CEOs are top-level employees at any company. When applying for a job like this, your CV needs to be high-quality. So let’s look into what elevates a CV to CEO-Level.
Elements of a CEO-Level CV
Research
The first key point is research. It’s crucial to know as much as you can about the company you’re applying for.
Start to think about how your best skill sets could support and improve that company. Imagine yourself in the CEO role. What would you do?
Hiring managers are going to be looking for a candidate that distinguishes themselves from the crowd, and it helps to come into the process with a solid understanding of the organisation and the vital issues to tackle there. Think also about everything you like and appreciate how the company does business, so you can show why you’ve chosen to apply there. “Because they had an opening” isn’t a compelling case for your being the ideal candidate.
Vision
Your vision for the position you seek represents what makes you unique as a leader, combined with the specific needs of the organisation. It might need an entrepreneurial fundraising CEO, a compliance-minded director, or a cost-cutter, but to be considered for the job, you need to be able to tick off those desired qualities in an innovative, next-level way. Regardless of the industry niche, businesses are looking for leaders with a strong transformational spirit.
Facts & Figures
Align your CV so that it focuses on your strategic leadership skills. Be sure to include the dates and job responsibilities of your previous work experience. Include information about whom you reported to while conducting business in those roles – the higher up in the organisation you’ve worked, the closer you are to achieving CEO status.
You’ll want the date ranges contained in the document to show that you have taken on increasing responsibility in each of your positions, as well as indicate that you’ve been working consistently. Even if you’ve taken some precious time off to stay at home with the kids, or spent a stretch unemployed, you can fill in that time with continuing education or professional networking opportunities. That way, every year will be mentioned in the CV, showing that you have stayed engaged with the industry and continued to build your professional value, even if you weren’t strictly working the entire time.
Personality
Another vital element in a CEO’s CV is personality. Always keep your CV writing professional and formal. At the same time, reveal pieces of your underlying passion for your work. Take stock of your extracurricular activities, especially volunteer work, and include those that may contribute to the overall picture of who you are and what qualities you bring to the table.
It is especially helpful to explain how you’ve used your professional skills to benefit the community. This demonstrates the type of CEO you’ll be, and how you will engage with the team working under you.
Network Contacts
Don’t forget to network. When it comes to writing your CV, it pays to list your memberships to professional groups, because it shows you are a well-rounded professional. Establishing relationships with major players in your industry also help to get your foot in the door when that perfect CEO position comes up.
If you’re including references, ask the most senior people in your network to vouch for you. Even if you didn’t work directly with the president at your last job, maybe you’ve contributed your expertise to a top-level executive at another company through your efforts within a professional industry group.
Continuing Education
In the internet age, there’s no excuse for not continuing education in your field. This is how you stay current and develop that forward-thinking leadership strategy. There are plenty of in-person day or weekend courses available as well.
Go beyond courses that augment understanding of your specific industry. Pursue management training such as Six Sigma to develop as a leader. Sometimes your current employer will even pay to send you to continuing education courses. Take advantage of any opportunity to become a more rounded executive. Adding a list of all the courses you’ve completed on your CV shows you are genuinely committed to the work and always strive to improve.
In closing
A CEO-Level CV should paint a picture of a professional with a clear vision for the industry and the organisation. It should be all about your experience, education, and personality. Demonstrate how you have reflected upon the needs of the company.
Follow these executive CV writing tips to boost your chances of landing that coveted CEO position. Update and improve it throughout your career. Every new skill, course, and position only adds to your value as an executive. Your dream job is out there.