Sherry R. Brickman, a partner at executive-search firm Martin Partners LLC, says a candidate recently impressed her with this sort of preparation. 'He knew the company's product line and what markets it was already in,' she says of the man, who was interviewing for an executive post at a midsize industrial manufacturer. 'He clearly and effectively explained how he could cut costs, increase sales and expand market share based on what he'd done in his current job.' The candidate was hired.

Be careful not to go too far, though, in your quest to stand out. For example, it may be tempting to offer to work temporarily for free or to take a lesser salary than what a job pays. But experts say such bold moves often backfire on candidates. 'Employers want value,' says Lee Miller, author of 'Get More Money on Your Next Job . . . In Any Economy.' 'They don't want cheap.'

Your best bet is to wait until you're extended a job offer before talking pay. 'In a recession, employers are going to be very price sensitive,' says Mr. Miller. 'The salary you ask for may impact their decision to move forward.' Come prepared having researched the average pay range for a position in case you're pressured to name your price, he adds. You might say, for example, that money isn't a primary concern for you and that you're just looking for something fair, suggests Mr. Miller. You can try turning the tables by asking interviewers what the company has budgeted for the position.

In some cases, you may be looking just for a job to get you through so you might consider a less-than-perfect fit. But if you aren't really excited about an opportunity, keep it to yourself, warns David Gaspin, director of human resources at 5W Public Relations in New York. 'I've had times where people come in and it's clear that if they really had their preference, they'd be doing something different,' he says. 'You don't want to put that out on the table. Nobody wants to hire someone who's going to run for the door when times get better.'

After an interview, take caution with your follow-up. If you're in the running for multiple jobs at once, make sure to address thank-yous to the right people, career experts advise. Also look closely for spelling and grammatical errors. In a competitive job market, employers have the luxury of choice, and even a minor faux pas can hurt your chances.

If all has gone well, don't stalk the interviewer. Wait at least a week before checking on your candidacy, adds Jose Tamez, managing partner at Austin-Michael LP, an executive-search firm in Golden, Colo. Call recruiters only at their office, even if their business card lists a home or cell number. Leave a message if you get voicemail. These days, recruiters typically have caller ID and can tell if you've tried reaching them multiple times without leaving a voicemail. 'There's a fine line between enthusiasm and overenthusiasm,' he says.

最近几周，包装公司Consolidated Container Co.的招聘官注意到一个现象，某些应聘者提早一个小时就来到面试现场，还有一些应聘者在面试时暗示自己经济上遇到麻烦，一位应聘者甚至将过去做过的项目编印成册进行分发。 liuxuepaper.com