How to Become a Non-Executive Director and Enhance Your Career

If you are coming to the end of your career, planning a career break or just want to change up your work routine without moving jobs then pursuing a role as a Non-Executive Director (NED) or a Board Advisory role could be the answer.

The wonderful thing about NED roles is that provide an interesting way to use your skills and experiences to help a company grow and become more successful. Many NED role holders will tell you that the gratification they get from these positions is well worth the time allocation as well as getting to use your knowledge in a positive way. Keen to achieve a career as a Non-Executive Director? We’ve shared some simple strategies you can employ to get started, check them out now.

Think About the People in Your Network

For any NED role , being able to network successfully is the key as most of these positions are shared through professional and personal networks rather than advertised directly. This means that you will need to think about expanding your networks in areas that interest you the most so that you can find NED roles as they are shared.

The good news is that there are many professional networks that you can use to expand your horizons! Start with your current and past employment networks and don’t forget to use online networks like LinkedIn too!

Be Open to New Ideas

NED roles can be daunting as they require you to use the depth of your knowledge for the best interests of the company you will be representing. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to come to the role with all the knowledge in place already.

In fact, it is important to be open to new learning so that you can properly prepare for the role before you start. Think about governance, financial and risk management, sustainability, leadership, and growth and be honest about where your current knowledge requires work. If you feel confident that you have the academic understanding, then don’t forget to stay up to date on current trends in your chosen industry!

Be Prepared to Try and Try Again

As NED roles are so popular, you may find that it takes a multitude of attempts before you are able to successfully achieve one. Many people find NED roles exciting and as they can support your progress or help you keep a hand in the industry that interests you, there will be many other competing for the same position.

One way to work around this is to consider roles that are pro-bono or time-limited as this will help to develop your experience, making you far more valuable for future NED roles that you apply for.

Know What You Have to Offer

As with any type of job, remembering what you specifically have to offer is the best way to show off your potential. The same can be said for NED roles, as long as you take the time to find out what they are looking for. Think about the organization you want to work with, what they offer and how they sell themselves and then take that back to your own skills to find the alignment.

If you cannot find the alignment you want to sell yourself with, take the time to gain further experience or consider pivoting to a different NED role that is in greater alignment with your skills and experiences.

Get a Critical Friend

When it comes to applying for a NED role, you will need to carefully evaluate your resume as well as your skills and experiences in order to sell yourself in the best possible way. Rather than trying to do that all by yourself, seek experts in the field to hone your offer.

At GeneCoda?, our knowledge of recruitment is second to none and we have insights in the Life Sciences industry that can help you achieve the NED role you are looking for. Take some time to get in touch for additional information or with appointing a NED role for your company.

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