I’ve been responsible for hiring people for over 15 years now. It used to be simple. Now, hiring people is one of the toughest challenges every company faces. In recessionary times, new hires — including interns — are not simply new staff, but rather a critical element of your business. They support or potentially damage your company’s future success.

 For prospective job seekers, this is a wake-up call that a great resume and results alone don’t cut it. As they say in the music industry, “you are only as good as your last album.” To get the job you want, you should be prepared for these five scenarios: 

• Demonstrate your dedication to doing “whatever it takes”. Remember this: A company is investing their hard-earned dollars in you when they bring you on-board. You need to prove that you are a good investment. Too many times, great potential candidates have made fatal errors in interviews by making statements that indicate they are not willing to do “whatever it takes.” In today’s job market, companies don’t expect you to give up your entire life for them, but they do want assurance that they are making a good investment.
• Marry your youth with your experience. Sharing your historical experiences is good. It demonstrates your breadth, depth and skills. However, history is not good enough. You also need to have a clear opinion about the newest trends in your field, and, more importantly, how you think they could be used with the prospective employer. Even if you share general thoughts and ideas that demonstrate your interest in being ahead of the pack, it will go a long way.
• Assume that your personal social profile was reviewed. These days, prospective employers are absolutely checking your background via social networks, including MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Gather.com and others. While maintaining a professional profile is important, even more important is simply having one. If you don’t have one, take the time to build one now. Demonstrating your ability to change and upgrade with the times is key.
• Discuss your biggest failure, honestly. Unless you are interviewing for your very first job, chances are that you have screwed up something, at some point and time. Being able to honestly own up to that failure and eloquently describe how it gave you a better appreciation for a certain scenario — or inspired you to take a second look at a process — can do wonders on your interview. Remember that in this economy, having generated a 350% increase in sales at your last company may have gotten you in the door, but you also need to provide some intellectual currency that shows you not only did it once, but can make it happen again.
• Write a handwritten note. In these digitally driven days, a thank-you email in the elevator on the way out of your interview demonstrates your speed. A handwritten note that is delivered in the next day or so demonstrates class. Stand out and do something that looks and feels like you are going the extra mile. In one case, a person at my company solidified her spot by sending a fruit plate to the CEO’s hotel because he mentioned that he hadn’t eaten all day during the interview. Your thoughtfulness now demonstrates your ability to think in your new role.

 The reality is that the job market today is unique. It is an “E-conomy.” You are not only competing with other candidates, but also with other places your prospective employer could invest the dollars they are spending on you. Stand out, be confident, demonstrate your youth with your experience and, most of all, follow up.