Posted by: Meagan Riggsbee

Way to go, you got the interview but your work is not over, the next step is to get yourself prepared. In order to stand out amongst the competition, you need to prove that you are the best fit for the position. Here are a few ways to stand out during a job interview:

Spend time on your appearance and practice good nonverbal communication.

The first thing the hiring professional will notice about you is your appearance, how you present yourself can have a big impact on their impression of you. Leslie Whittaker, Author at Career Trend, explains, “within the first 60 seconds, your self-confidence and ability to present yourself is assessed, don’t let your appearance hinder your capability to accurately promote yourself.”

Appearance goes beyond the clothes you wear, it is also about your body language. Connecting with a firm handshake, sitting up straight, smiling and making eye contact is good body language to have throughout the entire interview. Not only does this show your confidence but also that you are interested in the conversation.

Be courteous and express enthusiasm.

Be kind and polite to everyone you meet, every impression in an interview process matters. Keeping a friendly and positive attitude will go a long way.

Expressing excitement towards both the position and working for the company will reflect positively on your interview. Sometimes eagerness can make such a good impression that it overrides experience. Many qualified candidates do not get the job simple because they did not seem passionate about the role.

Be ready to introduce yourself.

The most common first question in an interview is, “Tell me about yourself?” It’s your chance to make a lasting impression on the interviewer. By starting strong you set the tone for the whole interview allowing yourself a sense of ease and confidence. Be prepared to have an impressive answer, take the time to construct a concise, but informative response and practice it.

Do your research on the company and ask plenty of questions.

If you take the time to learn about the company’s culture, you will be ahead of the game. You can ask and answer important questions about the company’s goals and expectations.

Asking questions throughout the interview shows that you’re interested in the company and the position. It’s always a good idea to write down some questions you may have and ask them throughout the interview or wait until the end. Asking well thought out questions shows that you came prepared and that you are serious about your career.

When answering questions have stories and examples in your back pocket.

More than likely the interviewer will ask for specific examples, this shows your ability to think on the spot. People can relate to stories, and using examples is a great way to create a story that will influence the interviewer. Kat Boogaard, Author at The Muse, gives some examples of questions interviewers may ask: explain a time when you solved a problem, overcame a challenge, made a mistake, worked as a leader, or worked with a team. Formulate some of these short stories ahead of time, then practice communicating them in an engaging manner.

Follow-up with the hiring manager.

If you believe the position is right for you, make sure the hiring manager knows. Tell them that you appreciate their time; you feel that you will succeed in the role, and you are interested in taking the next step.

These tips may come in handy when it comes time for your interview. If you take the time to prepare, it will give you the confidence you need to thrive. As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”