certifications 

 

  • Certified Sales Executive — CSE
  • Executive Certificate in Leadership — Notre Dame University

 

Additional Activities

 

  • Member, American Management Association.
  • Board member, Animal Friends Association.
  • Published 27 business articles on LinkedIn with 300K readers.

 

Conferences

 

  • 2019 — Rainmaker — led presentation on sales funnels
  • 2017 — Tenbound Sales Development Conference

 

Hard Skills: New business development, managing sales campaigns, business strategy, business partner development

 

Soft Skills: Interpersonal skills, leadership, communication, active learning

  

Here’s how to write an executive resume that works:

 

1. Choose a Professional Executive Resume Format

 

Ready for a shock?

 

The wrong resume format can lose the board’s attention.

 

So—

 

Use the reverse-chronological layout for your executive director resume.

 

It lets you tell your story fast.

 

Executive Resume Format

 

  • Make your resume length 1, 2, or even 4 pages. The more big accomplishments you show in an executive resume, the better.
  • Add 1-inch margins and a resume font like 10–12pt Garamond or Cambria.
  • Draft resume sections like Heading, Summary, Job History, Education, and Skills.
  • Include blank space to make it easy on the eyes.
  • Send an ATS-readable PDF resume to look your best on all devices.

Expert Hint: Senior executives earn an average of $120,134 per year. That’s less than the average doctor. You need crisp resume formatting to avoid the slush pile.

2. Write an Engaging Executive Resume Summary

 

Watch it.

 

For board members, time is scarce.

 

Don’t make them waste it looking for your best features.

 

Wrap them up in a resume summary that teases your top talents.

 

Include:

 

  1. An adjective (driven, resourceful)
  2. The job title they advertised for (executive, director)
  3. Years of experience (4+, 8+)
  4. How & who you’ll help (drive massive ROI at SoftSaw Mobile)
  5. Best executive moments (drove $20M in revenue...)
  6. A few job skills (developing marketing and sales plans...)

 

And—

 

Write it last for comfort.

 

These executive resume templates show the policy:

 

Executive Resume Summary—Template

Good Example
Driven business development executive with 4+ years of executive experience and 4 years of professional experience. Seeking to drive massive ROI at SoftSaw Mobile. At Bluetech Nugget, educated and curated 150+ client firms, driving $20M in revenue. Developed and implemented marketing and sales plans gaining 25% annual earnings.
Bad Example
Experienced business development executive, skilled in client education and managing marketing and sales campaigns. Recognized for leadership and teamwork skills. Thrives in complex market segments. A proven growth driver and change manager with high-level strategic development skills.

Hey, wait!

 

The last of those executive resume samples isn’t bad.

 

But they won’t let “not bad” lead the company.

 

The first template drives points home with numbers like 150+, $20M, and 25%.

Expert Hint: There are 2.7M top executive jobs in the US. But only a small slice of that pie are at Google, Netflix, and other unicorns. To get in one of those, target your resume.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

3. Strengthen Your Executive Job Description and Skills

 

What skills go in an executive resume?

 

See this list:

 

Executive Resume Skills

 

Hard Skills:

  • Planning
  • Business Strategy
  • Business Development
  • Negotiating Contracts
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Finance & Budgeting
  • IT Skills
  • Building Relationships
  • Presenting
  • Driving KPI Goals

 

Soft Skills

 

But be forewarned:

 

Don’t add all of them. That’s pandering.

 

To write an executive job description for resumes:

 

  1. Learn the right skills to put on a resume by talking to a few company insiders.
  2. Put those keywords in your bullet points.
  3. Show you got results by using them in past positions.

 

Learn from these executive resume samples:

 

Let’s say the position needs these executive skills: organizational education, leadership, developing marketing and sales plans, strategy, developing relationships.

 

Executive Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Good Example

Experience

 

Business Development Executive

Bluetech Nugget

2015–2019

  • Proven IT educator and resource for 150+ organizations. Led and trained team of 7 top sales staff to drive $20M per year in revenue.
  • Grew annual revenue 25% through developing marketing and sales plans. Trained 28 sales and support employees in plan details.
  • Assessed and recommended money-saving IT strategies for small startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.
  • Developed relationships with 30+ new customers.
Bad Example
  • Manage sales and marketing budgets, reporting directly to CEO of company.
  • Spearhead plan to restructure the ecommerce department to reach profitability.
  • Contribute to Executive Committee plan to approve IT capital investment company-wide to improve data fidelity.
  • Develop and communicate internal health and wellness strategy to all employees.

The difference?

 

Results.

 

The first of those executive resume examples adds the right skills. Then it shows results like 150+, 7, $20M, and 25%.

Expert Hint: Adjusted for inflation, executive pay hasn’t risen in the past 50 years. In a dog-eat-dog world, protect yourself with a customized resume job description.

4. Demand More from Your Education Section

 

Here’s the fine print:

 

They know you have an education.

 

But—

 

They don’t know what you did with it.

 

So show them, in your education resume section.

 

This executive resume template shows how:

 

Executive Resume Template—Education

Good Example

Education

 

MBA, University of Maryland

2010–2014

  • Concentration in business development.
  • Commended by professors for insight and work ethic.
  • Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society member.

That’s high-level.

 

That executive resume example shows you were exceptional even back in school.

 

5. Add Value to Your Executive Resume

 

“Impressive.”

 

The board wants to say that about your executive resume.

 

So—

 

Help them, by adding a few non-work achievements.

 

Try one or two of these:

 

 

This sample resume for executive sells it:

 

Executive Resume—Extra Sections

Good Example

Certifications 

 

  • Certified Sales Executive — CSE
  • Executive Certificate in Leadership — Notre Dame University

 

Additional Activities

 

  • Member, American Management Association.
  • Board member, Animal Friends Association.
  • Published 27 business articles on LinkedIn with 300K readers.

 

Conferences

 

  • 2019 — Rainmaker — led presentation on sales funnels
  • 2017 — Tenbound Sales Development Conference
Bad Example

Additional Activities

 

  • Sailing.
  • Dog rescue.

One moment.

 

There’s nothing wrong with dog rescue.

 

But the first of those executive resume examples adds achievements and skills.

Expert Hint: Enclose a cover letter. Cover letters aren’t dead. In fact, almost half of all executive director resumes will wind up in the trash without one. So learn how to write a cover letter to increase your chances.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOWcreate your cover letter now

Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

 

Key Points

 

Here’s how to write an executive resume that works:

  • Use the executive resume template up top. It puts your best C-level accomplishments on offer.
  • Don’t just list executive skills. Business development and strategy are nice. But to get the job, show results with numbers.
  • Put skills evidence in your education section too. Honor societies, projects, and fellowships are eye candy.
  • Add a few resume sections that beef up your value proposition. A board position or a deal you put together are attention-getting.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for executive jobs? Not sure how to put executive on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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Tom Gerencer
Tom Gerencer is a career advice writer and a resume expert at ResumeLab. Tom has been featured on BBC News, NBC, The Economist, Business Insider, Fast Company, and dozens of other outlets. His insights, commentary, and articles reach over a million readers every month. With inside knowledge of key industry players and in-depth research, Tom helps job seekers with advice across all professions and career stages. Tom holds a degree in English from Colby College.

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