10 Essential Items to Bring for Every Successful Job Interview

Interviews can be unnerving. You want everything to be perfect. So you go through multiple job interview guides, practice your answers in front of the mirror, and even Google what documents to bring to interviews. If that is what brought you to this article today, then let us guide you through.

What to Bring to a Job Interview?

Before you go for the interview you must prepare. You could go through these tips for your job interview preparation and improve your chances of cracking the interview.

As to answer your question of ‘what should I bring to an interview?’ You can use this article as a checklist.

• Hard Copy of Resume

This may be an obvious one but do bring a printout of your resume. Make sure you keep it safely in a folder or a file to not get it folded or wrinkled. Also, keep a soft copy of your resume handy in case you need to share it over email with the company.

• Certificates

Sometimes if you have multiple certificates listed in your resume the interviewer might ask to see some of them. So to be on the safer side just carry them with you in a folder.

• Portfolio

Some roles like Photographers, Graphic Designers, Architects, and more, require you to have a portfolio showcasing your previous work. If your role requires a portfolio then creating one should be a huge part of your interview preparation process.

• Prints of Documents

You should ask HR if they need any specific documents from you. If not it is best to carry with you copies of your experience letters, cover letters, reference letters, and anything else you think would be relevant.

• Reference List

If you have a few people referring you for the job, then a reference list should be one of the documents to bring to the interview. Your reference list should include your reference’s name, designation, company, address, contact details, and a brief description.

• Office Address and Contact

If you need to get to a place you have never been before you need the proper directions. It is best to note down the address and contact information in case of a technological problem.

You must also plan ahead regarding how you will get there. If you are using public transportation it is best to leave 15 minutes earlier to avoid delays. Also, make sure you are carrying enough cash for your journey to and from the office location.

• ID Card

It is best to carry an ID card or license with you as the office security might need to see some identification before they let you in.

• List of Questions

One of the best interview tips you would get is this – ask questions! The interviewer will ask you if you have any questions at the end of the interview so prepare a few and list them down. Other than that you must think of an interview as a conversation and ask your questions as they naturally come into the conversation.

Remember, while the company is interviewing you to ensure that you are the right person for the job, you are also interviewing the company to ensure that they are the right organization for you.

• Water Bottle

While most interview preparation guides stick to the documents you would need, we are going a little beyond that. You will be travelling in the sun, walking unfamiliar roads, and talking to a lot of people, so it’s important that you stay hydrated. So bring your water bottle and even get a little snack, if you like, to keep up the sustenance. 

• Confidence and Positive Attitude

The last ‘item’ in this job interview preparation guide is to bring along your confidence and a positive attitude. It’s normal to feel anxious, but you must remember that you cleared a few rounds of screening to get here. Which means you deserve to be here. So be confident and crack your interview.

Conclusion

While most of the advice you get from interview guides revolves around what to say and how to say it, this article helps you prepare with all the necessary documents to bring to interviews.

Other than that we have also explored the use of ChatGPT in your interview preparation process in a different article, so do check that out too. All the best!

Bonus Points

• Make sure you also carry essential stationery items in your bag. You might need a pen and paper to take notes.
• Dress appropriately. You can ask the interviewer for the dress code in advance. But even then wearing formal attire is expected.
• Pick a bag that will ensure that all your documents are placed neatly. Folded or wrinkled documents can leave a bad impression.
• Read about the company. You can ask more in-depth questions in the interview to get a better understanding but you should not walk into an interview without any knowledge of the company.