Job interviews are always a point of contention for me. What to wear, what to say; it is always a battle to find a way to stick out in a 20-minute interview. Especially with the pool of applicants these days, whose resumes are packed to the gills with extracurriculars and internship experience, it can be daunting to start the job hunt.Â
Setting yourself apart in a job interview is a crucial step in the job process, and its something not many people like to talk about. No one wants to share their tips and tricks for fear of the possibility of getting outshined. Not to fret, the secrets will soon be revealed.Â
Here are five ways to be the applicant who will be remembered:Â
- Snoop and Stalk
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We all know our generation is the master of social media stalking. This skill will be critical for a good interview.Â
Scour the company website, social media pages, news articles, and more to become the expert on Brand X. It will set you apart as an applicant if you can refer back to aspects of those areas that stuck out to you.Â
Nothing says commitment to the job like referencing a news article or social media posts from months prior to the interview.Â
- Dress for success
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This is an age-old piece of advice, but it is truly a morale booster. If you dress like you are already part of the company, you will radiate confidence. Like they always say, dress for the job you want not for the one you have.Â
It will impress the recruiter if you are cleanly dressed and show up looking professional and ready for whatever they may throw at you.Â
Don’t be shy, wear what makes you feel confident, and adding pops of color or accents will just be an additional identifier for recruiters.Â
- Be inquisitive
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Paired with your snooping and stalking efforts, be ready with good questions. It is a great way to differentiate yourself from other candidates if you pair your research with solid talking points.Â
Four to five solid questions will be a defining characteristic of the interview.
Make the interviewer ponder on your questions as you do theirs. It is important that they know you are dedicated to their company. Asking quality questions is a great way to demonstrate your commitment and dedication to the interview.Â
- Follow up
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Just like your birthday party in fifth grade, send a thank you letter. Although you may not always get a response from the recruiter, it is always a good idea to send a follow-up email.
It does not have to be an elaborate thank you letter, but a simple “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me this afternoon. I look forward to hearing from you in the future”.
This is an easy step that will take you no more than two minutes, but it will be just another way to get the interviewer to remember you.Â
- Be Yourself
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This is definitely clichĂ© advice, but it is also the most important. It is easy to get caught up in nerves and trying to impress the interviewers, but the best candidates are those who show their truly authentic selves throughout the interview.Â
Before going in, play your hype song, give yourself a pep talk and know that you are worthy of being there. If you weren’t you wouldn’t be there!
Displaying yourself to your full potential will be reason enough for someone to hire you.Â
Good luck with the job search collegiates and best of luck through the interview process. Be confident, be yourself and be a sleuth.