My client is ideally positioned for a board advisor and board member role. After nine months of applying for board roles? Crickets.

What we discovered in his marketing documents is that his message is focused on his operations roles and volunteer board roles.

Given his experience in R&D, product development, and product commercialization, he is ideally suited for a VC-backed board role. The problem is that his resume falls flat with recruiters. 

Recently, I created an independent board strategy resource, including board-level questions and 52 keywords you can use in your strategy. 

Here it is: 

Don’t dilute your board value proposition by doing this…  

The most straightforward success measure of an effective board of directors resume for an independent director is simple: are you getting calls from board recruiters? If you’re well qualified for the position and you’re not getting calls from recruiters or the board’s nominating committee, there may be an issue with your positioning to the board, personal branding, or your messaging.  

For starters, place your board experience at the top section of your board resume. Don’t use your CEO/operations resume for a board opportunity. See the full blog for details.  

Next, know your audience. Your CV will be scrutinized by the board of directors, shareholders, and key investors. You must write to their concerns—what can you do to help the board lead its organization to success?

In this short blog post, we cover two issues relating to independent board roles (1) leveraging unpaid board roles and (2) excluding specific language in your board resume.  

Read more dos and don’ts here. 

If you’re seeking an independent board role, exit strategy, or assistance preparing for an upcoming board or CEO interview, contact us to review your strategy.  

We offer a complimentary and confidential discussion of your specific goals and would be pleased to sign an NDA in advance.  

Thank you for sharing your day with me, and have a wonderful week ahead!

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Westgate is a 100% independent firm.

Maureen is a performance optimization coach and personal branding strategist for next-level executives and board nominees.

Westgate Executive Branding and Career Consulting Inc. would like to acknowledge that we are located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. We are all Treaty people.