How to Stand Out in an Interview

If you’ve gone for a job interview before, you know you won’t be the only candidate being interviewed. Besides being on time, dressing for success, and being qualified, you need to find a way to stand out and leave a lasting impression if you want to be considered for the position. Here are a few tips that can help.

Know More About the Company than Anyone Else
Most job seekers research just enough not to embarrass themselves, but if you want to leave a lasting impression, research the company more than the average applicant. This means you must know the mission statement, the target market, the history of the company, their performance in the previous year, how different they are from their competitors, and so on. This extra research will make you feel more confident when you go into the interview since you know their business more than anyone else. It is also sure to help you stand out from other applicants.

Know More About the Industry than Anyone Else
We talked above about knowing the company, but you should also know the industry in and out. It will be an advantage for you if you can quote recent events in the industry or situations that might be impacting the industry. You can gain this type of knowledge by reading the blogs of industry associations, signing up for newsletters related to the industry and following the industry leaders of choice on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Be Factual
Since this is an interview, you will be asked questions about your past work and what you can accomplish in the new position. Don’t answer with a few sentences or be vague if you really want to stand out; instead, talk with facts. Be specific about the results you achieved in your past, with quantifiable measurements, and be ready to name precise data, facts, and achievements. Also, be specific about how you made your employer’s life easier and you will likely get extra points with the interviewer.

Bring an Actionable Plan
When you’re asked how you can help the company, it’s always best to have a plan that highlights what you can accomplish in the first 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. There is no need to be under undue pressure; just be realistic and show some degree of ambition. Presenting your plan for the position to the interviewers can make you a desirable candidate for the job.

Turn the Interview into a Conversation
If you want to perform exceptionally well in your job interview, stop thinking about it as an event where you will need to provide the correct answers to “pass.” Sometimes, job seekers may answer some questions wrong and not be “penalized” for it. The key is to turn the interview into an engaging conversation. You can even ask questions about the company during the interview, like their current projects, challenges, why they are looking to hire someone, and so on.

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