Interviews aren’t something we do regularly. So, most of us require immaculate preparations, especially when it comes to high-level positions.
It takes a seasoned executive to reach a board interview. The good part is that they have already had their fair share of interviews throughout their career.
However, the catch is that board interviews are not akin to executive interviews. So, the experience might help, but it takes another level of preparation to nail the interview for that role.
The article offers valuable insights that will enable you to present yourself, most effectively, as the board member you aspire to be.
Pro Tips/Guidelines to Ace Your Board Interview
When it comes to the board interview, rest assured that the panel is already aware of your career trajectory and accomplishments.
So, unlike most executive interviews, which center around your past achievements and journey, board interviews take into account your abilities concerning future strategies.
The focus is on how useful a guide you will be to the company.
1. Is this the Right Opportunity?
You can’t be your best in any job if it doesn’t fuel your passion from within.
The board plays a critical role in enhancing a company’s and its executives’ performance. Exceptional board members are those who have a deep commitment to furthering the organization’s goals and supporting the CEO and the team.
The detailed knowledge you acquire will help you figure out if your interests and goals are aligned. Ask yourself questions like –
- What aspects of this (company, service, board, industry) interest you the most?
- How is your passion and vision aligned with them?
- Why do you want to join the board of this particular company?
Board service is a long commitment. And beyond gaining financial and professional achievements, you would want to know if it’s a meaningful return on your time and efforts.
Pro Tip – One way to connect with other members and get answers to your questions is – to ask them what they like or enjoy most about this company and their board service.
2. Be Inquisitive and Informed
What is the one thing that makes board members effective in their jobs?
Their ability to ask thought-provoking and captivating questions.
If you take this approach – it will help you in two ways. One, it will let everyone know you have thoroughly researched your role and the company. Second, you will present yourself in alignment with your end goal, i.e., how you will engage when you actually have a board seat.
One very effective way to showcase your strength and value is by exactly being what you are interviewing for – a valuable board member. The insightful and well-informed queries will demonstrate the worth you intend to bring to the managerial hierarchy.
Note – Remember not to offer unsolicited suggestions, as the platform is an opportunity only to explore.
3. Sweat in the Practice As Much As You Can
Conduct extensive online and in-person research regarding the company and the industry. Do a thorough SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis.
Find out about the stakeholders, clients, competitors, employees, etc.
Review the website, research reports, news articles, social media handles, annual reports, SEC filings, etc., or any other available document thoroughly. Find the makeup of the company and its executives. For instance, learn about the events they are attending and what they are speaking on or posting.
You can also take first-hand experience by interacting with clients/other customers and separating yourself from other prospects/competitors. Other candidates might have the same experience as you. So, it’s your research regarding your role, board, and the company that will stand you out.
The information will help in the following ways –
- Pose detailed and insightful questions in the interview.
- Tailor your responses most effectively.
- Showcase your strategic business acumen.
- Demonstrate the necessary skills, experience, and industry knowledge.
Pro Tip – Keep a goal of preparing at least a dozen impactful questions for the interview process.
4. Acquire Knowledge About the Board
Gain as much knowledge as you can about the composition of the board – list of independent/executive directors, board makeup, executive team structure, etc.
The goal is to familiarize yourself with things like –
- What each individual brings to the table – their skill sets and experiences.
- What is the current ecosystem of competencies?
- Backgrounds and role within the board and the organization.
This knowledge about each key individual will help you gain an understanding of the potential gaps within the structure the board may be seeking to fill.
It will also serve as grounds to find commonalities (any common/shared interests) that can help you later in the interview.
Pro Tip – Demonstrate traits like open-mindedness, trustworthiness, collaboration, and curiosity. Board chemistry is sensitive, and the members deal with critical issues. They should know that you are respectful of their opinions and experiences and can be banked upon.
5. How Available Will You Be?
Another important thing to consider in the board interview would be your availability. The interviewers would want to know how efficiently you will be giving your time and energy to the company, which includes-
- Reviewing board materials before meetings.
- Current developments in the industry.
- Key trends affecting the business, like emerging technology.
It’s imperative to enquire about time commitments during the interview. Along with planned time (schedule meetings), know that board members need to allocate unplanned time as well in events like corporate crises, M&A, lead-up to an IPO, etc.
Talk about how you will allocate your time to stay informed and current about the business and the industry.
6. Harbor the Mindset of a Director and Not an Operator
Corporate governance has a famous phrase to describe an efficient board member – Noses In, Fingers Out.
Your role wouldn’t be to manage or operate but to bring a neutral and objective outlook that influences. As a board member, you will serve as a trusted consultant and advisor and not as a contributing member of the management.
It would be wise to be prepared for this with examples from the past. Demonstrate your ability to think non-judgmentally – as an outside observer.
If you haven’t had much exposure to the boardroom setting or aren’t too clear about how you are supposed to operate – meet people with experience and enquire what it means to bring oversight and governance over operational caliber.
7. Take Help of EI
Emotional intelligence (EI) and soft skills are valuable attributes for a board member. These traits can be as important as critical thinking and other judgment abilities and might help you in the selection process.
You will come across as someone who can effectively work with others and navigate difficult roads with a positive mindset.
Ways to demonstrate the traits-
- Show empathy and compassion
- Active and reflective listening
- Maintain calm and composure under pressure
- Demonstrate humility and self-awareness (an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses).
- Adapt according to the situation.
- Acknowledge people’s perspectives.
A Brief List of Questions to Ask During the Interview
You may think of a lot of questions regarding the company, its strategies, market, customers, competitors, business model, policies, etc., during your research.
However, if you still have trouble getting started, here’s our list of questions that can help.
a). To Get to Know the Board Culture and Structure
The sample questions below will help you figure out the culture and operational style of the company.
- Could you elaborate on the board’s culture? (Ask everyone separately, if possible).
- What Board committees are in place, and which will you be considered to join?
- Frequency and format of the meetings.
- How does the board stay updated with the company’s developments?
- How does the board interact with the CEO and others in the company?
b). To Get to Know the Company
It will help you gather information regarding the company.
- What are the strategic goals for the coming years?
- What are the biggest challenges, risks, threats, and opportunities?
- What are the funding structures and revenue sources?
- What is the relationship between the management and the board?
c). To Get to Know the Competency Gaps
Evaluate what they are seeking from their next board member.
- What is the process of performance evaluation?
- What is missing from the current setup?
d). To Know the Process and Timeline
Board interviews don’t require urgent position fills. Understand the process and the timeline to set your expectations and follow up accordingly.
- What is the timeline?
- What will the process be?
e). To Get Answers Regarding Personal Concerns
Get an idea about issues that might concern you.
- What is the organizational culture like?
- Legal concerns to know of?
- What other candidates have enquired about that I missed?
- Is there any indemnity and insurance policy to protect the directors from legal liabilities?
A Few Common Questions the Interviewer Can Ask
- Can you elaborate on an event where you experienced a conflict of interest and how you handled that?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why do you think you are a fit for us?
How Presentations Can Help Ace Board Interviews
Preparing a presentation for your board interview can be a great idea for the following reasons:
- Presenting will help you demonstrate your skill set in a more structured and engaging format. You can showcase your strength as a speaker and how efficient you are in consolidating and presenting ideas and information.
- You can elaborately present your past achievements, major projects, and the value you will bring to the company in the current role.
- By putting in effort to create a catchy presentation, you will demonstrate your enthusiasm and seriousness for the role, which can create a positive impact on other members (interview panel).
- A well-crafted presentation can make your interview more memorable and engaging by captivating the audience.
- It will give you a boost over competitors. Your presentation will differentiate you from other prospects (with or without a presentation). Create your presentation in such a way that it makes everyone see why you are the best fit for the job.
Useful Tip: Consider using pre-designed PPT templates to make your presentations more insightful, cohesive, appealing, and professional-looking. With these decks, you just need to focus on the content instead of worrying about design.
A Few Things to Remember
- Watch interview videos of other people for reference.
- Your interview presentation should be concise, relevant, and tailored to the job. It should be designed around how your skills, experience, expertise, and expectations align with the role and the company.
- Flip roles and think like the interviewer to get more effective in your responses.
- Focus on effective body language and dress appropriately.
- Don’t use unnecessary jargon to sound smart.
- Keep a copy of your resume for each member of the panel.
- Address people by name and look in their eyes to make connections.
- Check if you have any conflict of interest (agreement with an employer, financial obligations, etc.) that might affect your ability to make objective and impartial decisions on the board and make it known.
- The panel mostly looks for these five things in a candidate – corporate governance experience (past board experience), executive skills, network, passion, and cultural fit. Be ready to demonstrate your expertise and experiences in the interview.
- The process can take a backseat to more pressing business issues. So, don’t take the lack of follow-ups or conversation as a lack of interest. Sometimes, they are assessing the candidates during these unstructured conversations.
- A one-on-one can turn into a panel interview or vice-versa. So, be flexible in your preparations.
- It might so happen that your inclinations towards the board and the company might change as you go deeper into the interview process. Take the process seriously, as it will help you determine whether this is the place for you.
- Practice as much as you can with your mentors and prepare for questions. Interviewers might ask questions based on your presentation, so be prepared to provide detailed answers.
Board Interview Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t over-focus on one interviewer.
- Don’t avoid asking questions.
- Refrain from criticizing previous colleagues and employers.
- Try not to come across as overconfident.
- Don’t miss following up.
In a Nutshell
Do a thorough research before you set out for your board interview. Learn everything related to the company and its environment.
The detailed knowledge will fuel your curiosity and let you ask the right questions, leading to a great first impression as people will perceive you as resourceful.
Ponder the unique value you bring to the board and why they should include you. The focus is on attributes like strategic thinking and decision-making, teamwork, collaboration, etc., since the designation involves a high level of scrutiny and risks.
Connect with people who have served on boards and learn from their experience. Figure out the most effective ways they discovered to connect to the hierarchy within and outside of the boardroom. Take a leaf out of their book and nail your board interview.
