When it comes to job interviews, preparation is key. Knowing what to bring to an interview can be the difference between success and failure. Your resume, pen and paper, notebook, business cards, references, and additional copies of your resume are all essential items to bring to an interview. Your resume should be the first item on your list.
It can be difficult to access the online version of your resume during the interview, so consider having a printed copy just in case. The standard among what you should bring to an interview is a reliable pen and paper. Taking some notes can be beneficial for several reasons. On the one hand, it shows that you actively listen to the interviewer and participate in the conversation, while assuring you that you won't forget important details about the job.
In addition, you can review these notes later when you write a personalized thank you email to the interviewer. A notebook is basically a sleek folder with a notebook, and it'll be where you'll keep most of the things on this list. It keeps your items organized and gives off a professional atmosphere. Bring two, in case the first one doesn't work for some reason. Opt for black or blue and try to get more beautiful ones.
Leave those with unicorns at home. Business cards, if you have them, are also important items to bring to an interview. If you don't have any, it's okay; it's just a bit of business etiquette: exchanging business cards whenever possible. You've probably done your research on the company before this stage; if not, stop reading this and learn a couple of things about where you plan to spend forty hours a week. It wouldn't look very good if you couldn't provide additional copies of your resume under such circumstances. The hiring manager may also ask you to leave some copies for the HR staff at the end.
It's a good idea to print five additional copies of your resume and bring them in a resume presentation folder on the day of the interview. References should be people who can attest to their professional skills, work experience and achievements. You can also consider any volunteer activities you've been involved in. Community leaders who can talk about their work ethic are also great options. As in the previous point, be sure to bring five additional copies of your reference list in case you need them. If they don't ask for your references during the interview, you can ask if you need them at the end.
And unlike the other items, it might be better to provide them when you discuss them in the interview. It's important to remember that what you bring to an interview is just as important as what you wear or say during an interview. Having all of these items ready will help ensure that your job interview goes as smoothly as possible.
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