When working at the C-level, you often have a team of specialists at your disposal to assist you. However, when it comes to personal branding, you’re on your own. I’ve noticed that professionals sometimes feel awkward about presenting themselves effectively on a platform like LinkedIn. Yet, it’s essential—because while C-level professionals don’t frequently switch environments, when that one top job becomes available, the competition is suddenly fierce. How do you make sure you stand out?
That’s why I’ve created a handy checklist for C-level professionals (and, of course, anyone can benefit from it):
– Are your goals and desires clear to yourself? What do you really want? What are you looking for?
– Have a professional portrait photo taken (mountain climbing and kite surfing are great hobbies but less suitable as profile pictures). Also, avoid using a photo from 10 years ago.
– Tailor your CV to each vacancy and leave out irrelevant information.
– A CV can be longer than one page, but preferably no more than three.
– For each employer, list a maximum of 6 to 8 bullet points:
– How large was the team?
– To whom did you report?
– What were your main responsibilities?
– What budgets were you managing?
– What were the most significant projects?
– Include certifications in addition to work experience.
– Gap in your CV? Explain what happened during that time (e.g., caregiving, parenthood, traveling, or recovering from burnout). Don’t leave people guessing.
– Mention that references are available upon request.
– Highlight any board memberships, supervisory roles, and charity work.
– Preparing for an interview? Pay attention to … [please add two tips here, as we didn’t discuss them extensively].
– If you don’t feel a connection, address it directly. Be realistic and transparent about expectations on both sides.
I’m often asked: what is a good CV format for someone with extensive work experience? That’s why I now offer a downloadable format on my website.
