About this template
The Classic Traditional template is a bolder twin of the baseline Classic: same single-column Georgia typography, but with section titles in tracked uppercase underlined by a thicker 1.5pt rule. The DNA stays identical — restraint, neutrality, legibility — but with more visual weight that grants authority to a senior profile. ATS parser-safe and readable by even the most conservative hiring committees in traditional industries.
Who is it for?
It suits senior candidates (10-25 years of experience) in traditional sectors — banking (Goldman Sachs Investment Banking, JPMorgan Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley M&A), Big Four audit (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC), senior public service (SES, GS-14/15, judicial chambers), law (BigLaw partnerships, federal court magistrates, state bar leadership), insurance (Berkshire Hathaway, AIG, MetLife), public accounting (Grant Thornton, BDO, RSM US). Useful for applications to long-established firms and institutions where the weight of experience is itself a valued signal.
How to use it
Start with a 4-5 line professional summary establishing the senior arc (e.g., 'Audit Partner Big Four — 16 years including 6 as partner — financial services and infrastructure sectors — client portfolios >$50M in fees'). List 8-10 key engagements with employer, exact title, period and 4-6 quantified achievements. For partner profiles, add a 'Teaching mandates' block if you teach in executive masters (Wharton Executive, Harvard Business School Executive Education, Columbia Business School) — it's valued as peer-recognition signal.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include my bar or licence registration year?
Yes for regulated professions. For attorneys, mention bar of admission and year ('Admitted to the New York State Bar in 2008'). For CPAs, indicate the state board with licence number. For investment advisers, list FINRA registrations (Series 7, 66, 79). These signatures are verified during reference checks and their absence reads as a discipline concern.
How should I present a Big Four audit career?
Structure by internal grade (Associate, Senior Associate, Manager, Senior Manager, Director, Partner) with exact promotion dates. For each grade, mention sectors covered and emblematic clients (without breaking confidentiality). For partner status, indicate the year of admission to the partnership, office of attachment (New York, Chicago, San Francisco) and practice specialty (Audit, Advisory, Tax, Transaction Services).
What length should I aim for as a 20+ year profile in the US?
Two pages remain the strict US norm for CVs submitted to corporate recruiters, even at 20+ years. Three pages are tolerated only for board director applications, recognised expert dossiers (federal SES, retired judges), or honorary fellowships. Beyond 3 pages, a separate long CV may be attached as an appendix for very specific senior dossiers.
