So you’ve landed an interview! You’ve applied with a perfect resume and nailed phone screening, and now you are ready to put a foot forward to get the job of your dreams. That’s great news and it is worth a little celebration. Also, it is time to prepare for the job interview and meet a hiring manager. You need to make a good impression, look professional, and be genuinely interested in the job. Proper preparation also helps calm down the nerves and feel confident. In this guide, you’ll learn what to bring to a job interview and how to nail it.
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If you haven’t done it while applying, it is a good idea to cover this step now. Knowing about company culture and potential interview questions is an essential part of success. Look into the company’s website to learn about its history, values, and vision. Also, you can check out social media to understand the company’s dress code and wear something appropriate.
Researching a potential employer is an essential part of interview prep. By doing so, you’ll know what to expect from hiring managers and how to give memorable answers.
Although you do not know what exactly a hiring manager is going to ask, there are common interview questions you can prepare. Search online for notes and ideas on that. Usually, job interviews follow the same structure and it is useful to have a backup plan.
Hiring managers might ask to talk about your previous experience in detail. Or they can ask you to give a few reasons why you are interested in the company. If there are gaps in your work experience, be ready to address that.
Also, have another look at the job description to evaluate what skills, experiences, and qualifications hiring managers are looking for. You can also take a few notes with ley points so that you can go through them while waiting near the interview room.
When it comes to the question of what to bring to a job interview, resume copies are extremely important. You never know whether a recruiter is going to need one to look at. It is wise to make multiple copies of your resume just in case there are multiple interviewers.
Do not put all of your trust in digital copies. There might be connection issues or maybe you won’t be able to find it right away because of the nerves. Also, take cover letters with you in the same manner. The resume is your main document for a career expert to read through.
It is also better to bring to an interview reference letters and all relevant documents. If you do not have letters, you can also create a reference list with all the people that can share their experience working with you. Maybe they can tell about performance reviews, your skills, dedication, and suitability for the company’s culture.
The reference list has to include the name and contact information of a person as well as a short sentence about their relation to you. Do not add a family member or friend as your reference. This looks unprofessional and sketchy. Here are some examples of people that can be your references for a job interview:
It is not a given that a hiring manager will ask about your reference list. But it is always better to come prepared. And if they do, you having it ready makes you look professional and interested in the company.
It is important to dress professionally not only to impress a potential employer. It also ensures that you feel confident and focused on the job interview. For instance, if you dress too casually, you might be a bit too relaxed for a good interview.
When planning your outfit, make sure it is comfortable and considerate of the interview’s location. You might use public transportation or might need to walk a couple of blocks to get to the job interview. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and suited for an event.
Do not be late for your in-person interview, it is a basic rule. It is normal to come 10-15 minutes before the interview starts. To make sure you are on time, plan how you are going to get there beforehand. This way there are no surprises and risks.
Look into the address of an interview location and find out the best way to get there. Plan some buffer time just in case.
First of all, bring to an interview a notebook and a pen. By doing so, you’ll be prepared to take notes and keywords for follow-up questions or a follow-up email later. Surely, you need to be actively listening and maintaining eye contact when appropriate. But having paper and a pen helps not to miss anything important.
As mentioned above, taking several resume copies with you is a must-have. Even if you are doing virtual interviews, it is useful to have them nearby. So if the interview covers it, you can have a look at it and answer properly.
Also, there might be several interviewers in-person, so make about 5 copies. Place them neatly into a folder so that they are not wrinkling or bending.
Add the documents you prepared earlier to the folder. This is one of the common job interview tips, yet a lot of candidates might miss this step. An interviewer might ask about positive feedback or your previous places of work.
Reference letters might be a huge deal when standing out from the competition of other candidates. Make sure to have several samples as well.
A company you are going to might have a strict policy for entering. So it is better to have a photo id, driver’s license, or any other type of identification. It is quite common for many businesses to check the identification of people entering the premises.
The next thing to bring to an interview is a list of questions for interviewers. You can place them in the same folder as your resume, cover letter, and work samples. So when an interviewer inquires whether you need to ask them something, you are ready.
Write down the points to address because in the heat of the moment your brain might go blank and you forget everything you wanted to ask about. For instance, you might ask about the company’s core values, job responsibilities, day-to-day tasks, or career growth prospects.
Also, bring to an interview a refresher to stay confident at all times. You can chew gum or take a mint before the interview. It is one of the emergency items one might need. Other might include hygienic products or items like wet wipes or sanitizer.
You need a good bag or briefcase to bring to an interview all those documents you’ve prepared. It needs to have enough space to organize everything neatly and without bending. It also has to look professional and appropriate to the dress code of a company.
Backpacks are not ideal as they do not suit all potential situations. Although, if you are going for a creative industry or a company with a laidback dress code, it might do the trick.
This is an optional item, as it does not apply to all careers. If you are in a job search for a graphic design position or a game development career, you might skip this step.
But if it is relevant to your job search, make sure to bring to an interview work samples. This could be a portfolio to show interviewers. If you have a digital portfolio or a virtual interview, make sure you have a link to examples of your work somewhere near you. It can be added to your resume or your notes for the interview prep.
It is not only about what you bring to a job interview but also about how you present yourself. Make sure to take notice of your body language and show a positive attitude. Answer the interviewer’s questions honestly and properly.
Thank the interviewer for their time and interest in your resume and application. Show that you are excited about the job and the company.
At the end of an interview, it is quite common to ask about the hiring process. The interviewer will tell you what to expect in terms of follow-ups or other stages. A lot of companies have a long process with many interviews.
After the interview, you can follow up with an email or a note. First of all, it is a part of professional etiquette. Secondly, it shows a potential employer that you are interested in the job. And thirdly, you might get feedback on the interview and the next steps in the hiring process.
A follow-up letter can serve as another way to highlight what has been discussed during the interview. It includes your suitability for the company and genuine interest in the job.
Do not forget to express gratitude and thank interviewers for an interview.
Interview success relies on many factors. And proper preparation is crucial. Follow this guide to prepare for the next interview and bring to a job all essentials to make a good impression on a potential employer.
