Congratulations! You’ve landed that coveted job interview. Now you must impress the interviewer, and a large part of that is coming prepared. But you may be asking, what items should I bring to my job interview?
What to bring to the job interview:
Multiple Copies of Your Current Resume:
If you need to distribute them to the interview panel, you should have enough to do this. Most likely, they will have a copy, but they may be testing you to see if you came prepared.
Extra Copies of Your Letter of Intent/Cover Letter:
Bring extra copies of your resume and cover letter to ensure each member on the interview panel has a copy.
Copies of Degrees, Transcripts, Licenses, and Certifications:
This is a fundamental group of documents to bring with you to the interview. You need to back up all the claims you make in your resume regarding your education and qualifications. Even if you photocopied these and sent them through email, hiring managers may want to see them in the flesh to ensure that they are indeed authentic. It is also always better to be seen as proactive in these instances.
Listing of Continuing Education Courses Taken:
If these were not included in your resume, you definitely need to bring this information to the interview. You want to show the interview panel your latest accomplishments in your professional development and show that you are dedicated to remaining current in your profession.
Certifications/Paperwork to Confirm Awards or Honors Earned:
As with the copies of your degrees and other qualifications, you need to back up the authenticity of any awards or honors you’ve stated that you’ve earned in your resume.
Copies of Letters of Recommendation:
You should bring two or three great letters of recommendation if you have them. Letters from supervisors, colleagues, and managers are all good choices. The more specific they are in covering your past accomplishments and related skills, the better.
Copies of Employment References:
This is the time that the hiring manager will request your list of references. Have your typed-up sheet ready with extra copies in case the panel requests copies for each of them. As always, ensure that your reference information is correct and up-to-date that your references have approved being used.
Your Career Portfolio:
If you have one, bring it. Don’t bring it if they specifically stated on the phone or in a confirmation letter that portfolios are not needed. Try to avoid jamming your portfolio full of examples. It should contain just a few of your best work samples. What you choose to include reflects what you think is important.
A Can-Do Attitude:
It may sound cliché, but you can’t forget to bring your enthusiasm and positive attitude with you to the interview. Your energy, vitality, and passion for your profession need to be clearly evident in your attitude. Employers are looking for candidates with self-confidence and enthusiasm, someone they can trust in demanding and time-sensitive situations.
Need additional help? Reach out to Candace for assistance!