Wondering what to bring to an interview? Here are some must-haves to secure the job.
If you are unsure of what to prepare for your online or in-person interview, then check out you have these items prepared.
The job market is tough, but with the right attitude and tools, you can pass your interviews.
This is a quick guide along with some knick knacks that you should bring to ace your interview!
Also, this is coming from a recently successful interviewee (moi!) who landed a job!
So, these are my tried and tested tips that got me job offers.
Here are all the tips and juicy steps to impress your interviewers and snatch that job!
What to Bring to An Interview to Get the Job
1. Resume
Bring at least one resume per panelist who is going to interview you.
For instance, if you have five people interviewing you, then prepare five sets of resumes.
Also, make sure that your resume is legible, organized, and detailed.
You want sections and enough white space in between to make it easy to read.
Here is an example of a simple resume.
You can create a similar one or edit this template on Adobe Acrobat or any free PDF editor sites.
2. Water
If you aren’t sure if the location provides water, then bring your own.
You always want to have a backup so you aren’t losing your voice in the middle of your questions.
Also, you will be more prepared and calmer than other interviewees.
3. A Positive Attitude
You want to show your best and do your best during your interview.
Be prepared by practicing your stories beforehand.
Try to answer everything clearly and speak in an even tone.
For instance, don’t speed up or slow down your sentences throughout your interview.
Stay consistent with your talking speed and keep a positive vibe.
Companies want to work with someone who can vibe with them or connect well with the team.
4. A Question or Two
Whenever the interview reaches an end, make sure to have at least one or two questions to ask.
You don’t want to seem like you have no question because you will look like you don’t care as much.
Prepare a question or two to show that you are interested, listening, and want to work there.
It can be anything from what a typical day in your role looks like to what expectations you have of me.
5. Research
Yes, another intangible item to bring that will definitely secure you a job.
Before you even enter the door, or better yet, the second you receive a call to get interviewed, do your RESEARCH!
Check out the company’s profiles, websites, and reviews.
You don’t want to go in clueless about the place that you will potentially work for.
Interviewers want to see that you took the time to research and learn about them.
6. Lucky Charm
Bring a lucky charm if you have one.
For example, I have a lucky outfit that I always go to when I have special events or interviews.
So if you have a lucky charm, then you can bring it with you to the interview.
Moreover, it can be anything from a pen, keychain, outfit, socks, or shoes.
However, if your lucky item is huge, then maybe snap a picture to have it on your phone.
Interested in more posts like what to bring to an interview? Check out the Best Part Time Jobs from Home to Try Right Now.
For online interviews…
It is extremely common now to have Zoom or Google online interviews.
A great way to prepare is to research the company.
Get a brief overview of what they do, the services they provide, and some history.
Then, go through the job description.
This is extremely useful and most people overlook this.
You want to break down the paragraphs and bullet points of what the company is looking for.
Ask yourself:
- are you a good fit for the company?
- why do you want to work for this company?
- how do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
- what are you passionate about that intertwines with this position?
- why do you think you should get hired instead of other candidates?
These are just a brief question guide to get you thinking.
The more you can answer and prep for these questions, the more prepared and ready you will be.
Furthermore, you will be way less stressed and nervous if you have answers beforehand.
Also, I would go ahead and brainstorm several scenarios of what experiences you have.
STAR Method
Have you heard of the STAR method before?
If not, it basically is:
- Situation – provide the context of what happened
- Task – what responsibilities you held or role you played
- Action – what you do in that situation
- Result – what was the outcome or learning experience
I would brainstorm several of these STAR scenarios beforehand so I won’t feel put on the spot when a question comes up.
For instance, you may get asked:
- What was one time you held a leadership position but had to resolve a conflict? How did you go about the situation?
- If you got stuck in a previous position or task, what steps did you take to solve the problem?
- What is an example that you work well in a team environment?
Sometimes the questions won’t be as exact or worded differently.
However, it is an extremely great idea to think about roles you held either in clubs, academics, or work experiences.
For in-person interviews…
First of all, dress to impress.
It’s always better to dress more formally than casually to interviews.
If you want to get an idea of the company culture, then look up their photos, profiles, or biographies to get an idea.
You can usually find these on LinkedIn profiles, the company’s website, or job sites that include reviews from employees.
Also, take a deep breath!
You have gotten all the way past the initial round and resume check, so there must be something about you that stood out.
Don’t be afraid and muster up your confidence.
Be prepared with different questions and scenarios.
However, don’t answer robotically and try to weave your answers into a conversational flow.
Last but not least, be confident in yourself and keep trying!
If you do get the job, then congratulations!
And if you don’t get the job, it’s OK!
First, reflect on how the interview process went and learn from that experience.
Sometimes, companies hire internally, their budget gets cut, or another candidate fits their requirements more.
There is no need to feel down or defeated if you don’t end up passing the interview.
Furthermore, each interview will be a great practice for the next one.
Pick up where you left off and continue your journey.
You’ve got this!
