Seven Ways to Improve Your Chances of Landing the Job

There are a number of things you can do to set yourself apart from others, and increase your changes of getting the job.

1) Prepare yourself for the interview.
a) Research the employer's website and familiarize yourself with their products and services. Also read their recent press releases/new updates. If possible, review their financial reports (or ask others for help) to interpret the financial health of the company. Whenever appropriate, weave into the interview questions that relate to the research you did. This will demonstrate genuine interest as well as make a positive impression on the interviewer that you've done your homework. All things being equal, it just may be what sets you apart and lands you the job.
b) If the company does not have a website or information is limited, do a search in your favorite browser for "Company name goes here" and "SIC code." An SIC code will give information about this company within their industry classification, and sometimes will address who their competitors are and/or will connect you to other info.
c) Use the Library's subscription to "ReferenceUSA," an online database of corporations in the US.

2. Bring visual aids!!! Most of us process and remember information that is presented visually. It is always best to show and tell about yourself for the following reasons:
a) You clearly come across as prepared and professional.
b) You can tell stories about your visual aids that demonstrate your unique work or management style.
c) If you tend to be nervous, having something to point to and focus attention away from you and on to something that the interviewer can evaluate may reduce your anxiety.
d) Bringing in something visual provides two inputs of information (seeing and hearing about your skills) making the interviewer more likely to remember your unique skills. If the interviewer actually asks to see something, that's a tactile input. Touching something that you've done further reinforces the likelihood that they will remember your strengths more clearly.
e) When it comes time for the interviewer to evaluate your skills against other prospects, they will KNOW that you're capable of doing the job because you've shown them proof that you've already done the job elsewhere. This is very powerful! It can also dramatically shorten the reference-checking process as the interviewer will have seen first-hand the quality for your work.

Note: Be sure to block/black out any proprietary information on writing samples or other reports being shown to preserve the confidentiality of info from former employers.

3) Ask thoughtful questions. In addition to the questions you might come up with as a result of 1. above, ask relevant questions about the company and/or departments most important goals for the next year and what challenges they are facing in meeting these goals. Tie them to what skills you bring to the table to help them meet those challenges.

4) Ask if there are any questions that you can answer relative to your skills that have not been addressed, but are important requirements of the job. I usually ask, “Given the requirements of the job, how do you see my background and experience stacking up?” Admittedly, it’s a bit bold, but often, you may learn that there is a perception that you’re missing something that can easily be addressed on the spot, better positioning you to get the job.

5) Ask what the timeframe is and what the next steps are in their process. This may give you a sense of how strong you may be at that point in time.

6) Always reiterate your sincere interest and excitement about the opportunity, and recap the strengths that you believe you offer for the position, and be sure to indicate that you look forward to hearing from them about your candidacy.

7) Follow up with a thoughtful thank you message by email or a handwritten note reiterating your strengths relative to what they viewed as the most important aspects of the job.