Three Ways to Stand Out in Your Interview

A job interview is the final hurdle of the job search — and the most difficult to overcome. During the end stages of the hiring process, employers generally have several well-qualified candidates to choose from. By taking steps to stand out, you can gain the advantage over the other applicants and boost your chances of getting hired.

Focus on the Company

During a job interview, the employer's main goal is to determine whether you can meet the company's needs. Instead of making the interview all about you, try to shape each response to demonstrate your value. If you know that the employer has had a recent string of embarrassing publicity failures, for example, you can emphasize past experience with crisis management and media relations. Tailoring your responses well requires extensive pre-interview research and a comprehensive understanding of the company's weaknesses, competition and market position. Ideally, research should be a key part of your job search.

Be Yourself

Many people try to show their most professional and pulled-together side during a job interview. In the process, however, they end up appearing stiff and impersonal. During the interview, don't be afraid to show the employer your personality. If you tend to be chatty and friendly at work, smile through your nerves and engage in some casual conversation. If you're the office clown, crack a tasteful joke. By the interview stage, the employer already knows that you are qualified for the job; showing your personality allows the interviewers to get a sense of who you are as a person and what it would be like to work with you. When you release some of the pressure to be a perfect professional, it's easier to relax and give a better interview.

Tell a Story

Leave a lasting impression after the job interview by telling a story. When the employer asks a question such as "Tell me about yourself," don't rattle off a list of facts. Instead, weave them into a narrative. You might talk about your first experience with the company's products and explain why it sparked a passion for the industry, or tell the interviewers how a college facility tour changed your career path. Choose an anecdote that you are excited about, and don't be afraid to let your enthusiasm for the work shine through. When the hiring team is discussing candidates after the job interview, a memorable story automatically helps you stand out. Be sure to practice the story out loud before the interview to help the words flow smoothly in the moment.

A successful job interview creates a strong impression and positions you as a must-have asset to the company. By researching and planning ahead, you can give a compelling interview that sets you apart from other candidates.

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