The board of a company must be convinced that the new employee is a suitable match for the company before they approve the appointment. The interview is an important part of the hiring process.
Board members are interested in hearing from candidates about their relevant skills and experience that make them appropriate for the job with a particular focus on the value they offer. Interviewers often ask questions to check the candidate’s understanding of the difficult and complex issues a board member might face.
They’ll also need an understanding of how a candidate handles conflict and how he or can effectively communicate with others on the board with respect. It’s also normal for boards to inquire of the candidate how they would handle specific topics such as shareholder engagement, potential conflicts of interest and the need to ensure that the business is operating in a responsible and ethical manner.
Most often, companies offer an array of pre-read material for applicants to read prior to the interview. It is more than the mere glance to gain a complete understanding of the company’s operations and its C-suite executives and board members along with the dynamics of the industry and the major risks. Deb DeHaas is a two-term board member of a publicly traded company, and the chief executive officer of the Corporate Leadership Center. She says that listening to Corporate Board CEOs speak with analysts and investors is the best way to prepare. She advises that candidates must be able explain why they are interested in the company, their product, or its challenges and how they can solve these problems.
