Careers
Becoming a Board Member
Due Diligence
- +–Ask the Search Committee
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- What are the organization's major issues and needs?
- What documents should I review?
- How do you orient new directors?
- Am I able to meet with the CEO, CFO and other directors during this process? Are there others with whom you suggest I meet?
- +–Ask the Independent Directors
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- What is the organization's management style?
- What is the culture of the board?
- What is the current succession plan for executive management?
- What external sources do you use for industry/company performance?
- How much time do you spend with managers not on the board?
- +–Ask the CEO
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- What do you hope I will contribute?
- Can I see the last 3 board packages?
- Over the next 3 years, what is the best - and worst - that can happen for the business?
- Who is your most dangerous competitor - why?
- What do you take to the board for approval?
- What succession plan is in place for your position?
- Is the organization engaged in any significant legal action?
- What is your leadership style, and how is the organization managed?
- Were there any significant accounting adjustments resulting from last year's audit?
- Are there any major blocks of stock represented on the board? If so, what are their objectives?
- +–Ask the CFO
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- What is your approach to the treatment of major accounting policies?
- What is your level of interaction with the board?
- What is the organization's relationship with its outside auditor?
- How do you evaluate the Audit Committee's work?
- How do you think my background would add to the board's effectiveness?
- What is your evaluation of the board's understanding of the organization's financial statements?
- What is your evaluation of the organization’s leaders understanding of the organization's financial statements?
- +–Ask Yourself Before Joining a Non-Profit Board
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- Why am I interested in this cause?
- Why is this the right organization for me? Is the organization at the right stage for me to add value?
- How will I contribute to the organization, in terms of time, expertise and/or philanthropically?
- What do I hope to gain from being on this board?
Start Networking
Start by identifying potential sectors where your skills would be needed and then create a list of organizations and their directors.
- Let the word out - inform your network of your interest in joining a board
- Leverage family/friend connections and ask them to speak on your behalf
- Add a sentence to your LinkedIn Summary about the type of board opportunity that interests you
- Seek out CEOs, board members, organizational leaders, and investors who could be helpful. Then, develop a strategy to connect with them (through industry meetings, informal networks, LinkedIn, charitable organizations, etc.)
- Search for fellow alumni in the HBS Alumni Resume Book who have relevant board experience
- Identify and contact executive search firms (see list below)
Increase Your Visibility
- Sell yourself as an expert - get published, get quoted, give speeches, serve on panels, etc.
- Invest in the organization
- Consult (preferably for the desired organization)
- Volunteer to serve on a non-profit board
Making Corporate Boards More Effective
Showcase Your Value
- +–Highlight Relevant Expertise
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- Board experience - for-profit or non-profit
- Fundraising experience
- Industry knowledge and contacts
- M&A experience
- IPO experience
- Experience running a company or mentoring start-ups
- Marketing, financial, or technical expertise
- Risk management experience
- +–Resume Tips
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Your resume should include a Summary section that highlights your attributes relevant to a board role, as opposed to a management role. The rest of your resume should reflect these characteristics and key aspects of your brand. As you update your resume, consider the differences between a resume for a job and a resume for a board seat.
- Capabilities (vs. accomplishments)
- Experience (vs. companies)
- Value you bring to a board (vs. titles)
Demonstrate how your skills and network can benefit the board by introducing new customers/clients, strategic alliances, international opportunities, and/or new technologies.
- +–Board Bio Template
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Interested in joining a board of directors? In addition to your resume, you will also need a board bio to showcase how your background and expertise will add value to the existing board. A board bio is typically one page including a headshot and four to five paragraphs that highlight your accomplishments, skills, and credibility.
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to handle complexity and ambiguity
- Integrity
- Independent mindedness
- Collaboration
- Financial competence
- Focus on shareholder and stakeholder satisfaction
- Commitment to the mission (nonprofit board)
Nonprofit Board Service
- +–Contacts at HBS
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Looking for support as you navigate joining a board for the first time or to explore expanding your impact through continued board service? HBS is eager to help through our Career Coaching Program and the resources provided by the Social Enterprise Initiative.
- Career Coaches: Betsy Edwards, Meredith Hamilton, Kristin Brennan, and Ellen Harris
- Social Enterprise Initiative: Amelia Angella, Associate Director for Alumni Engagement
- +–Introduction to the role of a nonprofit board member
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- Board Source: Leading resource to inspiring board leadership and empower boards
- Bridgespan: Nonprofit Board Resource Center: Curated list of resources and articles
- Joining a Nonprofit Board: What You Need to Know by HBS Professor F. Warren McFarlan
- +–Resources for Increased Impact
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- Leading With Intent: BoardSource Index of Nonprofit Board Best Practices
- Board Roles, Responsibilities and Resources: National Council of Nonprofits
- MBA Executive Education for nonprofit excellence exists at many institutions including HBS and HKS including: Governing for Nonprofit Excellence, Accelerating Board Capacity for School District Board Members, and Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations.
- +–Nonprofit Board Matching and Search Resources
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- Boardnet USA: Nonprofit board matching platform
- BoardSource: Board Posting and Matching by Region
- National Council on Nonprofits: Research and find organizations that align with your interests by topic and/or region
- Websites such as Charity Navigator, Guidestar and Idealist.org can also offer resources and insight to organizations by topic including issue area and region.
- +–HBS Specific Resources
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- Local Alumni Club offer nonprofit board recruitment fairs, regional board summits and other networking events. Contact your local club to learn more.
“Most board positions result from a win/win for both parties.”
“Most board positions result from a win/win for both parties.”