10 Essential Things To Bring To Every Job Interview- Infographic

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It is interview day, and you are feeling like a bag of hands and legs. You can’t think of what to do, what to wear, what to say, anything. You somehow manage to shower and get dressed, and now are having breakfast, wondering what to take with you. And you can’t think of anything, you are blank. You keep fiddling at your desk, whether to carry that piece of paper in or not, which pen to take, and so on.

Let’s make it easy for you, here are things that you ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT miss to carry with you to your interview and make a good impression and help you ace the interview –

1. Your purse/wallet
You don’t want to reach the bus stop or the road side to hail a cab and realize that haven’t got any money on you. Even worse would be the cab drops you off at your place of interview and then you realize you forgot your wallet at home. It’s embarrassing and it jeopardizes your performance in the interview.

2. Copies of your resume and passport size photographs
You are going for an interview, not for a tea party. You need to carry clean and tidy copies of your updated resumes. Add in copies of your passport size photographs, some companies do ask you to paste them on the application form that they ask to fill before you go in for the interview and attach your resume with it. Your interviewers might also ask for the resume.

3. Interview details
Carefully take down the details the name of the interviewing manager, address, time and any directions or guidelines you might have been given like whom to ask for upon arrival, where to park, which entrance to take, any specific security provisions, etc. Keep it in mind and prepare accordingly.

4. Reference Letters
You might not always need them, but it is always good to carry at least three good reference letters or letters of recommendations. You can support yourself on that when relevant questions are asked during the course of the interview.

5. Cell phone
Keep your cell phone with you at all times. Don’t forget it anywhere. Keep it on silent mode once you enter the office. And switch it off once you enter the interview. This way you can stay in touch and handle emergency situations while your interviewers can inform you of any delays or problems. You can also call up the office asking for help to find the place, etc.

6. Work samples
Nothing speaks louder than your work in an interview. So if you bring in the best of your work into the interview and show it to the interviewers, there are greater chances they would be impressed with you. Your work shows out your capabilities and skills live, compared to you talking about it and verbally trying to explain it.

7. Pen
People often understate and miss out on understanding the importance of this simple tool. Nothing is more embarrassing and bigger turn off than having to borrow a pen when you are filling out a form or you are in the middle of an interview and the interviewers ask you to write down something. Interviewing managers hate candidates who are irresponsible enough to forget to bring their own pen. And make sure the pen works fine and smooth. You don’t want to be struggling and coaxing a pen to work when you need it.

8. Documentation
Carry copies of your education certificates and proofs of employment. You might need to attach it to the forms. Or the interviewers just might want to see it.

9. Grooming tools
Your hair is a mess, your face is oily and dusty, your lipstick has worn off, you are having an irritation in your throat. Avoid that. Carry your grooming tools and a mini-make up kit. Carry wet wipes and clean up your face before getting in. Touch up your make up properly. You don’t want your face to look like a painted plastic. Keep it light, but perfect. Comb your hair, no shabby hair. You don’t want to portray yourself as a lethargic person. Appearances speak a lot, and no matter what who says, it does matter. In fact, it makes your first impression.

10. Food
Interviews get delayed sometimes. You may not be the only candidate the panel is interviewing on the day. The managers got held up in some meeting, or they are running late. Mind well, it is OK for them to run late, but you absolutely shouldn’t do it. When this happens, you don’t want your stomach making funny sounds in the middle of the interview. Keep a protein bar, or a quick light peanut butter sandwich or something light to fill you up quickly. Make sure its not drippy. You don’t want a big fat stain in your bag, creeping over your documents and leaving stains on them, or on your clothes as you are biting in.

10 Things to Bring on a Job Interview- Infographic

If you driving down make sure the car is full of gas the night before. Try having your bag packed and ready the previous night. Prepare what you want to wear beforehand. Polish your shoes. Carry whatever you think you will need in a convenient bag. You don’t want to be fumbling around for a cell phone in your bag when it starts ringing and it takes you ten minutes to find it. Be presentable and prepared. Don’t let anything mess your confidence or distract you on your D-day.