The Ultimate Guide to BNI Interview Questions

As an entrepreneur or a professional seeking to grow your business, joining a referral networking group like BNI (Business Network International) can be a game-changer. BNI is a business and professional referral organization with chapters worldwide, dedicated to helping members generate quality referrals and build valuable professional relationships. However, before you can become a part of this powerful network, you’ll need to go through an interview process.

The BNI interview is designed to assess your commitment, professionalism, and compatibility with the organization’s core values and principles. It’s an opportunity for both you and the chapter members to determine if it’s a good fit for everyone involved. To help you prepare for this crucial step, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide covering the most common BNI interview questions and what to expect.

Understanding the BNI Interview Process

The BNI interview process typically begins after you’ve submitted your membership application. Once your application is received, a chapter representative, often the Launch Director or the Membership Committee, will schedule an interview within 24 hours. The interview should be completed at the earliest opportunity, and you’ll be kept informed of the progress throughout the process.

During the interview, you’ll be asked a series of questions aimed at gauging your business experience, networking history, reasons for joining BNI, and commitment level. The interviewer will also explain the expectations and responsibilities of being a BNI member, ensuring that you fully understand the commitment required.

Common BNI Interview Questions

While the specific questions may vary from chapter to chapter, here are some of the most common BNI interview questions you can expect:

Getting to Know You

• What is your business?
• What is your professional classification?
• What aspects of your business do you enjoy the most?
• What are your favorite types of projects to work on?
• What parts of your business are the most profitable or rewarding to you?

Business Experience

• How long have you been in your current profession?
• What led you to start or get involved in your business?
• Is a license required for your industry? If yes, in which states are you licensed?
• What sets you apart from your competitors?
• What was the most memorable day in your profession?

Networking Experience

• Currently, where do you find most of your new clients?
• Have you ever participated in BNI or other networking organizations?
• Do you belong to any professional or trade organizations?
• Have you ever held a leadership role in an organization? If yes, what positions?

Reasons for Joining BNI

• How did you hear about BNI?
• Have you ever worked with or done business with anyone in the chapter before?
• Why did you decide to apply to BNI?
• What would you say are the strengths you bring to the BNI chapter?
• What do you expect to receive from BNI?

Commitment

BNI emphasizes the importance of commitment, as it’s a 52-week-per-year business activity. The interviewer will likely explain the significance of each commitment while asking the following questions:

• Will the meeting start time on a specific day each week pose any problems for your schedule?
• Are you able to arrive on time and stay through the entire meeting?
• If you cannot attend the meeting, would you be willing to send a substitute?
• During the Chapter Launch Process, all members must sponsor one new member. What is your ability to invite visitors?
• Are you willing to send invitations to the chapter kick-off event?
• If asked, would you be willing to serve on the Leadership Team?
• Are you willing to participate in the Member Success Program and Leadership Team Training?

The interviewer will also review and confirm your acceptance of expectations surrounding attendance, inviting, participation in trainings, and one-to-one meetings with members.

Additional Questions

In addition to the questions mentioned above, the interviewer may ask some of the following questions to gain a better understanding of your goals, mindset, and potential fit within the chapter:

• What about BNI appeals to you?
• Where do you see your business a year from now?
• Is BNI something you think could be good for your business?
• How do you think you can help the group?
• How is it that the group can help you grow your business?
• As a new member, are you open to having a mentor from the chapter?
• Our philosophy in BNI is “Givers Gain.” How would you implement this into your activity in BNI?
• Have you read the BNI Code of Ethics on the application? What are your thoughts about it?
• Do you see any conflicts with complying with this in your business practices?
• BNI has a referral confidence curve, and for some members, it can take 3, 6, 9 months or longer to generate referrals. Would this be a challenge for you?
• In BNI, if you are good at what you do and follow the system well, you will likely have success in getting referrals. Are you prepared for the referrals you may receive? In other words, can you scale your business to handle referrals?
• On a scale from 1 to 10, how committed are you to following the BNI program, including the training and one-to-one meetings with members?
• If you could wave a magic wand and grow your business in an incredible manner this year, what would that look like?
• How do you see our chapter helping you with this?
• How do you see yourself contributing to others’ “magic wands”?
• If accepted into the meeting, who do you think you could invite into the group from your network or contact sphere?
• What do you think you would contribute to this group if you were accepted?
• How do you feel we can contribute to you?
• How important is referral marketing in your business today?

Preparing for the BNI Interview

To make the best impression and increase your chances of being accepted into the chapter, it’s essential to prepare for the BNI interview. Here are some tips to help you get ready:

• Research BNI: Learn about the organization’s history, core values, and principles. Familiarize yourself with the BNI Code of Ethics and the importance of the “Givers Gain” philosophy.
• Practice answering questions: Review the common BNI interview questions and practice answering them out loud. This will help you articulate your responses clearly and confidently.
• Prepare questions: Have a few questions ready to ask the interviewer about the chapter, its members, and the expectations for new members.
• Dress professionally: First impressions matter, so dress professionally and appropriately for the interview.
• Bring necessary materials: Have copies of your resume, business cards, and any other relevant materials on hand.
• Arrive early: Plan to arrive at the interview location early to avoid any potential delays or stress.

Remember, the BNI interview is not just about answering questions; it’s also an opportunity for you to assess whether the chapter is the right fit for your business and networking goals.

After the Interview

Once the interview is complete, the chapter will review your application and the information gathered during the interview process. They may conduct reference checks and background research to ensure you meet the organization’s standards and requirements.

The Chapter Launch Director or a representative will communicate the application status with you before the next meeting. If accepted, you’ll be invited to attend the next meeting and provided with instructions on how to complete the onboarding process, which typically involves signing the Start-Up Member Expectations and submitting membership fees.

Conclusion

The BNI interview is a crucial step in joining this powerful referral networking organization. By understanding the common BNI interview questions and preparing accordingly, you can increase your chances of making a positive impression and securing your spot in the chapter. Remember, your commitment, professionalism, and alignment with BNI’s core values will play a significant role in the decision-making process.

Joining BNI can be a transformative experience for your business, providing you with a supportive network of like-minded professionals and a steady stream of quality referrals. By acing the BNI interview, you’ll be one step closer to unlocking the full potential of this invaluable resource.