What to Take to an InterviewApril 2nd, 2007
What to Take to an Interview
Making a good first impression with a potential employer involves more than just showing up with a smile. During an interview you have numerous opportunities to show your potential new employer how organized, prepared, experienced, and effective you are. It just takes a little bit of preparation.
From the basics to the unique, here are a few pointers to help you know exactly what to bring to an interview.
What to Bring to an Interview
Personal
In your briefcase, bag or tote there are a few grooming tools that are good to keep on hand. Breath mints, brush or comb, tissues, and even personal touches like travel size perfume, cologne or lotion. Try to arrive to an interview ten or fifteen minutes early. Not only will this help you orientate yourself with where you are going, but it will give you a chance to freshen up if needed. Wind, rain and stress can “ruffle your feathers.” Having a few extra minutes to straighten your hair, blot your face, blow your nose, check your breathe and use the restroom may very well come in handy.
Professional
It is also important to have your resume in order. If the potential employer told you not to bring a resume, bring two copies. If they told you to bring a resume, bring five. Show them that you are organized by opening a dark leather or heavy two pocket folder and presenting your resume (if asked), printed on heavy resume paper. Another, more formal option, is to have a dark two pocket folder with your resume on one side and work examples, references, and a completed application on the other side.
Depending on your industry and experience, creating a brief slide show of your work is a unique way to feature your talents. It can give your interviewer visuals that compliment your verbal presentation. A “portfolio” of this sort is not just for designers. One of our Emurse.com members sent us an amazing six slide presentation he had printed out to include in his resume folder. This “portfolio” contained photos and a brief description of a few events he had coordinated. Seeing a pictures of a crowded room filled with guests and local media allowed him “seal the deal” in his interview for a communications job.
Just in Case
Taking notes may not be appropriate, or possible, but it is always a good idea to be prepared to do so. Keep a clean pad of paper in your briefcase or purse along with two pens. Not only will this protect you if one fails, but in the rare instance that the interviewer might need a pen as well, you can offer them one of yours!
Another use for your pad of paper is write down your questions for the employer in advance. When your interviewer asks if you have any questions, having your three or four written down lets them know you thought about it ahead of time.
Taking your cell phone with you while traveling to an interview is a necessity. If you will absolutely not be on time you will be able to call ahead. Before entering the building for your interview however, place your phone on silent, or better yet, turn it off entirely.
Other Important Tips
- A few dollars in cash. Be prepared just in case the interview turns into a cup of coffee, or you need to pay for parking or a cab.
- Handing out a current business card is appropriate, but make sure your personal contact information, including your Emurse Website URL, are written on the back. Point it out in case they need access to your most updated resume at any point.
- When setting up the interview, ask if there is anything you should bring along and then make sure you bring it. If they are expecting references or need proper identification, do not show up without it.
Preparation is the key to a great interview. Researching the company, practicing common interview questions and knowing what you should bring to an interview will help give you the confidence that you need. You will be able to walk in with a great attitude, a fresh smile and a firm handshake.
Have any suggestions or experiences? Share in our comments below!
—-
Check out our free resume maker and host your resume online! Searching for a job? We have local job search too!
Be careful with cologne, lotions and the like. If you do use a scent, make sure its extremely mild — you do not want to risk them not liking it
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:59 am
Probably worth noting to ensure your cell phone is turned off (or at minimum turned to silent).
Also a couple of additional things to pack in your bag is something light to snack on (meal replacement bar, etc) and a bottle of water. Obviously make sure the snack is nothing toxic to your breath. You never know when it will turn into an all day interview without a lunch break, better to not have a rumbling stomach or food deprived attitude.
Lastly, under the personal hygiene category is floss, tooth brush and tooth paste just in case you have an unexpected meal. (and if you do, remember this is not the time to pig out and be careful to not order things that splash or are at high risk of staining)
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:35 pm
[…] What to take to an interview […]
April 2nd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I called ahead to the organization’s office for directions to the interview site, as I was unfamiliar with the address. The employee who answered was very positive about her directions — but very wrong! I ended up 30 minutes late for the job for which I had been invited to apply as a shoo-in. Needless to say, I didn’t get it.
So the advice is, the day before, go over the route and be sure you can find the interview location in plenty of time.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:37 am
Sorry to post again, but a second situation that turned out better came to mind. I had to fly to Austin for an interview, to occur shortly after I arrived. On the plane I sat opposite a family whose daddy was just returning from Bosnia, getting to know his three year old daughter. As the plane prepared to land, the daughter, sitting on her daddy’s lap, got a funny look on her face and then puked all over my suit and shoes! Fortunately I had a carry-on suit bag, and was able to change clothes at the airport. I arrived for my interview with just a few spots on my (suede) shoes, and was able to make a clever comment about them and the slight odor. I got the job.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:43 am
Great tips. As mentioned by Frank Bascio, turning cell phone off is a must.
April 28th, 2007 at 3:00 am
[…] important to have your resume in order. If the potential employer told you not to bring a resume, bring two copies. If they told you to bring a resume, bring five. Show them that you are organized by opening a dark […]
June 7th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
[…] Read More at Emurse […]
July 10th, 2007 at 9:14 am
called ahead to the organization’s office for directions to the interview site, as I was unfamiliar with the address. The employee who answered was very positive about her directions — but very wrong!
October 5th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
important to control your self and your gestures as well. so avoid any gestures that can show your stress anxiety and fear. good luck
October 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Ok I have a question and I dont know if people still read this anymore — What if you applied to a small company and they stressed how important “family values” are and how they are looking for the right person etc. I have made it through 3 interviews and the last one is with the President, who is on a first name basis with all his employees, and 4 members of Upper Management—
Now this sounds crazy but I want to do something to stand out - would it be extremely unprofessional to make like homeade brownies or bring in donuts??? Something to break the ice and help me stand out.
Please respond with your thoughts!
Thanks!
November 13th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Hi Sabrina,
I would not bring in brownies or donuts or anything like that. Though a nice gesture, that does sound a bit unprofessional and it may raise a few eyebrows. If you are hired, perhaps you can bring in some snacks during your first week of work.
I would say to first of all be yourself, be polite, courteous, professional, clean, polished, be (or at least appear) excited, have a sense of humor, be prepared, etc. Have a positive attitude and show that you are competent. It is very important to listen to everything the interviewer(s) say(s) so that you are ready for any questions he\she\they have and so that you can formulate questions for him\her\them that show that you were listening! These sound like very simple things, but they really do add up and help to make a great all-important first impression. One thing I learned in preparing for and going on interviews is that employers are not just looking for someone who is intelligent and who can do the job, but they are also interested in looking for someone who fits in with the company and department in which you will (hopefully) be working. They are looking for someone who is amiable, honest, trustworthy, a team-player, etc., etc. BE the person they are looking for, and be sure to provide examples through what you say, wear, and your demeanor that you are just that.
To stand out, I would prepare for the interiew by thinking of examples which really show that I AM the right person for the job, by showing that I have the skills and talent that the company and department is looking for. The examples can be from something you did in school or at your previous\current job, or something you did outside of work or school, such as through volunteer work. In your particular situation, I would also focus on the fact that the company stressed the importance of family values. This sounds like a company whose work is based (at least partially) on morals, and not just money. Try to think of examples of how you carried out your work morally or did something because it was the right thing to do and not simply because of personal gain, because it was easy, etc. I would also talk about I was dependable, trustworthy, and how I went the extra mile in order to get the job done or to ensure the job was done right.
Hope this helps!
January 9th, 2008 at 9:53 pm