Everyone is nervous enough when it comes to going into an interview. Your palms are shaking, you start to sweat, and you review things to say about 100 times before you go in. But what if you don’t have everything you need once you get in there? Definitely a bad look. There are some things i’ve become accustomed to always have with me so you look professional, prepared, and resourceful. Confidence is key and if you are scrabbling around looking for things, or don’t have something- that confidence is sure to diminish quickly.
First off, you should always write down the address of the company- if you forget and have to call them and ask it doesn’t come across as someone they would want to be taking orders from them.
After you arrive early and check yourself in, you should have a small bag or folder with you. They sell leather folders with lots of pockets and notebooks inserted in them with a separate pen holder to fit everything you could need. The notebook is key to take notes if they mention anything, especially names. If you can’t receive business cards from everyone you meet, write down their name – you probably have to e-mail them later. So, obviously a pen is also important.
You probably sent the a copy of your resume prior to the interview and a professional employee interviewing you will most likely have printed it out to use as reference during the interview, but bring a few extra copies with you. If there are more people in the room they would like a copy and you definitely need a copy for yourself to reference while explaining your experience. If you don’t remember things you’ve done, it doesn’t show much initiative to do something else with this company either.
Along with your resume, if you have business cards bring those along. Your contact info may be in the resume but you never know who you are going to come across both on your way to the interview (while you’re all dressed up in interview mode) and meeting in the office. This is the basics of things you need to show you are prepared, serious about the job, and a professional employee ready to get hired.
