We’ve talked before about creating strategic CVs that go beyond checklists and show the value you bring. But in today’s market, your CV alone isn’t enough – and for Non-Executive Director (NED) and Board roles in social housing, LinkedIn isn’t optional. It’s often the first port of call for recruiters and search consultants after that CV lands on their desk.

Recruiters don’t just read your CV – most often the first result they see is your LinkedIn profile. In fact, 87 % of recruiters use LinkedIn to vet candidates and understand their career story before making contact.

Why LinkedIn Matters – Statistically and Practically

Here’s the reality:

• Around 72 % of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn to source talent, and those hires tend to be of higher quality than candidates found through other channels.
• Update frequency matters. During active career transitions – such as when you’re positioning for a NED or Board role – refreshing your profile every 2–3 weeks with meaningful changes keeps your visibility high without signalling desperation.
• Profiles with complete and up-to-date information are far more likely to appear in searches and attract the right decision-makers.

With around 310 million active users each month, LinkedIn isn’t going away. That means so many profiles are vying for attention that an outdated or half-finished LinkedIn presence can do more harm than good.

LinkedIn Is Your 24/7 Professional Front Door

Your CV tells a focused story for this role. Your LinkedIn profile tells a broader story for every possible opportunity – including those you don’t yet know about.

A strong LinkedIn profile:

• Reinforces your professional brand and personal narrative
• Signals your values, purpose and governance mindset
• Offers social proof via recommendations, endorsements and connections
• Ensures the language you use aligns with how recruiters search

Remember, LinkedIn isn’t just another version of your CV. It serves different audiences in different ways. A recruiter may be looking for:

• Keywords and skills that match their search filters
• Evidence of thought leadership (through posts, comments or articles)
• Endorsements and recommendations from respected peers
• Signals of engagement and professional credibility

These cues help them decide quickly whether to reach out or move on.

How to Update for Maximum Impact

Here’s how to ensure your LinkedIn profile isn’t just current but compelling:

1. Optimise your headline
   This appears in every search result and should be keyword-rich and role-relevant. Instead of just a title, think: NED, Governance & Social Housing Strategy | Board Leadership | Value-Driven Change.
2. Tell your story in the About section
   This is where you bring your personal brand to life. Make it narrative, not list. Connect experience to impact, values and future contribution.
3. Highlight measurable outcomes
   Quantifiable achievements – whether it’s growth, transformation, risk reduction or stakeholder engagement – help recruiters visualise how you perform at board level.
4. Be active and visible
   You don’t need to post every day, but sharing insights, commenting thoughtfully or showcasing experience through articles shows engagement and authority.
5. Keep it fresh
   If you’ve completed governance training, joined a committee, taken on a volunteer role, or spoken at an event, update – promptly.
6. Align with your CV
   Consistency across LinkedIn and your CV builds trust. If dates, roles or achievements don’t match, it raises unnecessary questions.

LinkedIn Isn’t Just for Executive Searches

Many people think LinkedIn is only for executive hires in corporate settings. It isn’t. Whether you’re targeting social housing boards, advisory groups, sector networks or voluntary directorships, LinkedIn is where recruiters and search partners look first – often before they even reach for your CV.

A highly crafted LinkedIn profile expands your reach beyond applications and ensures that opportunities come to you, not the other way around.

If you would like an informal conversation about a Non-Executive role in social housing, you can contact Anne Elliott at anne.elliott@emaconsultancy.org.uk