Top paying companies tend to employ well trained recruiters who know how to recognize talented individuals. However, each of these interviewers may handle dozens of applicants a week. This means you could get lost in the shuffle. Here are some tips that can help you stand out from the crowd.

Ask Detailed Questions about the Position

This is a subtle way to demonstrate that you have an intimate understanding of a job’s requirements. For example, you might be applying for a managerial position. During the interview, ask the recruiter to name the top 3 department heads you would need to build strong bonds with in order to get things done on an interdepartmental level.

The question highlights your willingness to cooperate and not let your ego get in the way of teamwork. You are also showing that you know management is about more than just overseeing the people in your own department.

This type of surprise question encourages the recruiter to let his/her guard down and indulge in a little bonding with you over office gossip. You will stand out as the applicant who really “gets” how corporate culture operates.

Don’t Oversell Yourself

Keep your bragging practical, factual, and minimal. Maintain a focus on your accomplishments rather than your personality (unless you are applying for a sales job). Be amiable but don’t try too hard to be funny or super-likeable; this makes you look nervous and desperate. Treat the interview like a business transaction between equals.

Don’t promise anything you can’t deliver. Also, don’t pretend to be an expert on every topic. Instead, give a specific example from your work history that demonstrates your ability to learn new things quickly. This type of flexibility is highly valued in today’s constantly evolving workplace. People who are fast learners are more likely to find high paying jobs than those who are limited to one or two areas of expertise.

Be Assertive about your Expectations

After you have described everything you are willing to do for an employer, don’t forget to mention one or two things that are deal breakers for you. This shows that you know how to set boundaries.

For example, you can state that you expect your average travel schedule to include no more than 2 overnight trips per month. This leaves room for more frequent travel in emergencies but makes it less likely that a potential employer will think it is OK to take advantage of you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for as much compensation information as you can get during an interview. If the recruiter isn’t able to give you a realistic idea of what the company is offering, you won’t be able to negotiate a fair salary.

If you are used to making a decent salary and have suddenly been laid off, you may be in for a rough ride. It can take some serious digging to find high paying jobs in this economy. While you are between careers, you need to be resourceful in stretching your existing funds as far as they will go.

A severance package can provide a much needed cushion after a layoff, but it is hardly a “golden parachute” if your salary was in the $40-200K range. Unemployment benefits don’t last forever either. If you are like most Americans, you probably don’t have 3-6 months of living expenses saved up in cash reserves to live on.

Once you have cut back to the basics, you may still find yourself struggling financially. A comprehensive job search can take months – especially if you are in a competitive field. In the meantime, you need to figure out how to keep a roof over your head.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are faced with tough decisions:

• Accept short term contract work in your field even if it is at a pay rate well below what you usually earn. This will look better on your resume than just taking any job you can get. Working at a fast food restaurant is nothing to be ashamed of, but it signals to top paying companies that you are really desperate.
• Selling stock is almost always better than breaking into a retirement plan. Even if you are selling shares at a lower price than you bought them, at least you won’t be paying the IRS a 10% penalty for early withdrawal. Also, any financial loss you suffer on a stock sale can be taken off your taxes.
• If you will need a sizable chunk of money to substitute for income, try to get a low interest loan from your bank (e.g. by refinancing your mortgage if possible). Rely on this loan for your emergency cash flow instead of continuing to simply pile debt onto your credit cards.
• Avoid the temptation provided by get rich quick schemes. You should never finance someone else’s startup business venture with your own money. If they can’t get a loan from a bank, their business plan probably isn’t sound.
• Spend some time on self improvement while you are between jobs. Avoid reading too many hyped up self help books. Instead, try a low cost practice such as meditating. You need to be calm and confident – not jazzed. This will keep you from burning out if it takes longer than you expect to find work.

Finally, don’t jump at the first offer you get without fully researching compensation information in your field. Once you have a good idea of how much your skills are worth, you will recognize the right job when it comes along.