I wanted to share my best interviewing secrets with the group, in hopes that 2010 is the year that everyone happily lands their perfect, long-term job.
1) Know the employer’s pain, and provide a viable solution. If you’re the candidate who has researched the heck out of a company and gives them a fantastic, new idea, you’ll be the candidate they remember. Don’t be concerned with giving away your expertise – it’s just one idea! In the words of London-turned-Chicago-punk rocker extraordinaire, Martin Atkins, FREE IS THE NEW BLACK! (Brown is the new black…pink…plaid…FREE! Free is the new black. Come up with something new.

2) Be up-to-date on technology, including social marketing. It doesn’t matter if your particular job doesn’t directly deal with social marketing; an employer’s ears will perk up if you can intelligently discuss this during an interview. It isn’t enough to say that you are on FB or Twitter – be able to discuss how these tools can help the company reach a new audience, because that is what will be most beneficial to the employer. (If they are currently doing well in this area, let them know that, too!)

3) Know and love the company. I know of specific employers who check their company’s FB/Twitter pages before an interview, to see if that candidate is a fan. If your interviews came down to 2 candidates with similar backgrounds and qualifications, wouldn’t you lean towards the person who actively comments on your page and takes part in your company’s conversations? Of course you would!

I wish everyone the best success in their career development!