Job interviews are stressful and there is so much great advice available about what to wear, how to act and what questions to ask that it's easy to get overwhelmed. Once you have the right outfit, have done tons of interview prep and are confident about your ability to show yourself in your best light, it's showtime. Before you walk out the door, however, there are a few things you need to make sure that you bring along with you.
Here are 5 things you need to bring to your next interview:
Interviewer's phone number and the company's number - It's one of those things you might not think about until you really need it, and by then, it will be too late. Make sure you have the phone number of your interviewer, along with the main number to the company written down. This way, if you have an emergency along the way, you will have a way to contact them to let them know. Not showing up for an interview is a hard thing to recover from. If you were to get stuck in a major traffic jam or some other unavoidable situation, you can call, explain what is going on and discuss rescheduling your interview.
A list of professional references - Since you know better than to list your references on your resume, make sure to bring a piece of paper that has your references listed out. This will eliminate any delay if the interviewer asks you to provide references. From the moment you leave the interview, the clock is ticking; any sort of delay on your part will only serve to give the hiring manager more time to find a better applicant. Don't take this chance and be ready to provide the list on the spot.
Copies of your resume - Don't assume that the interviewer will have a copy of your resume on hand. Instead, print out a few copies and bring them along with you. If the interviewer wants to go over your resume with you, you'll have your own copy on hand and will be able to answer any questions they might have more easily. Another reason to bring extra copies is that you never know how many people will be interviewing you. If you arrive and find that there is a panel, you can quickly supply additional copies of your resume rather than them having to share.
A small notebook with questions - This is something many applicants forget, but it's super important. Bring a nice notepad with you to write down any important information the interviewer might give you. Also, write out a few well thought out question for the interviewer. This way, you'll be sure to ask all of the question you have and it also shows that you are prepared and interested in the job.
A nice pen - In the course of your interview, you may need to take notes, fill out an application or other forms. In this moment, not having a pen will make you look unprepared. To prevent this, make sure you bring a nice, professional looking pen with you to the interview. These small details show that you are a professional who pays attention to the little things. This goes a long way toward demonstrating that you have what it takes to do the job.
One of the most sought after qualities that hiring managers are looking for is attention to details. Arriving at the interview with everything you might need is a great way to show why you are a good fit for the job.
Bring These 5 Things to Your Next Interview
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Don C •Your part on where you can ask question is a little puzzling. Asking questions at the end of the interview is no problem at all. But, when you ask for a clarification on a question which is asked during the interview they will not give one so you can answer it. That is the bad part for the one getting interviewed. -
Calixte G •I enjoyed reading the article, and it's good knowledge and experience, So much respect and honesty, and truth. I recommend this article most highly
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Lori W •Good Advice that i will use on my next interview scheduled for a week and a half. i have a nice portfolio folder that holds a pad of paper and looks professional that i also carry extra Resumes and references in. also, i have important info like school and job addresses and phone numbers since one interview they asked me to complete a application and i had it all in my portfolio folder on an index card.
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Teesa M •Great advice.
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TYRAN B •THANKS FOR THE INFOMATION.
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Mark S •I would add one more thing. A separate list of employment history just listing the company name, start/end dates, salary, and supervisor info. Many initial in-person interviews have you fill out an application requiring this info and it's much easier than xref'ing your resume and reference lists.
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Bill D •Loved It.Thanks so much.You may only get one chance.
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Anita C •All of these suggestions are right on! I have used all of them with the exception of questions to ask the interviewer. I was not prepared for asking them questions during a recent interview. I had to think fast and come up with a few. I did not have time to write any of those questions in my portfolio during the interview, but did write notes in it right after the interview. A portfolio is a good item to purchase. I also researched and it was suggested that a women should not bring her purse to an interview, just her portfolio. I also requested a business card from the manager I interviewed with. Usually all of the information you need is on it (phone number, fax number and email address). Hope this helps!
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Sondra P •I was told I should include my professional references with my resume, just on a separate page, why now are you saying that this is taboo?
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Sabrina R •Thank you so much for the 5 things to bring to a interview information. It is really helpful for me during my job search. I feel more relaxed,confident and well prepared for my next job interview it has been over 12 years since my last interview for employment. Again, thanks for the valued information.
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Christine P •The note book is a really good suggestion I had not thought about . When I finished school, career services gave us most of those tips. With exception to the notebook and nice pen.
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Lawrence B •I would also bring an email address as I once had an interview at a hotel and the interviewer had his phone off.
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sorie k •I like all the tips giving and i will surely implement them but what are some the few well thought out questions you can ask your interviewer? thank you.
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Mark V •I learned something that may help the nerves. I sat down and prepared a question sheet. Nicely typed out with room to write down the answers. At the top write down the interviewers names the company name. Example: What would the perfect candidate look like? What skills sets? How do you assess my experience and skills in comparison? Write it down whatever the answer. Then when you write a thank you note you have valuable information to use and expound upon.
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Kevin N •I enjoyed the article. It is so true with traffic the way has been lately. I also understand that HR people are often times busy therefore, they may not have a copy of your resume in the immediate area. And yes i noted the faces of some interviewers when they are asked for a pen or pencil by the applicant.A note pad or book okay. I am now better prepared, thank you
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Griselle R •I think all this advise is great. I will add another one to the list: Not to be nervous but be confident. To be nervous is a sign of insecurity of yourself in front of the interviewer and in your future position. In being confident you show the hiring authority so much about you. Also, ask important questions related to the company.
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Darryl R •Great information for proactive job seekers. I suggest requesting your interviewers e-mail contact info. too. It has worked in the past for me in follow-up remarks----even when I was not selected for the position. At least two agencies contacted me later about other posts they thought I would be good for. Too late, I had accepted another offer but that may not occur if I had not captured their e-mail earlier
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Lydia F •Thanks so much for the tips, super important to me not to forget this 5 things I have to do and bring to my next interview, so simple things and yet didn't have them mind!Great advice! Thank you again.
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Terri H •I always have these items w/me, for the reasons as stated. Having said items is as important as wearing a suit! A list of questions will also keep you from looking like a deer in the headlights when asked 'do you have any questions'!Although it's an afterthought, I was also advised by my job counselor to ask for a business card, for follow-up purposes.
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Janelle A •I agree with Cecilia M., always know where you are going. I use Google maps and print out the map directions and also a close in satelite view so that I have a visual que for where to turn into the drive way and which side of the building looks like it is the best choice to park. Saves a bit on your nerves just prior to the interview.
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Joyce N •I appreciate the information on things you need to take on an interview. I believe it will help me get the job I have been searching for because I will be well prepared and the interviewer will be impressed to hire the right candidate.
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Tracy H •Being a recruiter I agreed with all of these comments.
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Anthony B •Pretty easy to remember, I make sure I have everything in one place a day or 2 before the interview. The day before, I check to make sure I have everything.
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Jeneva P •Actually this is great advice, and i do agree with Judy B. my nerves are rattled so bad doing an interview I usually don't ask questions, but try to ask about the recruiter position in the company and how long have they been working for the company. I actually found out that the company was an subsidiary of a company i didn't want to work for. i didn't say that, though.
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Lynne M •The 5 suggestions are practical and simple to forget as one prepares to go for an interview. Thank you for a nice reminder. I keep the information in a file folder I take with me.I had to call one interviewer up to get the address since he said he'd send it in the e-mail which never arrived. So it is a great idea to obtain the address and phone number where the interview will occur. It also helps (even in the age of GPS) to ask if there is anything that would be helpful to you in getting to the address.
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