By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
You can tell in seconds whether a resume belongs to a leader or a doer. The difference is not in format, design or length, but in strategy. Most people who get promoted to senior positions don’t update their approach think About resume. They still write like they are applying for a job rather than leading a company.
If your resume reads like a career chronology rather than a business case, it will hold you back. Here are the fundamental differences between executive resumes and resumes written for individual contributors, and why these distinctions are more important than ever at the VP and C-suite levels.
1. Focus: From mission to transformation
Individual contributor resumes following that person’s content did——The project is completed, the indicators are achieved, and the system is managed. Employers are recruiting for skills and execution.
In contrast, executive resumes focus on why this is important. It emphasizes strategic impact: how decisions shape results, how leadership drives growth, or how executives guide teams through significant change.
For example, an individual contributor might write:
“Implemented new CRM system and trained 20 team members.”
The executive version redefines this achievement:
“Supporting enterprise CRM adoption, improving pipeline visibility and increasing forecast accuracy by 30%, enabling the organization’s $50 million growth plan.”
executive presentation Impact on enterprise level– Not just at the department level.
2. Audience: Recruiters vs. Boards of Directors and Decision Makers
At the individual level, resumes are screened by ATS software or junior recruiters comparing keywords. It’s about matching skills to job specifications.
The audiences for executive resumes are very different. This book will be read by decision makers (CEOs, board members, investors) who care about vision, growth potential, and leadership style. They want to know how you think, influence and deliver results through others, not what tools you have at your disposal.
That’s why a good executive resume reads more like a business narrative than a job application.
3. Structure: simple, strength over details
Individual contributor resumes often rely on a large number of work entries. Executives must do the opposite. Dense details obscure your message.
A well-crafted executive resume has a clear structure: a compelling summary of leadership, highlights of key accomplishments, and a concise career description. Each section earns its own space and enhances its authority. Simplicity signals confidence.
4. Indicators: from “how much” to “how big”
Individual contributors use metrics to demonstrate performance—booking meetings, managing clients, saving on budget.
Executives use scale to demonstrate corporate impact—revenue impact, geographic expansion, workforce management or shareholder value creation. it is not How busy you are; it is how big Your results are.
5. Voice: Tactical Executioner vs. Strategic Leader
At the contribution level, verbs like “develop” or “support” indicate achievement. Executives must sharpen their language skills with verbs like “lead,” “orchestrate,” “transform” and “driving.”
The content of your resume should match your altitude. you are no longer that person doing Work – you’re the one Make it possible.
6. Personal Brand: From Competence to Credibility
For individual contributors, a resume demonstrates competency. For executives, it is necessary to establish Credibility. It reflects the ability to influence, make decisions and shape direction.
An executive summary or leadership brand statement distills your value proposition—what the organization gains by hiring you. Think of it as positioning, not just introduction.
final thoughts
When you enter the executive realm, your resume is no longer a project list but a strategic marketing tool.
If it doesn’t reflect the height of your leadership, then it’s not just incomplete; It’s misplaced. Senior hiring decisions do not depend on what did you dobut in what do you think.
Your resume should tell this story clearly, confidently, and without any fluff.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2026
