Senior • Director • C-Suite
Winning CVs (Becky) is particularly experienced in writing for senior managers, directors and C-suite - including global roles at companies such as British American Tobacco, Amazon, Sumer and Oracle, senior civil servants, those transitioning from the Civil Service and the Police, and non-exec directors.
Becky has written extensively for senior professionals. She knows how to extract the gold and highlight the most relevant experiences. Explore the format here →
Although used with most clients, this format is far from 'standard' in terms of success.
The overarching CV / ATS strategy is simple - more space and wording for relevant activities, and less for the less relevant.
It is a premium, high-level style with:
With all the above, many perceived obstacles and challenges can be overcome, and goals attained.
A CV for executive and director roles needs to be more than a mere 'at-a-glance' document; it's a strategic tool designed to captivate C-suite executives and headhunters alike. The goal is simple: create an immediate, compelling impression that entices the reader to delve into your profile.
The first page of your CV is crucial to get right. It's your opportunity to grab attention and leave a lasting positive impression. It should be meticulously crafted to tick off the readers' boxes, as early as possible, while encouraging them to put your CV in the 'Yes' pile and explore further.
There are four key elements to include within this critical area:
Your name, contact details and target position.
Or initial sentence in the Professional Profile: this concise yet impactful statement (of no more than three lines) should answer three to five questions including 'what' you are, what you are able to do outstandingly, the difference you have made and value you bring, the scale at which you can work, and potentially the settings involved. It's amazing just how much a person can communicate in this very first sentence, if one knows what one is doing!
The second and third sentences must include everything (or nearly everything) of key significance to the roles you are seeking - these of course depend on the role/s in question but could include skills in engaging key stakeholders, technical and/or legal aspects, programme governance, communication and relationship building.
Neglecting personal branding is a critical oversight. Senior leadership roles seek individuals who are not only competent but also culturally aligned. A strong personal branding statement effectively communicates your USP (unique selling proposition) and resonates with your potential employer.
Steer clear of overused terms like 'hard-working' and 'reliable' which do not convey specific information about your abilities or experience and are suitable for much less experienced candidates. You want to make your CV stand out, so don't do yourself a disservice!
Outline key areas of expertise, such as digital transformation, change management, or financial acumen. This section also aids in passing through any applicant tracking systems (ATS for short).
Highlight five to ten of the most impressive accomplishments, providing context and quantitative measures (company size, team leadership, revenue generated, cost savings, etc.) to illustrate impact.
Quantifying your impact doesn't always have to involve numbers; increased efficiencies and employee development are also valid ways to showcase the quality of your work achievements.
On senior CVs, detailing job responsibilities and results without emphasising leadership qualities is detrimental. It's crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead, influence and drive results.
The Career History delves deeper into your experience, and Winning CVs ensures a solid smattering of relevant keywords - either through activities or, ideally, activities with outcomes. We prioritise the last approximately seven years, providing detailed information.
With earlier roles we often give them just a paragraph and/or two or three bullets - depending on relevance, time in the role or how long ago it was.
To avoid ageism, for much earlier roles we tend to create a 'cover all' statement - e.g. "Prior roles include [job title, company]" - no dates.
Education, certifications, board memberships and relevant volunteer work can be included in optional sections beneath.
Including a LinkedIn profile link on your CV can significantly enhance your job search prospects - but note that a thin profile can do more harm than good. To maximise your chances, invest in a professional LinkedIn presence that amplifies the value you can bring.
This is what Becky does best (alongside CVs and cover letters) - and it will significantly boost your engagement and interview rates. Winning CVs is here for Executive LinkedIn writing too!
"Remember, depending on the situation, your CV, LinkedIn OR cover letter can provide the first impressions of you, so we need to optimise them to within an inch of their lives!"
- Becky
Whether you're a senior manager, director, C-suite leader or specialist, Becky will craft a CV that puts your most relevant achievements front and centre. Get in touch to discuss your next move.
