Businesswomen talking in the office
Interviews are the modern version of a mythical quest: you have no idea how long they’ll take, you’re guaranteed to get thirsty, and you might wind up with a pot of gold at the end.
The last thing you want when you’re on the way to a job interview is to wonder whether or not you’ve forgotten something. The good news is that interview-packing is largely just for peace of mind. Chances are, the company will have everything you need. But peace of mind is an enormous deal in high-pressure situations—and it will pay off, in the end. So, here’s everything you need to bring to the job interview:
ID Card
To be honest, you should really just carry your ID card everywhere. You never know when you’re going to get pulled over by a cop for speeding; for me, this happens most Thursdays. For job interviews, you may your ID to get into the building. Additionally, if the job requires any specific documents, such as certifications or licenses, bring those along as well.
Your Resume
Bring several copies of your well-crafted resume printed on quality paper. You never know how many interviewers might want a glimpse of your impressive qualifications. Besides, if you’re waiting for the interviewer to come in, you can review it so you remember exactly what job experiences to bring up. It’s less stressful to look at a resume than to scroll social media—which is saying quite a bit about how stressful social media is.
References
Have a neatly prepared list of professional references with their contact information. Again, the company will probably already have this, but you can never be too careful. And looking over the list may help your confidence. Scan it to remind yourself how many people can vouch for your skillset. It's like having your own team of champions!
Questions
Jot down some key points, questions, and important details about the company and the position you're applying for. It shows your genuine interest and helps you stay on track during the interview. The act of writing it out on a notepad can help you commit it to memory, too. And bring that notepad with you, to reference it later.
Why is this important? Well, questions suggest someone can work well in a team. “According to a study conducted by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the ability to work in teams is highly valued by 93% of employers,” says Dr. Deb Mashek, collaboration expert, consultant, and author of Collabor(h)ate. “While employers overwhelmingly feel that collaboration matters, only 48 percent perceive recent graduates as ‘very well prepared’ in this regard.” So prepare come questions that demonstrate you’re willing to learn from others—it goes a long way.
Snacks
Okay, this one might seem a bit unconventional, but having a small snack, like an energy bar or some nuts, can be handy. It keeps hunger at bay and ensures you're fueled and focused during the interview. The company may offer you a lunch or snack break, but I’m a big believer in making sure you get the exact snack you want. You don’t want to use your brainpower to decide between a Kind Bar you don’t really like and a type of baked chip you don’t really like. If you want a bagel for interview day, bring a bagel.
I wanted to end on something cheesy about how the most important thing to bring to an interview is your truest self, but that’s simply not true. You are not who you are in interviews—they’re a specific test, and if you feel weird during them, that’s okay. But I have full faith that if you take a deep breath, pack wisely, and remember that they wouldn’t have invited you in for the interview if they weren’t already impressed by you—you will survive it.
