You’re about to interview for a real estate development job. What questions should you be ready to answer?

1 Your background and motivation

The first thing your interviewer will want to know is why you chose real estate development as your career path and what are your goals and aspirations. They will also ask about your education, training, and previous work experience in the field. To answer these questions, you should highlight your relevant skills and achievements, as well as your interest and enthusiasm for the industry. You should also show that you have done your research on the company and the specific project you're applying for, and explain how you can add value to their team.

2 Your market analysis skills

Real estate development is a market-driven business, so you need to show that you can understand and evaluate the supply and demand factors that affect the feasibility and profitability of a project. Your interviewer might ask you to perform a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) of a given property or location, or to identify the target market and the competitive advantage of a proposed development. To answer these questions, you should use relevant data and evidence, such as demographics, trends, comparables, and regulations, and demonstrate your ability to apply critical thinking and strategic planning.

3 Your project management skills

Real estate development is a complex and dynamic process that involves multiple stages, stakeholders, and risks. Your interviewer might ask you to describe how you would manage a specific project from inception to completion, or to explain how you would handle a challenge or a conflict that might arise along the way. To answer these questions, you should showcase your skills in budgeting, scheduling, coordinating, communicating, problem-solving, and decision-making. You should also highlight your leadership style and your collaboration skills with different professionals, such as architects, contractors, lenders, and brokers.

4 Your design skills

Real estate development is not only about numbers and logistics, but also about creativity and aesthetics. Your interviewer might ask you to share your design vision or preferences for a certain type of property or development, or to critique an existing or planned design. To answer these questions, you should demonstrate your knowledge of design principles and trends, as well as your awareness of the needs and expectations of the end-users and the community. You should also show your ability to balance form and function, as well as cost and quality.

5 Your finance skills

Real estate development is a capital-intensive and risky venture that requires sound financial analysis and planning. Your interviewer might ask you to calculate or interpret some key financial metrics or ratios, such as net operating income, internal rate of return, cash flow, or debt service coverage ratio, or to assess the financial viability or risk of a project or a deal. To answer these questions, you should display your proficiency in financial modeling and valuation, as well as your familiarity with different sources and types of financing, such as equity, debt, or mezzanine.

6 Your negotiation skills

Real estate development is a competitive and collaborative business that requires effective negotiation skills with various parties, such as landowners, sellers, buyers, tenants, investors, lenders, contractors, and regulators. Your interviewer might ask you to demonstrate how you would negotiate a deal or a contract, or to share an example of a successful or unsuccessful negotiation you have been involved in or witnessed. To answer these questions, you should illustrate your skills in persuasion, communication, and relationship-building, as well as your understanding of the interests and positions of the other parties. You should also show your ability to create win-win solutions and to overcome impasses or objections.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?