The Exec Resume
- Andy Mowat
- Aug 31, 2025
- 3 min read
LinkedIn may be the modern résumé (see our LinkedIn Playbook), but for VP+ roles, résumés are still a necessary part of the process. You may not be asked for one until late in interviews — but when you are, it needs to be ready.
This playbook shows you how to:
Build a base résumé that captures your full career.
Use AI to tailor it for each role so you pass both automated screens and human reviews.
Step 1: Build a Base Résumé
Think of your base resume as your master résumé. You’ll never send it directly, but it’s the foundation you (or AI tools) will draw from when customizing for each role.
Core Sections:
Contact Info: Name, metro area (not street address), LinkedIn handle (text, not hyperlink), mobile phone.
Branding Statement: Target role + hook. Example: VP of Product | Early-Stage Health Tech | Scaling Revenue $1M–$10M+
Summary: 3–4 sentences capturing years of experience, industries, and key wins.
Experience: Chronological roles with impact bullets.
3 bullets max per role (5 if highly relevant).
Use metrics + context: “Led team of 30 with $50M budget, driving 40% ARR growth.”
Past tense, action verbs, no fluff.
Education: List up to 2 recent or relevant degrees; skip dates and GPA.
Skills: Divide into Tech, Processes, and Business Skills (keywords matter).
Other (Optional): Certifications, volunteering, publications, awards — only if relevant.
🏆 Golden Rule: Every bullet should answer: What did I do? How well? What was the impact?
Step 2: Format for AI
“With 99% of Fortune 500 companies using AI screening, your résumé needs to speak two languages: machine and human.” Soubhik Dawn, Founder, Upplai
Most Fortune 500 companies (and many startups) use AI screening. If your résumé isn’t machine-readable, it won’t get seen by a human.
Do:
Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills).
Keep formatting simple: no tables, columns, or graphics.
Stick to professional fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, 10–12pt).
Don’t:
Add photos.
Get “creative” with colors, layouts, or text boxes.
Overload with jargon or buzzwords.
Think of it as building a search-optimized webpage. Keywords and structure matter more than design.
Step 3: Format for Humans
Once you get past AI, you have about 7 seconds to capture a recruiter or hiring manager.
Best Practices:
Order matters: Contact > Branding Statement > Summary > Skills > Experience > Education.
Make it skimmable: clear sections, consistent spacing, no dense paragraphs.
Balance white space: too much looks empty; too little looks cluttered.
Show progression: make your career trajectory obvious at a glance.
Your résumé should make it frictionless for someone to see why you’re a fit — no zooming, scrolling, or guessing.
Step 4: Tailor for Each Role
Customizing your résumé for each role isn’t optional — it’s the unlock.
For AI
Use exact keywords from the job description (skills, tools, role title).
Trim bullets that don’t match the job’s focus — even if you’re proud of them.
Mirror the job title in your branding statement.
Think of ATS like Google Search: it rewards keyword relevance and penalizes noise.
For Humans
Show fit by aligning with what matters most for the role.
Example:
Generic: “I’d be a great VP of Marketing for your company.”
Tailored: “I’ve scaled GTM motions from $20M–$100M ARR, which aligns with your recent $50M milestone.”
Ruthlessly cut irrelevant achievements — they dilute your story.
Final Word
At the VP+ level, your résumé isn’t about listing everything you’ve done. It’s about telling the right story for the right role — in a way both AI and humans can understand. Build a strong base résumé, then let AI help you sharpen it for each opportunity.
