3 ways to stand out in the interview

Those job hunters who get the job offer are the ones who stand out in the interview process. So how do they do it? Well, here's 3 reasons why...

1. Practice & Prepare. Going into an interview without doing your homework is a recipe for disaster. You must have a "story to tell" when it comes to that awkward first question..."So tell me about yourself". Your story is something that you need to be able to recite without hesitation and with confidence. It should weave a tale about your career goals, your passion for working in that industry and why you want to work for this company.

Your preparation should include scouring the company website and learning everything you can about the firm. Then prepare a list of smart, relevant questions to ask during the interview. Doing this will show you are interested in the company and that's what all interviewers care about.

2. Get Recommended. During the interview process you are likely to meet with many of the people in the company or department. This is a golden opportunity to get them to recommend you to the hiring manager. It is imperative to establish a repore with these people and make them feel comfortable around you. When you sit down with them, don't talk about yourself. Ask the staffers about their work, how they got the job, and what they like about their work.

People love talking about themselves, and they form positive recollections about people who listen to them. This will allow them to remember you, and they're likely to talk about you to the hiring manager. If they're impressed, the manager will know.

3. References Make a Difference. Many people often have a list of references with them. They usually wait for their references to be called on after the interview. But a powerful tactic would be to have your best reference call the person you interviewed with BEFORE they call them. Envision the call going something like this...

"Hi, Mike. This is John Miller. You just interviewed Laura Jones, and she asked if I'd serve as her reference. I was her manager at XYZ Industries. I just wanted to reach out to you and tell you what a great find I think she'd be for a company like yours ... "

A message like this on the hiring managers voicemail could be the clincher you need to get the job.