How to write a standout executive CV

When applying for executive-level roles, your CV can be more than a career summary - it's your personal marketing tool. At this level, hiring managers and boards are looking for proven leadership, strategic thinking, and measurable impact. A generic CV simply may not cut it.

The internet is full of CV advice that is aimed at graduates and junior candidates but it is not always relevant to senior professionals seeking executive positions. As a senior candidate it can be hugely difficult to get noticed, therefore your CV needs to really stand out.

We are frequently asked by senior candidates how they should write and structure their CV, particularly if they've been with their current employer for a substantial length of time, and what information they should include. The basic details of creating an executive CV are the same for all applicants, but there are some distinct differences and things senior candidates must consider.

Whether you're applying for a director, C-suite, or other senior position, here’s how to write an executive CV that showcases your strengths and gets you noticed.

Tailor your CV to each role 

At executive level, tailoring your CV to each opportunity is crucial. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, align your experience with the priorities of the role and organisation.

Focus on:

• The last 10–15 years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrable achievements in leadership, growth, and strategy.

• Industry-specific language and key performance indicators.

Aim for 2–3 pages maximum. Be concise, relevant, and focused on impact.

Write a compelling personal statement

Open with a short personal statement (3–4 lines) that summarises who you are, what you bring, and what you’re looking for. At an executive level, this section should convey your leadership style and commercial value.

Example:
A commercially driven Finance Director with over 15 years of experience delivering strategic change and leading high-performing teams across the public and not-for-profit sectors.

Showcase achievements, not just responsibilities

Executive CVs should emphasise results over duties. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements under each role, and quantify where possible:

• “Increased team performance by 30% through restructuring and leadership development.”
• “Delivered a £1.2m budget surplus through effective cost-saving initiatives.”

Start each bullet with an action verb like Led, Implemented, Secured, Delivered.

Highlight strategic and leadership experience

Demonstrate your impact at a strategic level. Boards and hiring managers want to know:

• How you’ve shaped business strategy

• The teams or departments you've led

• Your role in decision-making and transformation projects

Keep the layout professional and easy to navigate

Use a clean, modern design with:

• Clear headings and consistent formatting

• Bullet points for readability

• Plenty of white space

Avoid elaborate designs, colours, or headshots - professionalism is key.

Don't overlook additional sections

Depending on the role, include relevant extras such as:

• Board appointments

• Professional qualifications and affiliations

• Key projects or case studies

• Speaking engagements or publications

Do your research

To secure an executive role you need to put the work in. The hiring manager will be reading your CV and looking at why you are suitable for the role, so tailor it to make this easy to spot. Think outside of the box when doing this. The company may be going through some changes internally that you have experience in or you may spot something that they could do differently. Your CV is your opportunity to showcase what you can bring to the organisation and this is hugely important when writing a CV to secure an executive position.

Make a list of what makes you stand out as a candidate

It can be hard to articulate why you should be offered a role, so make a list of what makes you stand out prior to writing your CV and ensure you mention each of these at some point in your CV. If you are struggling to identify what makes you stand out, ask yourself these simple questions:

• What are my proudest career achievements?
• Which areas of the business would struggle if I left tomorrow?
• What are my strengths?
• What do I love doing?

Include links to your online profiles

Ensure you include links to any relevant social media profiles you have on your CV. This is a great way to direct the hiring manager to additional information about you that may not be as relevant for the role but still could be beneficial to your application. 

However, it is important to ensure your profiles reflect your CV in a positive light. Today 97 percent of headhunters and recruiters use LinkedIn as their primary candidate source and 70 percent will reject a candidate if they do not like what they see online.

What next?

If you still have questions and are looking for some one-to-one assistance with writing your executive CV, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would be more than happy to offer additional tips and help you ensure your CV is attractive for your next executive job application.

Alternatively, you can check out our latest c-suite jobs, or talk to a member of our team about the opportunities we currently have available that would be suited to your needs and skillset.