How to prepare for a Non-Executive Director interview

First off - congratulations on making it to the final list of candidates!

Preparing for a board or non-executive director (NED) interview is crucial if you want to make a strong impression. Unlike previous executive interviews, a NED interview requires a different level of preparation. Taking the right steps can help you confidently show the board why you are the best candidate and “dare them not to appoint you.”

Don’t fret if you are not naturally skilled at interviews. I can assure you that most people are not, simply because it’s not something we do regularly. In fact, for most, the interview stage is often the least enjoyable part of the board appointment process. However, it’s important to remember that it is also the most critical stage. By taking my advice on how to prepare for an NED interview, you will go in well-equipped and hopefully a little less anxious.

Why are NED interviews different?

Preparing for a board or NED interview requires a different approach, which starts with understanding how the interview will differ from another job interview you have attended. Board Interviews are unique and distinct in several significant ways, including:

• they focus on strategic thinking and strategic decision-making,
• they emphasise collaboration and teamwork,
• there is a far higher level of scrutiny and risk assessment required,
• the Chair is always key to the outcome.

NEDs are responsible for making critical strategic decisions that impact all stakeholders and the organisation’s future. The interview panel must ensure that the candidate they select has the necessary skills and experience to contribute at this level.

The successful candidate must be able to work closely with the other board members to achieve common goals and objectives. The interview panel needs to identify candidates who are team players and can work effectively in a collaborative management environment.

The potential risks associated with selecting a poor or inappropriate NED can be devastating to the organisation and other board members. The interview process will involve a higher level of scrutiny in order to reveal any potential risks.

Finally, you must consider the Chair’s significant role in the NED interview and selection process. The board chair will also make the final decision and sign off on any new board director appointment. He or she also has the added pressure of answering to internal and external stakeholders, including shareholders and the executive team.

Focus on what the interview panel is looking for

If you have made it to the NED Interview stage, you are there because the panel believes you are well qualified and capable of doing the role. Many NED candidates fail to realise this at interviews, spending time highlighting things that the panel already knows.

Going into the NED interview, you need to assume that all candidates being interviewed are capable of doing the job and that there is far more to being a notable NED than qualifications and skills. To stand out from the other candidates, you need to identify what the particular board and interview panel are likely looking for and what else you have to offer.

Conducting extensive research, talking to stakeholders and past board members, and the role’s specifications and selection criteria will help you gain a deeper understanding of what the board and interview panel are likely looking for. Additionally, this research will enable you to identify the unique qualities, experiences, knowledge and perspectives that you can bring to the role, which will help you stand out from other candidates.

What is it that boards look for?

There are primarily five things that Chairs and Appointing Bodies look for in a successful board candidate. They are:

1. Prior governance experience – having sat on or worked with boards
2. Executive skills – that are valuable at board level
3. Networks – that the board can leverage for strategic gain
4. Demonstrable passion – for the organisation, industry, sector or your contribution
5. Cultural fit – the alignment of values, goals, and interests

The first two should already be addressed in your application documents. This does not mean that they won’t ask you about them in an interview. But when preparing for an NED interview, assume they have read your NED application and CV.

The final three elements often translate poorly in written form; often, they need to be verbalised to be effectively articulated. They are also complemented by body language, style and approach. These three areas need most of your attention when preparing for your NED interview.

Must-dos to prepare for a NED interview

During NED interviews, I have repeatedly seen the most qualified candidates stumble and fail. They commonly fail because they do not demonstrate why they should be appointed over other equally qualified candidates. This primarily occurs due to a lack of preparation.

Here are a few things you MUST do in preparation for your board interview:

1) Research the role

Just do it. I know it is time-consuming and may require you to reach out to people you have never had conversations with but of work, but if you want to get appointed, research is just so important. I focus on research a lot, not only because this is the element that will make a difference during the interview but also because it often leads to new opportunities.

For example, here is some advice I recently gave one of my clients. He was applying for a paid Aged Care NED role. Aged Care was one of his target industries. He was well qualified and presented well. It was a competitive process, and I made it to the final panel interviews along with two other candidates. We knew that he needed to stand out.

He took my advice, booked a flight and visited the organisation’s locations. He spoke with staff, clients, and suppliers, he ‘kicked the bricks’ of the buildings, he did mystery shopping, and he spoke with past NEDs. He did everything he needed to do to separate himself from his competitors. And it worked. How do we know? Because he is now on the board and reviewed all of the reports from the final panel interviews. His competitors were as experienced as he was, but the research he did made a difference and impressed them to the point where he was the obvious choice.

You need to make an effort – or someone else will.

2) Understand who is interviewing you

This information is usually available from the person coordinating the recruitment process or listed as the contact for the role. Most of the time, it will be the Chair, but it could also be other board members, a recruiter, or an HR specialist. It is essential that you know whom you will see and need to impress during the NED interview.

Knowing who will interview you means you can research them. You should consider their role on or with the board. Also, look at whether they hold any other NED roles, their executive background, their interests, and, importantly, what commonalities you may have – including who you might know in common.

Once you have this information, developing rapport with the interviewer(s) is far easier. You do this for two reasons:

1. Studies have found that the more an interviewer likes you, the more likely they are to hire or recommend you, and
2. Remember the fourth and fifth elements of what Chairs look for—demonstrable passion and cultural fit. Essentially, they will select people known by others who can demonstrate they are not a risk and are passionate about what they do.

Your research into the NED interview panellists does all this. It will allow you to reference commonalities and show how connected you are. It will endear you to the interviewing panel and demonstrate an authentic passion for the role and the board.

Finally

Don’t be held back because you don’t like interviews or feel you are no good at them. Few are. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Like everything in life, prior preparation, practice and learning from your mistakes prevent poor performance. Additionally, practice common interview questions and prepare thoughtful and concise responses. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual NED interview. You can also consider conducting mock interviews with a trusted friend or mentor who can provide feedback and help you improve your interviewing skills.

If you are struggling to be shortlisted and make it to a NED interview, our Executive Membership program will help you find and select the right board roles to apply for and give you the tools to stand out during the entire application process.