CFO Resume2

How to Write a Profitable CFO Resume

Positive ImageYouโ€™re a top producer –ย  which means you need a resume that produces results too. If you are sending out your resume and not getting the desired responses, there is likely some work to be done.

CFO resumes must illustrate unique value, presenting these astute business executives as being well-informed of current financial and corporate challenges.Apply these 3 strategies to raise the value of your CFO resume:

1. GET CURRENT

If you havenโ€™t conducted a job search in some time you are likely behind in modern job search trends. Todayโ€™s resumes involve strong strategies and polished presentations to stand out. Some significant tactics include:

  • ย Keep it short. A densely packed resume can do you more harm than good. Nobody wants to read a โ€˜career obituaryโ€™ (everything ever done and every role ever held). Think marketing tool and make every word count.
  • Keep it focused and relevant. Eliminate lengthy job descriptions and generalized overviews; these are a given. Pinpoint pertinent career content that demonstrates a solid understanding of the role requirements. Qualify content carefully and only share details and specifics that directly address the readers’ needs.
  • Keep it loaded with results. Pack in power statements with exact metrics for massive impact.ย  Top achievers need examples that provide the proof and front-load statements for greater punch:
  • Raised $34M in venture and corporate funding in 3 years.
  • Negotiated $21M acquisition with additional $6M equity investment.
  • Generated $40M in additional cash by identifying and eliminating under-performing assets.
  • Saved $50K in annual software maintenance and licensing fees by implementing updated software program.
  • Negotiated 75% approval of debtย restructuring proposal with trade creditors.

ย 2. KNOW YOUR VALUE

CFOโ€™s typically progress along a similar career track and share many skills and values, but no two are exactly alike. Why should YOU be chosen to lead financial decisions in this โ€˜second from the topโ€™ corporate role?Spend time contemplating, and calculating, your โ€˜10% differenceโ€™.ย  As you are an expert with numbers this should be a breeze. ๐Ÿ™‚

Drill down to identify what makes you an authority in your industry and flesh out examples of where youโ€™ve risen to the challenge. You need to convince high-level recruiters, boards, committees, and executive management that you can make a positive financial impact to business.Provide specific profit and revenue gains, cost-savings, or streamlined efficiencies to support your statements and skills.ย  You can’t just claim to be good at something, you must prove it.

Develop a strong value proposition to summarize high-level experiences and work to support this statement throughout the document. Targeted branding or value proposition statements include:

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

STREAMLINES FINANCIAL PROCESSES FOR FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES | $300M in COST-SAVINGS | BUDGETS up to $2B


orโ€ฆ.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Expert in Venture & Corporate Funding | Revenue & Business Expansion | M&A Administration

Drives operational and financial efficiency as a trusted advisor and partner, creating over $40M in annual cost-savings. Connects entrepreneurial companies with venture capital to heighten business performance.


3. SHARPEN THE PRESENTATION

Top executives need distinct resumes that scream polished professional. Employ savvy layouts and design components (charts, graphs, or color) to ensure the resume impresses at first glance.

  • Chart it. Visually represent revenue increases, profit or productivity advances, or cost-savings. Graphs or charts oftenย speak louder than words:

CFO Chart

  • Bullet it. Deliver โ€˜bite sizeโ€™ and easily digestible points instead of heavy blocks of text. The difference can be dramatic. Hereโ€™s a comparison:

Before:Sought out areas for revenue improvement and increases. Located and handled negotiation for an acquisition, valued at $6M, which ultimately produced a strong return on investment (approximately eight times the return over a five year time span).ย After:

  • Helmed $6M acquisition negotiation which produced 8 times the return on investment within 5 years, strengthening revenue potential.

Bulleted content above is sharper, key details jump out, and wordiness is drastically reduced.

 


As a leading results-generator you likely lack the time to tackle a proper resume renovation, so donโ€™t risk being passed over for a position at the top; turn your project over to a trusted professional.ย A top performer like yourself understands the return on a good investment and the cost of a bad one. ย Your career is too valuable to gamble with using a resume that may never work. Partner with a pro to ensure ROI: www.CareerImpressions.ca

Adrienne Tom

Looking to get noticed for top jobs? I can help. Visit me online at CareerImpressions.ca to learn more about my award-winning resume and LinkedIn writing services that helped C-suite executives, VPs, and directors land top jobs at billion-dollar companies, start-ups, and everything in between. โšœ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฑ. Everyone has value to offer employers. But conveying this story in a modern, succinct executive resume isnโ€™t easy. I can do this for you. โšœ ๐—œ ๐—ผ๐—ณ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜ โ€˜๐—ฎ ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ฒโ€™. I'm often told that my process is as valuable as the final documents. People feel more empowered and confident after our work together. โšœ ๐— ๐˜† ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜„๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ธ. I hear amazing success stories from my clients. For 15+ years, I have written hundreds of executive resumes and LinkedIn profiles that generated increased recognition and escalated earning power for my clients.

2 Comments

  1. david walcott on July 8, 2014 at 5:56 am

    thank you for all the information provide for me am very happy thanks.

  2. shaheda on August 8, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Very good article. Well written and make all sense. Talking about your biggest achievement is not always best. Ensure you showcase your achievements in a way that is digestible for the prospective employer. You need to ensure that your resume will be in line with the person who shows up on the interview. Always be who you are on paper, online and in person.

Leave a Comment