Quorum Live: Preparing Your LinkedIn for Corporate Board Roles

At our recent Quorum Live event, we explored strategies for increasing the visibility of women on corporate boards. Moderated by Julie Livingston for Quorum, the discussion featured two distinguished experts: Debra Boggs, Founder and CEO of D&S Executive Career Management, and Michelle Merritt, Chief Strategy Officer at D&S Executive Career Management. They shared actionable insights on how women can optimize their LinkedIn presence and position themselves as strong board candidates.

Optimizing LinkedIn for Board Candidacy

LinkedIn is often the first place recruiters and board members look for potential candidates. Debra Boggs outlined three critical elements for optimizing a LinkedIn profile:

• Content: Clearly articulate your board aspirations and strategic expertise.
• Optimization: Use relevant keywords and an effective headline to appear in searches.
• Visual Presence: A professional headshot, well-designed background banner image (area behind your headshot), and curated Featured section enhance credibility.

Michelle Merritt emphasized the importance of keeping headshots up to date, recommending an update every 18 months. She also advised against using selfies and stressed the need for professional, high-quality images.

Engaging Effectively on LinkedIn

Beyond an optimized profile, engagement plays a vital role in visibility. Debra Boggs encouraged candidates to actively comment on posts, share insights, and connect with industry leaders. Michelle added that board candidates should focus on content relevant to governance, leadership, and industry trends.

Crafting a Strong Headline and About Section

A LinkedIn headline should clearly define expertise and board aspirations. Instead of vague descriptions like “aspiring board member,” use precise industry terms and relevant keywords.

For the About section, Debra Boggs recommended:

• A compelling opening that highlights board readiness.
• Readable formatting with short paragraphs and bullet points.
• First-person writing for a personal touch.
• Key skills and industry-specific terms to enhance searchability.

Maximizing LinkedIn Features

The Featured section should serve as a professional highlight reel, showcasing key achievements such as awards, published articles, or media features.

The Skills section plays a crucial role in profile visibility. Michelle Merritt advised selecting skills that align with board competencies, such as strategy, governance, and financial oversight.

When structuring the Experience section, Debra noted that LinkedIn profiles should complement resumes rather than replicate them. Focus on board-relevant achievements rather than exhaustive career details.

Breaking into the Boardroom

Landing the first board seat can be the biggest challenge. Debra recommended leveraging advisory board positions or industry committees as steppingstones to corporate boards. Michelle pointed out that while nonprofit board roles offer valuable experience, they don’t always translate into corporate board opportunities unless they involve fiduciary responsibilities.

LinkedIn Settings & Verification

Michelle advised enabling the “Open to Recruiters” setting rather than the “Open to Work” banner, which may not be ideal for board candidates. Additionally, LinkedIn’s verification feature adds credibility and helps distinguish candidates from those with similar names. She also suggests customizing your LinkedIn URL as a means of setting yourself apart.

Final Takeaways

Both experts emphasized that LinkedIn activity is public, so board candidates should engage strategically, avoiding controversial topics and maintaining a professional presence.

For ongoing insights into executive job searches and board candidacy, connect with Debra Boggs and Michelle Merritt on LinkedIn.

Stay tuned for more thought leadership events from Quorum Initiative as we continue to support women in achieving boardroom success!