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This post was put together by Kendall Thornton and Paul Cannon

Just a couple of weeks ago, we posted “10 Insider Tips to Help You Land Your #dreamjob” and set it sailing on all our social channels. Then you, our devoted followers, weighed in with your own words of wisdom on the etiquette of securing the job you’ve been longing for. Thank you for all the fabulous feedback!

While we were delightfully overwhelmed by all of your responses, we were inspired to organize them into categories and create a sort of comprehensive cheat sheet that really everyone can use in preparation for their next interview. Take a look, and please, by all means, let us know what you think. It’s always great hearing from you! 

Preparation

  • "Make a video about why you're a good fit to work there, and link the video to your linkedin profile!" Colin Sharpe, submitted via Facebook 
  • "Practice your stump speech, the 1 or 2 minutes you get in the spotlight to make the lasting impression they will remember." Christopher Sankey, submitted via Facebook 
  • "Research the company, the position, and have a decent idea of how you would/could/will fit within the organization. Know your interviewer's name. Use it. Confidence in your field and ability is always a plus." Scarlett Brown, submitted via Facebook 
  • "Research the company prior to the interview so you really know what they do and what the mission statement is." Lorna Londot, submitted via Facebook  
  • "Research your interviewers on LinkedIn. Understand what their backgrounds are and how you'd be working with them, and come up with a thoughtful list of questions for each of them based on what you've learned." Misty Sutton, submitted via Facebook  
  • "Want this job.  I mean, you have to really want it.  You have to want it LONGER than it was available.  You can't want this job just because you currently don't have one -- or the job you currently have sucks.  You have to want this job because more than anything, it's what you really want to do. If that comes out in the interview, you'll get the offer."  JP Seabury, Google+
  • "No stinky breath" Joe Behymer, submitted via Facebook 
  • "Show up on time!" Jesus Alan Sandoval, submitted via Facebook 

Attire

Body Language

  • "Always have a notebook or something in your hands so you don't fidget, have 3 questions ready to ask your interviewer, have copies of your CV and use the back of the chair- leaning back makes you look more relaxed and confident." Beth Kocher Gormley, submitted via Facebook 
  • "....While leaning forward makes you look engaged and interested ;-)" Doris Sturm, submitted via Facebook 
  • "A good balance of confidence and modesty can go a long way." Shanief Levell Webb, submitted via Facebook  
  • "Know your subject matter well (business matters) as though you wrote the book and be relaxed as though you were talking to your buddy about staying focused on the important elements of life!" Harvey Green Sr., submitted via Facebook  
  • "Be yourself: if they've brought you in for the interview they're looking just as much as how you fit into the company as they are your qualifications." Brian Collins, submitted via Facebook  

Interview Questions & Strategic Plays

  • "Take a short moment to listen to the questions that the potential employer is asking and answer the questions confidently and professionally. Try to keep answers straight forward and to the point. Wishing you the best of luck in your dream job!" Jervis-Stone Patrick, submitted via Facebook  
  • "Tell concise but compelling stories. Give specific evidence and examples, not generic responses. Quantify the impact of your accomplishments (% or amount increased/decreased/contributed). Emphasize the results you've produced over the responsibilities you've had. Answer the question "so what?" In other words, connect what you're talking about to the interviewer and why they should care, how it will benefit them, the team, or the company. Develop a plan for what you would do in the first 90 days."  Drew Alexander, Google+ 
  • "Whatever you do, don't talk about your present or past employers in a bad light.....GOOD LUCK!" Don Elmore, submitted via Facebook   
  • "If you're on the second or third round and things are going well, ask where you would sit and who you would be having meetings with. This helps them to visualize you as part of the team." Bennett Phillips, submitted via Facebook   

Follow Up

  • "Build relationships, establish your reputation so others can trust your experience." Garick Chan, submitted via Facebook   
  • "Little to no perfume or cologne; send a quick personal handwritten note THAT DAY to say thank you." Chris Parker DeYoung, submitted via Facebook