Getting an interview with a company after months of searching for work can feel like you’ve finally made it. However, getting the interview is just the beginning; job seekers need to make a big enough impression on the hiring manager so that they feel compelled to seriously consider them for employment.  But how do you do it? How do you create the“wow” factor at your interview? Below are a few tips:

1. Prove that you’re prepared. It’s almost a cliché in the world of high unemployment and few jobs; but being prepared is the first step to making a great impression at your next interview. If you’re prepared, show it by asking questions which show that you’ve done your homework. Also, briefly discuss how you were glad to discover certain information about the company, such as the latest difficult case they won, or the award an employee received.
2. Show them you’re a go-getter. When it comes to making an impression, a job seeker who can demonstrate to interviewers that they know how to take the initiative at a job will have an automatic edge on the competition. Before you go into the interview make sure that you prepare “stories” about how you have taken the initiative at previous jobs and explain how taking the initiative is one of the things you enjoy.
3. Get passionate about your work. If you’re one of the many job seekers who have remained unemployed for an extended amount of time, then you may be taking extra care to give interviewers the answers you think they want to hear.  This could be a mistake and make your responses seem scripted. Don’t just give scripted, safe responses, make sure that you’re prepared to talk about what makes you love the industry you’re in and why you’re excited about the job opportunity they have available.