An economic downturn is no deterrent for the top companies when it comes to scouting for fresh talent. If you have your sights set on working for one of them, it pays to be persistent and prepared.

Fortune magazine, in its annual ranking of the 100 top employers, says those companies are still hiring, but the competition is stiffer than ever. Try these tips for getting your foot in the door:

¢ Unleash your inner storyteller. By far the most popular interview style is what’s known as the behavioral, meaning that you will be asked to describe troublesome situations in previous jobs and recount exactly how you handled them.

¢ A Google search won’t do it. A proven way to stand out from the rest of the candidates is to know more about the place and the industry than your rivals.

¢ No lone rangers need apply. By and large, the 100 Best want team players. Another big turnoff is declaring that you’re already the best at what you do.

¢ If at first you don’t succeed, try again. Almost every Best Company keeps track of what FedEx calls “silver medalists” – people who barely missed getting hired – and alerts them to new openings.