What To Bring To A Job Interview

Questions You Want To Ask

Before heading to an interview, make a list , of questions youd like to ask at the interview.

Asking intelligent questions shows that youve done your research on the company, youre interested, and eager to learn more. However, it can be hard to come up with questions on the spot, so make it easier for yourself by preparing in advance.

You can also give some thought to how you will answer some of the most common questions asked in interviews, such as your strengths and weaknesses, or how youve handled challenging situations in previous roles.

While its impossible to know exactly what questions will be asked, you can practice at home by asking a friend or parent to help conduct a mock interview.

Your Parents Or Other People

Your job interview is for you not for other people. As crazy as it might sound, some people have turned up to the interview with their parents. This is just nuts.

You wont be able to convince a hiring manager you can deal with the stresses in the job if you cant show up to the meeting without your mom and dad or a friend. You can arrange to meet them before or after your interview but do not have them follow you to the interview or wait in the corridor.

The only exception to bringing other people is naturally for assistance reasons. If youre disabled and you need a personal assistant, such as an interpreter, than you can naturally have them with you.

Directions And Contact Information

If you cant find the building and arrive late, you may have shot yourself in the foot. Thats why it helps to bring directions on how to get to your interview as well as where to park.

You may also want to print out pictures of the building or write down nearby landmarks to help you find it easier. Write down your interviewers name and phone number in case you do get lost and need assistance.

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Over The Counter Medication

A surprise to be sure, but you should always carry some over the counter medication with you.

Whether its to relieve a headache or a stomachache, you should be prepared by bringing some with you.

If you do get a headache or stomachache, you should inconspicuously take some before meeting with the interviewer.

Things You Should Never Bring To The Job Interview

Heres a quick tip explaining how to ace an interview never-ever attempt to bring the following items into the room:

Also, consider leaving any other bulky items like a tote with groceries, a suitcase, or another random item in your car or somewhere else.

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Contact Information And Directions

While there are many things you can control during the interview, getting there is not one of them and traffic or public transport can easily let you down. Plan ahead how you will get there and make sure you have the contact details of the person you are meeting in case you need to contact them for anything.

Have directions to where you are going before hand and if you can, find your way there before the interview, so you know exactly where you are going.

Directions To The Interview Location

Ensure that you arrive on time by bringing a set of directions with you. Study the route before leaving and leave early to account for transit delays. If you’re using public transportation, you might add extra time in anticipation of any unexpected interruptions. If driving, make sure you know the parking expectations before arrival. In general, it’s best practice to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for your appointment. If you are running late, call the office or recruiter and let them know. This demonstrates respect for their time and shows your commitment and willingness to communicate.

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How To Prepare For Your Interview In Advance

In this article, we’ve outlined the essential items of what to bring to an interview that will help ensure a smooth, successful meeting.

But, while important, this list is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to comprehensive job interview preparation .

For more information on how to ace the job interview process from start to finish, check out these additional resources for further reading:

Copies Of Your Application Materials

There is a high chance that the interviewers will have a copy of your application and resume in front of them. However, you should also bring your own copies of these documents, in case the interviewers do not have a copy of these materials.

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This will make it easier for you to answer any questions specific to your past experience, and will also allow you to appear organized if the interviewer asks for any additional materials.

You should print out at least four different copies of these materials, in case there are multiple interviewers who need them.

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I’m Excited To Get Started

Showing your enthusiasm about the job can demonstrate you are ready and willing to go forward with the hiring process. When the interviewer talks about the potential applicants to the manager or business owner, they may be more likely to present you in a more positive tone because of how eager you were to begin working.

Tips To Ace An Interview And Make A Great Impression

Interviewing is one of the most stressful things you can do during a job search. Its difficult to know what to expect, and its hard to know what you should say. A job interview is a two-way process. You are evaluated as much as you are evaluating the company. It is important to know what to expect on the day of your interview so that you are better prepared for it. You should conduct a mock interview with common interview questions.

To help, weve compiled five of the best interview tips that will help you ace your job interview and make a great impression.

Here are 5 tips to help you ace your interview and make a great impression:

1. Prepare for the Interview

Prepare for your interview by researching the company and the people who will be interviewing you. Knowing about the company will give you a better idea of what they are looking for in their employees, and knowing about the people who will be interviewing you will help you impress them by showing that you took time out of your day to prepare for the meeting.

2. Bring a Resume and References

Bring along your resume and any work references or testimonials to make sure they get noticed by the hiring manager during an interview. Make sure that your resume is up-to-date with all relevant information about yourself before going into an interview as this will show you are conscious of your career goals and growth.

3. Dress Appropriately

4. Be Confident

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A List Of Written Questions For Your Interviewer

Speaking of questions, make sure you have a list of questions ready for your interviewer before walking into the room. Bringing a written list of questions with you suggests youve taken the time to prepare for the interview and that youre genuinely interested in the organizations work and the role youre interviewing for. Examples include:

What will a day-to-day schedule look like? What’s your favorite part of working here? What makes someone successful in this role?

Directions On How To Get To The Interview

After all your careful preparation, dont let a late arrival undermine your chances of getting the job. You should plan to arrive 1015 minutes early, and you should study your route to the interview beforehand. If youre using public transportation, add extra time to account for delays or unexpected interruptions. If youre driving, be sure you have information about parkingif youre working with a recruiter, you can ask them to provide these details.

If after all this preparation you are still running late, call the office or recruiter you are working with and let them know. More often than not they will be understanding, but it is important to be respectful of their time.

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Preparing For A Job Interview

To prepare for a job interview, you should do the following:

• Work Attire. Make sure your appearance is neat and clean. Dress appropriately for the interview by wearing professional work attire such as a skirt or pantsuit and close-toed shoes. Accessories such as handbags, ties, and belts should be conservative.
• Directions. If you’re not sure where you’re going, bring directions and any instructions the hiring manager may have given you. Also, if one was sent, bring an email confirmation of the appointment. Determine how long your commute will take either by viewing a map application such as Google maps, or a train or bus schedule. Allow 30 minutes extra travel time for any unforeseen delays, as you want to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes early.
• Research the Company. Make sure you become acquainted with your prospective employer prior to the interview, as you may be asked questions about your familiarity with their business. Many company websites have an “About” section that provides information on a company’s history as well as its beliefs and goals.
• List of Questions. Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer if they invite questions at the end of the interview. You can also ask additional questions based on the conversation, which demonstrates good listening and comprehension skills.

Know What To Bring To A Job Interview And What To Leave Behind

The most qualified candidate isnt always the one that gets the job. Even if youre less qualified for a position than others, being prepared can set you apart. If you bring the right items and leave the wrong ones behind, the interviewer is more likely to view you as a desirable candidate.

They may even choose you over someone with more experience and better credentials. All you have to do is prove that youre a sharp, well-prepared candidate with potential.

Some candidates come into an interview overconfident because they believe their previous job titles will blow the interviewer away, said Clay Burnett, executive recruiter at Clay Burnett Group.

Be prepared for your interview and act like you have to prove yourself to get the job, even if you know youre a shoo-in.

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What To Bring To The Interview

Identification. If the building has security, you may be asked to show identification, or you may need it to complete a job application. Bring your driver’s license or another form of identification with you.

Notepad and Pen. Make sure to bring a notepad and pen so you can write down names, company information, or questions that may come up during the interview. Bringing a pen and notepad shows you came to the interview prepared.

Names of Contacts. Write down the name of the person you’re interviewing with on your notepad. It can be easy to forget a name, and you don’t want to be embarrassed. Also bring the name of the person who arranged the interview, if it’s a different person. You may also need to provide this name to security upon your arrival at the building.

Extra Copies of Your Resume. Bring several copies of your resume to distribute upon request. Retain a copy for yourself, as it will assist you in filling out the job application.

Reference List. Bring a printed list of references to give to the hiring manager. Include at least three professional references and their contact information. Choose references that can attest to your ability to perform the job for which you are applying. Also, retain a copy for yourself in case the information needs to be recorded on a job application.

General Advice For Acing Your Interview

Acing an interview is easy if you prepare properly both by packing the right things and by practicing the right things. First, run through your answers to the most commonly asked interview questions before your appointment, by yourself and with a friend or relative. Once youre prepared to answer any question thats thrown your way, make sure you have some pre-prepared questions of your own for your interviewer. As aforementioned, write these questions down and bring them with you.

The night before the interview, choose an appropriate outfit and lay it out. Be sure to get a full night of sleep, and eat a solid meal before your appointment. Self-care goes a long way in keeping your mind fresh and ready to tackle the mental math of interviews.

Once youre there, make sure to take notes on what you and your interviewer talk about and what questions they ask. Then, use these notes to follow up with a thoughtful thank you note.

Way to go, you! Youre on your way to a great interview. Upfront preparation for an interview can make a huge difference on your performance, and youre taking the right steps to having a stress-free experience. Now, go knock them dead!

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Important Information To Have On

In addition to the items above, you should also have the following information readily accessible:

1) Office Address and Directions. Dont just wing it with Google Maps on the big day. You want to do your research ahead of time! Write down the office address and unit number, and review the location/directions before you depart.

If you’re able, do a test run in person ahead of time. Head over to the office and get familiar with the street, the building, and where you’ll be going on interview day. If you’re not able to make it in person, use the street view on Google Maps to get an idea of what the street looks like, where the office is, and plan your route. I always planned to arrive 15-20 minutes ahead of my interview in case anything happened.

2) Phone Number of the Front Desk or Content. You may need to call the front desk or the contact you’ll be interviewing with if you have trouble finding the address or encounter other issues . Adding them as a contact in your phone will make it easy for you to find their number instead of having to dig through your email.

4) The Emails of Your Interviewers. After your interview, you’re going to want to send a post-interview thank you email. This is the polite thing to do, but it will also help you stand out! According to a survey on hiring, only 24% of candidates actually sent thank you notes while 80% of hiring managers factored thank you’s into their decision. You want to be in the 24% of people who do send them!

What Can I Do To Excel In This Position

Asking your interviewer what you can do to excel in the position you applied for shows that you have the desire to succeed at their company. Besides meeting the minimum requirements for the position, your desire to excel further can help you stand out among the other applicants.

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What To Bring To An Interview