Create a board-specific CV

Create a board-specific CV and ensure you stand out as an ideal candidate when you embark on a corporate governance career. Creating a board-specific CV is a nuanced process reflecting one core truth: if you want to impress in corporate governance, you must think beyond the standard job application. A board-specific CV is your opportunity to present yourself as a strategic thinker and leader capable of contributing to high-level discussions and decisions. This document should showcase your professional achievements and in-demand skill sets and highlight that you have the core, unique skills that all directors need to lead. Let’s get started with the information below. Here’s a template to help. Why is your CV important? As with any role, your CV is often the first point of contact between you and the people you’re looking to impress. In the case of corporate governance, this is often the board selection committee or any other person/entity tasked with finding new talent. When these people look at your CV, they need to grasp your professional persona immediately; they must understand not just what you’ve accomplished but how those achievements position you as a suitable board candidate. The ultimate reason why CVs are crucial is that they can connect your experience with the company’s strategic direction and corporate success. They show how you will contribute positively to the business. How well CVs do this will vary across every board candidate. The challenge for you is condensing all your good qualities into a concise format without being reductive. Why does a board role require a unique CV? Board roles differ significantly from executive positions; they require a broader perspective on corporate governance, risk management, and strategic direction. Where most normal job applications focus on your operational success and how you plan to tackle specific projects, board roles go beyond that. There are essentially two parameters to board roles: You need to demonstrate that you have an experience-fed skillset that addresses a skills gap within the board. In other words, you need to demonstrate your relevance. You need to show that you can move away from the usual “operational success” approach and think bigger. This means showing you can think long-term, strategically, and with a strong appreciation for asking the right questions. Good boards thrive on asking the right questions and putting the answers in a strategic context. You need to show you can do this. What kinds of skills are in demand in a modern boardroom? There are two big answers to this question: The “evergreen” skills that never lose appeal Business operations Financial management Reporting Risk management The skillsets in recent high-demand By “recent” we mean the last five years, shaped by global events like the pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and geopolitical shifts. Digital transformation The rise of AI ESG Corporate culture and development Shifting to a green economy. The fact is that so many businesses worldwide are looking for these skill sets. Many struggle to find them. If you have one or more of these skills, you could be the answer boards are looking for; you just need to demonstrate them on your CV. How to create a board-specific CV Start with a compelling executive summary that encapsulates your value proposition as a board candidate. If you can, write a board profile (summarising any experience working with boards - executive or non-executive). If you are starting a governance career, perhaps substitute this section for details on any dedicated governance education, Include a section on executive experience. It’s an excellent window into your leadership history. Showcase your greatest corporate success stories. Be specific about the impact of your work, using quantifiable achievements where possible. Include a section for referees and try hard to ensure most are board members (or even chairs) - this is a way to demonstrate your network and show that established governance professionals can vouch for you. How long should a board CV be? There will never be a universal answer to this question. Just be aware of the following: You may quickly be asked to keep it to two pages or less - so it might be best to make yours this long by default. If you haven’t said all you want to say in two pages, make a longer version as a complement. You can produce it when appropriate. Any other tips? Tailor your CV. You might have done this (or gotten away with not doing it) for standard jobs, but board roles require that extra attention. Research the company’s challenges, opportunities, and strategic direction, then align your skills with them. Ensure it’s readable. This means anyone reading can understand immediately who you are and what your contributions could be. If readers need to double back, re-read, ask questions about meaning, or become frustrated that something was mentioned twice, you have a big problem. Show it around to close contacts and get their opinions. Do not send a CV that only you have seen. You may have missed apparent errors. In summary Board-specific CVs will always need that unique level of attention due to the high-stakes nature of corporate governance. They can be hard to start at times, but if you follow the above steps to create a board-specific CV, alongside advice from your network of colleagues, you have the makings of something great.

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Rapidly acquire the skills and knowledge you need to lead.

Diploma in Corporate Governance

Certified Corporate Governance Professional

Certified Company Secretary Professional

Certified ESG Professional

ESG Strategy and Governance

Company Secretary

Overview of Corporate Governance

AI Governance

CSRD Reporting

Go Further With Membership

Join the largest global educator of university credit-rated and qualified directors in corporate governance.

Training Needs Analysis

Join the largest global educator of university credit-rated and qualified directors in corporate governance.

University partnership

Partner Network

Attend online and in-person events to get the practical skills and insights you need to make an impact as a leader.

Webinars

Masterclasses

Information sessions

Webinars

Insightful and thought-provoking content to help you become a great board director.

eBooks

Case studies

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Interviews

Lexicon

News analysis

Member spotlight

Thought leadership

Podcasts

Stay Relevant With Membership

Create a board-specific CV

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Insights on leadership

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