Consistency is the key for an effective board, and that means getting succession planning right. If a board member steps down, you need to be sure that the right people are ready to take over and get things going. Also, if you want to add someone to your board, you need to make sure they have the skills and experience to move the board forward.
There is no better way to find out if someone will be a good fit for the job than to talk to them. And by asking the right board member interview questions, you’ll be able to see which candidates have the skills to work with your board to keep it effective or even make it better.
To make sure you hire the right person for the job, this article gives you a list of questions to ask the board of directors during an interview.
Getting asked to join an advisory board is a huge honor It means a company sees you as an expert in your field and values your insight But before you can reap the rewards of being on the board, you have to ace the interview.
I’ll walk you through the 15 most common advisory board interview questions, with tips on how to crush each one. With my advice you’ll sound knowledgeable engaging and make a great impression. Let’s dive in!
Why Are You Interested in Our Organization?
This question gets right to the heart of why you want to be on the advisory board. The interviewer wants to know that you’re genuinely excited about their mission and goals.
When answering, be specific about why their organization appeals to you. Talk about how your values and expertise align with their work. Share any personal experiences that make their cause meaningful to you. Convey passion and enthusiasm for what they do. This will show you’re invested in their success.
What Do You Know About Us?
Before the interview, thoroughly research the organization’s history, mission, values, goals and current projects. Then you can knowledgeably discuss their work and why you’re drawn to it.
Talk about specifics like their founding, growth over the years, impact on the community, challenges they face and recent initiatives. This shows you took the time to understand what they do versus just generally liking their cause.
What Experience Do You Have That Is Related to Our Mission?
This question is your chance to connect your background directly to how you can help the organization. Walk through your career highlights and expertise that apply to their goals. Give examples of relevant projects you led or skills you can offer.
You want to paint a picture of how your knowledge and experience make you a perfect fit to advise them. Get specific about how you can contribute to their particular needs based on your strengths.
What Fundraising Experience Do You Have?
Many advisory boards assist with fundraising and securing financial resources. So the interviewer wants to know you can help with this key responsibility. Discuss any experience you have with fundraising, applying for grants or managing budgets.
Ideally, share examples of amounts you helped raise or successful grants you secured. Quantifying your fundraising impact makes your experience more compelling. If you lack direct experience, talk about your skills that can translate, like relationship building.
What Connections or Contacts Can You Contribute?
Advisory board members are chosen partly for who they know. The interviewer is gauging if you can connect them to potential partners, donors, media/PR, talent and other helpful contacts.
Discuss your network and who in it could benefit the organization. For example, mention if you know founders of aligned nonprofits, journalists at major publications or executives at Fortune 500 companies. Namedrop impressive connections that get the interviewer excited about your relationships.
How Much Time Will You Be Able to Contribute?
Advisory boards require a commitment of your time for meetings, advice, events andactivities. The interviewer wants to make sure you can fully participate.
Be honest about your schedule. If your calendar is packed, talk about how you will prioritizecarving out time for board duties. Share how the board fits with your career plans andgoals for community involvement. Demonstrate you are ready to dedicate the time neededto contribute meaningfully.
What Unique Value Will You Add to Our Board?
With this question, the interviewer wants to understand what makes you stand out compared to other candidates. What do you bring to the table that no one else does?
Talk about your specialized expertise, unique background and uncommon connections. Share a perspective you have that they are lacking. Give examples ofvalue you added on other boards or in past roles. Convey what differentiates you and gets them excited to work with you specifically.
How Do You Handle Disagreements and Conflicts?
There will inevitably be disagreements on the board. So the interviewer wants to know you can handle conflict maturely. Discuss how you approach disagreements and your philosophy on handling them.
Emphasize listening first to understand others’ perspectives. Talk about finding compromise and win-win resolutions. Share how you separate emotions from facts. Convey that you tackle issues directly, respectfully and collaboratively. Demonstrate you’re a team player who won’t create drama.
What’s Your Communication and Feedback Style?
Board members must communicate clearly and give constructive feedback. So the interviewer is assessing how you operate in those areas.
Describe your communication style and how you deliver feedback effectively. Talk about being concise, direct and thoughtful in your approach. Share that you welcome diverse opinions and tailor your style to individuals. Convey that you give feedback constructively, focusing on improvement. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal abilities.
How Do You Stay On Top of Industry Trends and Developments?
The organization depends on the advisory board to offer informed, cutting-edge guidance. So they want members who make staying current a priority.
Discuss how you follow industry news and breakthroughs. Talk about reading trade journals, attending conferences, taking classes and networking with other experts. Share how you incorporate the latest knowledge into your work. Position yourself as actively developing your expertise.
What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing Our Industry Right Now?
Here the interviewer wants to assess your industry insights specific to their field. Thoroughly research the current landscape of their niche before the interview.
Then discuss the main obstacles and trends shaping their work right now. Demonstrate your depth of knowledge around the issues directly affecting them. Share ideas for how to respond to the current challenges facing their industry.
Where Do You See This Organization in Five Years?
Advisory board members take a strategic view of the organization and where it’sheaded. So the interviewer wants your vision for the future.
Based on your knowledge, share your outlook for the organization in the coming years. Talk about growth you see happening, new programs or offerings to launch and goals to work towards. Tie it back to industry trends and how the organization can respond. Convey an aspirational but realistic vision for their evolution over time.
Why Should We Pick You Over Other Candidates?
Similar to highlighting your unique value, the interviewer wants you to set yourself apart here. Why are you the best fit for the role compared to others?
Summarize why your background, skillset and connections make you the right choice. Talk about assets others likely don’t offer. Share your passion for their mission. Convey what excites you about contributing and how you will go above and beyond expectations. Leave them feeling 100% confident in choosing you.
Do You Have Any Questions for Us?
Always prepare strong questions to ask at the end. It shows your engagement and interest in the role.
Ask about challenges the board is focused on this year, metrics for success, desired qualifications for members, expectations for your first 30/60/90 days and how they like to work with advisors. Listen closely to get helpful insights.
The complete list of board member interview questions
Use these questions in your board interviews to discover more about the suitability of board candidates.
- Why are you interested in serving on our board?
- What interests you most about our organisation’s mission?
- How would you make sure that your personal values are in line with the core values of the organization?
- What experience do you have that makes you qualified to be on our board?
- How do you view the role of a board member?
- Can you share some examples of your leadership experience?
- Have you been on a board before? If so, could you tell me about your time there and what you brought to it?
- What knowledge, skills, and points of view could you bring to our board?
How many people should be involved in the interview process?
Two to four people, like current board members or key stakeholders, should ideally be in the interview to get different points of view.
Top 4 Questions to Ask Prospective Board Members
FAQ
Why would I want to be on an advisory board?
What do you need to know about advisory boards?
What do board members need to know about the interview process?
Board members need to be clear that the interview process is not just a formality. Board members who refer candidates should be clear that if they are offered a nomination that they are being hired to take a job. Think beyond preparing a series of questions for the interview.
How do you answer a board of directors interview question?
A board of directors is a group project, so this question can help the interviewer determine how you will lead your fellow board members. Use examples from previous work or school projects to show that you are organized and able to collaborate with others.
Who is responsible for interviewing candidates for board vacancies?
Board members and committee members recommend or refer individuals to the designated nominating committee, which takes responsibility for interviewing candidates for board vacancies. Board members should not coach candidates to assume that they already have the position.
What makes a good board candidate interview?
The best board candidate interviews resemble a back and forth conversation where the candidate is interviewing you as much as you are interviewing them. The interview should focus on four main areas: Most interviews begin with a discussion about the person’s resume and background.
