Most people know that dressing appropriately, bringing copies of your resume and familiarizing yourself with the company you're interviewing with are essential to a good job interview. But when you really want a job, embracing a few surprising strategies can transform you from solid candidate to serious standout in the eyes of a hiring manager.
Make Yourself Memorable
Because most interviewees will be dressed in similar interview outfits, look for an accessory that will make you easy to remember after a day of interviewing, such as a dramatic bracelet or a quirky kerchief, recommends Susan V. Fried, chief officer of recruitment and development at K&L Gates LLP, an international law firm, in "Women's Health" magazine.
Show Personality
It's important to be professional in an interview, but it can be just as important to show your interviewer what you'd be like to work with and to make an impression with your personality, says Tim Schoonover, chairman of outplacement and leadership-development firm OI Partners, in Fortune website.
Anticipate Tough Questions
Most people have a potential problem area, whether it's too much experience, not enough experience, a short stint at your last job or a long period of unemployment. Instead of skirting these potential negatives, prepare for them by looking for specific ways to address a future employer's potential concerns, recommends career and financial expert Suze Orman, in "O, The Oprah Magazine."
Make First Impression
Greet each interviewer with a warm smile, eye contact and a friendly handshake, says Donna Goldfeder, director of career services for Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in "Women's Health." If you're new to shaking hands, practice before your interview with a friend to get the right grip.
Skip Negativity
If you're bitter about an ugly layoff or unhappy at a miserable job, force yourself to focus on the positive and check your negative feelings before an interview. Companies would rather hire a positive employee than a negative one, says Schoonover.
Lean Forward
Use your body language to let your interviewer know that you're completely engaged in your conversation. Lean forward slightly in your chair, make regular eye contact and avoid crossing your arms or legs, which can make you seem distant.
Focus on Contribution
Be wary of asking too many questions about things, such as salary, vacation time and benefits, which can make you seem more interested in what you can get out of the company than what you can contribute to it.
Be Specific
Before your interview, make a list of your top 10 skills and come up with specific workplace examples that demonstrate your use of them. Employers want to hear about specifics of your on-the-job experiences, says Goldfeder.
Use Sandwich
When you're asked a tough question, like why you left a job after a short time or what your biggest weakness is, sandwich the negative between two positives, recommends Carole Martin, an interview coach in San Diego and the author of "Boost Your Interview IQ," in Women's Health. For instance, say something like "I loved working in fashion, but retail wasn't the right fit for me so I ended up leaving to study fashion journalism" or "I've always been a people person, but keeping customer records organized is a challenge for me, so I'm learning a new computer program that manages them for me."
Ask for the Job
You're more likely to get a job if you come out and ask for it, but most job candidates don't do that, says Schoonover. The writer recommends summing up why you're a great candidate and asking for the job at the end of your interview.
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