You're about to interview for your dream job. How can you make sure you stand out from the competition?

It's smart to research the interviewer before you meet. LinkedIn is great for this and in my opinion, it demonstrates that you know how to prepare and that you're serious about the opportunity. You'll also feel more confident ahead of your conversations.

Researching the company you are applying to is very important! It shows your interested in them as an employer, but that your taking the time to familiarize yourself with the business and what they actually do. I would say the same of the position you are interviewing for, being aware of what the job is and how it contributes to that organization. This also allows a chance to ask specific questions on how the position contributes in the company, or fill in any gaps of knowledge you want to know about the role and company.

Being overconfident is very risky in the interview. You must be prepared, read more about the topics that most probably be discussed , which is the technics to reply the questions and the knowledge you need to know in your specialty. Try to respectful during the meeting, be calm, confident, polite, address all your audience, use technical terms to show that you are in the industry, try not to use words that might be rude, dress well make sure to salute and thank them while existing the meeting.

Having examples prepared will help you demonstrate your ability to be successful in the role. Be specific where possible and I always say that bringing data and metrics to the table can help you stand out from the crowd.

Top recommendations I give to my candidates and that I have used myself: -- NEVER LIE. While confidence is important, most people value honesty a little bit higher. -- 5-10 minutes before the interview distract yourself. Watch a funny video, answer some emails. Do anything except think about your upcoming interview. This will relax your nerves. -- Don´t overthink it! An interview is just a conversation between individuals. It´s okay to say "I don´t know". Most hires are based on how well you connected rather than the length of your answers to each question.

Being confident and how you present yourself can go a long way during an interview. Don't be afraid to smile, use body language, or show enthusiasm during an interview! Even if you're a mellow person, these small gestures help show you are engaged and actively listening. Making eye contact (even if it feels uncomfortable) helps the interviewers feel like you're engaged as well. Having confidence in yourself is more than just boasting about projects you've completed or other accomplishments - speak proudly in your tone and show excitement when you get to talk about what you've done.

So many forget to do this and it is one of the easiest ways to stand out. I always recall the candidates who take the time to send a thank you note. Even if they don't get an offer, I keep them in mind for future opportunities and encourage them to stay in touch. Bonus points for those who mail a handwritten note.