Executive CV Example & Writing Guide

As an executive, you play an important role in driving success within a business or organisation. Whether you're searching for your next executive role, or you want to improve and update your current CV, it's essential that the CV you submit to potential employers emphasises the unique value you bring to the table. With CVapp.ie, we've simplified the process of creating a professional CV and made it easier than ever for you to showcase your executive skill-set. 

In this guide, we’ll review the essential components of a CV. Each CV should contain the following elements:

• A professional profile
• An employment history section
• An education section
• A skills section

Let’s begin with the professional profile: 

Professional profile: Broaden your professional horizons 

Creating a powerful professional profile is paramount to establishing a connection with potential employers. The professional profile serves as a professional summary, showcasing the extensive expertise, experiences and skills you have acquired throughout your executive career. In 3-5 sentences, you'll want to emphasise your professional strengths and the value you can bring to the company you're applying to. If you served as a Chief Marketing Officer or Chief Financial Officer, what insights can you offer to a new brand or organisation? Where do you excel? How do your values align with the values of the organisation? It's important to tailor your professional profile to each new job role you're applying for. For this reason, we always recommend reading over your job description a few times to gain a solid understanding of what employers are looking for. Need some inspiration? Check out our example below: 

Tap in to your industry expertise

When pursuing an executive position, it is important to demonstrate your expertise and strengths in your respective field. Potential employers are keen to understand the areas in which you excel and possess a deep understanding. By showcasing your expertise and highlighting your strengths, you can enhance your chances of being considered for executive roles. Employers also value skills such as leadership, strategic thinking and analysis, decision-making, and effective communication. While drafting your CV, try to consider different ways that you can weave these skills into your writing. Demonstrating these qualities can help you stand out as a strong candidate for executive-level positions and convey to employers how you may be able to drive success within their organisation.

Don’t try to include every single detail

CVs are a snapshot of your professional identity and an introduction of who you are -- CVs are not a thesis! It's important that your CV is balanced and provides enough relevant career information without overwhelming employers with excessive details. The primary purpose of a CV is to grab the interest of potential employers and encourage them to invite you for an interview. To achieve this, it's crucial to prioritise your strengths and present them effectively and succinctly, usually using bullet points. The best place to use bullet points is in your employment history section – so read on to find out how to convey your career history with confidence! 

Employment History: Mapping your career trajectory 

The employment history section of your CV should showcase your professional experiences, responsibilities, and achievements you attained in previous positions. As an executive, you want to highlight the roles you held and the impact you made in those positions. When showcasing your employment history, it's crucial to highlight specific details that directly align with the job you're seeking. Additionally, you’ll want to list the name of the business or organisation you worked at, the duration of time you spent there, and any important roles and responsibilities you had during your tenure. Emphasise the responsibilities most relevant to each role, outlining the value you bought to each previous organisation. For instance, if you successfully led or managed a team or department, don't forget to mention the team size while sharing any key accomplishments. Here’s a great example of an executive’s employment history section below: 

Skills Section: Show-off your professional shine

The skills section of your CV is your chance to share your skills and strengths with employers, so it’s important that you have a good understanding of what employers are expecting! To accomplish this, start by analysing the job description and identifying any key words and requirements. Additionally, take the time to research the company and explore their social media presence to gain insight into their values and what they may be looking for in potential candidates. You’ll want to prioritise listing skills that are most relevant to the job posting. For example, you might be a brilliant bread maker or a world-class welder, but employers are more interested in how you can contribute relevant value to their organisation. Here’s an example of skills you might include in this section: 

Education Section: Highlight your academic abilities 

As an executive, you're a master of your craft. To become a true expert in your field, employers know that many executives have invested a great deal of time and hard-work into gaining a high-quality education. The main objective of an education section is to share insights into your academic background and spotlight your qualifications, achievements and expertise. In this section, you'll want to list details about the institutions you attended and their corresponding cities, the years you attended, and any relevant details that may stand out to employers. For example, if you received a Bachelor of Science with Honours from University College Cork, let employers know!