Never Go to a Job Interview Without These 10 Things

Never Go to a Job Interview Without These 10 Things10 Things to Take to a Job InterviewNever Go to a Job Interview Without These 10 ThingsIn a perfect world, you could act like Goldilocks in your job interviews, trying different options until everything was just right. If your chair was too hard, or your interviewer was a twit, you could switch to a better one. Unfortunately, thats a fairy tale. Youre pretty much stuck with the chair or the interviewers youre given. You cant control everything, but you can control how prepared you are and what you take with you.Here are 10 must-have and 7 nice-to-have items that the well-prepared job seeker should carry to the interview10 MUST-HAVE ITEMSMap and directionsBus/train/cab fare or a full tank of gasName, title, and phone number of the partie to ask for upon arrivalPen and paperClean copies of your resume and cover letter (enough for yourself plus each interviewer)Fiveor more questions to ask your interviewersSamples or portfolio of relate d work youve done in the past (if applicable or requested)Copy of the job descriptionMedication (if needed in the case of an extended interview)Anything else the employer has specifically asked you to bring7 NICE-TO-HAVE ITEMSCell phone, in case of a life-or-death emergency, which is the only acceptable reason for showing up late (Note Turn it OFF before you go into the interview)An extra resume or list of past employment dates, supervisors, and education in case they ask you to fill out a job application (Note Leave the salary fields blank)Notes about people youve spoken to while scheduling the interview or during a phone screenList of three pre-screened references (though notlage usually needed in a first interview)Food (something small but filling, like a protein bar, in case of an extended interview)Grooming tools (e.g., comb, breath mints, lipstick, tissues, cough drops, lint roller, stain lifter, etc.)Proof of your employment status and/or identity (usually not needed until la ter in the hiring process)Getting caught without some crucial item can throw off your confidence and make interviewers question your planning and preparedness. So do your homework, formulate good questions and good answers, and carry all the right stuff. (For more advice on what to do before, during, and after the interview, read this article in our Career Corner.) The better prepared you are, the better you can relax and present yourself as the best solution to the employers problem.