The world is rapidly changing. Consequently, boards that want to stay ahead of the curve are transitioning their board composition and structure. Some companies are looking for candidates with a specific profile regarding diversity and/or a particular expertise like sustainability or digital transformation. This opens up many opportunities for experienced board members as well as executives who would like to obtain a board seat for the first time. In all these scenarios, the bar for incoming board members is high. Companies go through a thorough selection process before appointing a new director.
Getting to the interview
Whether you are an aspiring or experienced board director, you need in-depth knowledge and understanding of governance and strategy to be truly effective in the modern-day boardroom. Directors should have the required skill set and experience but also fit into the company’s culture, values, and ethics. When interested in a board seat opening up, candidates should dive deeper and understand how their skills, values, and core leadership traits align with what the company is expecting from its new director. However, possessing all the hard and soft skills to bring value to the top table is not a guarantee to getting an interview as a board candidate. Getting to the interview can be harder than getting appointed. To make your board candidacy successful, you need to start by putting together the right board documents for your application.
A common beginner’s mistake is to think that an executive resume is the same as a board resume. On the application and during the interview, successful candidates focus on what value they will bring to the company instead of highlighting their own achievements. Why do you want to join this particular board? What board-related skills and experiences do you have that will make a difference? What type of leader are you? When a company considers someone for a board seat, what counts is what the board candidate can bring to the top table, more so than how a board position would benefit the candidate.
Standing out
As an aspiring board member, you have to do research to prepare and package yourself properly to stand out. Board application documents are a combination of showcasing your knowledge and expertise and highlighting your unique attributes to serve the needs of the board to achieve the company’s goals. If you get invited for an interview - whether it is informal at a café or very formal – try to have a conversation instead of a one-sided interview. Dynamic candidates ask questions and convey during the interview that they can connect the dots between important strategic and governance topics.
Putting in the work
Serving on a corporate board requires time and effort. Showing that you are ready to put in the hours and the work starts as soon as you submit your board candidacy. Whether you are a seasoned board director or applying for a board position for the first time, preparation is key. Submitting on-point documents and understanding the do’s and don’ts during the interviews are the gateway to obtaining a board seat. One surefire way to get up to speed on what a modern-day board application looks like is to learn from experts in the field through keynotes or curriculum workshops.
At Corporate Boards USA, our mission is to prepare executives to be highly qualified board candidates. We offer our members educational courses and events, networking opportunities, boardroom news, workshops, and mentorship programs.  Learn more about membership. We Make You Board Ready.