Chief Of Staff Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a chief of staff provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving managing cross-departmental projects and overseeing daily operations. For a successful chief of staff application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a chief of staff resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This article will provide actionable advice on how to create a chief of staff resume that showcases your career achievements, expertise and leadership skills. The article will equip you with tips for highlighting your long-term vision and demonstrating how your leadership has produced successful outcomes for organizations. There are also plenty of tips for presenting your resume in a way that makes a strong impact with decision makers. Continue reading to discover the tips Jobseeker's career experts recommend for an effective chief of staff resume.
Core sections to include in a chief of staff resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a chief of staff resume being no different.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
Your chief of staff resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Mark Sanders
mark.sanders@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
linkedin․com/in/mark–sanders123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for chief of staff roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a chief of staff.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a chief of staff, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for chief of staff jobs below.
Good example:
Dynamic and results-driven Chief of Staff with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a proven track record in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and executive support. Adept at managing cross-functional teams, streamlining processes, and driving organizational success. Highly skilled in stakeholder management, project coordination, and decision-making. Passionate about fostering a collaborative work environment to achieve business objectives
Bad example:
Person with some experience in business and helping with planning and operations. Worked in roles where I supported executives and managed teams. Have worked with different stakeholders and coordinated projects. Focused on improving processes and decision-making. Interested in creating a team environment to reach goals
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Employment History
In the next section, list your employment history focusing on the most relevant previous roles and achievements that showcase your chief of staff skills. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
For senior positions such as chief of staff, your work experience section may be longer than a standard resume. By the time you're applying for a senior role, you'll have built up plenty of work experience, and you may wish to showcase chief of staff skills and achievements from various previous roles. While there are no definitive rules on how far back to go with your work experience section, or how many previous roles to include in this section, the general rule of thumb is to go back 10 to 15 years. For a chief of staff resume you may wish to opt for a work experience section on the longer side of this range.
The best resume work experience sections focus only on the most relevant previous jobs, and link each bullet point back to a skill or experience listed in the job description. It's also critical to provide evidence that shows the value you added to each role in a quantifiable way, such as project outcomes, key performance indicators or feedback from customers, colleagues or managers. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Chief of Staff, January 2022 - Present
Evergreen Innovations, Inc, Indianapolis
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve 30% increase in operational efficiency through process optimization and strategic initiatives
- Spearheaded successful integration of new ERP system, reducing costs by 15% and enhancing real-time data access
- Coordinated executive-level decision-making processes, resulting in a 25% improvement in project completion rates and stakeholder satisfaction
Bad example:
Chief of Staff, January 2022 - Present
Evergreen Innovations, Inc, Indianapolis
- Managed various teams to improve processes and drive strategic goals
- Oversaw implementation of new systems to enhance efficiency and data access
- Facilitated decision-making to boost project outcomes and stakeholder engagement
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education and Qualifications
In your education section, include details of your most relevant chief of staff qualifications and educational achievements.
Opportunities as a chief of staff and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your MS Office or strategic planning.
Include any qualifications relevant to the role. For each, add the name and level of the award, the institution name, its location and your dates of study. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for chief of staff roles. Whether your skills include financial analysis, problem solving or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for chief of staff positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Listing hard skills on your chief of staff resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for chief of staff positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key chief of staff duties and responsibilities. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a chief of staff resume below.
- Strategic planning
- Financial analysis
- Project management
Soft skills on your chief of staff resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to chief of staff roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume.
It's best to aim for four or five soft skills that match the job description and reflect your strongest personal qualities. For senior job applications such as chief of staff roles, your soft skills section should show examples that showcase your leadership skills.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a chief of staff resume.
- Strategic thinking
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
Resume tip:
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a chief of staff resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- SHRM-CP Certification, 2022
- Six Sigma Certification, 2022
Optional Information
As well as the main sections of a chief of staff resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Pick from the optional sections below to help show the employer you have the skills and experience for the job.
Personal Interests
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteering
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your chief of staff resume. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's not typical to include references in a chief of staff resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best action words for your chief of staff resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Coordinate
- Strategize
- Oversee
- Manage
- Facilitate
- Implement
- Advise
- Streamline
- Negotiate
- Execute
For chief of staff roles, your resume length can often be longer than the standard of one to two pages. You'll want plenty of space to prove you've got the necessary experience and standing to take on such a senior position. As such, it's not unusual to submit a resume longer than two pages. If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Sample chief of staff resume
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your chief of staff resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
1313 Webfoot Walk, Duckburg, CA
•
mark.sanders@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/mark–sanders123
Detail-oriented and results-driven Chief of Staff with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as Director of Operations. Proven track record in strategic planning, process optimization, and team leadership. Adept at coordinating cross-functional teams, driving organizational efficiency, and supporting executive decision-making to achieve company goals
Director of Operations
2020
-2022
Synergy Solutions Inc (Lubbock)
- Increased operational efficiency by 30% through streamlined processes and automation, resulting in annual cost savings of $2M
- Successfully led a team of 50 to achieve zero safety incidents over two consecutive years
- Spearheaded a $10M facility expansion project, completing it under budget and ahead of schedule by 3 months
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
University of Delaware (Newark, DE)
Strategic planning
Financial analysis
Project management
Strategic thinking
Effective communication
Problem solving
PMP Certification
SHRM-CP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a chief of staff resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Quantify your career achievements by including evidence of your impact throughout your resume.
- Use strong action words to demonstrate the impact you've made in each chief of staff role (e.g. 'manage', 'facilitate', 'implement').
- Use reverse-chronological order for your work and education, starting with your most recent employment and education.
- Proofread your resume before sending it, to avoid any unnecessary mistakes that may harm your chances.
- Tailor your resume for each application you send. Review the job description and adapt the content to reflect the specific requirements, including key skills and experience.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your chief of staff career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't forget to review your contact information before sending your resume, to ensure it's all up-to-date.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't use overly complex formatting and layouts that can make your chief of staff resume harder to read, and less scannable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When drafting your chief of staff resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Adopt a resume design that uses clear, professional design principles and leaves white space for your content to breathe. Use the most readable fonts and incorporate subtle design elements to enhance the readability of your document.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a chief of staff resume
After writing your chief of staff resume, you'll want to write an accompanying cover letter that helps your application stand out.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the chief of staff role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
When deciding how far to go back on your resume, consider the role, its seniority level and industry norms. If you're applying for chief of staff roles, you'll want to show your extensive experience, so you may wish to go further back in your career timeline than you would for other positions. In this case, you might prefer to include work experience and achievements beyond the standard 10 to 15 years, especially if you're in a late career stage and you've built up a wealth of relevant achievements.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your chief of staff applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Chief of Staff Professional
- Strategic Leadership and Operational Excellence
- Executive Leadership and Strategic Management
The best resume format for a chief of staff role is one that allows you to showcase the achievements and experience that make you eligible for such a senior position. As such, a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format is generally the best structure to utilize. This puts your work experience at the forefront, where it can make the strongest impression on the reader. Write a work experience section that showcases the achievements and impact you've made in various roles, but remember to leave space for important additional sections that can show your suitability for senior positions, such as awards, professional memberships, certifications, publications and conference appearances.
Key takeaways for your chief of staff resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Use Jobseeker's resume templates, other tools and resources to create an application that impresses employers. Sign up today to access a wealth of valuable resume and cover letter resources. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Overcoming the Most Common Challenges in the Executive Job Search, MIT Career Development Office: https://cdo.mit.edu/blog/2024/10/15/overcoming-the-most-common-challenges-in-the-executive-job-search/
(2) How to Impress an Executive Recruiter and Break Into the C-Suite, Harvard Division of Continuing Education: https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-impress-an-executive-recruiter-and-break-into-the-c-suite/
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