When it comes to landing a high-level leadership position, your resume isn’t just a document — it’s your personal business case. A strong executive resume must immediately showcase strategic thinking, leadership achievements, and industry impact. Whether you're targeting roles like Chief Operating Officer, Director of Marketing, or VP of Sales, your resume should reflect a clear trajectory of performance and value creation.
In this article, we’ll walk through a complete sample executive resume, created specifically to help senior professionals understand what works — and why. You’ll also get actionable resume-writing tips, along with answers to common questions executive job seekers often have.
SAMPLE EXECUTIVE RESUME
Name: Jonathan Blake
Phone: (555) 123-7890
Email: jonathan.blake@emailpro.com
Location: Chicago, IL
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanblakeexecutive
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Visionary and results-driven executive with 15+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering growth across global markets. Proven ability to scale operations, build high-performance cultures, and drive strategic transformation. Known for blending analytical rigor with bold leadership to generate double-digit revenue increases and long-term brand value.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Executive Leadership & Strategy
Business Development
Mergers & Acquisitions
P&L Management
Team Building & Culture Development
Digital Transformation
Strategic Partnerships
Global Market Expansion
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chief Operating Officer
Apex Solutions Inc. | New York, NY | 2019 – Present
Oversaw company operations during period of 40% YOY growth, managing a team of 300+ employees.
Implemented scalable systems and operational frameworks that reduced costs by 22% while improving delivery timelines by 18%.
Championed digital transformation initiative, leading to a 37% increase in client retention and streamlined processes across three departments.
Spearheaded international expansion into two new markets, adding $12M in annual revenue.
Vice President, Business Strategy
LuminaTech Group | Chicago, IL | 2013 – 2019
Developed strategic roadmap that resulted in 55% revenue growth over a 4-year period.
Led cross-functional teams in rolling out new SaaS platform, contributing to 30% market share gain.
Negotiated and closed three strategic partnerships worth over $18M.
Mentored and developed six future executives who were later promoted to senior roles.
Director of Operations
NextWave Technologies | Austin, TX | 2008 – 2013
Directed operations for $85M tech company, improving supply chain efficiency by 28%.
Launched company-wide leadership development initiative, reducing turnover by 35%.
Coordinated merger integration project that successfully combined two regional offices into a unified operation.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Kellogg School of Management – Northwestern University
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
CERTIFICATIONS & AFFILIATIONS
Certified Executive Coach (CEC)
Member, National Association for Corporate Directors (NACD)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
RESUME-WRITING TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE ROLES
Lead with a powerful summary: Your opening paragraph should highlight leadership scope, key accomplishments, and career trajectory. Avoid fluff. Be specific.
Show measurable impact: Use hard numbers and results to showcase performance (e.g., "increased revenue by 40%" or "cut costs by 25%").
Customize for each opportunity: Executive roles differ across industries. Always tailor your resume to the job description and company’s strategic goals.
Avoid buzzword overload: Stick to meaningful, strategic language. Terms like “visionary leader” are fine—if they’re backed by concrete outcomes.
Include leadership development: Boards and hiring committees value executives who build teams. Highlight mentorship, team scaling, or succession planning if applicable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How long should an executive resume be?
A two-page resume is ideal for most executives. It allows space to show your progression and measurable results without overwhelming the reader.
2. Should I include a cover letter with my executive resume?
Yes, a tailored cover letter can add context and personality. Use it to highlight how your leadership style aligns with the company’s vision.
3. What’s the most important part of an executive resume?
The professional summary and top-most section of your experience. Hiring managers often skim — lead with your most impressive and relevant wins.
4. Can I use a professional resume writer for executive resumes?
Absolutely. In fact, many executives use professional writers to ensure their resume matches current trends and effectively showcases high-level strategy and results.
This sample executive resume and guide are designed to help you confidently present your leadership story and land interviews for top-tier roles. Stay authentic, results-driven, and focused — and you'll stand out where it counts.
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