So, you think you’ve come across the perfect job. You put the finishing touches on your resume, send it into the company and then you receive a call from their executive assistant – the organisation wants you to come in for an interview! After the thrill from being picked for the interview begins to fade away, you may find yourself a bit nervous about the upcoming interview date and wonder what it is that you can do to REALLY stick out from the crowd. Implement the few tips listed here and you will really stand out amongst your competition, imperative to your success!

Whilst it’s really great that you might have all of the necessary skills needed to do this job, every organisation is different, as are the actual job requirements. Arming yourself with research about the company beforehand shows not only that you know who they are, but also that you have a general interest in the company. There are multiple sources of free information available these days, so make sure you do your homework.

“Dress to Impress” is the basic motto for every job interview regardless of the industry. The best way of going about this is to take a good long look in the mirror and check to see if the person looking back at you confirms just two words: neat and clean. Most likely those interviewees that show up wearing wrinkled pants and dirty shirts will be shown the door before the interview starts. This doesn’t just apply to the clothes you are wearing. Proper grooming of facial hair for men and makeup for women is essential to complete the overall look.

Know what you are going to say about yourself before the actual interview. Remember, you are basically selling yourself to the potential employer, but you never want to come off as arrogant. The interview process will probably be controlled by the person interviewing you, who will reference your resume in some detail to gather more information about your talents and skills. Make a point of knowing all of the facts beforehand so that you don’t stumble over any questions. Remember, there is always the possibility that there will be curve balls thrown at you, so preparation for the interview is absolutely essential; know yourself, and what you need them to know about you as well.

Always end the interview process with a genuine thank you for their time, and a handshake that shows you are confident and assured of your position in a new career. The interview is certainly not the time to be quiet, and it’s crucial that you show how truly appreciative you are of the interviewer’s valuable time to let them know that it definitely wasn’t wasted.

After the interview has ended, it is never a bad idea to follow up with a “thank you” phone call or even a handwritten letter. Doing this will more than likely give you an edge over the rest as it is a practice that seems to have gone out of style. Bring it back, it’s a classy gesture and it shows that you mean business.

Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, a highly qualified Executive Virtual Assistant Service which helps businesses and individuals accomplish every detail of their professional aspirations. Want to discover more about these insightful online business building success strategies? Support the Campaign for FREE Virtual Assistance now!