If a company’s board is to accept a new member it is essential to ensure that the person is a suitable fit for the company. That’s why an interview is a crucial element of the process.

Board members are interested in hearing candidates talk about their relevant experience and skills that make them suitable for the role, with an emphasis on the value they offer. In most cases, interviewers will ask questions to determine the candidate’s ability to understand the complex and sometimes difficult issues that can be encountered as an officer.

They will also want an understanding of how a candidate handles conflict and how he or is able to effectively interact with other board members in a respectful manner. It’s also common for boards to ask the candidate how they would approach specific topics such as shareholder engagement as well as potential conflicts of interests and the necessity of ensuring that the company is operating in a ethical and responsible way.

Many companies provide candidates with a list of materials that they must read prior to their interview. It is more than an esoteric review of these to gain a complete understanding of the company and its C-suite executives and board members as well as the industry’s dynamics and key risks. Deb DeHaas is a two-time board member of a public company and the chief executive officer of boardthrough.com the Corporate Leadership Center. She says that listening to CEOs’ discussions with investors and analysts is the best way to prepare. She says it’s crucial for a candidate to be able and articulate the reasons why the company, its product or challenges are intriguing to them and how their experience could help address those issues.