CTO CV examples & writing tips

The role of CTO is key for the technological side of any business. Use these tips and CV examples to land a CTO job.

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CTO CV Examples

So you have successfully climbed the career ladder and feel that you’re ready to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO). You’ve studied the appropriate people management methodologies, you know information systems like the back of your hand, and you keep up to date with new technologies. So how do you land a job interview? The answer is in your CV. This article will show you how to write the perfect CV and land a CTO role.

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What to highlight in a CTO CV

The job market for job titles like CTO is competitive, and when so many businesses recruit for this role internally it can feel like an uphill battle to land a job outside of your current company. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get your dream role, whether it’s with a giant tech company or a small start-up, as long as you have the right CV. As the role of CTO is a senior position, you should highlight your people and project management skills, as well as your technical knowledge and track record.

Remember that your ability to work well with a broad range of people is as important as your knowledge of various technology platforms. When you start writing your CTO curriculum vitae it is a good idea to consider relevant CV samples. The right CV examples will help you to understand what certifications, achievements, and soft skills are most sought after in a role like this.

The structure of a CTO CV

Header

Your CV header must contain your full name, phone number, and contact information. For the role of CTO, it is also a good idea to include any professional social media links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

Professional summary or career objective

Your CV should contain either a professional summary or a career objective statement. A professional summary statement is best for those with many years of experience as it features your most notable achievements, skills, and qualifications. A career objective statement, in contrast, is ideal for those who lack work experience as it is a statement of intentions and career goals. Since a CTO role is a senior position, a professional summary works best in this situation.

Work history

The work experience section of your CV will be important when applying for a senior role like CTO. This means you should probably stick to a reverse-chronological CV format. List up to 10 years of work experience, unless the job description asks for more, and include your job title and employment dates and key achievements for each role.

Skills

Your CV skills section should include 8 to 12 bullet points listing your most relevant hard skills (technical knowledge and training) and soft skills (intangible traits). Some examples of skills commonly listed in a CTO CV include:

IT infrastructure assessment
Technology strategy planning
Strategic planning and implementing system maintenance
SaaS platforms
JavaScript
HTML/CSS
SQL
Agile
Workflow management
Software development
Business planning and management
Disaster recovery

Education

Your CV education section should contain the most recent and advanced academic qualifications you have.

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Do’s and don’ts for a CTO CV

If you want to add a bit of sparkle to your CV and stand out from the crowd, you should consider these simple do’s and don’ts:

DO:

Stick to a professional font such as Calibri or Arial.
Be specific about your achievements. For example, describe how you improved productivity by 15% and state how you did it, not just “I improved productivity.”
Tailor your CV for each job application.

DON’T:

Underestimate the power of soft skills.
List run-of-the-mill duties in your work experience section. Focus on notable achievements that led to quantifiable results.
Overcomplicate your CV with fancy design elements like infographics. A streamlined CV is easier to read for employers and the applicant tracking systems (ATS) they use to scan CVs.

FAQ: CTO CV

Q: Do I need to include a cover letter for a CTO job application?

Yes, you need to include a cover letter with every job application to have a good chance of success. This is doubly important for roles like Chief Technology Officer (CTO) as these are senior positions with specialist duties. Your cover letter is an opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and provide additional information. If you want to ensure that you stand out from the crowd, use the CVHelp cover letter builder to get access to matching cover letter and CV templates.

Q: How can I apply for a CTO position without a lot of experience?

If you have never held the position of CTO before, it may be hard to compete with highly experienced candidates. Nonetheless, it is possible to get this job with limited work experience. In a case like this, ensure that your CV shows off experiences in IT or computer science that prove you can fill the role of CTO. Highlight positions and projects where you undertook duties that can translate to CTO work. You should also highlight any relevant certifications.

Q: How do I change my CTO CV to apply to different jobs?

If you want to leave your CTO position to move to another role or industry you will need to adapt your CV. Thankfully, the position of CTO instills many transferable skills, such as people management and adaptive problem-solving. So, if you want to move from the information technology sector into public relations or project management, for example, highlight these skills. Make sure you read the job description thoroughly and address key requirements when updating your CV.

Move your CV to the top of the yes pile!

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