You spot a job you’re perfect for—and it’s with a company you’re excited about. Your interview goes really well, and you go home confident that you’ll be receiving a job offer within the week.

And then you don’t get the job.

When this happens, it’s confusing, frustrating, and stressful. But it’s also pretty common: the fact is, even when you’re a great fit for a role, you’ve got lots of competition.

That’s why we’ve put together a guide to nailing your interviews in 2016. This guide focuses on current hospitality trends, so you’ll be able to give your interviewers the most up-to-date answers and relevant examples. 

In other words, you’ve just found your secret weapon.

Talk about millennials

By 2017, millennials will replace baby boomers as the dominant consumer group. That’s going to have a huge impact on the hospitality industry—so if you can show the hiring manager that you’re prepared for the change, you’ll definitely become a more appealing candidate.

When the hiring manager asks, “Why are you a good fit for this role?” then say:

“In addition to (my ability to do X and my knowledge of Y), I have a strong understanding of the millennial generation and what they’re looking for in a hospitality experience.”

Then, give some examples that relate to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a front desk position, add, “This understanding makes me an ideal front desk concierge. I know which services millennials are most likely to be interested in, the local spots they’d enjoy, and the extras we can provide to make them repeat customers.

Mention mobile

More than 75% of travelers say their smartphones are very important—even critical. And if you work at hotels, restaurants, or casinos, you’ve probably noticed that the presence of apps and mobile tools is growing every month.

Smart hiring managers will be looking for candidates who have noticed the trend toward mobile.  After all, they need their employees to keep them on the cutting-edge and help guests with tech issues.

If the hiring manager asks, “What are your strengths?”, you might say (along with two or three more traditional strengths): 

“I’m well-aware that today’s guests want to make their experience more efficient and personalized by using their phones. I’ve seen this in (example from the previous role). Since I understand this trend, I can help make (company) even more prepared—and even drive some new ideas.”

Talk about software

Companies are embracing the digital world as well. SaaS (software as a service) programs have become a popular way for hospitality organizations to keep operating costs down while maintaining output.

For job-seekers, that means being technically competent is key. If you’re a sales representative, you’ll probably be required to know Salesforce; if you’re in customer service, Zendesk; and so on. 

Before the interview, research all the potential applications someone in your position might be called upon to use.