JOB interviews are inherently stressful and the majority of interviewers will expect candidates to come along armed with a comprehensive list of strengths, weaknesses and questions about the role.

The key to doing well at interview does not always hinge on giving good answers, sometimes it is about asking good questions too, and it is essential to prepare some beforehand. You may well be looking for clarity in terms of the company's business or structure, and any logistical issues which may impact on the role, but to give yourself the best chance of success you will need to get answers to these questions:

1. Why is the role open?

Is this a newly-created position or has someone left or been promoted? If it is new you will probably want to find out more about why it has been created and what expectations the company has for the role. If the previous incumbent has left, you may want to find out why.

2. What challenges does the interviewer see in the role?

You should try to get the person interviewing you to talk about challenges, not problems. It shows that you are looking positively at the role. Some of the challenges of the role may be structural from within the business, for example, you may be told that your manager will spend most of his or her time in other locations; some may be to do with skills or capabilities and others arising from expectations. You need to know which if you are to succeed.

3. What are the company's expectations?

If these have not been covered in the previous answer then ask directly. You want to know where the company see the role going, and also how they see the successful candidate developing. Be careful how you ask this as you do not want it to look like you may reject them. Use it as an opportunity to find out more about how the company sees the role developing.

4. What will the priorities be?

If something is going to go wrong in a new job it will invariably happen in the first three months. You need to really understand what your immediate priorities will be. You also need to try to get an understanding of the company's joining process, and, if it is a new position, what kind of support you can expect.

5. Are you the right person?

If the interview is going well then this is the one you will really want to know the answer to, particularly if there are areas where you do not match the spec and you can do something about it while you are in the interview. Be careful how you ask. If you are too direct - as in: 'do you think I'm a good fit for the job?' - then there is a chance that you may get a vague answer. You need to show your interest in the role and ask if there are any reasons that may stop you from being considered. Hopefully there will not be, but if there are then you want the opportunity to show the interviewer that you are more than capable of meeting the criteria.

For more careers advice or interview tips, visit: www.jobsite.co.uk