Leadership development: a long term strategy for business success

Landing an interview is exciting, and to help you make it a successful one, we’ve got answers to 15 common interview questions that you will likely be asked.

But first, there are some questions that you should be asking:

Questions to ask your recruiter or HR representative.

Your recruiter or HR contact wants to make the interview process go as smoothly as possible, and they will help you prepare. Just remember to ask these questions:

Who will you be meeting with?

Don't be blindsided by who's in the room when you enter for your interview. Knowing who you'll be meeting with, whether it's just the HR person you've been connecting with until now, the person who will be your boss, or even an executive who has ultimate hiring power, will help inform how you conduct yourself during an interview.

What should you bring?

It's imperative to know what types of materials your prospective employer expects you to be equipped with. They may expect you to bring multiple copies of your resume, writing samples, statistics showing your past job performance and other materials. Showing up prepared makes a great first impression!

Questions to ask yourself.

It's important to know what you expect from your interview and, ultimately, from the job. Therefore, interview preparation should include some introspection.

What qualities are you looking for in an employer?

The interview is your chance to evaluate a prospective employer just as much as it is their chance to evaluate you. Think about your past employers, what you've liked about them and what you haven't.

During your interview, pay close attention to the cues your interviewer offers, from their general demeanor to how the interact with both you and others in the office. And, if there's a comfortable opening, ask about company culture, benefits, coworker camaraderie and the like during the interview as well.

What are your biggest professional shortcomings?

This isn't designed to make you feel unconfident. It's exactly the opposite, actually. Assessing your strengths and understanding areas where you need to improve — for this job or future opportunities — is an important exercise that will help you better answer interviewers' questions on the spot.

A truly astute interviewer won't just ask you about your strengths; they'll ask about your weaknesses, too. Being intimately aware of them and preparing to address them is crucial.

What are your deal breakers?

Whether it's a lowball salary, a specific job responsibility or even the type of cubicle walls or lighting the office uses, know your red flags before you go in for your interview.

If you encounter one of your deal breakers during the interview, don’t immediately cut it short or check out of the conversation. It’s just something to keep in mind going forward.