What to Bring to an Interview

Being prepared for a job interview is super important. Do you know what to bring to an interview? In fact, I have found that most candidates are extreme one way or the other on this. The first type of candidate takes the job interview for granted. They rely on their wits and charm. They mistakenly believe that preparing for the job interview will make them more nervous and too rehearsed. They go into the interview only to wish they had been better prepared.

The second type of interviewer is the over-preparer. They go way overboard on everything. They walk in 30 minutes before the scheduled interview time not aware that this annoys the hiring manager or recruiter. They are too eager during the interview and write too much on their notepad. They just appear too eager and too desperate. There is a fine line between these two.

What to Bring to an Interview

• The latest copy of your resume and references – make sure to bring several copies of your resume with you. You really have no idea how many people you will be meeting so having plenty of copies on hand shows that you are prepared. Never go without copies of your resume. The last thing you want to tell them is that you didn’t bring any with you since you emailed the resume to them.
• A professional presentation – This may go without saying, but the first two minutes of the job interview are the most important. They will develop an opinion of you in this first two minutes and the rest of the interview they will be trying to confirm or deny that opinion.
• Business Card (if appropriate) – More often than not, those that you interview with will usually hand you their business card at the end of the interview. Having yours to give in return is not only good business ettiquite but it can work in your favor. Let me explain. Most professionals do not have an established method for what they do with business cards. Oftentimes, it ends up on their desk for several days. Giving them your business card can be a great way to keep your name in front of them.
• An After-Interview Checklist – I talked about this in a previous blog post. The first 10-15 minutes after the interview you have a lot of information swirling around in your head. If you have a checklist to follow to record names of people you met as well as the pros and cons of the interview, it will be helpful for you to review later. As time passes we forget these important details.

What to Leave at Home

• Notepad and paper – this may just be a pet peeve but I want to share it with you anyhow. It bothers me when people are writing the whole time I am talking to them. It makes me wonder what they are writing and if they are going to hold me to anything that I say later. It just seems impersonal to me. I would rather they be locked in to what I am saying.
• Perfume or Cologne - This is another pet peeve, but I have seen it happen over and over again. It is better for you to not have put any on than too much.
  

  Image by Getty Images via @daylife

• Gum or candy – When we are nervous we forget to pay attention to the little things. Smacking gum or swirling candy around in your mouth is not professional
• Too many questions – Be careful that you do not end up interviewing the interviewer. Most people are polite enough to not look irritated but they are complete annoyed with the fact that you are controlling the conversation.

Question: What do you bring to a job interview and what do you leave at home?