You have read and studied all the articles listing interview questions and answers. You can list your 3 strengths and weaknesses; you can even put a spin on those weaknesses and turn them into assets. You know what the protocol will be, what to wear and how to send a thank you note after the meeting.

All the above preparation is great. Sadly it means you are going to come across just like any other candidate. What can you do to stand out and make a lasting impression in the mind of the interviewer? Here are four tips you can use:

1. Present your value

Instead of you rambling on about what you want out of this job, where you would be heading and how much money you are looking for – try to tune in to the WIIFM of the interviewer. Let’s say they are looking for a sales person. Present your detailed plan of how much money you will bring in over 3, 6 and 12 months. This is what they want to hear, now you have their full attention as you could be the factor that secures their Christmas bonus.

2. Share passions

This is an old networking tip, instead of the usual boring chat; find out what a person is really passionate about. You will get them talking and feeling more comfortable, you may share the passion or you may know someone that does. The point is that the interviewer will remember sharing this information and your meeting will be different to the others. The clever applicant will do their homework online and look out for any interests and hobbies the interviewer has stated on their Linkedin and other profiles.

3. Don’t give answers, tell stories

Just like in any sales meeting, real life stories not only puts the interviewer’s imagination to work but are also memorable. Line up a few stories about your greatest challenge, how you dealt with conflict, how you increased productivity etc. All stories are about how you encountered a problem, employed your ingenuity to solve it and achieved great results.

4. Close them down

The kiss of death for your application would be to say thank you, shake hands and leave the building at the end of the interview – without getting feedback there and then. By asking what the interviewer thinks at the end, you come across as interested and business minded. By not asking, you run the risk of crashing and burning. Another bonus with asking for instant feedback is that you will know right away; no sleepless nights before you get the formal feedback.

That’s four ways for you to stand out in the interview. Have a think of what other ways you can present a memorable case and you will find yourself leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.