9 Ways to Stand Out During a Job Interview

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9 Ways to Stand Out During a Job Interview
At job interviews, you can stand out from the crowd by considering these nine recommendations, which point to the critical need to prepare in advance. -
Research Your Interviewers in Advance
Read their company bios and LinkedIn profiles. Find out about their professional accomplishments. When you express interest in what they've done, they'll be impressed. -
Arrive for the Interview Early
When you're at least 10 minutes early, you demonstrate that you are really interested in the job. -
Be Nice to Everybody
Beyond the people with whom you're interviewing, extend a smile and a handshake to the receptionist, administrative assistant, etc. Every impression matters. -
Prepare for the "Tell Me About Yourself " Question
Many job candidates get caught off-guard on this one. So craft a narrative that speaks to your strengths, experience and job-based aspirations, while articulating a sense of who you are. -
Answer "Show Me" Questions With Good Examples
When explaining how you've contributed to organizational success, remember the "show, don't tell" rule: Concrete examples backed by impact summaries better define your capabilities than simply saying "I'm productive." -
Incorporate the Organization's Values in Responses
Again, research in advance goes a long way. Find out what the hiring company values (transparency? accountability?) and weave these talking points into the interview exchanges. -
Ask Unexpected Questions
By going beyond predictable and superficial inquiries, you will position yourself as a thoughtful individual. -
Connect on Common Interests
If the interviewer brings up a book or movie you like, or a business icon you admire, use these moments as an opportunity to engage. -
Follow-Up With a Handwritten Note
Sure, a letter is old school. But in the digital age of endless emails and texts, a thoughtfully written, snail-mailed thank-you note will impress the person who's making the decision.
While Baseline has reported extensively that IT professionals are in high demand for available job openings, it would be inadvisable to walk into an interview assuming that "I've got this one in the bag!" Expressing assertive confidence is a good thing, but arrogance and cockiness are major turn-offs. Candidates also need to know that every corporate job posting attracts about 250 résumés, according to research. One-third of managers admit that they know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they want to hire that person. The vast majority base such judgments on factors such as eye contact, posture, clothing choices and personality. But beyond these basic essentials, you can stand out from the crowd by considering the following nine recommendations from Glassdoor. Many convey the critical need to prepare in advance: No company is exactly like another one. Each comes with its own culture, values, industry challenges and mission. Fortunately, in the digital age, it's easier than ever to research companies ahead of time. In addition, you can take advantage of social media and other resources to learn more about the people who will interview you. These recommendations—along with other interview success drivers that can help you effectively engage with employers while conveying a compelling "you" story—should help you land the job.