As China’s economy continues to grow at a rapid pace and the country’s population and number of college graduates continue to soar, many students face a difficult job hunt when they graduate. How can you make yourself more competitive in today’s job market? Thorough preparation is the key to confidence. Here are some tips you may find useful to help you hone your competitive edge:

1. When you get called for an interview, swing into preparation mode. Start researching the company, try to predict what questions you will be asked, and practice your answers until they are flawless.

2. Make a great first impression by dressing and acting professionally. Remember the “five Be’s” for a successful interview: Be professional, be confident and intentional, be formal but not stiff, be clear and concise in your answers, and be thoughtful and patient.

3. When introducing yourself during the interview, be sure to mention things other than a big paycheck that you consider to be most rewarding – for example, facing challenges, the feeling of accomplishment, or knowing that you have made a valuable contribution. When you talk about the company, cite its good reputation, the many opportunities it offers, and the positive working conditions. Stress that you want to work for this organization, not just any organization.

4. If the interviewer asks you what is your greatest weakness, don’t get flustered. Go ahead and identify one or two weaknesses, but with a twist: “I often tend to drive myself too hard”, or “I sometimes expect others to perform beyond their capacities”, or “I like to see a job done quickly”. Note that these “weaknesses” could also be regarded as desirable qualities. The trick is to describe a weakness that could also be considered a virtue.

5. If you are asked at the start of an interview to talk about salary, it may be best to say something like, “Why don’t we discuss salary after we decide whether I’m right for the job?” But if the interviewer asks again about salary after showing real interest in you, go ahead and speak up; she or he will probably try to meet your salary requirement. If you want to search for clues about what salary they might be willing to offer, you can ask, “Can we discuss the salary range you are offering for this position?”

If you follow these tips, you will likely stand firm in the face of the most fierce interview competition. Good luck!