20+ years of expertise summarized in a 2- or 3-page document is no easy feat. This explains why developing a Chief Executive Officer resume can be tricky. Often, CEOs will come to me with original 5-pages resumes, simply as a result of not knowing what strengths to emphasize and which to minimize or exclude. Here I provide three CEO resume examples that demonstrate universal selling points that are generally applicable across all C-Level resumes.
CEO Resume Example #1: Showcase Your Strengths
Give your audience the most relevant information in the top of third Page 1.
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In this CEO resume sample, the CEO spells out who he is and where he wants to go very clearly. The keywords at the top alone give you the following information:
- Industry of Preference and Expertise: Tech Companies in Growth Mode
- Title: CEO / Advisor
- Organizational Structure Preferred: Private Equity
- Special Area of Expertise: M&A’s, Growth
As the eye is drawn to the document’s supporting areas, what this CEO specializes becomes exceptionally clear:
Risk Controls / Executive Board Partnerships / Strategic Exits
Now the reader not only knows the CEO’s primary skills, strengths, and industry preferences, he/she also has enough context to read deeper into the document and digest it. Without a table of contents or summary overview, it would be difficult to digest the details.
CEO Resume Example #2: Showcase Your Results
Speak from a position of leadership and metrics to set the perception as a results-driven leader in the minds of your readers.
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This second executive resume example demonstrates the results the CEO garners. It spans revenue growth, expansions, major transactions, major awards (industry thought leadership), and high-visibility projects.
Leaders are expected to garner results. It is anticipated that their vision and personality will inspire and motivate their teams. By clearly focusing on the results you deliver, you inspire the trust of your readers.
IMPORTANT: Note that in this CEO resume example, the bullets begin with the CEO’s result — not the activity — and THEN the metric result at the end. I wrote a more in depth post about C-level resume tips like this here.
CEO Resume Example #3: Showcase Your Value
Set up your storyline to make it easy for your reader to understand your value.
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This particular resume has some special components. First, it’s a one-page version of a three-page resume. One-page resumes are often preferred by banks, boards, and private equity firms. This resume is also color-branded to the CEO’s industry of choice. It clearly demonstrates her thought leadership and industry expertise. It gives scale and scope at the cursory glance. It is visually very attractive.
Even though it’s only one page, this resume clearly outlines this CEO’s career narrative. It starts with her title and provides a summary of why she was hired. Then, it crisply delivers her primary accomplishments, which are supported with just enough detail in the bullets below the summary accomplishment. This respects the reader and sets up the storyline so that the reader WANTS to digest and understand this CEO’s career narrative.
IMPORTANT: Note that in this CEO resume example, each bullet begins with her quantifiable result — NOT the activity — and the result at the end. Beginning with the result shows more energy and power. It translates that this CEO understands it’s the RESULT, not the activity, that is of primary importance.
The majority of CEOs hire a resume writing firm to develop their marketing documents, but even if you don’t write your own resume, these tips will help you know what to look for in a top executive resume writer or executive resume writing firm!
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If you’re interested in learning how we can create a powerful CEO resume, click here to set up a 15-minute introductory call. I offer several executive resume writing services that also include coaching, as well as LinkedIn optimization, resume distribution, and more. Let me help you create a career package and strategy that work for you.
