Do you know someone who is preparing for a job interview? If so, are they aware of the intense competition? In this growing economy it is important to know how to stand tall above the crowd. I have seen a dramatic increase in the number of qualified candidates applying for job postings. There are numerous applicants that have the necessary experience, but only a handful possess qualities of leadership. An applicant who submits a well-organized resume and comes to an interview prepared may be the optimum candidate. If you or someone you know is vying for a dream job, these three helpful tips may help them secure their dream job.

Tip #1: Create the best possible resume. Pay attention to minor details when creating your resume. It is the first piece of work that a prospective employer will see and it represents you as a person. I may not consider an applicant whom submits a resume with misspelled words or several different font sizes. It is a pet peeve of mine to see misspelled words in such an important document. Sometimes I have to sort through hundreds of resumes for one job posting. An easy-to-read resume with relevant work experience and proper grammar is a resume that I will place in my 'Call for an interview' pile.

The length of a resume is important. Keep your resume to one page in length. Unless you are applying for an upper-level position, your work experience and all other pertinent information should fit nicely on a one-page resume. Listing hobbies or personal achievements on a resume is useful as this gives the interviewer a little insight about your character. Never lie on your resume. Prospective employers will most likely call all references listed and verify degrees, grade point averages and work experiences.

Tip #2: Prepare for the interview. The first thing you'll want to do when preparing for an interview is think about the questions you may be asked. I suggest referring to the following websites for useful interview information: www.monster.com, www.vault.com, and www.shrm.com. These websites provide relevant questions that are asked in most interviews. The websites may also give helpful hints on how to respond to an interviewer's questions. When answering questions, try to keep your responses to less than a minute and a half. You may have the interviewer's full attention within the first minute, but afterwards, it may begin to fade. Mention the most interesting facts about yourself first. Stop in the middle of your response and ask a question like, 'Is this the kind of detail you are looking for?' Engaging interviewers in two-way communication by asking questions helps to ensure they are listening while you deliver your response.

Read over your resume several times. Having a few sentences rehearsed about your previous work experience and hobbies may help to calm your nerves. It is impressive when an applicant comes to an interview prepared to ask questions and talk about themselves. Prepare between three to five questions to ask the interviewer because asking questions shows the interviewer that you are interested in the job and the company.

After the interview, send a thank-you note or follow up with a phone call. This will help to keep you fresh in the interviewer's memory. One final idea is to turn your cell phone off before you enter the company. It may be a deal breaker if your phone rings in an interview and interrupts the conversation.

Tip #3: Dress to impress. Before walking into an interview, make sure you look your best. You may want to wear a navy or gray suit that is tailored and professional. A black suit is nice, but it can make you appear too serious. Also, smile and shake the interviewer's hand firmly while introducing yourself. Pay attention to the interviewer's body language and try to mimic it. Begin by sitting upright with your hands in your lap, but if the interviewer is sitting in a more relaxed position, then you may want to do the same. Studies show that when two people display similar body language, they feel more comfortable together.

It is best to dress conservatively for an interview. Whether you are applying for a job as a janitor or a CFO, corporate dress is always appropriate for an interview. I suggest browsing through books geared towards fashion dos and don'ts. Two books that may help you learn more about clothing choices are Dress for Men and Dress for Women by Kim Johnson Gross and Jeff Stone. These books provide wardrobe pictures and ideas to help you dress properly for every office environment. Less is more when it comes to jewelry, nails, make-up and hair. It is important for the interviewer to pay attention to your words, rather than be distracted by a fashion faux pas.

First impressions are lasting so you should always try to present yourself in a positive manner. Spend a little extra time and money when preparing for an interview. Make sure that you bring a clean resume to the interview and that your nails, hair and clothes are manicured. Appearing organized can make the difference between getting a decent job and getting the job of your dreams.

Questions or comments? Click here.