You’re looking for the ideal candidate that’s going to mesh with your organization and its values. The candidate is looking for a chance to excel, provided it’s the right fit. So how do you know you’re hiring the right person to meet your needs?

These five Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) members have, over the years, figured out what makes for a compelling interview and a successful hire. In member spotlight interviews, each shared what they look for when interviewing job candidates:

Katie Belyus, Director of Brand Marketing, Qurate Retail Group

“Leadership style and ability to collaborate and work with others are important to me, but also their level of curiosity. I want someone who is asking questions and coming from a place of curiosity vs. judgement. I feel strongly that curiosity fuels great conversations and results in great ideas and collaboration across teams.”

Vanessa Keefe, Vice President of Marketing, The Paper Store

“I love to hear about how they nurture and grow their employees. That really tells a lot about people.”

Christina Russell, CEO, Radiance Holdings

“Curiosity. My chief development officer is the one who pointed this out as one of the most important indicators of success. Curious people want to learn. They want to engage with others. They want to innovate. They ask questions that challenge our thinking as leaders and help us to improve our processes. That holds true for the C-suite and all the way to interns just starting their careers. It’s something we prioritize for hiring as well as promotions.”

Sarah Peters, Director, Franchising, GNC

“Integrity and a skill set that complements the team. A different perspective can help a team grow. It’s also important that a candidate can provide examples of when they took the initiative to solve a problem, paid attention to detail, and accepted responsibility for something that was outside of their normal day-to-day job responsibilities.”

Lauren Sullivan, Senior Director of Marketing, Grandin Road

“I often look for a thoughtful and creative approach to questions and challenges vs. having the perfect answer. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow, and therefore agility and curiosity are something I value.”

Interested in connecting with these WIRLC members or becoming a member yourself? Apply here.