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All you've got to do is put on your suit and show up, right? Well, maybe not.

Everyone knows this is the toughest job market in decades and the unemployment rate is staying pretty well stagnant. There are going to be a dozen people (at least) lined up for that job too, so here are some ideas on how to bring a good game and present yourself well:

• Research the company and job.
  
  Use resources like Google and Hoover's to do some homework on the company itself before you even show up. The more informed you sound, the better your chances are going to be and the better your answers (and your own questions) are going to come across.
  
  Know what the company's strategies and goals are, know their products and services, and go in well-prepared.
  
  
• Know your USP.
  
  Every product and service has a "USP" -- a Unique Selling Proposition.
  
  Think about your own USP...your skill set, your experience and track record, and your personal strengths. Remember that every company looks at an employee in terms of ROI -- Return On Investment.
  
  Think about how your skill set can contribute to the company's culture and value proposition.
  
  
• Listen.
  
  If you're constantly thinking ahead about your next response or if you go into the interview over-rehearsed, you can miss out on some extremely important nuances that might give you a valuable edge.
  
  And don't just listen to the questions and responses, pay attention to the hiring manager's or interviewer's body language and non-verbal cues.
  
  
• See if you can close the deal.
  
  You're in sales and marketing, you're not going to leave an appointment without at least trying to find out where you stand.
  
  You're not going to be offered a job on the spot at any interview, but you want to end the interview sounding confident. Go ahead and ask the potential employer when a hiring decision is going to be made, at least.
  
  Be careful to finesse the situation, though, and recognize the fine line between enthusiasm and antagonizing the interviewer. 
  
  
• Be confident, but not overconfident.
  
  You want the job, but you don't want to come across as desperate. Nor do you want to come across as arrogant or cocky.
  
  Don't try to dominate the interview by asking too many questions right out of the gate, otherwise the interviewer is going to go on the defensive. Remember that the interviewer's job is to lead and guide the conversation, and don't upstage him.
  
  
• Be relaxed.
  
  Be warm and don't be afraid to show a sense of humor. Just like on a sales call, humor can go a long way toward breaking the ice and establishing a relationship with the person across the desk from you.
  
  Don't joke around so much that you sound like you're not taking the job seriously, but if you're too serious or stoic it can send the interview south. And just like in sales, once the appointment goes south it can be very hard to recover it again.

Bottom Line

Demonstrate and use your selling skills to make this sale, too, and land this job.

© Copyright Erin Kennedy, 2010. All rights reserved. Used with permission.