With the economy the way it is today many people who have been in the same job for years or even decades may have lost that job recently. Those who have been suddenly dropped back to the rank of job seeker can be traumatized and confused. But have heart because there are some specific things that you can do to position yourself above the competition for a job interview if you’re new to the job search ranks.

First, create a professional and up to date resume. Competition for jobs is fierce in almost every field and many people vying for the job you want have college degrees. If you have a college degree already, make sure that you emphasize that on your resume. If you do not have a college degree, it doesn’t mean you are out of the game, but you will need to present yourself as the better candidate. For those lacking a college degree, your resume should prominently display and highlight your work experience. Get your resume together and seek help if you need it to make sure that all of your transferable skills and experience are listed. Make sure the resume is completely error free and includes your accurate contact information.

The second thing you need to do is to research the company where you want to be working. Sometimes by the end of the interview day, candidates for a position can start to run together. Stand out in the minds of your interviewers by doing your homework about the company. Get online, research the company and take a look at their annual report to see whether things are going well for the company right now or not. Take note of any special projects that the company has been involved in during recent months and if there have been any leadership changes or anything else worthy of attention. Armed with this knowledge during the interview, you will avoid asking trivial questions and you put yourself one step ahead of the competition by showing you did your research.

The final thing you need to do to prepare for your interview is to make sure that your appearance is top-notch. The importance of first impressions should not be disregarded. The interview is your first and sometimes final opportunity to make a great impression. Know the dress code for the company and plan to dress at least two levels higher than the daily company attire. If you’ve been meaning to get a haircut, do it at least one week prior to the interview and not the day before or the day of the interview. One thing that is sometimes overlooked when preparing for a job interview is oral hygiene. Make sure that your teeth are clean and bright and your breath is fresh. Instead of spending a lot of money for the dentist, search out a good method for teeth whitening at home but be sure to complete the process a couple of weeks before the interview. Making a decision about teeth whitening at home can be an overwhelming process so take the time to research the different products available as well as the many home remedies.