The company’s board has to be convinced that a new employee is a suitable match for the company before they can approve the appointment. This is why the interview is a crucial element of the procedure.

Board members want to hear candidates speak about their relevant skills and experiences that make them well suitable for the job with a focus on the value they can offer. Interviewers often ask questions to assess the candidate’s knowledge of the complex and difficult issues that a board member may have to deal with.

In turn, they will also want to understand how the candidate handles conflict and how they can effectively communicate with other board members in a respectful manner. Boards frequently ask candidates how they would take on specific topics such as shareholder involvement and possible conflicts of interest. They are also interested in knowing if the candidate is ethical and responsible.

A lot of companies offer the opportunity to read a set of pre-read documents for applicants to read prior to interview. It takes more than just a quick glance to gain a deeper understanding of the company and its current board of directors and C-suite executives, the industry’s dynamics, and the most important risks. Deb DeHaas is a two-term board member of a public company and chief executive officer of the Corporate Leadership Center. She says that listening to CEOs’ conversations with analysts and investors is the best method to prepare. She adds that it’s important for candidates to be able to articulate why the company or its product, or the challenges it faces are intriguing to them and how their experience can help them solve those problems.

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