Becoming a stellar applicant for a job is not easy. However, when it comes to the interview, you can always prepare ahead of time to help catch the interviewer’s attention from the first minute you start a conversation.

The key to being an excellent candidate is to prepare solid answers even to the simplest questions.

To help you out, here are some tips on how to sell your strong points to otherswithout adding fluff:

Prepare a Timeline

In order to avoid going off-topic during the interview, prepare a timeline of events, from your educational accomplishments to your work history. From this list, you can create an effective pitch and responses that will be easy to remember.

Touch on your background and discuss your career path at the moment. Once you’ve shared this information, don’t be afraid to talk about the future and why you are excited about the new opportunity and what you want to achieve.

Tell Your Story

Keep the interviewer interested in your story by showing your strengths, skills, achievements and your passion for the job by giving concrete examples. Simply talking about your accomplishments is not enough. Always have a story or example to back up your statements.(Where applicable, don’t be afraid to share portfolio samples.)

Time Yourself

Always keep your answers short and sweet to avoidpotentially compelling the interviewer to mentally wander off. Practice answering questions beforehand by focusing on the highlights of what you’ve contributed, rather than unnecessary details.

Try to fit all the enticing points intoless than two minutes per answer.

Make It About Them

Focusing on yourself during the interview shouldn’t be your sole agenda. Don’t forget to let your interviewer know how interested you are in the company and in the position as a prospective employee.

Explain why you want to be on their team and what you can offer to the company that will be of great benefit. Don’t forget to research the company’s mission and vision statement, as well as their projects and culture,and include what you’ve learned when you discuss how passionate you are about applying your skills to the job.