How to Write a Senior Executive Resume (With Example)

Updated 8 March 2023

Senior executives are top-level administrators who guide organisations towards their corporate objectives. When applying for a position as a senior executive, it's important to demonstrate to hiring managers that you possess the necessary abilities and experience to be a successful leader. Understanding what to include in an executive resume and how to write one is an excellent first step towards submitting a successful job application. In this article, we define what a senior executive resume is, outline what to include in it, explain how to create one and provide a template and example to help you.

What is a senior executive resume?

A senior executive resume is a document that hiring teams use to identify the right candidate for an executive-level job. Senior executives are accountable for a company's operational and financial performance, including its growth, development and financial health. An effective resume shows your accomplishments and skills in these areas using the most relevant examples. The purpose of this document is to demonstrate that you have the qualifications to be a successful leader. It's usually for professionals who are looking for the following jobs:

chief executive officer (CEO)
chief financial officer (CFO)
chief marketing officer (CMO)
chief operating officer (COO)
chief information officer (CIO)
vice president
executive director

What to include on a senior executive resume

The following are the details to include on your resume:

Contact information: Include your contact information so the hiring manager can communicate with you anytime.
Professional summary: Your professional summary can provide an overview of your career. This part of your resume allows you to create a good first impression and highlight your executive experience, management skills and leadership examples.
Relevant experience: In the experience section, highlight your achievements in previous roles. Include accomplishments that are measurable and relevant to the position you're seeking and illustrate your managerial skills.
Skills: If you want to show potential employers that you can do your job well, list your management skills on your resume. These include technical and soft skills that help executives oversee and direct a company.
Education: Many resumes include an education section, and most top executives have at least a bachelor's degree in a related discipline. When structuring this section, begin with your most recent degree and include the names and locations of your educational institutions.

How to write a resume for a senior executive position

Follow these steps to assist you in writing your resume:

1. Select a resume design

Find a resume template online or use word processing software. When choosing one, go for something straightforward that highlights your information correctly. Typically, employers prefer resumes with one-inch margins and a 12-point typeface.

2. Include your contact information

Employers can easily communicate with you to arrange an interview if you provide your contact details at the top of your resume. You could include your contact information in the page's header or the upper left corner. Provide your full name, email address and phone number on separate lines. If you have a digital portfolio or website, you could also provide a link to it.

3. Write a professional summary

A professional summary aims to introduce you to the hiring committee and highlight your most impressive qualities and achievements. Make your professional summary a few sentences long and highlight your experience as a leader or an executive. Also, include any accomplishments or accolades relevant to the position you're applying for.

4. Highlight your professional experience

To highlight work experience, provide your employer's name, job title and length of employment. Use a bulleted list of your routine duties under each employment. You could also mention notable workplace accomplishments, initiatives, outcomes or awards. Use action words to describe your responsibilities, and make sure you define the results of your contribution.

5. Include any necessary certifications

Following that, include any professional certificates you have obtained. Add each as a bulleted list item, with the complete name of the certificate received. Include an expiration date if the certification requires renewals, so the employer recognises you've kept it updated.

6. List board memberships

Consider mentioning your position on a board of directors or in any other executive role in this area. You can also list any volunteer work that you do to highlight the causes you're passionate about. Include the nature of the role, the year you started and your significant tasks when listing your memberships.

7. List your skills

Include a separate section to emphasise your unique abilities as a manager and executive. You can also list these skills in the professional summary and under your work history. Ensure you prioritise the most relevant one by carefully reading the job description.

8. Describe your academic background

Your academic history is an important aspect of your executive resume. Potential employers are most likely interested in your bachelor's and master's degrees. Specify the name of your university and the degree you studied to provide an overview of your academic history. Include your grade point average and any related courses or projects you completed. List your university degrees from most recent to oldest on your resume.

9. Proofread and edit

Proofreading and editing are necessary steps in writing an effective resume. When hiring a senior executive, a company wants to be sure that it gets someone who pays close attention to detail and is meticulous in their work. Your resume is your chance to demonstrate your precision and thoroughness, so ensure that the document is free from errors.

Tips for writing an outstanding executive resume

When writing your resume, consider the following suggestions:

Include only relevant details. Because you're applying for an executive position later in your career, it's natural to have a lot to write. Remember that your hiring manager is more concerned with quality than quantity, so focus on important facts.
Use bullet points. Using bullet points may help in writing a comprehensive resume. They bring attention to important details and give the resume structure.
Keep it brief. Candidates for executive roles can use resumes up to two pages long. Examine the job description for guidelines on the number of pages to submit.
Quantify your accomplishments. The strength of a senior executive is achieving results. Make a list of all your accomplishments and illustrate them with quantifiable metrics.
Consider including a cover letter. This additional document supplements your resume by providing more information about you as a professional and your career goals.

Senior executive resume template

When writing your resume, you can use the following template to assist you in deciding what to include and how to style your document:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantifiable results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantifiable results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Optional
[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

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Example of a senior executive's resume

The following example can help you when creating your resume:

Retna Nabila

+65 87210110 | retnanabila@email.com | Singapore

Professional Summary
Dedicated chief executive officer with more than ten years of experience in innovation, entrepreneurship and cutting-edge technology across multiple corporations.

Experience
Chief Executive Officer | February 2015–August 2022
Apex Global Merchandisers | Singapore

oversaw daily operations and managed a team of 500 employees
evaluated and streamlined organisational structures, resulting in increased productivity and a 21% increase in corporate revenue
collaborated with the head of operations to cut operating expenses by 8%, releasing capital for expansion
increased the company's market share by 12% and opened branches in two African countries
increased customer satisfaction by 10% after implementing new automated processes across all operational levels

General Manager | September 2010–January 2015
Premier Manufacturing Ltd | Singapore

led a team of over 200 employees at three different sites around the country.
chaired regular meetings with department heads to audit operations and productivity.
managed the day-to-day operations of three corporate sites.

Skills
Strategic planning | Leadership | Organisation | Business development | Market research

Education
Master of Business Administration, Pacific University of Business and Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Business, Singapore Business University

The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.