Are you a senior-level professional looking to make a career change? The thought of summarising your many years of experience and achievements into a polished CV can seem like a daunting task. However, a well-crafted and up-to-date CV is an essential tool that can't be overlooked.

Competition for senior-level jobs is fierce, and candidates come from many different backgrounds and paths. So, how can you make your CV stand out from the crowd? Here are seven tips to help optimise your CV for senior-level roles.

Include your credentials

Make sure to highlight any relevant credentials you have, such as chartered status, an MBA or SAS certification, at the top of your CV alongside your name and contact details. This will make them easily visible to recruiters and hiring managers who are scanning through numerous CVs.

Include a link to your LinkedIn profile

Most employers will search for your social media profiles when they receive your CV, so it's important to include a link to your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and matches the information on your CV. Having endorsements and testimonials from fellow professionals on your profile can be a valuable asset for potential new employers to read.

List your core skills

Provide a concise bullet-pointed list of your core skills and competencies near the top of your CV. Choose skills that correlate to the position you are applying for, and update your CV with respect to the job description.

List your achievements

As a senior-level professional, you likely have several key achievements to choose from. However, it's important to only list a few examples that are relevant to the role you're applying for. Emphasise the impact and results of these achievements. This is a great way to show hiring managers and recruiters what you're most proud of.

Career history

List your career history in reverse chronological order, with your current or most recent role at the top. Spend more time on your current role and less information on earlier roles. If a previous job is irrelevant to the role you're applying for, simply list your job title, dates and the company to save space on your CV.

Quantify your achievements

As a senior-level professional, it's likely you have managed budgets, company or department-level goals, and teams of people. Make sure to be specific and talk numbers such as budgetary savings, number of offices or departments managed, and the number of people or projects you have managed.

Move your education to the end

For entry-level positions, your degree is a major selling point, but for senior-level roles, the focus should shift towards your relevant work experience, skills and what you as an individual can bring to a company.

Finally, have someone else review your CV. While you know your career history, progression and achievements inside out, a fresh set of eyes can provide you with objective feedback. Even a few small changes can have a big impact. The consultants at Warman O’Brien are on hand to critique your CV and provide valuable feedback to help you optimise your CV for a better chance of success.

So, take these tips on board and create a CV that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible light. With a little effort, you can land that senior-level role you've been dreaming of.