In this economy... this recession, it's getting harder and harder for people to find jobs. If you already have a job, who knows how much longer you'll be employed? Companies are slashing costs and slashing their workforce, so you could be next!

Just imagine, you're a recent college graduate (or even high school graduate!). You're done with school, and land a few interviews. In this day and age, there are fewer jobs available, so each job is going to have more competition. It's really important you stand out from the pack (be a Purple Cow, as Seth Godin would say), otherwise you have no chance.

Here are a few ways you can make your interview the best interview anyone in that company has ever seen. They will feel stupid if they don't hire you.

The "Magic Flash Drive" (or CD)

When you think of a job interview, what do you normally bring? Probably an extra resumé, a nice suit, and yourself, right? But there's so much more you can bring - there's so much more you can leave them with to remember you by.

Now, I would put these things on a USB flash drive, personally, though if you can pretty up a CD with a label then that's a viable option. Flash Drives cost very little now - you can get one that's big enough for under $10, and as long as you aren't going to hundreds of interviews it's a good investment. Here are some things I'd recommend you add to it.

1. PowerPoint Presentation: I always recommend that people bring a powerpoint presentation to job interviews (of course, e-mail or call first to make sure you can give a quick, 5 minute presentation), and use this opportunity to sell your best work. If you aren't able to present it in the interview, just include it in your USB flash drive.
2. Video / Audio Testimonials: A lot of employers want you to have previous employers or character references write testimonials or provide their phone numbers so they can be called. Why not take this a step farther? Go to your previous employers, if possible, and record them giving you a testimonial. Make sure at the end they provide contact information, as well as something encouraging the employer to call them for anything else! I promise, none of your interviewing "competitors" are going to go through the trouble of doing this. It is extra work, sure, but it's worth it if you really want the job.
3. Your Resumé: This is a no-brainer. Include a copy of your resumé in digital form, so they can print out as many as they'd like.
4. Your video resumé: A lot of people are doing this already, actually. People are recording themselves talking about the things they've done, as well as why they want to work at that specific company. Make sure you take every opportunity to show how wonderful it would be to work with you, after they hire you.
5. Their Social Media List: This doesn't always work (depends on how "with the times" the company is), but if you bring a spreadsheet that includes usernames and passwords for all the main social marketing sites (YouTube, Twitter, etc), you're doing them a favor even before you start working for them! You can come in saying something like "I was researching your company, and noticed you hadn't claimed these social media sites, so I went ahead and did it for you so you wouldn't have problems down the line (and have to pay big bucks to get them back!)."

To make things easier for your future employer, be sure to include a "table of contents" on a piece of (real) paper, included with the flash drive. This will help old-timers navigate it, and will also remind people of the amazing things that are on it even after you've left. Attaching a pretty index card would do the trick.

Planning Ahead

When you come in to your interview, it's good to bring something in that shows your future employers what a forward thinker you are. Bring with you a piece of paper scheduling out what you would do in your first 30 days at the company.

It doesn't have to be what THEY will want you to do. It just shows that you're thinking about the company, you've done some research, and you're willing to take initiative to solve things. Try to be positive, though. You don't want to bring a 30 day plan that puts the company in a bad light (though some constructive critisism can be good). Just be careful.

Networking with the interviewers

After the interview, hopefully you have the name(s) of the interviewer(s). Most likely (if you're lucky) you'll be able to find these people on the professional social network, LinkedIn. Find them, and add them as a connection.

The most important thing, before you do this, though, is that you make sure you have a really good LinkedIn profile. Make sure you have a lot of connections, as well as a lot of recommendations from previous employers and friends, otherwise you're just making yourself look lame.

What Interesting things have YOU done?

I know there are plenty more tricky interview strategies out there - which ones have you tried? What do you plan to try? What has failed miserably for you?

Hopefully the next time I see you, you have your dream job!

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