In this tough job market, "winging it" in a job interview is the worst strategy when a job candidate is trying to gain an edge over the competition. Here are a few actions a job candidate can take when preparing for a job interview.

1.    Research the company you are interviewing with and take notes about recent news items such as a new client, contract and/or press coverage.  These are things you can mention in the interview to make great first impression. Also find out as much as you can about the company's culture by studying their mission statement and other "company philosophy" materials.

2.    Make a list of your "winning characteristics" that will mostly likely convince the employer to hire you over other candidates.  These "winning characteristics" must be qualities you possess that the company has stated or suggested that they desire in a job candidate.  For example, if the job description says "we're looking for someone who can multi-task" and you know that you have that quality, add it to you list. 

3.    Study the job description and use that information, along with the information from your research on the company to create a list of potential questions the employer may ask during the interview.  

4.    Create a list of your answers to potential questions an employer may ask and practice them before you go to the interview.

One final note on preparing for an interview, don't do it alone.  Role play with a friend to get feedback about your interview presentation and effectiveness.