How to Write a Resume According to Science: 2021 Study
With so many conflicting pieces of advice on resume writing, we decided to use a data-driven approach to find definitive answers to job seekers’ most pressing questions.
You have the right C-level skills to drive the organization to success. Your challenge? To convince the board and top executives with this professional executive resume sample.
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 executive jobs must turn heads like Elon Musk at the DMV.
Scroll down to make it happen.
In this guide:
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Trying to put executive on a resume? Try this guide: Resume for a Career Change
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
Business Development Executive
Angstfire Media
2014–2015
Education
MBA, University of Maryland
2010–2014
Certifications
Additional Activities
Conferences
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:
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.
Expert Hint: Senior executives earn an average of $167,990 per year. That’s less than the average doctor. You need crisp resume formatting to avoid the slush pile.
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:
And—
Write it last for comfort.
These executive resume examples show the policy:
Hey, wait!
The last of those executive resume samples isn’t bad.
But they won’t let “not bad” lead the company.
The first example drives points home with numbers like 150+, $20M, and 25%.
Expert Hint: There are 2.6M 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.
What skills go in an executive resume?
See this list:
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
Planning | Leadership |
Business Strategy | Interpersonal Skills |
Business Development | Communication |
Negotiating Contracts | Collaboration |
Sales & Marketing | Listening |
Finance & Budgeting | Negotiation |
IT Skills | Creative Thinking |
Building Relationships | Problem Solving |
Presenting | Multi-Tasking |
Driving KPI Goals | Organization |
But be forewarned:
Don’t add all of them. That’s pandering.
To write an executive job description for resumes:
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.
Experience
Business Development Executive
Bluetech Nugget
2015–2019
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.
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 sample shows how:
Education
MBA, University of Maryland
2010–2014
That’s high-level.
That executive resume example shows you were exceptional even back in school.
“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 executive resume sells it:
Certifications
Additional Activities
Conferences
Additional Activities
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.
Here’s how to write an executive resume that works:
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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