A Non-Executive Director CV should be different from an Executive one; it should be 2-3 pages maximum and contain a combination of the following:

  • Contact details
  • Specialist areas/your core skills
  • Career roles
  • Soft skills
  • Professional, educational and technical qualifications

 

Your CV should include:

1)  Contact details

Your address, email & phone numbers should be detailed on the first page. A LinkedIn profile address can also be useful.

2)  Your profile, summarising core skills, or useful experience you would offer a client company in a Non-Exec or Chair role which should include your personal areas of expertise.

Be succinct (preferably fewer than 6 points and certainly no more than 8).  Ensure that your expertise and experience are backed up by career achievements.  These are likely to be a mix of skills that companies require from their Non Execs or around their Board Room table (as per a role spec) such as:

  • Strategic Input
  • Entrepreneurial Flair
  • Operational Expertise
  • Finance Expertise
  • Risk Management
  • Digital Marketing/E-Commerce experience
  • IT/Tech/Software Track-Record
  • 10 Years’ Experience in Healthcare Sector
  • Fundraising experience
  • M & A expertise
  • IPO involvement
  • AIM/listed Company Experience
  • Experience of Chairing PE Backed Companies etc. 

 

3)  Current and Previous Board-Level Experience

As an actual Chairman, Director or in pro bono Director-like roles such as a Board Consultant, CoSec, involved Investor, Trustee or Governor etc. it is useful to mention any formal Board Sub-Committees that you have either Chaired or were a member of, and give dates. If legally you were not an actual Director, then don't claim this but mention the role and briefly explain how it was 'Director-like'. If you have not been a NED before this is not a problem but mention if you have attended a Non-Exec course or workshop to prepare you for a Non Exec role.

4)  Career record with actual dates including a description of major achievements and responsibilities in your more important roles

Minor/brief/early roles can simply be mentioned without descriptions. Career breaks are not a problem so do not try to hide them. Ideally reading the career record will not only tell us and a client what you have done but also back up the skills and expertise listed in the first section.

5)  A Summary of Professional, Educational and Technical Qualifications

Detail relevant qualifications in particular for a particular Board appointment or Board Sub Committee, for example, an accounting qualification for an Audit Committee, or a former FCA/PRA Authorised person.

 Click here to register your CV with First Flight

Be wary of Non-Executive Director websites that ask you to pay to register or gain access to Non-Executive roles. 

 

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