Preparing Yourself for a "Knock-Em-Dead" Interview
                                                                                                   By Stephanie Wetzel

Any Google search will show you there are a million and one websites offering tips on how to interview, what questions to expect and what questions to ask. But everyone out there has been practicing the same preparation techniques for years. How do you stand apart from the crowd when the crowd is accessing the same ideas as you? Get creative. Nothing in life comes without risk and if you are really going to stand out as a potential job candidate, you must reach beyond the job description to really make an impression.

What does that mean exactly? You have to prepare for the performance of your life each and every time you walk into an interview. No exceptions. This only intensifies the importance placed on applying for the right jobs that best match your career goals and skill set. Once you have found that match, and been scheduled for an interview, the real work begins.

You have to learn to identify what a potential employer is really looking for in a new hire. It means taking what is said in the job description, what you learn from the company website and combining that knowledge into an educated guess – yes, a guess – about what the employer needs in a new hire. These are most likely qualities and skills the hiring manager may not even be aware of needing in the position. It’s a leap of faith that pays off big-time in the end. Of course, it also means having the courage to speak your mind and trust your instincts, and delivering your ideas in a confident, well-spoken manner. But hey, no pressure, right?

Where do you begin in formulating your theory on the needs of your soon-to-be employer? Start right at the beginning with the job description. Analyze the responsibilities and evaluate how similar positions are structured in other organizations/industries. Are there translatable patterns in what functions the position has within these companies that apply to the hiring organization? Sometimes, the greatest impression you can make on a interviewer is by offering up ideas and solutions that help grow their business. It shows you are a forward thinker with both drive and ambition who can work independently. Who wouldn’t move that candidate to the top of their list?

To really guarantee you are the top choice, think outside the position. Where is the company headed and how are you going to help get them there? It’s more than just knowing what they are working on – it is about understanding their business model and the trends that fuel the industry. No easy undertaking when you prepare, but when executed properly, well, you just sealed yourself a job offer.

The bottom line is to take in all you can about the company, from everything you read to everyone you speak to prior to the interview. You are essentially a sponge – absorbing knowledge that will help you make informed theories about the position for which you are applying. Most importantly, don’t forget to take some risks. If you play it safe, you aren’t going to stand ahead of the other candidates. Take risks, be bold and it’s guaranteed your interviewer will certainly appreciate the interesting conversation.