You’re preparing for a job interview. How can you stand out from the other candidates?

You’re preparing for a job interview. How can you stand out from the other candidates? It’s a question that many job seekers face, especially in a competitive market. You want to impress the hiring manager, showcase your skills and personality, and convince them that you’re the best fit for the role. But how can you do that without sounding arrogant, desperate, or generic? Here are some tips to help you ace your interview and stand out from the crowd.

1 Research the company

Before you go to the interview, do some homework on the company. Find out what their mission, vision, values, and goals are. Learn about their products, services, customers, and competitors. Look for recent news, achievements, challenges, and trends in their industry. This will help you tailor your answers, ask relevant questions, and demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm for the role.

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2 Prepare your stories

One of the best ways to showcase your skills and personality is to tell stories that illustrate your achievements, challenges, and learnings. Instead of just listing your responsibilities and duties, use the STAR method to structure your stories. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Describe the situation you faced, the task you had to accomplish, the action you took, and the result you achieved. Use specific examples, numbers, and outcomes to make your stories memorable and credible.

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José Germán Chacón Mego

Bachiller 2021 Ingeniería Computación y Sistemas en Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego
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Más allá del resultado, es clave que aprendan y disfruten de cada entrevista, y que eso.potencie nuestra experiencia para la próxima. En lo personal en cada entrevista que participo soy sincero y genuino siempre.

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Haydi Yesenia Vigo Quilcat

Gestión de Bienestar Social / Gestión de personas / Recuperación de Subsidios / Trámites en EsSalud / Manejo de RPs / Hobby diseñar
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Más que preparar nuestras historias es contarlas como las mejores experiencias ya que de cada trabajo, cada puesto o posición llevamos grandes experiencias que nos ayudan a nuestra formación profesional y sobre todo a obtener mayor experiencia.

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3 Dress for success

Your appearance can make a big difference in how you’re perceived by the interviewer. You want to look professional, confident, and appropriate for the role and the company culture. Research the dress code and the expectations of the industry. Choose an outfit that fits well, suits your style, and makes you feel comfortable. Avoid anything too flashy, revealing, or casual. Pay attention to your grooming, hygiene, and accessories. You don’t want to distract the interviewer with anything that might undermine your image or credibility.

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4 Be punctual and polite

Arriving on time for your interview is a sign of respect, reliability, and organization. Plan your route, transportation, and parking in advance. Leave some buffer time for unexpected delays or emergencies. Aim to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time. This will give you a chance to check in, relax, and prepare yourself mentally. Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet, from the receptionist to the interviewer. Smile, make eye contact, and use a firm handshake. Thank them for their time and opportunity.

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Haydi Yesenia Vigo Quilcat

Gestión de Bienestar Social / Gestión de personas / Recuperación de Subsidios / Trámites en EsSalud / Manejo de RPs / Hobby diseñar
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La puntualidad y educación son nuestra carta de presentación para una entrevista de trabajo, siempre hay que tenerlo en cuenta para ser puntual programar nuestros tiempos.

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5 Ask smart questions

At the end of the interview, you’ll usually have a chance to ask some questions of your own. This is a great opportunity to show your curiosity, intelligence, and fit for the role. Ask smart questions that reflect your research, your goals, and your values. Avoid questions that are too obvious, personal, or negative. Focus on questions that reveal more about the company culture, the expectations of the role, the challenges and opportunities of the position, and the next steps of the hiring process.

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Navneet Singh

Experienced Sales Incentive Compensation Professional | Xactly | Everstage | Incentive Planning & Implementation | Sales Analytics | Performance Management | Process Improvement | Global Team Collaboration
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I always tend to have some questions to ask just so the hiring team knows I'm curious about the role & it also gives me a picture whether I might be fit for the role or not. Questions around the work culture of team & company, key traits & expectations for the role, hiring manager's experience with the company, future growth in the role, stakeholders you will work with, etc. helps you in identifying how fit you are for the role as well as whether you will fit in the organisation. I still remember I gave an interview for the Reporting role, by the end I realised I will not be selected, I still asked for guidance from the hiring manager & he did guide me which helped quite a lot. So remember asking questions always helps so don't be shy.

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6 Follow up with a thank you note

After the interview, don’t forget to follow up with a thank you note. This is a simple but effective way to express your appreciation, restate your interest, and reinforce your strengths. Send your note within 24 hours of the interview, preferably by email. Keep it brief, professional, and personalized. Mention something specific that you discussed or learned during the interview. Highlight how you can add value to the company and the role. End with a call to action, such as asking for feedback, confirming your availability, or requesting a second interview.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re preparing for a job interview. How can you stand out from the other candidates?

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1 Research the company

2 Prepare your stories

3 Dress for success

4 Be punctual and polite

5 Ask smart questions

6 Follow up with a thank you note

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Reporting

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