During the interview for a seat on the board, the panel will inquire about your board readiness and how you can bring value to the company. Boards are looking for candidates who have an extensive knowledge in their industry with a wide-ranging perspective and particular skills that will be able to complement the existing Corporate Board board members.
You should be prepared to share examples of strategic decisions that you have made at the board or in committees. You are likely to be questioned about your ethics and governance.
In addition the panel may take questions from you regarding your views on the company’s strategy and its competitive position as well as your views regarding the latest trends in the market. You should be prepared to answer these questions in a clear and convincing manner that will give the interviewers an accurate idea of what you think.
You can expect the interviewers to inquire about your leadership manner, how you collaborate with other people in a team setting and whether there are any conflicts of interest could arise in the boardroom. You should be aware of all possible conflicts and be able to explain what you’ll do in case in the event of an emergency.
Be prepared for a lengthy screening process. Director searches can be the same amount of time as searches for CEOs and boards typically proceed in a deliberate, incremental manner.