Executive Resume Examples + Writing Tips for 2024

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Table of contents

Best executive resume templates for your 2024 job search
Resume template for an executive
Choose a format and template for your executive resume
How to write an executive resume in 6 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your executive resume
FAQs from job seekers

You’ve got management mojo and the charm to win over even the most demanding clients. But now that you are looking for a new job, you have to answer the million-dollar question: How do you show off your executive superpowers in the cutthroat world of job hunting?

Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or to become an executive in your next role, you’ll need a resume that displays your extensive experience and enviable skill set to catch a recruiter’s interest.

Here, you’ll learn to write an impressive executive resume that gets you the interview.

In this guide, you’ll find:

Best executive resume templates for 2024.
How to choose the right executive resume template.
Tips on executive resume formats.
Step-by-step instructions on how to write an executive resume.
Key takeaways for your executive resume.

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Best executive resume templates for your 2024 job search

Experienced executive

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What makes this a great CEO resume:

Strong professional summary
This executive candidate immediately establishes her expertise in the first sentence of her summary. With 14 years of experience, she highlights her strong skill set, including team management, right at the top. This clear and concise introduction entices recruiters to keep reading.
Highly-detailed work experience
The applicant showcases an impressive work history as the focal point of her chronological resume. She demonstrates career progression and emphasizes her impact through data and metrics, making her accomplishments stand out.
Well-placed special sections
The applicant effectively uses a dedicated section for her certifications, highlighting her expertise and special training. This strategic placement draws attention to her qualifications, giving her an edge over other candidates.

Chief technology officer

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What makes this a great executive resume:

Great template choice
This applicant chose a simple black-and-white template for his executive resume, perfect for keeping the focus on his credentials rather than on design elements.
Use of the right executive resume template
Using a chronological format, this executive resume highlights the applicant’s impressive career progression, showcasing his rise from senior software engineer to CTO.
Eye-catching numbers
The resume effectively uses data and metrics to emphasize the applicant’s impact. It highlights his management experience, from overseeing 10 employees to more than 50, and the significant revenue generated for his past companies. These numbers make a strong impression.

Sales executive

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What makes this a great sales executive resume:

Structured work history
The resume uses a reverse chronological format, ideal for highlighting career progression. Each role includes detailed responsibilities and accomplishments, showing a clear growth trajectory and increasing responsibility.
Comprehensive skills section
The skills section is well-organized and lists relevant skills that align with the job role, such as strategic sales planning, client relationship management, and CRM systems. This helps recruiters quickly see her areas of expertise.
Educational highlights
Including education and certifications towards the end of the resume provides a well-rounded view of Isabella’s qualifications. The certifications related to sales management and advanced strategies add credibility and demonstrate her commitment to professional development.

Healthcare executive

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What makes this a great healthcare executive resume:

Strong professional summary
The professional summary is concise and immediately highlights Lucas’s extensive experience and key achievements in healthcare leadership. This sets the stage for the rest of the resume and captures the attention of recruiters right away.
Clear career progression
The resume showcases a clear and logical career progression, from Healthcare Administrator to Chief Operating Officer. This progression demonstrates Lucas’s growth and increasing responsibilities over time, making his career trajectory easy to follow.
Relevant education and certifications
Including advanced degrees in healthcare administration and nursing and relevant certifications adds credibility to Lucas’s qualifications. The certifications in healthcare leadership and Lean Six Sigma emphasize his commitment to continuous professional development and expertise in the field.

Nonprofit executive director

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What makes this a nonprofit resume:

Well-organized and relevant skills
The skills section is well-organized and lists key competencies that are highly relevant to nonprofit management, such as grant writing, stakeholder relations, and fundraising. This helps recruiters quickly see her areas of expertise and how they align with the job requirements.
Structured format
The resume is well-structured, with clear headings and sections that make it easy to read and navigate. Using bullet points for responsibilities and achievements ensures that key information is easily accessible, enhancing the overall readability of the document.
Quantifiable achievements
Each position in Emily’s work history includes specific, measurable achievements, such as exceeding a $5 million fundraising goal by 20% and increasing program reach by 30%. These details provide concrete evidence of her impact and effectiveness in her roles.

Need help finding what you’re looking for? Browse our resume examples to see hundreds of resume samples written by professional resume writers. Search by job title or industry!

Resume template for an executive

Copy and paste this template as a starting point for your executive resume.

Elizabeth Watson
Plainview, NY 11803
555-555-5555
example@example.com

Professional Summary

Dependable chief technology officer (CTO) with strong data analysis and networking skills. Team player who collaborates with executive and IT teams to offer effective technology solutions. Possesses customer service and help desk management experience. Proven track record of optimizing operational efficiencies, enhancing profitability and fostering strong cross-functional teams.

Work History

Chief Technology Officer
Crisis Text Line – New York, NY
February 2019 – Current

Spearhead strategic technology initiatives, driving innovation and delivering transformative solutions that align with business objectives.
Oversee a team of 50+ engineers and technology professionals, managing their performance, development and collaboration across projects.
Achieve cost savings of $2 million by optimizing IT infrastructure, consolidating systems and negotiating vendor contracts annually.

Director of Technology
Bloomberg – New York, NY
June 2010 – January 2019

Coached the technology division, overseeing a team of 30+ developers, designers and system administrators.
Developed and executed a comprehensive technology strategy, resulting in a 25% revenue and market share increase.
Directed the development and launch of a mobile app that generated over 500,000 downloads and contributed to a 15% increase in customer engagement.

Senior Software Engineer
Motopia Systems – Long Island City, NY
March 2006 – June 2010

Maintained scalable software solutions, contributing to the successful launch of several high-profile projects.
Managed a cross-functional team of 10 engineers, fostering collaboration and ensuring timely project delivery.
Optimized code and system performance, resulting in a 30% reduction in application response time and improved user experience.

Skills

Technology strategy and roadmapping
Project management
Agile methodologies
IT infrastructure optimization
Data analytics and business intelligence
Software development and coding

Education

Master of Science Computational Science
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY

Bachelor of Science Computer Science
Hofstra University Hempstead, NY

Choose a format and template for your executive resume

Executive resumes typically include five key sections: header, professional summary, work history, skills, and education. The format you choose determines which aspects of your background to emphasize.

Three main resume formats for executives:

Chronological: Best for experienced executives with impressive career trajectories. Highlights career progression and accomplishments.
Functional: Suitable for experienced executives changing careers. Emphasizes transferable skills over work history.
Combination: Ideal for mid-level professionals aiming for their first executive role. Balances work experience and skills equally.

After choosing your format, it’s time to think about design.

Which resume template is best for executives?

Create your resume

Every executive resume should include five key sections: a header, professional summary, work history, skills and education. To make your resume stand out while ensuring it passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), consider using an ATS-friendly template that aligns with your industry and personal brand.

A minimalist template is an excellent choice for executives across various sectors. Its clean, uncluttered design allows your achievements to take center stage while remaining easily scannable by both ATS and human readers. This style projects professionalism and efficiency, key traits for executive roles.

For those in more creative industries or looking to make a bold impression, modern or creative templates can be effective, provided they maintain ATS compatibility. Whichever style you choose, ensure it effectively showcases your leadership experience and accomplishments.

How to write an executive resume in 6 simple steps

Looking to flex your executive muscles? A tailored, top-notch resume is essential. Study the job ad to identify critical skills, experience and keywords the employer seeks. Then, craft a resume that aligns with these requirements.

Your executive resume should include:

A header with contact information
A compelling resume profile
Relevant skills section(s)
Work experience in reverse-chronological order
Education and special training
Optional sections to distinguish yourself

Let’s dive into each of these points.

Step 1

Add a professional header

Your resume header contains your contact information, which is critical in the job search. After all, a recruiter can’t ask you to interview if they can’t reach you.

In this section, include your name, professional email address, phone number and links to your LinkedIn profile and portfolio, if applicable.

Here’s an example of an excellent sales resume header:

Step 2

Write a professional summary

Every resume should start with either a professional summary or a resume objective.

For job seekers with relevant work experience, a professional summary is the way to go.

It’s all about highlighting the crucial skills needed for the job and showcasing your most impressive professional achievements. And here’s a pro tip: incorporating data and metrics into your professional summary is an excellent way to show off what you can bring to the table if you land the gig.

If you’re applying for your first executive role or making a career change, another option is a resume objective statement.

A resume objective is a short introduction, usually two to three sentences long, that allows you to tell recruiters what you bring to the table and why you’re excited to work for them. It’s an excellent way to make a great first impression, whether applying for your first executive role or making a career change.

Sample executive resume professional summary:

Results-oriented executive with over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, consistently driving strategic initiatives and delivering exceptional business outcomes. As COO, led the acquisition and integration of a $500 million commercial real estate portfolio, resulting in a 25% increase in overall company revenue within the first year. Adept at leveraging market trends and data-driven insights to optimize operational efficiency, enhance profitability and propel organizational growth.

Sample objective for an executive resume:

Results-driven executive with a proven ability to lead and transform nonprofit organizations, eager to transition into a vice president role at a forward-thinking tech company. Successfully led a nonprofit organization through a period of transformation, increasing annual revenues by 40% through effective fundraising strategies and strategic partnerships. Seeking an opportunity to leverage my strategic vision, operational expertise and team leadership skills to drive innovation, operational efficiency and sustainable growth within a dynamic and progressive tech environment.

Pro tip

The main difference between a professional summary and a resume objective is the focus. A professional summary highlights what you can offer the employer based on past achievements, omitting personal goals. In contrast, a resume objective explains your professional goals but should also emphasize relevant hard and soft skills to show your potential for the role.

Step 3

Showcase your skills

Skills are important for every job, but professionals in executive roles require a special mix of hard and soft skills to be successful. Smart applicants know to focus on their education and computer skills, and emphasize their soft skills (the personality traits that make a person great at their job).

Whether you’re at the director-level, seeking a VP role or you’re a COO candidate, hiring managers will be looking closely at the executive resume skills you list. Executive resume skills should be added to your resume skills section, your work experience section, and in your resume objective or professional summary.

Hard Skills

Strategic planning
Operation management
Analytical prowess
Market research
Risk management
Business development

Soft Skills

Leadership
Relationship-building
Emotional intelligence
Time management
Communication
Diversity awareness

Here’s an example of an executive skills section:

Developed long-term strategies.
Oversaw daily operations.
Led comprehensive market research projects.
Implemented risk management protocols.

Pro tip

Highlight leadership skills on your executive resume. While hard skills are essential for managing operations, leadership skills like communication, conflict resolution and team motivation are equally important. Balancing technical expertise with strong leadership abilities will make your resume stand out.

Step 4

Detail your work experience

Your work experience section gives you a chance to show employers that you’ve got what it takes to be an executive by giving them real examples of how you work.

Forget about writing a long list of work responsibilities — the best work experience section paints a picture of your professional life using action words, data and metrics.

Each entry should include the company name and location, your job title and the dates you were employed. Then add three to five bullet points that describe your responsibilities and achievements.

Sample executive work experience entry:

Chief Operating Officer
Green Hills Realty Green Hills, NY
01/2017 to Present

Developed and executed a comprehensive asset management strategy, leading to a 15% improvement in property performance metrics across a portfolio of 100+ properties.
Successfully negotiated complex lease agreements with high-profile clients, securing over $50 million in additional lease revenue and maximizing occupancy rates by 20%.
Implemented innovative cost-saving initiatives, resulting in $2 million in annual savings through streamlined processes and optimized resource allocation.
Spearheaded the launch of a residential development project, overseeing design, construction and sales, achieving a 30% return on investment within three years.

Pro tip

Using data and metrics in your work experience section is the best way to impress recruiters with both the scope of your responsibilities and the tangible impact you’ve had on your company’s success. This is particularly important for executives, where results count.

Step 5

Highlight your education

Of all the resume sections, education is the easiest to complete. However, there are still guidelines.

For starters, you don’t need to list your high school education if you have a college degree or higher. Instead, start with your highest level of education and work backward, listing your degrees in reverse-chronological order. Fellowships, apprenticeships and other nontraditional educational experiences can either be listed here or in a special section.

Be sure all entries are uniform. For each entry, list the name of your degree, the name of the college or university and its location. If your degree is still in progress, be sure to note that.

Sample executive education entries:

Master of Business Administration in Finance
Saint Paul University
Ottawa, ON, Canada – 2022

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Minor in Finance, San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA – 2020

Pro tip

Only list your graduation dates if you are a recent graduate. The reason? Letting employers know that you graduated college 20 years ago could introduce age bias into the hiring process. However, if you’re a recent graduate, add dates to give hiring managers insight into why you have less work experience than other applicants.

Step 6

Consider optional sections

You’ve accumulated a wealth of experiences beyond your office walls that have shaped you into the person you are today. Adding special sections allows you to showcase those outside-of-work experiences on your resume.

Although these sections are not mandatory, you’ll often find them on the resumes of highly successful executive candidates. Here are some special sections to consider.

Language proficiency: Knowing another language can be a real advantage as an executive, especially if you seek employment with a company with an international presence. List all of the languages you speak and include your level of proficiency, which, according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages scale (ACTFL), should be listed as novice, intermediate, advanced or superior.

Volunteer work: Volunteering is a great way to improve your skills and help your community. Consider adding relevant activities like coaching and mentorship to your resume.

Certifications: For any type of executive, holding certifications in specific areas is common. Listing these on your resume is important for identifying yourself as an expert in your field. Here are some common certifications for job seekers in the executive industry:

Certified Data Scientist (CDS)
Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR/SPHR)
Certified Marketing Executive (CME)
Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certified Executive Coach (CEC)
Certified Financial Manager (CFM)

Pro tip

When adding items such as certifications and other credentials to your resume, be sure to add the full name of the certificate and the acronym to your document. This ensures that an applicant tracking system (ATS) will understand your level of expertise.

Add a cover letter

Cover letter example director of technology

Create your cover letter

Seize the opportunity to stand out from your competitors by including a customized cover letter with your executive resume. Learning how to write a cover letter that showcases your personality can help persuade an employer that you’re the ideal candidate they’re seeking.

To discover effective techniques for composing a cover letter that will secure you an interview, explore our collection of HR-approved cover letter examples and guidelines on mastering the format.

If you need a cover letter quickly, visit our Cover Letter Builder for automated text suggestions tailored to an executive role. Customize the suggestions to align with your own style, and you’ll significantly enhance your prospects of securing an interview in no time.

Key takeaways for your executive resume

Tailor your resume for each role

Customize your resume for each job by studying the job description and incorporating relevant keywords and skills that align with the specific position.
Choose an appropriate template

Leverage professionally designed resume templates to ensure your executive resume is polished and well-structured.
Emphasize your most relevant skills

Highlight unique skills like talent acquisition, strategic thinking, risk management and customer service.
Don’t neglect your soft skills

Executives need strong hard skills and excellent soft skills like communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Showcase your achievements

Use bullet points in your work experience section to highlight accomplishments with data and metrics rather than just listing duties.
Include training and certifications

Add any relevant certifications, such as CPHQ, CSCP or CFA, to demonstrate your expertise and help you stand out.
Detail your education

Mention your educational background, including degrees, relevant coursework, and any honors or awards.
Create an accompanying cover letter

Include a targeted cover letter with your executive resume to make a compelling case for your candidacy and show you are willing to go the extra mile.

FAQs from job seekers

Last Updated: July 26, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.