Ten Tips for Passing a Board Interview

By Mike Akerly of Village Confidential

First of all, feel assured that simply being invited to the board interview is a good sign.  Attorneys typically advise co-op board directors not to entertain interviews if they do not like what they see on paper. This is to lower the risk of a claim asserting that a denial occurred because the applicant is in a class protected by federal, state or city housing laws.  So, if you are in the interview, your paperwork has already checked out.  The sit down will be an opportunity for the board members to ask you specific questions about your application.  The style of the meeting depends entirely on the building and the current board members, but can range from an informal gathering in an apartment to a more formal interview with the entire board sitting across from you at a table.  Either way, below are ten tips that will go a long way to ensure that you present yourself in the best light possible and feel prepared when you arrive. 

1. Dress to impress and arrive promptly
   1. In this respect, you should treat the meeting no differently than you would a formal job interview.
2. Be prepared for a lack of privacy
   1. The Board has great latitude in the kinds of questions it can ask, so be prepared. Do not avoid answering personal questions and do not become angered by them.
3. Familiarize yourself with the details of your own application
   1. You should be able to quickly and concisely answer any questions asked about your application, preferably without having to refer to it regularly.  Thirty seconds of paper shuffling in response to a question about your financial standing or employment history will not inspire confidence.  That being said, bring a copy of the application with you just in case.
4. Couples should decide in advance who will answer certain types of questions
   1.  For example, one of you may agree to answer all financial questions while the other will address all other questions.  Try to avoid discussing your answers with your spouse in front of the Board.
5. Do not try to sell yourself
   1. Do not take the meeting as an opportunity to express what an amazing neighbor you are going to be.  Just answer the questions that you are asked as simply as possible and let the Board direct the conversation.  Applicants are rarely turned down for being boring.
6. Never volunteer any information that you are not asked for
   1. Do not engage in any unsolicited conversations except for pleasantries at the beginning and end of the meeting.  Avoid revealing any more information than what is specifically asked for.  This rule alone will go a long way in keeping you out of trouble. 
7. Do not ask questions of the board
   1. Questions can unintentionally convey negative information to the Board.  For example: “Do you have any plans to renovate the lobby?” is the kind of seemingly innocent question which may offend the board member who was in charge of the lobby renovation or suggest that you intend to campaign for large capital expenditures in the building. If you have any additional questions, direct them to your real estate agent or your attorney.  Remember, you have already agreed to purchase the apartment.  There is nothing else you should need to know at this point, and if there is, save it for after your approval.
8. A short interview is better than a long one
   1.  While there are no hard and fast rules, a short, cordial interview with few board questions and remarks is often indicative of an easy approval. 
9. Do not expect an answer at the end of the meeting
   1. Most Boards do not give their decision until a day or two after the meeting. Your real estate agent and attorney will take the necessary steps to determine if you have been approved.
10. Relax, and remember that you wouldn’t be here if you did not satisfy their basic qualifications
    1. In most cases, once you have secured the interview your approval is yours to lose.  Just relax and follow the other nine rules for a successful interview.

If you are interested in selling, purchasing, or leasing property in Manhattan or Brooklyn, please feel free to reach out to our team for a free consultation by calling (212) 400-4838 or by e-mailing yourkeytothecity@akerlyre.com.