OMost CV advice that you’ll find in books or on the internet won’t have been written by a real expert. Much of it isn’t even original. It’s usually just regurgitated content from other sources, such as recruiter or career websites (many of whom simply copy and rejig other old content). These days, a lot of content is produced by laymen and even AI.
If the advice was any good then it wouldn’t matter. However, since some of it is flawed and since some of it can damage your job prospects, at executive level, if you are looking for the best advice then you really need to be sure of your source.
This CTO CV writing page has been written by our head writer Paul.
Paul and his colleagues, Sylvia and Natalie, have extensive experience creating top-class CTO CVs.
Notably, CTOs come to us from all around the world – many by personal recommendation.
Click to find out about the Executive CV Service story.
As you’ll note, an awful lot more has gone into developing our special methods and producing our unique CVs than is the norm.
Some advisors will tell you that your CV is a sales and marketing document. That’s actually true. However, most CTO CVs aren’t the sales and marketing documents they are supposed to me. Paradoxically, this even includes CVs produced by the very same advisors who advocate CVs that are sales and marketing documents!
The purpose of this page is to assist CTOs with regard to spotting areas for CV improvement, as well as offering tips on enhancements. Examples are given below.
CTO CVs are usually technology focussed. Most CTOs understand this, and put it into practice. However, what some CTOs (and CV firms come to that) fail to realise is that it isn’t all about IT, and even if it was, there are other factors to consider and usually better ways to do things.
Some CTOs have a lower-level, hands-on feel to them. Indeed, some strike more as IT project manager CVs than those of chief technology officers.
Yes, you need to demonstrate technology expertise, but at C-level do you really need to drill into the detail of your MS Access macros experience or the fact that you used Python as a student? It sounds obvious, but you would be surprised at just how much many CTOs devote more of their CV to extolling hands on legacy experience than showcasing more relevant current expertise.
Well, it depends on the job, the company and the experience in question.
So for example, if you are targeting a CTO role for a start-up you might want to highlight your ability work alongside the CEO, developing and executing IT strategy to rapidly build and scale systems and platforms in-house. Alternatively, if you have been working for a larger international group, you could potentially elaborate on your successes offshoring, building global supplier/vendor partnerships and overseeing multinational migrations.
Each case is different, and what you should include will depend on you, your circumstances and your target. At the same time, very few (if any) CTO job specifications these days mention ‘MS Access macros’ and the like, so as a tip you may want to curb inclinations to over-elaborate on your own personal hands on IT expertise. This doesn’t mean ignoring it, because that should still come across, but consider tying it in with relevant commercial, leadership and strategic expertise too.
As far as size, shape, format and presentation is concerned, CTO CVs are like other CxO CVs; namely they vary quite considerably, depending on the person (or company) writing them.
Moreover, they don’t just vary in terms of layout, but sometimes even the sections differ. For example, while most CTO CVs typically comprise a profile, skills, qualifications and work experience sections, some writers/firms do things like swap the ‘profile’ for an ‘objectives’ section. Similarly, not all CTO CVs include skills sections or interests. Conversely, sometimes new sections are added, such as ‘selected achievements,’ ‘technical skills’ and ‘professional development.’
While CTO CVs come in lots of different forms, some are far better than others, and most are flawed (usually on numerous levels).
We’ll expand on this in the example on this page.
What is still quite rare, is for CTOs to apply with flashy CVs (such as those used students and people at the lower end of the career ladder). Flashy CVs can look great, but there is a lot more to successful C-level job applications than mere looks.
Click to discover more on CTO CV format here.
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Most CTOs apply with 2 or 3-page CVs (or even longer). Relatively few CTOs use 1-page CVs. That said, more CTOs are applying for top jobs with 1-page CVs (and getting results). Discover more on the best CV length for CTOs
Most CTOs understand that ATS is used nowadays. At the same time, most don’t realise that ATS isn’t quite what many people are led to believe. Discover more about ATS here
At CTO level you need a very strong opening. However, this is rarely the case in reality.
Many CTOs overcomplicate their profile, and while technology expertise needs to come through, frequently this message doesn’t get across as well as it should. Sometimes, the messaging is confused, sometimes it’s not at the right level, and often the phrasing isn’t as slick, sharp and snappy as it should be.
As a tip, try to resist the temptation to overcomplicate things not just in terms of messaging, but also with convoluted phrasing.
Many CTOs focus solely on IT skills, which they often list in a passive and matter of fact way: e.g.,:
- Technology
- Networks
- Cybersecurity
- DevOPs
Etc.
Of course, your skills should be pertinent, but if possible, try to be more proactive and also include other (non-technical) skills.
Your career experience section should both reflect your seniority and your IT experience. Most CTOs do this, but very few of them do it well. Please see above and the example below for typical issues.
Please note too that just ticking some of the right boxes usually doesn’t suffice at C-level. You need to tick as many of the right boxes as possible. So for example, if your CV looks good, reads well, includes great achievements, but is pitched at the wrong level, then that alone can scupper your chances.
Please view and also read the body of the example below for advice on how typical CTO CVs are regularly compromised. You can refer to this sample to help you avoid hazards when writing your own CV.
Please view our CTO CV sample. The text in the body the example should help explain the rationale behind our popular format (because it came top in our tests for very good reason).
In 20+ years, we’ve never once received a CTO CV (DIY or professional) that couldn’t be enhanced.
So, yes, and almost certainly dramatically.
CTO clients tend to be stunned at the radical transformation.
CTOs in the UK and from all around the world.
We are unique. Please check out how we differ.
If you would like to take advantage of our unique service, we would be happy to assist you.