Serving on a board allows you to use the whole of your career to provide value and strategic guidance to a company. While companies previously focused on older, retired CEOs or CFOs, a more modern take is to seek the expertise required to reach the next phase as a company. Beyond your functional expertise, learn what boards are looking for as they evaluate you as a board director.
Our successful board candidates come from various backgrounds, but the majority have C-suite or VP experience. We encourage you to read Tips for board seekers. The Board Support team advises that most companies want proof of strong operational experience in senior management positions and can articulate their differentiated expertise concisely. A strong CV will make it easier to highlight where your career path has led you. Let Athena Help you create one.
How do I know if I would I be a good fit for this position?
The match percentage on the Opportunity page is a good way to gauge whether you'd be a fit at a glance, but it's not a perfect metric. The match percentage is calculated based on how the criteria listed in the Match Analysis matches your experience listed in your Profile, so it's important to make sure your profile is complete.
Note: Every posting company weighs the importance of different criteria manually For example, some may value experience in 'industry' over 'business model', hence altering your percentage match and making you seem like more or less of a match than the strict metrics imply.
If you have further questions about a particular opportunity, reach out to [email protected] for assistance.
Do all of your board candidates have C-suite experience?
No, they come from various backgrounds, but the majority do have C-suite or VP experience. Read Tips for board seekers for more details. The Board Support team advises that most companies want proof of strong operational experience in senior management positions. A strong CV will make it easier to highlight where your career path has led you. Let Athena Help you create one.
Am I too old to apply for a corporate board seat?
Aspiring board members often count themselves out because they feel like they don’t fit the desired criteria perfectly. For some, their stumbling block may be their age. Older board directors generally have more experience, stronger intuition, a vaster network, and more time to dedicate towards their service. In this blog post, we share actionable tips to launch your board journey at any age. We encourage you to still apply to any board opportunity where you feel that you are a strong match with their requirements as every company is different.
I have a consulting background. Will this make it more difficult to land a board seat?
Many of our members have consulting backgrounds, and this can be a challenge at times, but also a major asset. Boards tend to like people who can bring perspectives from a variety of different businesses, and this is something that consultants offer in abundance. Athena's coaches and Branded Career Portfolio writers are there to guide you through positioning yourself and making the most of your diverse background. It is always a plus when consultants are able to offer names of specific clients, although we know this is not always possible.