So I'm a young lad just out of college I got lucky enough to step right into a job only days after graduating, but was recently faced with a difficult situation I was told that my company would be starting my termination papers soon for reasons that are total lies. Anyway I went home and I really focused on my resume. And below are my tricks to not only scoring interviews but how to secure the position. My first trick is be decisive on what you want to do. I know we can get in a panic once we are let go we need that source of income, but really focus on what you want to do. Once you have a good idea you need to Google the companies that are in that field. Take a few minutes and scan their website in their about me section. Pick up on the adjectives they use such as "compassionate", "aware", "motivated" etc etc. Incorporate those words if they apply to you. HR receives hundreds if not thousands of resumes daily (they receive most amount of resumes Thursdays-Sundays). Most HR departments have a program or app that will skim your resume and pick up words they program such as "motivation, team players, sales" and flag words/phrases that are not what they are looking for like "works best alone, or requires micromanagement" so take some time to really invest in your resume. My second tip is every little accomplishment you may not think is a big deal actually is. If you got recognized for coming into work on time every day mention that you were recognized as being punctual, and there for reliable. By no means do you want to make anything up, but make every little accomplishment shine like you just won some big time achievement. Third tip: Before you go into an interview eat a peppermint breath mint. Scientifically proven if you eat something peppermint while studying if you eat it again come time to use the information your brain can recall that information easier. So eat a breath mint when your employer introduces him/herself. This way if you get called back you can remember their name at a second interview. Also try to incorporate their name into a conversation within the first 5 minutes at least 3 times. This will help you remember their name after the interview. Fourth tip: it's nearly impossible to not get nervous they know just as well as you know they hold all the power, but go into the interview as of you are catching up with a professional friend. Concentrate less on the words you're going to say and how you are going to deliver what you want to say. "Uh, ums, and excessive amounts of ands will make that powerful statement worthless. Take your time slow down, regulate your heart rate. Fifth tip: if you find that the interview is going south it never hurts to lay your cards out there. I was in an interview and everything was just mediocre at best and a question came up that I did not answer how he wanted me to answer. Immediately he closed his note book, put his pen down, crossed his legs and leaned back as if the interview was over. I just threw my cards on the table and said "no I will not push my vendors to make everything top priority like you are wanting because I want to keep my vendors on a good side and I would rather keep the vendors that I have for a long term vs just for 1 project. I have built up that trust and relationship and not willing to throw it all away for a single project". I was honest and he wasn't expecting that statement. But after I said it his eyebrow raised and he said "I've never heard someone say that, I totally agree it's best to conserve your relations rather than burn bridges". If you speak to something you're truly passionate about even if the employer doesn't agree with it most employers will be receptive to the statement. Sixth tip: eye contact, eye contact, eye contact. It can be awkward, it can be uncomfortable, and sometimes it can be down right strange. I'd say when they are speaking you need to be looking them in the eyes at least 60% of the time and and additional 20-30% at their ears IF you are unable to keep eye contact the majority of the time. When you speak you have a little more wiggle room you can look through them while speaking if it makes you comfortable. Seventh tip: ALWAYS go in with at least 3 questions I'd recommend 2 for the company (what has your company does for the community, what direction is the company going, and where is it projecting in 1,3, and 5 years from now, from an internal point of view what is the best thing about the company, etc.) And 1 question about the position (what is the number one quality in an outstanding employee, how does this company treat it's employees, etc.) Eighth tip: Know what's on your resume, nothing is worse than the information not aligning correctly on what your resume says and what you are saying. Ninth tip: know that every company in the history of forever is going to say or ask a question related to "why do you want to work here". If you say "because I need a job" you might as well leave. This goes back to researching the companies you apply for. Their needs and your skills should align. Tenth tip: be firm when shaking hands, men and women if you need to practice on your hand shake do it. A firm hand shake to your employer no matter gender shows confidence. If you have a bad hand shake joke about it and say "I can't accept a hand shake like that" make it light hearted and do it again. Tip eleven: The power of words means more than you know. Never call your job a job it is always a career (job means temporary career means long term). Draft a cover letter a great majority of people never include a cover letter! This blows my mind because this is a quick snip bit that shows how awesome you are, and why would you want to pass that up? I have no idea. Try not to use words thatyou fully do not know the meaning to, but at the same time, use more advanced words. I am only 25 years old, I've been working since my freshman year of college, and with the tips I just mentioned I just received 6 interviews and 5 career offers. In my field of work (construction management) being youthful is a major factor against you, but with my tips and work on my resume I am currently employed and not in the face of danger of not having a career. I hope this helps, and hopefully a mentioned tip will help you get your foot in that door, or secure your position. Also not a bad idea to try to relate to your employer over a common hobby or interest.