Non-Executive roles differ from Executive leadership roles and require a different focus – on governance, independent unbiased oversight and a strategic view. Board members bring an ‘eyes on, hands off’ approach and diplomatic challenge. You should expect and prepare for a different selection process compared to leadership roles in an organisation.
Here are eight ways to stand out in your NED interview:
1. Do your research about the organisation and draw on it in the interview. Find out what you can about current challenges and opportunities. Read the Annual report and interim trading announcements, company website and external sources like Glassdoor and LinkedIn. Think broadly about the sector and their competitors. Consider anything in the news that could be impacting them. Always do a quick check again the day of the interview in case anything relevant has just hit the news.
2. Accept conversation opportunities ahead of the formal process. This could be with members of the Board, Advisors or other stakeholders and are a helpful source of information about the role and its specific requirements. Even if these conversations are positioned as an exploratory discussion or an informal chat, treat them all as interviews. You are always being assessed, even informally.
3. Be able to clearly articulate your unique selling points – your specific strengths and areas of expertise. They aren’t looking for an experienced leader who can do everything and anything. They have a clearly defined need, and you need to demonstrate how you will add value. Research the background of the other Board members and focus on what you offer that is different. Cover how you meet the essential criteria.
4. Prepare short case studies of your relevant experience. Remember, Board members don’t roll their sleeves up and get stuck in or get results though their team. Share how you have influenced those outside of your direct reporting line, where you don’t have authority. Focus on examples of advising, mentoring and guiding not doing. Think about where you have been a member of a committee either in your ‘day job’ or in voluntary positions.
5. Research your interviewers and look for common ground like mutual connections, organisations or places of study and refer to these if appropriate. Have a range of questions prepared that you could draw on throughout the discussion.
6. Practice. Ask a professional friend who has been through lots of NED interviews to practice with you. If you haven’t got someone like this, consider investing in a career coach or mentor who is an expert in this field. My earlier White Paper shares further resources. (Details below.)
7. Bring your ‘A’ game. In a competitive process your background doesn’t speak for itself and if you want the position you need to be prepared to showcase yourself. If you were shortlisted by a headhunter, don’t mistake this for being a safe bet for the role. Revisit the brief they gave you. If you applied for the position and have been shortlisted, it is likely you submitted a strong application and CV. Re-read it before the interview and be ready to expand on any of the points you have made.
8. Read the room. Typically, NED interviews are conversational – a two-way process. Always be mindful of how much airtime you are taking and remain concise and on point. If it is a group setting, keep regular eye contact with all members of the panel. It is a subtle art to weave in your case studies without sounding like you are in a competency-based interview.
If you are at an earlier stage in the process and considering your first Non-Executive role, my earlier blog has further pointers.
To access my NED White Paper click here to sign up for my monthly message, Positivity Bites and download the resource from my subscribers’ area.
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