Much of the advice that the likes of recruiters and career advisors give is pretty standard. Most of isn’t original. It is usually just reworked from other sources (which in turn is probably rejigged content from other sources – including sources provided by webmasters, SEO professionals, general copywriters, and even artificial intelligence.
We didn’t miraculously discover the art of top-quality COO CV writing by fluke. It was a gradual process over numerous years. Right from word go, we’ve done things differently, and this includes assessing typical CV advice, methods and practices – then rejecting, improving or replacing them with better alternatives
Click to find out about the Executive CV Service story.
The goal of this advice page is to help COOs see where their CV could be improved, and also provide tips on how they can enhance it. Examples are included below.
One thing your COO CV should possess is a focus on operations, and at a high level. Whereas operations executives might home in on leading teams of senior managers and delivering operational projects and targets, at COO level the focus can shift to e.g., achieving business goals at a higher level by executing operations strategy that you formulated.
If you examine various job specifications, you’ll note that some chief operating officer roles involve different things to others. For example, COOs at a SME may have a more hands-on role locally, whereas with a global corporate it may involve e.g., strategic operational oversight internationally.
You should create your CV with your target in mind, and ideally in a concise and strategic manner.
COO CVs typically include a profile, skills, qualifications and work experience sections. We’ll expand on the various sections later.
As far as looks are concerned, COO CVs are often quite similar to those of CFOs, CEOs, CTOs and other CxO professionals.
That said, C-level CVs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and formats.
Really, there is no such thing as a de facto COO CV.
Some are dated, some are long, and some are cluttered. Conversely, some are short, modern, legible and presentable.
Typically COOs apply with 2 or 3-page CVs. Occasionally they are longer. Fewer COOs apply with 1-page CVs, though increasingly the trend is leaning more towards 1-page CVs, and that trend is set to continue as executives realise the advantages of succinct CVs.
Please discover more on the best CV length for COOsWhat is still uncommon, is for COOs to use flashy graphical CVs (such as those that students and those at the lower end of the career ladder use). Such CVs look fine, but aren’t conducive to powerful sales messaging. Unsurprisingly, most COOs avoid these.
Please discover more on COO CV format here.
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Most COOs are aware of applicant tracking systems (ATS) these days. Even so, many don’t realise that ATS isn’t quite what many people are led to believe.
At COO level you need a strong opening. Some executives have ‘objectives’ rather than a ‘profile.’
Objectives tend to just state the obvious, and not add value. Profiles are usually better. That said, many people overcomplicate their profile. If you are a COO then operations needs to be your focus. If you listen to some advisors, they’d have list everything from your skills, personal traits and achievements to your kitchen sink in your profile. However, it’s best if it’s concise. Naturally, you’ll need to mention more than just ‘operations’ but try to resist the temptation to overcomplicate things.
Also remember that some things are better listed elsewhere. For example, you can list achievements in your career section.
Conversely, many COOs have quite basic skills sections that are short, passive and matter of fact: e.g.,:
- Operations
- Projects
- Business
- Strategy
- Technology
Etc.
Yes, your skills should be relevant, but if possible, try to be more proactive.
As you might expect, your career section should reflect your seniority and operational experience.
Again though, many COOs overcomplicate things by listing experience in a complex, haphazard and longwinded manner. Most (yes most) COO CVs (professional and DIY), stray from the central (operations) theme in places. To exacerbate matters, most (yes most) COOs undersell themselves too.
Tips:
- Pitch your CV at the right level (C-level)
- Ensure consistent central messaging
- Include achievements
- Quantify achievements where appropriate
- Use single line bullets for achievements if possible
- Make sure it reads well
- Don’t just consider your work section line by line, but think of it as a whole too
Read the first few entries your work section out loud, and ask yourself if the opening sets you apart from competitors (in a good way), or whether it just sets the scene. Setting the scene is fine, but you need to stand out too. Bare this in mind.
Also ask yourself, does it sound like the entries of other COOs?
Or does it strike as original and higher impact?
If it isn’t then you should revise it.
Another tip is to try to avoid language that strikes as unnatural. Some language on COO CVs seems contrived. To save space, some of it resorts to a lot of acronyms and/or compromised language by e.g., omitting articles. For example;
- Liaised with FD and encouraged team of 10+ mgrs on JV
Another tip is to read your CV out loud as this can help you identify issues with the language.
Many CV writers take shortcuts with the language, and that can reflect badly on you and your communication skills. Just because some firm tells you they have top writers, it isn’t necessarily so. On the contrary, it’s the exception, rather than the rule. So check out
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something is amiss.
Conversely, if it does sound natural, then that’s one less issue you need to worry about.
At C-level competition is fierce, and you ought to strike the right balance. Some COO CVs look good but undersell. Some have decent quantifiable achievements but in a dated and cluttered format with contrived language.
The best CVs are sharp, concise and presentable with great first impressions, excellent legibility and powerful content.
When you create your CV, really you need to tick all those boxes. Anything less and you’re handing an advantage to those competitors who do (and at COO level you should expect that at least some competitors will – yes, most won’t, but some will, and it’s those you need to outdo.)
Check out the sample below.
Please also read the body of the example for advice on how typical COO CVs are frequently compromised. You can refer to this example to avoid pitfalls when creating your own CV.
Please view our COO CV sample.
The text on the example should help explain the logic behind our popular format (it came top in our tests for good reason).
Yes, and almost certainly dramatically.
Most COOs are amazed at the radical transformation.
We have vast experience assisting COOs in the UK and from all around the world.
We are different and unique. Please check out this page for more information on how we differ.
If you would like our unique help, then we would be happy to assist you.