How To… Create a Great NED CV!

Last month we considered ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Board Appointments’. One of the topics I mentioned under the getting an interview section was the importance of updating or refreshing your CV. As I deliver programmes around the world, one of the questions I am asked relates to the best way to ensure your CV is appropriate when applying for board appointments and how it differs from a CV for an executive role.

 

This month I have therefore chosen to give some attention to the best way to tailor your CV to reflect your board experience, or skills that are transferable to boards when you are applying for a board appointment. The ‘How To’ Series is written in a way that allows them to be a quick but essential read, enabling you to absorb and apply the information to ensure you get the most out of them in less than 500 words.

Here goes!

 

Creating a CV can be a minefield! My initial guidance on this subject would be to remember that a CV is a factual record. Therefore, when compiling it, one must be sure to avoid creating a subjective profile and instead, you should emphasise strategic capabilities.

Right at the beginning of your CV, after outlining your personal details, it is always helpful to include a summary section at the top of the page describing what you bring to a board.

It is important to pay attention to any specific skills or experience that the board are seeking. If they are recruiting to fill specific skills gaps on their boards such as legal, finance or HR, ensure you detail what knowledge and experience you have in this area. You should try to provide examples or achievements that demonstrate your experience rather than just listing your experience. As further guidance, you should outline recent experience focusing on the last ten years as this will provide the most relevant experience. Other significant roles and experience or major achievements, which you feel the recruiter would be interested in, can be highlighted later in the CV.

Once you are sure that you have adequately explored and reflected your relevant skills, you should outline any board experience that you may have. If you are just starting out and this is your first board appointment, you must ensure that your transferable skills are highlighted. If you have board experience, here is some of the information you will want to include:

1. Name of organisation;
2. Role held;
3. Duration of service;
4. Details of any committees you were a member of;
5. Your accomplishments during your time on the board;
6. Any quantifiable data to give context;
7. Any other responsibilities within your role (i.e. were you the Designated Person for Safeguarding when you were a school governor?)

To complete the CV you can provide details of any awards, qualifications and accreditations. You can finish with memberships and publications or articles written.

Whilst writing, you should bear in mind the basic requirements of those who are recruiting including some of the tips below:

1. Do not exceed more than two pages of A4 you can include appendices to details speeches and publications;
2. Font size 12 should be no smaller that 10;
3. The format should be easily readable;
4. Avoid acronyms and abbreviations
5. Spell check!*

There are board vacancies available in a number of other sectors than just the private sector from education and housing, to sport and the arts. Creating a CV for vacancies in any of these sectors should be given the same detail and attention but you must ensure that you tailor your CV for each position you are applying for.

I hope you find this useful in updating your current CV and pursuing your next NED role!

Until next time…

*Some of the tips and information in this blog were shared by Recruitment Consultant Sally Rowley-Williams and experienced NED / coach Suzy Brain-England during Lead The Board Programme. For more information about Lead The Board, please visit www.effectiveboardmember.co.uk.