10 Common Mistakes Senior Leaders Make on Their Resumes (And How to Fix Them)

When senior leaders with decades of experience update their resumes, they often find that presenting years of achievements in a compelling and concise way isn’t easy. Leadership resumes need to reflect experience and high-level accomplishments without overwhelming hiring managers with lengthy descriptions. Here are some of the most common mistakes senior leaders make on their resumes—and how to fix them.

Overloading the Resume with Details

Senior leaders often try to include every position, task, and project they’ve undertaken over the years. However, this can make the resume lengthy and difficult to read, potentially losing the attention of hiring managers.

How to Fix It: Focus on high-impact achievements and keep the resume to two pages, even for a long career. Emphasize recent, relevant roles and consider using a “Selected Achievements” section for key accomplishments.

Focusing on Responsibilities Instead of Results

A resume that’s heavy on responsibilities but light on results misses the mark, especially at the executive level, where impact matters. Listing job duties without showcasing outcomes can make the resume seem less impactful.

How to Fix It: Focus on measurable results rather than duties. For example, instead of “Led the sales team,” try “Increased revenue by 30% through strategic sales initiatives.” Highlight your achievements with specific numbers, percentages, and data points.

Relying on Jargon and Corporate-Speak

Senior leaders often use corporate jargon, complex terminology, and acronyms that may make sense within their specific industry but confuse hiring managers or recruiters.

How to Fix It: Avoid jargon and use straightforward language. Focus on communicating your achievements and value in terms that any business leader could understand. Replace terms like “synergize” and “cross-functional paradigms” with simpler language.

Failing to Tailor the Resume for Specific Roles

Many executives assume their extensive experience speaks for itself and overlook the importance of tailoring their resume for each job. This can make their application feel generic or irrelevant.

How to Fix It: Customize your resume for each role. Use the job description as a guide, focusing on the most relevant skills, accomplishments, and experiences. Make sure that the resume reflects your specific fit for the position.

Listing Every Job Ever Held

Including too many past roles can make it difficult for hiring managers to identify the senior leader’s relevant expertise. A long list of positions, especially those from earlier in a career, can also date the candidate unnecessarily.

How to Fix It: Limit past roles to the most recent and relevant. Earlier positions should be summarized or removed altogether if they don’t add value to your story. Group earlier jobs under a single “Previous Experience” section if they provide useful context.

Using an Outdated Format

Some senior professionals rely on resume formats that were popular years ago, such as paragraph-heavy descriptions, lengthy summaries, or formats that include references or full mailing addresses.

How to Fix It: Use a modern, streamlined format with bullet points and clear headings. Make sure your contact details are up to date and include only a professional email address, LinkedIn profile, and phone number.

Underutilizing the “Summary” Section

Many senior leaders include a “Summary” section that’s either overly general (“Experienced business leader with a proven track record”) or too long, stretching multiple paragraphs and covering every possible skill.

How to Fix It: Use the summary to create a focused, high-level snapshot of your value. Aim for a few powerful sentences that highlight your key strengths and are tailored to the job you’re applying for. Keep it concise, specific, and relevant.

Leaving Out Digital Skills and Modern Tools

Some senior professionals overlook the importance of listing digital skills or current software tools, which are now essential at all leadership levels.

How to Fix It: Include a “Technical Skills” section that mentions any relevant digital tools, software, or platforms you’ve mastered, especially if they relate to the role. Mention proficiency in data analysis, digital transformation, or other relevant skills for today’s business landscape.

Including Dated Achievements

It’s common for senior leaders to want to showcase past accomplishments from years ago, but dated achievements can make the resume seem outdated and less relevant.

How to Fix It: Focus on recent accomplishments from the last 5-10 years. Older achievements can be included if they’re exceptional, but generally, it’s best to showcase your most current skills and successes.

Ignoring the Power of Keywords

Many senior leaders may not realize the importance of keywords in today’s job market. Without the right keywords, even a highly qualified resume can be overlooked by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

How to Fix It: Tailor your resume with keywords from the job description, focusing on terms related to leadership, strategy, and other relevant areas. This improves your chances of passing through ATS filters and getting your resume in front of a hiring manager.

Writing a resume as a senior leader requires a strategic approach to showcase your unique value. Avoid these common mistakes by focusing on relevance, impact, and clarity. When done right, your resume will highlight your experience and expertise, helping you stand out in the competitive landscape of executive roles.