
How to Write a Resume According to Science in 2023
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
If your current executive resume doesn’t deliver, then it’s time for a paradigm shift. With this guide, you’ll learn how to impress and highlight your worth on an executive resume.
You’ve been climbing the career ladder for years, and now, the top is within your reach. Your professional experience, knowledge, and achievements prove that you belong on the C level. But before you can add CEO to your business card, you must state your case with an executive resume.
What you need is an action plan with proven advice that you can use to make that executive resume deliver. And with this article, you’ll be able to do that before EOD.
In this guide:
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Would you like to check some specific resume examples for executives or management positions? See the guides below:
Ava Williams
Executive Director
(234) 123-4567
ava.williams@resumelabmail.com
linkedin.com/in/ava.williams
Summary
Goal-oriented executive director with 14+ years of experience in business analysis. Adept in new business development, finance, and data analysis. Eager to increase operations efficiency and the target delivery rate at TeaTime Ltd. Achieved a revenue increase of $2.5 million at Adam's Tree in 2019.
Work Experience
Executive Director
Adam’s Tree, San Francisco, CA
March 2017–Present
Key responsibilities:
Key achievement:
Financial and Business Analyst
Copernicus Next, San Francisco, CA
November 2010–February 2017
Key responsibilities:
Key achievement:
Business Analyst
Green Leaf, San Francisco, CA
June 2008–October 2010
Key responsibilities:
Education
Master of Business Administration
University of San Francisco, CA
September 2006–May 2008
Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
University of San Francisco, CA
September 2000–June 2004
Skills
Certifications
Conferences
Professional Associations
Volunteer Work
An executive supervises a company or organization. Responsibilities of executives often include making strategic decisions, setting business goals, working in collaboration with senior-level management, overseeing budgets, and building long-standing relationships with other organizations.
Continue reading to learn how to create an executive resume template that highlights all of the above:
Even the strongest candidate for a CEO may fail if their executive resume doesn’t deliver. To make it impactful, the executive resume must seamlessly merge the contents with the form. There’s no space for dissonance. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to maximize the potential of your application—it all comes down to mastering the resume format.
Start by creating the right executive resume format:
When it comes to the length of a resume, it’s advised to keep it limited to one page. However, an executive resume may be extended to two pages if you have enough achievements to present.
Expert Hint: Many senior managers have a varied skill set consisting of industry knowledge, leadership qualities, management skills, and additional qualifications. If your personal brand is built on your versatility, consider using the chrono-functional resume format. This format puts the spotlight on competencies as well as professional experience.
It’s likely that you’ve taken part in many recruitment processes. How much time did you really have to consider all applicants? It shouldn’t surprise you that most hiring managers spend just a few seconds reviewing a resume. That’s why it’s important to catch their attention right away. The right resume profile can certainly do that, but it really must give its 110%.
An executive resume needs a powerful resume summary. One that’s authoritative, short, and informative. Your executive resume summary must get the message across in just 3–4 sentences.
How to write an executive resume summary in 6 steps:
See the examples below to understand these principles better:
Goal-oriented executive director with 14+ years of experience in business analysis. Adept in new business development, finance, and data analysis. Eager to increase operations efficiency and the target delivery rate at TeaTime Ltd. Achieved a revenue increase of $2.5 million at Adam's Tree in 2019.
This example screams leadership qualities. All the elements of a great resume summary are included, and they fit together nicely. 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.
Is this example terrible? No, but it’s just vague. And no company wants to hire an executive who doesn’t impress the stakeholders.
Over the years, you’ve driven growth, transformed businesses, and mentored others. Now is the time to capitalize on those professional accomplishments. The work experience section of an executive resume must showcase the best examples of your career achievements.
Follow the instructions below to make a strong work experience section of your resume:
Check the example below:
Executive Director
Adam’s Tree, San Francisco, CA
March 2017–Present
Key responsibilities:
Key achievement:
What makes this candidate’s achievements so impressive? Numbers. Quantifiable achievements are indisputable. That’s why you want them in your executive resume.
This candidate might be great, but they can’t prove it. And hiring managers will move on to the next resume.
Your work experience is closely related to the professional skill set you’ve mastered. But this isn’t the only way to present your executive skills. You should also add them to your resume in a separate list.
Hard Skills
| Soft Skills
|
New business development
| Decision making
|
Strategic planning
| Problem-solving
|
Budgeting and forecasting
|
|
Relationship building
|
|
Making data-backed decisions
|
|
Negotiation
| Adaptability
|
Change management
|
|
Presentation skills
| Emotional intelligence
|
Project management
|
|
Data literacy
| Collaboration
|
Business process improvement
| Delegation
|
Analytical skills
|
|
Employee development
|
|
But which ones to choose?
It all circles back to the job advertisement. You must ensure that your skill list matches the job requirements outlined in the ad. And here’s how you can do it:
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Let’s be honest—this isn’t the most important section of your executive resume, especially if you’re a candidate with decades of experience. But, according to studies, 98% of CEOs hold at least a Bachelor’s degree, and 52% of North American CEOs have at least a Master’s degree. So it can still be a dealbreaker, and that’s why you must include education on your resume.
Here’s how to do it:
Have a look at the example below: Master of Business Administration University of San Francisco, CA September 2006–May 2008 Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics University of San Francisco, CA September 2000–June 2004
If you belonged to a sorority or fraternity, adding information about them is also a good idea. It’s estimated that even as much as 85% of Fortune 500 executives have been members of student organizations. So, be proud of your Greek Life. After all, being a fraternity or sorority member is a great way to hone leadership skills. And if the hiring manager reading your executive resume knows the organization you’re talking about, there’s a chance they’ll invite you for an interview.
It’s not the end of the process yet. You can still invest a little more time and effort in your executive resume. How? By adding extra sections to hold relevant achievements and additional qualifications.
You can choose from the following sections:
See the example below:
Certifications
Conferences
Professional Associations
Volunteer Work
It’s easy to see that this candidate uses their time in a constructive way—either to develop their own professional skillset or to make a positive impact on others.
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Here’s a short summary of how to write an executive resume worthy of C-level jobs:
Need more advice on writing an executive resume? Not sure how to create a powerful summary for an executive resume? Let me know in the comments below.
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
You can stop searching—this is the ultimate collection of best resume tips that can help you succeed in 2023. These resume writing tips will help to impress hiring managers.
It's time to find your first job. Worry not, this guide will show you how to nail an entry-level or beginner resume and wow the hiring manager.