Preparing for an interview is regarded by many as the most nerve-racking part of landing a job. Not only do you have to prove that you're a good fit for the position in question, but you also have to make sure that you stand out amongst the other candidates competing for the same job. If you're competing in a cutthroat job market, knowing how to stand out might not be completely obvious. These are several tips you can use to significantly increase your chances of winning the interviewer over and to stand out amongst other candidates.
Tailor Your Resume for the Job in Question
If you're taking the same resume to multiple job interviews without making any edits to accommodate the particular positions in question, you're already hurting your chances of landing any of the jobs. Whenever you are requested for an interview, you should always edit your resume to fit as closely to the job in question as possible. You can easily find out what you should include in your resume by checking the requirements and preferred skill sets for the job. Leave out experience or any other details that don't apply to the job in question.
Sample How You Can Help the Company
Before you arrive to your interview, thoroughly research the company that you're applying to work for. At this point, you should also be searching for areas in which the company can improve. The interviewer will appreciate that you are incredibly familiar with the company, but they will also be impressed with the fact that you already see areas in which you can help them improve.
Bring a Polished Portfolio to Interviews for Creative Jobs
If you're applying for a creative job, you'll want to ensure that you bring along a portfolio that does a great job at showcasing your creativity. Be sure that it includes a diverse range of projects that indicate you can tackle a wide range requests and client ideas.
Go Ahead and Discuss Your Experience and Interests
In your interview, don't hold back from tooting your own horn. If you have ample experience to back up your drive to apply for the job, you shouldn't hesitate to talk about it to your interviewer. If your interests also apply to the job in some way, don't hold this back either. Companies like driven people that live and breathe their areas of expertise.
Stay on Your Key Points
Before you arrive to your interview, you should consider the points you'd like to make to your interviewer. Keep these in mind as your interview progresses, and don't allow the conversation to wander off into meaningless discussion. However, you should also be personable. If the interviewer takes the discussion off topic, feel free to participate in the conversation. However, you need to come back to your key points at some point before the interview ends.
Always Follow Up
Lastly, do not neglect to follow up. Sometimes interviewers are overwhelmed with many job applicants that make it hard for them to remember particular interviewees. Follow up with either an email or phone call to keep your name at the forefront of the interviewer's mind.
