Standing out at an interview

Been to quite a few interviews lately... thought I'd share my experience of what I think is a good way to stand out amongst the many many fresh graduates that a HR manager has to face in grueling back to back sessions in a day.

Firstly, to show pizazz you'd have had to achieve the basics of a successful interview first. To briefly recap... Assuming that you have googled and read through a heap of them by now...

1) Always turn up EARLY!
2) Dress to Impress
3) Speak out (they can't assess you unless you give them something...)
4)Never speak bad of anything(As a wise man once told me, only say good things about others, otherwise shutup.)
5)Be polite and humble
6)Wait for the interviewer to invite you to take a seat
7)Don't be nervous! They want you, that's why you have been invited!
8) Bring an updated copy of your resume and maybe an even more convincing cover letter stating why you are the person for the job.

Anyhoos. back to the topic... =D So.. How'd you stand out among a bunch of fresh graduate applicants? Especially if your interview session was at the end of day, I thought that the HR manager would just be so sick of facing another freshie rattling on about why they are suitable for the job; or worst, appear so tense and nervous that nothing comes up!

Well, this was in my thought but I went in with nothing to dazzle our interviewer beside the usual arsenal.

Darn. Last interviewee of the day and you've got nothing to differentiate yourself. I'm DOOMED....

I went to the interview location a good 45 minutes early, as is my habit, so that you have time to calm down n relax and breathe and just take in the situation and place.

I saw a crooked painting!

Epiphany! Fireworks going through my head!

AHA! Our interviewer wouldn't want another "scripted speech" with cut and dry replies. I gave him a STORY based on my observations in the waiting room that portrays how my skills and abilities:

I saw a crooked painting and wondered why no one had adjusted it. While wanting to go adjust the painting, I was also aware of the fact the painting might drop. I went ahead to survey the painting before trying to shift it; and found that it'd slide back askew, which made me realise that some other person may have already had a go at it.

Awhile later I saw two people discussing a problem and heard "I didnt know" and " I thought" which are taboo words for me, because I have a CAN DO spirit and make sure that I confirm things and be aware of my work. But i really admired the person when he admitted his error. Admitting to mistakes and contemplating and correcting on them is a principle that I live by.

I told a few more points... but this post is kinda getting huge.

My last point was about another interview that went badly because the lady was too nervous to speak up despite being an experienced hire. To that I highlighted my ability to speak out in confidence and my enthusiasm for meeting new people.

Well of course, after the story, the interviewer had to go on and ask his 20 questions, however, I think I made enough of a positive impact on him that the interview become more of a receptive chat session rather than a boring drawl.

Granted, now that its all written down it doesn't seem so impressive. But I think the idea was to stand out in a positive way so that I'd be invited to the final round of interview.

To sum up, I think there's not set way to impress your interviewer, you don't have to go out of your way to 'stand out'; always evaluate your plan so as not to make yourself look stupid and give a negative impression.

Well... All said and done, I just got the email inviting me down to their final interview! =D

How does this remotely tie to finance? To frame it up nicely, I was went in with a junk bond status but came out with at least a BBB, an investment grade rating. Meaning that the company thinks that its worth investing their time and money to train me up!