Your guide for responding to an advertised board vacancy
Advertised board opportunities are often very popular and highly competitive. Even small organizations in regional areas can receive over 50 applicants, with more than half of them being qualified for the position. You must, therefore, prepare for a competitive board appointment process. My second board appointment came from an advertised vacancy, and many of our members have also been successfully appointed this way. Here are some key steps you should follow when responding to an advertised board vacancy.
Step 1 – Conduct Research
Most advertisements for board vacancies include a contact person, but fewer than half of all applicants reach out and make a call. Those that do often make the mistake of calling too early. It is essential that you conduct research before calling, even more so when a recruiter is handling the board vacancy. You usually only have one short chance to make an impression, and research is key to making a positive one.
So, before taking any further steps, it is essential to conduct research on the advertised board opportunity, the organization, and the recruiter or recruitment firm if one is involved. It is also essential to research the person who is listed as the contact. Sometimes, this is the recruiter, but often, it is the decision-maker (the Board Chair or Chair of the Nominations Committee) or someone else who might influence the appointment process. You must ascertain this person’s influence in the board appointment process. Many candidates have made the mistake of not preparing for this conversation, later realizing the contact person was crucial in the process.
Step 2 – Call the advertiser
The objective of the call is to be memorable and gather useful information for your board application. Make sure to stand out for the right reasons. Asking generic questions like ‘Can you tell me about the role?’ won’t leave a lasting impression. Instead, share insightful information gathered from your research. Show the value you can bring to the role and organization based on some of what you learned during your research. Demonstrate that you are proactive, informed, well-connected, with an understanding of their business/industry, qualified, and passionate about what they do.
Step 3 – Seek specific information
The second objective of the call is to gather specific information that will result in you submitting the strongest application possible—the sort of information that can set your application apart from the competition. For instance, it would be helpful to understand the board’s and organization’s challenges so you can focus on their specific needs rather than what you assume they need. It’s also important to determine what they truly seek in a successful candidate, which may not always be clearly stated in job advertisements.
Step 4 – Confirm what is required
The final object of the call is to confirm the specific application requirements and closing dates. This includes whether they require just a Board Resume, a Board Resume and Cover Letter, or more. If the decision-makers are overwhelmed with applications, not submitting all the documents can be a straightforward reason for your application not to make the first cut. Finish the call on a positive note by confirming your interest in the board vacancy and that you will be submitting a formal application.
Step 5 – Start writing your board application
When it comes to advertised board vacancies, I recommend starting early and submitting your application well before the closing date. This is important because if the advertiser is inundated with applications, they may close submissions early.
Make sure you use what you learned during your research and speaking with the advertiser to customize your board resume and board cover letter. I also recommend that you include a supporting statement that addresses each of the selection criteria listed in the advertisement.
In conclusion, responding to an advertised board vacancy requires careful research, proactive communication with the advertiser, and a customized board application. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of standing out from the competition and securing an interview and a position on the board. Remember, preparation is key, so take the time to gather information, ask insightful questions, and showcase your value to the board and organization. Good luck with your application!
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About the Author
David Schwarz is CEO & Founder of Board Appointments. He has over a decade of experience in putting people on boards as an international headhunter and recruiter. He has interviewed hundreds of directors and placed hundreds into some of the most significant public, private and NFP director roles in the world.
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