Grandpa Joe replies:
            
"You've got more, Charlie, because you want it more. Go on, open it."
            
But, alas, there is no gold and poor Charlie turns away disappointed.
            
I've met more than a few job candidates who held a similar belief. There's one particular job they want, and they meet the qualifying criteria and tick all the right boxes. And, because they want it really, really, really, really, really bad, the hiring manager is going to just give it to them.
            
Nobody ever said that of course, but it's an implicit belief.
            
Why else would they show up to the interview unprepared -- having been unwilling to use every possible advantage available to sell themselves to the hiring manager and leave them with absolutely no doubt at all that he or she is the rockstar candidate they've been hoping to find?
            
Always remember:
            
No hiring manager is going to give you preferential treatment just because you want it more. Grandpa Joe is wrong.
            
No hiring manager is going to give you preferential treatment just because you tick all the right boxes and are qualified for the role.
            
The only way they'll give you preferential treatment is if you make such a powerful impression, he or she walks away from the interview convinced that you're exactly the kind of person they're looking for to join their team.
            
And how do you do that?
            
First, you need to do a little bit of detective work (but not a lot -- 30 minutes or so is all you need), dig out some clues, and use them to build a profile of their Ideal Candidate. Not just the "hard stuff" like qualifications, experience, etc. but also the "soft stuff" like personality traits, core strengths, talents.
            
Second, you need to prepare answers to the most common interview questions -- especially the more difficult ones, like "What's your biggest weakness?" and "Why did you leave your last job?" -- and you need to use these answers as an opportunity to convey the "soft stuff" above.
            
Third, you need to show up on the day and carry yourself as if you're the "prize" other employers are fighting to hire. This doesn't mean being cocky. It means projecting confidence, professionalism, and, most of all, kindness.
            
Our flagship Interview Success Formula takes you through this entire process, start to finish. We have multimedia presentations and worksheets that arm you with all the knowledge, tools, and preparation you need to walk into your next interview 100% prepared and ready to give your best.
            
It's everything you need to ace the interview and land the job.