You’ve put in a lot of effort to secure an interview for a seat on a corporate board networking, creating your profile and elevator pitch, alerting your professional networks of your desire to join the board and finally securing that sought-after interview. This is a milestone on your journey to the board and you should be satisfied that you made it this far. The interview is only one of the many steps you’ll have to complete on your way to a board seat.
The interview offers the company a chance to determine if you will bring value to their business and help them meet their the strategic goals. During the interview the company will ask you questions about your experiences and background in order to assess your leadership skills. They may also discuss the nature of their board and how you’ll fit in with existing members.
It is essential to prepare for the interview by understanding your unique value proposition (BVP). You must be aware of what differentiates you from other candidates and how you can add value to the company. This BVP should be at the forefront of your thoughts throughout the entire interview. It is also important to be aware of any conflicts of interests you might have, which could prevent you from becoming a board member. Having this information will allow you to address these issues in a manner that is informed to the interviewers.