When applying for a role in corporate strategy, your CV needs to clearly show your skills and experiences that drive business success. Corporate strategy positions require a blend of strategic planning, market analysis, and leadership skills. Your CV should highlight how you’ve used these skills in the past to help organizations grow and achieve their goals. A well-organized CV can make a big difference in catching the eye of hiring managers and getting you one step closer to landing the job you want.
How To Format Your CV
Contact Information
The first thing a recruiter should see when looking at your CV is your contact information. This section should be clear and easy to find, so recruiters can reach out to you without any hassle. Here’s how to format this section effectively:
- Full Name: Make sure your name is prominent and stands out at the top of the CV.
- Phone Number: Include a phone number where you can be easily reached.
- Email Address: Use a professional email address. Avoid nicknames or personal email addresses that may seem unprofessional.
- LinkedIn Profile: If you have a LinkedIn profile, include it here. Ensure your profile is updated and aligns with the information on your CV.
Example:
John K. Maina
Phone: +254 700 123 456
Email: john.maina@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnmaina
This section should be straightforward and not take up too much space. The goal is to make it easy for recruiters to contact you.
Professional Summary
The Professional Summary is your chance to grab the recruiter’s attention with a brief snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. It should be a concise, compelling overview that highlights your relevant experience and career goals.
- Overview of Experience: Briefly mention your years of experience and key areas of expertise in corporate strategy.
- Key Strengths: Highlight your major strengths and skills that are relevant to the role.
- Career Goals: State what you hope to achieve in your next role and how you plan to contribute.
Example Professional Summary:
“Strategic thinker with over 8 years of experience in driving corporate growth through innovative strategic planning and market analysis. Known for optimizing operations, enhancing market position, and increasing profitability. Seeking to leverage expertise in developing and executing high-impact strategies to support organizational success and growth.”
This summary should be no more than 3-4 sentences. It should clearly communicate who you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you aim to achieve, all while keeping the focus on what you can bring to the role you’re applying for.
Key Skills
The Key Skills section is where you showcase your core competencies relevant to corporate strategy roles. This section should focus on the skills that are crucial for the job and make you a strong candidate. Highlight your abilities in strategic planning, market analysis, financial modeling, and leadership. If you have any specific industry knowledge or certifications, mention those as well.
- Strategic Planning and Execution: Demonstrate your ability to create and implement strategic plans that drive business growth.
- Market Research and Analysis: Show your proficiency in analyzing market trends and competitive landscapes to inform strategic decisions.
- Financial Modeling and Forecasting: Highlight your skills in building financial models to predict business performance and guide strategic decisions.
- Business Development and Growth Strategies: Emphasize your experience in identifying opportunities for business expansion and formulating strategies to achieve growth.
- Cross-functional Team Leadership: Mention your ability to lead teams from different departments to achieve strategic goals.
- Change Management and Organizational Development: Illustrate your experience in managing organizational changes and developing processes for improvement.
- Risk Assessment and Management: Show your capability in identifying and mitigating potential risks that could impact business strategy.
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Strategy: If applicable, include your experience in planning and executing M&A strategies.
- Corporate Governance and Compliance: Highlight your knowledge of governance and compliance issues relevant to corporate strategy.
Example Key Skills Section:
- Strategic Planning and Execution: Expertise in developing long-term strategic plans that align with corporate objectives and drive growth.
- Market Research and Analysis: Skilled in conducting thorough market analysis to identify trends and opportunities for competitive advantage.
- Financial Modeling and Forecasting: Proficient in creating financial models to forecast performance and guide decision-making.
- Business Development and Growth Strategies: Experienced in crafting strategies to expand market reach and increase revenue.
- Cross-functional Team Leadership: Adept at leading diverse teams to implement strategic initiatives effectively.
- Change Management and Organizational Development: Knowledgeable in managing organizational changes and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Risk Assessment and Management: Capable of evaluating and managing risks to protect business interests.
- Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Strategy: Experience in formulating and executing strategies for successful mergers and acquisitions.
- Corporate Governance and Compliance: Understanding of corporate governance principles and compliance requirements.
This section should be a bullet-point list for easy reading. Each point should be specific and relevant to corporate strategy roles, reflecting the skills you’ve developed through your experience and education.
Professional Experience
In the Professional Experience section, you’ll detail your previous roles and responsibilities related to corporate strategy. This section should demonstrate how your past work aligns with the skills and duties required for the role you’re applying for. Use bullet points to make your achievements and responsibilities clear, and whenever possible, quantify your impact with specific metrics or results.
1. Structure and Content:
- Role Title: Clearly state your job title.
- Company Name and Location: Mention where you worked.
- Dates of Employment: Include the start and end dates of your employment.
- Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to list your main duties and accomplishments in each role. Focus on strategic tasks and projects you handled, and highlight the outcomes you achieved.
2. Example Professional Experience Section:
Strategy Manager | ABC Holdings Ltd | Nairobi, Kenya | January 20XX – Present
- Led Strategic Development: Directed the creation and execution of the company’s strategic plan, resulting in a 15% increase in market share within two years.
- Market Analysis: Conducted in-depth market research and competitive analysis, identifying key growth opportunities and mitigating risks.
- Cost Optimization: Implemented cost-saving strategies that reduced operational expenses by 20%.
- Stakeholder Communication: Coordinated with senior management and stakeholders to align strategic initiatives with corporate goals.
Senior Strategy Analyst | XYZ Group | Nairobi, Kenya | June 20XX – December 20XX
- Strategic Initiatives: Collaborated with the executive team to define corporate objectives and develop long-term strategic plans.
- Financial Modeling: Prepared financial models and business cases for new product launches, which led to a 25% increase in revenue.
- Workshops and Presentations: Facilitated workshops and delivered presentations to communicate strategic goals and progress to stakeholders.
3. Tips for This Section:
- Use Action Verbs: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your achievements clearly.
- Be Specific: Quantify your achievements with numbers, percentages, or other measurable results to illustrate the impact of your work.
- Focus on Relevance: Highlight experiences and accomplishments that are directly relevant to corporate strategy roles.
Achievements
In the Achievements section of your CV, you should highlight specific accomplishments that illustrate your impact in previous corporate strategy roles. This is your chance to showcase tangible results and demonstrate how your contributions have driven business success.
1. Structure and Content:
- Achievement Title: Clearly state what you accomplished.
- Context: Briefly describe the situation or challenge you faced.
- Action Taken: Explain the steps you took to address the challenge or seize the opportunity.
- Result: Highlight the outcomes, using metrics or data to quantify the impact.
2. Example Achievements Section:
Award for Strategic Leadership Context: Recognized for exceptional performance in developing and executing corporate strategy. Action Taken: Led a comprehensive strategy overhaul that improved operational efficiency. Result: Received the CEO’s Award for Outstanding Strategic Leadership, acknowledging a 20% increase in profitability.
Strategic Partnership Expansion Context: Tasked with finding new business opportunities through strategic partnerships. Action Taken: Negotiated and secured partnerships with key industry players. Result: Successfully expanded market reach, leading to a 15% increase in annual revenue.
Cost Reduction Initiative Context: Identified rising operational costs impacting the company’s bottom line. Action Taken: Implemented cost-saving measures and optimized resource allocation. Result: Reduced operational expenses by 18%, significantly enhancing profitability.
3. Tips for This Section:
- Be Specific: Provide clear details about what you achieved and how it benefited the organization.
- Use Metrics: Quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your success.
- Show Impact: Focus on how your achievements contributed to overall business goals or improved key metrics.
Education
In the Education section, list your academic qualifications and any relevant coursework or certifications related to corporate strategy. This section should highlight your formal education and any additional training that supports your expertise in strategic roles.
1. Structure and Content:
- Degree Title: State the name of your degree.
- Institution Name: Mention the educational institution where you earned the degree.
- Location: Include the city and country of the institution.
- Graduation Date: Provide the month and year of your graduation.
- Relevant Coursework: (Optional) List any courses that are particularly relevant to corporate strategy.
2. Example Education Section:
Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya | Graduated: May 20XX
- Relevant Coursework: Strategic Management, Financial Analysis, Business Development
Bachelor of Arts in Economics Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya | Graduated: May 20XX
- Relevant Coursework: Economic Strategy, Market Analysis, Statistical Methods
3. Tips for This Section:
- List in Reverse Chronological Order: Start with your most recent degree and work backward.
- Include Relevant Coursework: Mention courses that directly relate to corporate strategy if they strengthen your application.
- Highlight Achievements: If you received honors or completed significant projects during your studies, consider mentioning them.
Certifications (Optional)
The Certifications and Training section of your CV should highlight any additional qualifications or specialized training that enhance your expertise in corporate strategy. This section demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
1. Structure and Content:
- Certification Title: State the name of the certification or training program.
- Issuing Organization: Mention the institution or organization that awarded the certification.
- Completion Date: Provide the month and year when you completed the certification or training.
2. Example Certifications Section:
Certified Strategic Management Professional (CSMP) Strategic Management Institute | Completed: March 20XX
Project Management Professional (PMP) Project Management Institute (PMI) | Completed: July 20XX
Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Quality Assurance Institute | Completed: November 20XX
3. Tips for This Section:
- Include Relevant Certifications: Focus on certifications that are directly relevant to corporate strategy, such as strategic management, project management, or business analysis.
- Update Regularly: Keep this section updated with any new certifications or training you acquire.
- Showcase Specializations: If you have specialized training in areas like financial modeling or market analysis, include these to highlight your specific expertise.
Projects (Optional)
Including a Projects section in your CV can provide concrete examples of how you’ve applied your strategic planning and execution skills in real-world scenarios. This section can be particularly impactful if you have led or significantly contributed to key projects that showcase your expertise.
1. Structure and Content:
- Project Title: Start with the name of the project or initiative.
- Role: Describe your role in the project.
- Objective: Explain the goal or purpose of the project.
- Methodology: Briefly outline the approach or strategies used.
- Outcome: Highlight the results or impact, using metrics if possible.
2. Example Projects Section:
Market Entry Strategy Development Role: Project Lead Objective: Develop a strategy for entering a new international market. Methodology: Conducted market research, analyzed competitive landscape, and developed a comprehensive entry plan. Outcome: Achieved a 30% increase in market share in the new region within the first year.
Organizational Restructuring Initiative Role: Strategy Consultant Objective: Streamline organizational processes to enhance efficiency. Methodology: Led cross-functional teams to assess and redesign business processes. Outcome: Reduced operational costs by 15% and improved overall organizational efficiency.
Digital Transformation Project Role: Project Manager Objective: Implement digital tools to improve business operations. Methodology: Managed the integration of new technologies and provided training to staff. Outcome: Enhanced process efficiency by 25% and reduced manual workload.
3. Tips for This Section:
- Select Relevant Projects: Include projects that are directly related to corporate strategy or that demonstrate key strategic skills.
- Use Quantifiable Results: Whenever possible, use numbers or percentages to illustrate the impact of your projects.
- Keep It Concise: Provide enough detail to convey your involvement and the results, but keep descriptions brief and focused.
References (Optional)
The References section of your CV is where you can include contacts who can vouch for your skills and achievements in corporate strategy. This section is optional but can be valuable if you have strong endorsements from previous supervisors or colleagues.
1. Structure and Content:
- Reference’s Name: Provide the full name of your reference.
- Title and Company: State their job title and the company they work for.
- Contact Information: Include their phone number and email address.
- Relationship: Briefly mention your professional relationship with the reference.
2. Example References Section:
References
Alice N. Smith Chief Strategy Officer | XYZ Corporation Phone: +254 700 987 654 Email: alice.smith@xyzcorp.com Worked together on several strategic initiatives, including market expansion and operational efficiency projects.
David K. Johnson Director of Business Development | ABC Holdings Ltd Phone: +254 700 123 789 Email: david.johnson@abcholdings.com Collaborated on strategic planning and execution, leading to a significant increase in market share.
3. Tips for This Section:
Update Information: Make sure the contact details for your references are current.
Ask for Permission: Ensure that your references are willing to be contacted and that they are aware of the role you’re applying for.
Choose Wisely: Select references who can provide detailed and relevant insights into your skills and accomplishments in corporate strategy.
Conclusion
Creating a CV for corporate strategy roles requires a clear and focused approach. Your goal is to showcase your ability to drive business growth, optimize operations, and develop strategic initiatives.
By following these guidelines, you’ll create a CV that effectively communicates your strategic thinking and leadership abilities. A well-structured CV will help you stand out to employers looking for skilled professionals who can drive their business forward.
