We recently spoke about the importance of creating a Non-Executive Director CV that is specifically optimised to focus on the core strategic value you bring, but if you aim to position yourself as a Non-Executive Director, your LinkedIn profile must also reflect the skills, experience, and qualities boards seek.
Here are our top five actionable tips with examples, to optimise your LinkedIn profile for the Non-Executive Director (NED) space.
1. Craft a Compelling Headline
Your headline is the first thing people see, and it’s crucial in making a strong first impression. Instead of just listing your current job title, use this space to highlight your experience and aspirations.
Example: “Current role | Objective or desired role (Non-Executive Director) | A brief description of your value proposition”
By adding keywords and a unique value proposition, you are guaranteed to appear in relevant searches.
2. Showcase Your Board Experience in the About section
Your About Section should provide a compelling insight into your career, piquing a NED recruiter’s interest and motivating them to connect.
These tips can prove useful:
- Emphasise Seniority: When providing an overview of your corporate career, focus on senior aspects like your understanding of corporate governance, executive management, and strategic oversight.
- Quantify Your Achievements: Use metrics to demonstrate your impact.
Example: “Led the implementation of a governance framework, improving compliance by 30%.”
- Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills essential for NED roles, such as strategic planning, financial acumen, and stakeholder engagement.
3. Align your Experience Section
When detailing your work experience, mention board roles and governing bodies you’ve been a member of, such as audit or remuneration committees.
If your board experience is less extensive, highlight how your executive roles have prepared you for a Non-Executive Director position. Under each role, include 2-3 bullet-point examples summarising your contribution to the organisation’s success.
Example: “Advised on a successful merger that resulted in a 20% increase in market share.”
Professionals with a completed profile are 40 times more likely to unlock opportunities
4. Ensure Consistency
It is vital to build consistency between your CV and LinkedIn. Recruiters often compare the two, and disparities can suggest unreliability.
Many professionals frequently update LinkedIn but only revise their CVs once a year, engendering a lack of continuity. Systematically compare your CV and LinkedIn, ensuring alignment.
5. Complete Your Profile
According to LinkedIn’s own information, professionals with a completed profile are 40 times more likely to unlock opportunities via the platform than those with an unfinished page.
Ensure each aspect of your LinkedIn is complete, from the profile picture and professional banner at the top to the Education Section at the foot of the page.
As with your CV, positioning yourself as a Non-Executive Director on LinkedIn should be viewed from a strategic standpoint and following these tips will support you in your journey to securing your next NED role.
Looking for further advice with your Non-Executive Director resume or support in developing your skills as a board advisor? Book a complimentary CV review with our career transition experts below!
