Landing a C-suite or senior leadership role in 2026 requires a well-crafted executive CV that demonstrates your measurable impact, not just your responsibilities. If you are looking for how to write an executive CV then you need to start with a good executive profile, quantify your achievements with specific metrics, not making it longer than two pages, focusing strategic leadership, and tailor every application to pass both ATS systems and human reviewers in an organisation. Your CV must work harder than ever; check out how you should write a winning executive CV.
Key Takeaways
- Your executive CV should be 2 pages and focus on the strategic impact rather than day-to-day tasks
- You should quantify your achievements with metrics, as executives who include numbers are 40% more likely to impress recruiters.
- Start with an impressive executive role that showcases you as a strategic leader
- Personalise your CV for every application by aligning your experiences with the role requirements.
- Make sure you adhere to ATS compatibility while maintaining presentation standards
What Is an Executive CV?
An executive CV is a senior-level career document that highlights your skills for leadership roles such as director, head of department, or partner.
Unlike a standard CV, an executive CV:
- Focuses on strategy, growth, and decision-making
- Shows business impact with proven results
- Focus on leadership skills and not operational details
- Position yourself as a problem-solver, not a job-seeker.
When Should You Use an Executive CV?
You need an executive CV when you are applying for:
Many studies suggest that almost 70% of executive positions are filled through networking and referrals, but a strong CV remains important for the formal application process and for the hiring manager database.
Evidently, most switch to executive CV writing services to get help in writing a compelling executive CV with a role-specific strategy.
What to Exclude from Your Executive CV?
In 2026, you cannot make silly mistakes while writing your CV. Check our top executive CV examples Field Sales Executive CV Example, for a direct reference. This will help you write CVs that are noticed by recruiters. An outdated CV will lead you nowhere in your job application. Check out the CV advice on what you should exclude while writing a CV for executive positions:
- Photographs: Gone are the days when people used to add photos in their CV; now it is not required in the UK as there are anti-discriminatory laws which organisations take seriously.
- Old and Irrelevant Dates: You don’t need to add jobs from 20 years ago unless they are directly relevant to the role. If you have included any expired or superseded qualifications, then you must remove them.
- Generic Soft Skills: Recruiters know that you are a hard worker; you are not applying for generic roles. Avoid words like ‘teamwork’ or ‘strong leader,’ and do not mention proficiency in Microsoft Office. Mentioning these hard skills and soft skills is of no use, as it is expected of you to have.
- First-Person Narrative and Pronouns: Do not write: “I led transformation program”, write instead “Led transformation program”. Avoid using “my”, “me” while writing your work experience throughout your CV.
How to Write a CV for an Executive Position in 2026?
Here are the best practices on how to write an executive CV UK, which you should follow to highlight your abilities, experience and skills:
Step 1: Begin with an Executive Summary
Now you might think, how to write an executive summary for CV? So this summary go at the top of your CV and answers one simple question: Why should they hire you?
To write this, your CV should reflect:
- Your leadership title
- Years of experience
- Key industries or sectors
- Two or three major achievements
This section should be easy to read and highlight strategic skills so that it can pass applicant tracking systems and human reviewers equally.
Step 2: Highlight Leadership Achievements
While mentioning your proven track record of success, you must replace responsibilities with leadership and management outcomes. To do that, include bullet points like:
- 15 years of experience leading high-performing teams
- Increased revenue by 35% within 18 months
- Delivered cost optimisation saving 2M annually.
- Include cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
This approach helps match modern executive CV examples used by UK recruiters. Check out our professional Social Media Executive CV Example to understand how you have to write for social media profiles.
Step 3: Write Career History Strategically
Focus on strategic mention of your career history. Use reverse chronological order. For each role, include:
- Job title and company name
- Short company context (one line)
- 3-5 achievement-focused bullet points
Do not list every role you have ever held. Just highlight strategic leadership experience like revenue growth and market expansion, so that it is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to go through your experience.
Step 4: Keep Your Brief Education Experience and Certifications
While experience in strategic planning is important, a brief explanation of your education and certification makes you unique within your role and organisation. List only:
- Relevant degrees
- Executive leadership programs
- Industry-recognised certifications.
Ensure your executive CV does not have school-level experience and tailor your CV with action verbs.
Step 5: Use a Clean Executive CV Format
A strong executive CV format should have:
- Clear heading sections
- Consistent spacing
- No graphic or icons
- Professional fonts
This helps you to write a strong CV which serves as your personal marketing tool.
Step 6: Add Strategic Skills Section
Ensure your CV has a strategic skill section which includes:
- Competencies like M&A, digital transformation, delivering sustainable growth and fostering a culture of innovation, etc.
- Add just 6-10 key skills to keep it concise
- Include skills relevant to 2026, such as AI strategy, ESG leadership, hybrid workforce management, and recent market-trends-related skills.
How to Write an Executive CV: ATS and Customisable Hacks
Increase your readability with these ATS-friendly CV hacks:
- Read the job description carefully and avoid tables, text boxes, headers, and footers for key information.
- Place the most relevant accomplishments first in each role.
- Add the company’s challenges, market position, or recent initiatives
- Mirror their language, like if they use words like digital transformation, use that exact phrase.
Executive CV Checklist
Here is your Executive CV Writing Guide. Before submitting your CV, verify:
- Craft a CV of 2 pages maximum
- Contact information at the top, including LinkedIn URL
- Executive profile captures the value you bring in 4-5 lines
- Every achievement includes a measurable claim
- Action verbs
- Keyword from job description
- Executive CV format is clean and consistent
- No spelling or grammatical errors
- File named professionally like “YourName_Executive_CV.pdf”
- Customised specifically for the target role and company
This checklist and Legal Executive Cover Letter Example will help you through the meticulous process of a job application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Winning Executive Manager CV
You can make mistakes even when you have a good experience. Here are the common mistakes to avoid when you look for how to write a CV for an executive assistant:
Focusing on Responsibilities Instead of Results
- Mistake: You list what you were responsible for without showing impact
- Fix: Add every bullet point that shows measurable outcomes and business value.
Exceeding the Optimal Length
- Mistake: You create a 5-page CV that includes every detail of your career
- Fix: Just keep your CV to 2 pages and focus on your last 10-15 years of relevant experience.
Using Generic Language and Cliches
- Mistake: Adding words like result-oriented, team players, or think outside the box
- Fix: You should replace these buzzwords with examples of leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking
Ignoring ATS Optimisation
- Mistake: You use elaborative graphics, tables, or creative formatting that ATS does not read.
- Fix: Stick to simple formatting with standard fonts and clear section headers.
Sending the Same CV to Every Application
- Mistake: Using a one-size-fits-all approach without customising to the specific roles.
- Fix: Customise your executive profile and reorder achievements for every application.
Executive CV Template
Need a CV that can lead through the application process? Here is an executive CV sample template for that:
FULL NAME
City, Country | Phone Number | Professional Email | LinkedIn URL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senior [Job Title/Leadership Area] with [x] years of experience leading teams, driving growth, and delivering measurable business results across [industries]. Proven ability to build a strategy, improve performance, and support organisational goals at the executive level. Known for clear decision-making, stakeholder leadership, and sustainable impact.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Job Title| Company Name- Location
Month Year- Present
- Led [department/function] with responsibility for [team size, budget, or region]
- Delivered [specific result] resulting in [%, revenue, or performance outcome]
- Partnered with senior stakeholders to support organisational objectives.
EDUCATION
- Degree Title- University Name, Location
- Executive Leadership Programme/ MBA/ Relevant Certification
CERTIFICATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Executive Leadership Certification
- Industry-Specific Accreditation
- Governance/Compliance Training
BOARD & ADVISORY ROLES
- Board Member- Organisation Name
- Advisory Role- Company or Industry Role
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Publications
- Awards or Industry Recognition
- Languages
Write Your Executive CV with Our Top Executive CV Examples
SARAH MITCHELL
London, UK | +44 7700 900000 | sarah.mitchell@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahmitchell
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Result-driven chief operating officer with 18+ years transforming operations across technology and financial services sectors. Track record of scaling business from 20M to 150 M+ revenue while improving operational efficiency by 35%. Expertise in digital transformation, M&A integration, and building a high-performing team of 200+ across geographies.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TECHVISION GROUP PLC- London, UK
Chief Operating Officer | January 2025-Present
- Headed operational transformation across 5 business units, generating 45M in cost savings and improving EBITDA margin from 12% to 28% within 3 years
- Led successful acquisition and integration of 3 companies, achieving synergy targets 6 months ahead of schedule.
- Built and scaled operations team from 45 to 180 professionals, reducing employee turnover by 40% through leadership development programs.
GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LTD- Manchester, UK
Senior Vice President, Operations & Strategy | March 2021- December 2024
- Orchestrated company-wide operational restructure affecting 12 departments and 300+ employees, delivering 18M annual savings
- Developed and executed a 5-year strategic plan, resulting in 125%revenue growth
- Led a cross-functional team of 25 in a successful regulatory compliance program, achieving zero audit findings across 3 consecutive years.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration – London Business School | 2011
Distinction, Specialisation in Strategy & Operations
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Business Management- University of Manchester | 2004
First Class Honors
CERTIFICATIONS
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Advanced Certificate in Corporate Governance
BOARD & ADVISORY ROLES
Non-Executive Director- EMERGING TECH VENTURES LTD | 2021- Present
Member, Audit & Risk Committee
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: English (Native), French (Fluent), Spanish (Conversational)
Publications: Operational Excellence in the Digital Age- Harvard Business
Get Professional Help with Your Executive CV
Writing a CV that effectively makes a balance between showing achievements and maintaining readability is important. 86% of the executives find it challenging to write their strategies on paper, which is why it becomes crucial to take executive assistant CV writing help from us.
Comparing Services Offering Executive CV Writing
| Features | Standard CV Services | Generic Online Template | iCover Executive CV Package |
| ATS Optimisation | Include basic keywords | Provide template | Advanced ATS testing + keyword strategy |
| Executive Position | Just have a limited understanding | Provide generic content | Senior-level expertise with a C-suite focus |
| Personalisation | Template customisation | DIY editing is required | One-on-one consultation with career experts |
| Industry Focus | Generic approach | No specialisation | Personalise according to your sector and target role |
| Quantified Achievements | Standard bullet points | You write everything | Strategic CAR method used |
| Linkedin Integration | Not included | Not included | Profile optimisation included |
| Turnaround Time | 5-7 days | Immediate but generic | 2 days with revisions |
| Support | Email only | None | Dedicated account manager and phone support |
| Success Rate | Not tracked | Unknown | 95% |
| Price Range | £200 | £180 | £159 for the complete package |
Ready to elevate your executive level career? Our executive CV writers are ready to help you craft your CV from scratch. We also provide help with writing cover letters, making a complete package for you. Contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to handle career gaps in the executive CV?
You can present your career gaps in a positive light. Mention “strategic sabbatical for executive coaching certification. This way, your gap will not position you as unproductive.
What is included in your executive CV package?
It includes keyword optimisation, CAR-method achievements, LinkedIn integration, support from career experts, cover letters, and unlimited revisions.
How does your CV writing process work?
Once you place an order, you complete a brief questionnaire or share your existing CV so our UK-based writer can understand your background and target roles. Your dedicated writer then drafts your executive CV and shares it with you via email, calls, or messages until you are fully satisfied.
What Hard Skills and Soft Skills Are Mandatory for an Executive Role?
Important hard and soft skills include financial management, strategic planning, digital transformation, strategic communication, decisive decision-making, adaptability, etc.
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