We all know that Interview preparation is crucial if you want to land your next big career move – but it doesn’t stop once you’ve researched the company and role.
You can massively improve chances of landing the job by equipping yourself with a few things that will aid your preparation and ensure you look the part.
So what exactly do you need to take with you to a job interview in 2016?
We’ve laid out the 8 most crucial items that you need if you want to be well-organised, look professional and nail the interview.
1. Multiple copies of your CV
In this day and age, it’s easy to assume that the interviewer will have your CV to hand once you reach interview stage… After all they must have it on file right?
However you shouldn’t leave the responsibility with them – you are there to impress them, not rely on them to do the work for you,
Turning up with no CV not only makes you look unprepared but can also cause issues if the interviewer doesn’t have a copy.
Printers can break and emails can get lost so there is always a chance that they will not have your CV to hand.
Be pro-active and take multiple printed copies of your CV to the interview.
A candidate who has plenty of CVs to hand out to everyone they meet, will be much more favoured than a candidate who turns up empty handed saying, “Sorry, I thought you had it”.
2. A smart folder or bag
In order to look professional and stay organised, invest in a smart folder or bag to store your CV and other interview essentials.
Turning up with a plastic supermarket bag or producing a crumpled CV from your pocket will not create a great first impression.
A nice smart folder will allow you to store a few copies of your CV along with all your other essentials and still allow you to travel fairly lightly.
If you are going to opt for a bag, make sure it’s not to big and cumbersome – opt for something that’s easy to carry.
3. A pen and notepad
You will probably cover a lot of important details throughout the course of the interview and it will be impossible to remember them all.
Take a pen and pad along with you to the interview just in case there is anything you need to jot down for future reference.
When it comes to making follow up emails and comparing offers, notes can come in very handy indeed.
4. Some pre-prepared questions
You will naturally have some questions about the job you are interviewing for; so ensure you cover them all by writing them down and taking them with you.
As well as helping to jog your memory, it will also make you look like a well-prepared candidate if you can produce them at the right moment.
It’s better to ask questions about positive subjects such as career progression and training opportunities as opposed to questions about tea breaks and holidays, which could make you seem a little too eager to be getting time off.
If you need inspiration, check out our list of 32 unique questions to ask an employer.
5. The job description
To ensure that you’ve fully familiarised yourself with the role, make some notes on the job description and take it with you.
Ideally you should make notes on how your experience and skills match the job requirements.
This will help you to really familiarise yourself with the job in the minutes that lead up to the interview.
On the day of the interview, it’s wise to arrive to the area, 30 minutes early and grab a coffee whilst you revise the job details for one last time before heading in.
6. The interview details
Don’t rely on your mobile’s email to view your interview details, because internet access is not always guaranteed.
There’s nothing worse than being stranded in an unfamiliar area, struggling to get phone signal while you’re lost and your interview is fast approaching.
Save the important details to your phone or write them down – especially the address and name of the interviewer.
7. Relevant certificates
If the job you are applying for requires certain qualifications then it’s best to take some proof that you have them.
You won’t always be asked to show them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You can take photo-copies if it is not possible to take the originals.
8. Examples of your work
Taking examples of your work can be a great way to prove your worth at interview stage – although it is easier for some industries than others.
If you are in a creative industry such as graphic design then you may have a portfolio of your work to take with you.
Non creative professionals need to think outside the box a little and use things like sales figures, awards and client testimonials.
9. A friendly confident attitude
Being confident is so important during an interview as it shows that you trust in your own skills and abilities and the employer should too.
It will also help you prove that you know how to do the job well and that you will be an asset to the company.
Confidence, coupled with a friendly attitude also helps to build trust between you and the recruiter. Plus, a genuine smile goes a long way and can help them to determine whether or not you’ll be a good fit not just for the role, but also for the company culture.
10. Smart suitable clothing
When attending an interview, either in-person or virtually, it’s crucial that you dress the part. This means looking professional, not scruffy or too laid back. Even if you know that the company culture is generally more relaxed, it’s always best to stick to smart, professional clothing.
Remember, you only have a few seconds to make a good first impression and the way you look and present yourself will play a big part in this.
Plus, how you’re dressed can impact how you perform. If you feel smart and confident, you’re more likely to carry that demeanour with you and answer your questions more confidently.
11. Reference details
When hiring new candidates, potential employers may ask you for references. This allows them to double-check your credentials and find out a little more about you as an employee. Sure, they might do this in the final stages before extending you an offer, but some may ask you during the interview – and you don’t want to be caught out.
Having the contact details of your most recent and relevant references with you means you can quickly provide a point of contact to the potential employer. It also shows that you prepared thoroughly for your interview.
What not to bring to an interview
Knowing what to bring to an interview can improve your chances of landing the job, but knowing what not to bring can be equally as important. In this section, we’ve put together a list of a few items it’s best to leave behind.
Food or chewing gum
There are several reasons you might be chewing gum before an interview; to freshen your breath or to keep the nerves at bay. But whatever your reason, make sure that you dispose of your gum before your meeting as it can be very distracting and unprofessional.
The same applies to any food or drink you have, especially large coffee cups. It’s only a short period of time and you don’t need to take these with you.
Friends or family
Interviews can be nerve-wracking and we all cope with this in different ways. That being said, it’s never a good idea to take a friend or family member with you, even if they help to keep you calm.
It doesn’t look very professional or adult, so it’s best to arrive alone. You can always see them after to discuss how it went.
Negative attitude
It’s so important that you are upbeat and engaging during the interview. Though this positive attitude will not guarantee you the job, one thing is for sure, a negative attitude will guarantee you don’t get the job.
So, even if the job search has been wearing you down or you’re going through a tough time, it’s important to check those feelings at the door and put on a positive face
Interview Tips
Plan your journey well in advance – If you are making a substantial journey or travelling somewhere you have never been to before, make sure you know how to get there and how long it will take. Don’t leave it until the day of the interview and then discover the journey is longer than you guessed, or there are severe travel disruptions that will make you late.
Pack the night before – To make sure that you are fully prepared and to give yourself a peaceful night sleep, pack all your things the night before. This ensures that you have time to find anything you may be missing and will give you more free minutes in the morning. If you have the time, it may even be a good idea to make a practice journey so that you know exactly where the front door of the building is.
Practice common interview questions – Every interview will be different, but there are some questions that will always arise in one form or another; such as, “why should we hire you?” or “why do you want this job?”. Be sure you know how you will answer such questions so you can respond with confidence.
Understand the company and job role – In order to show the recruiter you’re the perfect fit for the role, you need to make sure you understand what the role entails completely. You also need to prove you’re genuinely interested in the company, so do some thorough research and re-read the job description several times before you attend.
Plan questions of your own – The interview is not just the chance for the recruiter to find out more about you. It’s also your opportunity to ask them questions and find out more about the company and role. So be sure to prepare some questions of your own before the interview to show your genuine interest.
Prepare some examples – You don’t want your responses to sound scripted, but it can be helpful to prepare some examples of your key skills and achievements. Think about the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method and have some facts and figures at the forefront of your mind.
Practise your interview techniques – It can be helpful to practise your interview techniques and answers by having a practise interview beforehand. Ask a friend or family member to cover some of the most common questions with you as you practise what you’re going to say.
Arrive early – It’s a good idea to give yourself extra time in case of travel disruptions anyway, but you should arrive at the venue 10 to 15 minutes early. This shows you are punctual and gives you a moment to catch your breath. But don’t arrive too early, of course, you don’t want to become an inconvenience to the interviewer.
Think about your body language – It’s important that you don’t slouch, fiddle with your watch or stare at the table during the meeting. You need to appear calm and confident. So spend some time practising a confident posture and thinking about how you’ll present yourself in the interview.
Follow up after the interview – Finally, don’t forget to follow up with the recruiter after your interview. Send them a short email thanking them for their time and encouraging them to get in touch if they have any more questions.
Check out our 20 common interview questions and answers for more help.