Secrets to Nailing Every Job Interview Every Time

As a serial job-hopper, I have learned the art and science of performing marvelously well on any job interview. And as you will see, it's not the same advice you have gotten over and over again.

Secret #1- Don't Look Like The Last Candidate
Earl Nightingale once said that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you don't know what to do, just look at what everyone else is doing, then do the opposite. Take a look at how other candidates interviewing for your desires position are dressed. Are they wearing a tie? Business professional? Some employers have a strict dress code, and of course you don't want to flagrantly violate it on an interview. But you also want to stand out. Make yourself look a little different. You don't want to look too different because then you may come across as a rebel or just a freak. But by changing your appearance in some noticeable way, you will get noticed.

Secret #2 - Run Into The Boss
This is going to sound a little weird. Sometimes when you're walking to your interview, you will run into the boss and not even know it. It's happened to me more than once, and every time I intuitively knew that it was the boss. But just to be safe, assume everyone you run into is the boss. Be courteous and friendly, and for pete's sake, don't tell that guy in the elevator about how crappy your last boss was.

Secret #3 - Speak Freely
Speaking freely does not mean unloading all your irrelevant information onto the interviewer. Nobody wants to hear about how bad you need a job, or how bad traffic was, or how good that onion burger was. Nor does it mean talking like you're in a bar with your friends. What it does mean is expressing your relevant opinions, thoughts, and ideas freely. If you think a company should do x, y, and z, then just say that in a professional and respectful way. Even if it's not what you think the interviewer wants to hear, you will get points for honesty. Who would you rather hire: Someone who agrees with you all the time, or someone who you can trust? Exactly. Plus, you will demonstrate that you have spend some time and effort thinking about things that are very important to the company and can participate in intelligent discussions.

Secret #4 - Reversal
Another great way to stand out is to turn the interview on its head by asking your own questions. I never go into an interview without a list of questions. And my acceptable answers. Asking your own questions does a few things: First, it shows the interviewer that you are serious and have given thought to this job. Second, it reminds them why they are interviewing you to begin with. Third, it tells you whether the company and the job is even right for you. I have walked out of interviews because I didn't get the answers I wanted. And fourth, asking questions makes you stand out and leaves a definite impression on the interviewer. You will be remembered as the guy or girl who asked a question about _______. And people at the company will start talking about you. Very good.

Secret #5 - Push Buttons
The fact that you are sitting with an interviewer means the company has a problem they are looking for you to solve. If you know what these problems are, and how to solve them, you can leave an indelible imprint on the interviewer's mind by bringing up these issues, offering your brief suggestions (don't spill your candy in the lobby), and convincing the interviewer that you are the solution. The point here is not to blandly drone on about problems and solutions. The point is to whip the interviewer up into an emotional frenzy, first by inflicting emotion pain by talking about the problem, then relieving that pain by offering yourself as the solution, and giving examples of how rosy life will be once you are working there. And if you think that all sounds goofy, think again. It has landed me jobs over and over.

A Warning
These tips will help you nail any job interview, but only if you are interviewing for a position you are qualified for. And by qualified I do not just mean having the education or experience. I mean being an appropriate fit for the company itself. I have turned down jobs because I didn't like the way I heard employees speak to each other. You must be honest with yourself about whether the job is right for you or not. If you're going to a job interview just to go, and not to land the job, you might as well stay home and read more of my articles, because you will get more value from them than you will from sitting through a time-wasting formality for a job you will not get.

Ben Piper is the founder of Christian Financial Freedom (www.ChristianFinancialFreedom.com), helping families multiply their income quickly through proven teaching, coaching, and reputable business opportunities.