Targeting board director roles is a different ball game than targeting executive leadership roles. As such, you need an entirely different set of career marketing documents—or board documents—to set yourself up for success.
In a previous article, we covered how a board document’s content differs from an executive resume. However, the term “board document” doesn’t provide much information about what boards expect from board director candidates at the first stage in the selection process. Here, we’ll break down just what board documents you should prepare for your first or next board opportunity.
The Difference Between Board Documents & Other Executive Career Documents
- Value Proposition Letter (VPL). Similar to an executive VPL, a board VPL briefly summarizes your board and executive leadership experience. A board VPL will focus less on quantifiable accomplishments and more on the overall leadership profile. The letter’s structure is also a little different, likely with more paragraphs and fewer or no bullets.
- Board Document. Your board document’s formatting differs from what you’re familiar with as an executive resume. Where an executive resume covers executive accomplishments with board involvement and qualifications as added value, the board document spotlights board involvement, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and grit, with executive accomplishments as an impactful side note.
- LinkedIn Profile. When it comes to all types of career marketing documents, the more targeted the document, the better. This rule also applies to LinkedIn profiles. While your online representation should be congruent with the board document you send, it’s also a great place to paint a bigger picture. Along with your board strengths, layer in and categorize your executive strengths so that the profile reads more like an executive leadership profile, encompassing industry thought leadership, core leadership traits, and committee experience.
Working with top executive resume writing firms can help. To find out how we can get your board documents and LinkedIn profile ready for submission, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.
