Well, if you have lately completed your education or you are going for a part-time job, alongside your studies, you’d want to know how to prepare for an interview. Especially when you’re going for your first ever job interview, you are likely to be nervous. Your mind would be full of questions like “What to bring to an interview to get the job?“, ” What to say in the interview?”, etc.

Also Read: HOW TO ASK FOR A RECOMMENDATION LETTER

 

Relax, sit down, and read the whole blog thoroughly.

Not only you’ll feel less nervous, but you’ll also crack the interview!

What Not To Bring To An Interview

Before we get into the list, what to bring to an interview, let’s first have a look what no bring to an interview. Bringing relevant things with you is important, but bringing unnecessary stuff would leave a bad impression on the employer!

1.Pet

Bringing your pet to interview, be it a cat or cute puppy, is not the right idea. It will decrease your chances of getting a job. Bringing your pet with you to interview would give the impression that you’re more concerned about your pet’s care than getting this job. Leave your funny friends at home. They can be naughty at times and may cost you a job, not because of your incompatibility, but the mess they may cause there!

2.Food

Seriously, why some candidates bring their food for a few minutes interview? Does it look good carrying hot dogs or a hamburger along with your CV? What would an employer think about such a foodie candidate? Bear in mind, you are walking inside the interview room to show that you are the best candidate for this job. Dress well, carry only relevant stuff with you, and don’t eat there!

3.Parents

Yes, it does happen. You may be laughing at this point at the moment, but this really happens. Some candidates do bring parents along with them to their interview. Boy, you are going for a job interview, if selected, you’ll have to work as an employee there. Will you bring your parents daily? Trust me, if you haven’t grown up yet to travel alone, you are not ready for any kind of a job!

4. Reading Material

Sounds good? Carrying a reading material along with you to your interview place. You must be thinking, this would leave a very good impression on the employer. They’ll think I’m a reader, I read everywhere, therefore I must have more knowledge. Your chances of getting hired increased? Wrong, you are absolutely wrong! Remember, an office is a place to work, not to read. If you are so eager to invest in yourself by reading, then read at home, in free hours. You’re only there to show your qualification and compatibility for the desired position, not to show your reading skills.

5.Soft Drink

Feels good to carry a soft drink with you while going for an interview. You may like to take a few sips while answering the questions during the interview. I mean seriously? Do you feel this is OK? This is a job interview, not a friendly gathering or a talk show! Just like you can’t have a conversation with your boss in such an informal manner, similarly, you can’t behave so casually in front of your interviewer.

6.Mobile

Yeah, I know you can’t leave your mobile at home. An hour without smartphone feels longer than a decade – that’s how much addicted we have got to out smartphones. If you don’t leave at home, make sure you keep it on silent. A notification sound during the interview or your parent’s call would cause interruption and may offend your interviewer!

7.Shopping Bag

Most of the female candidates do that. Carrying a shopping bag with you to interview is not a wise thing to do. It will imply that you are not well-versed with the netiquettes to work in a reputable company.

In short, carry only relevant stuff for you. Anything that is not required at the interview, shouldn’t be carried!

What To Bring To A Job Interview

1.Resume

Of course, you’ll have to carry your updated resume to your job interview. Make sure the resume you bring is professionally written, free of typos and more importantly, contains the relevant information and experience required for the position you are applying. On many occasions, candidates forget to bring a resume and instead send it on email. A resume in the form of hard copy is the professional way to do it!

2.Portfolio

After your resume, your portfolio speaks the volume of your credibility and practical skills. For instance, if you are a content writer, maintain a portfolio in the form of your published work. This will give an insight to your interviewer regarding your experience and practical knowledge.

3.Pen

In many cases, candidates are asked to write a cover letter or give a written test. Keep a blue and black pen while going for an interview, as it will leave a good impression on the interviewer.

4.Laptop (if required)

Some times, candidates are asked to bring their laptop – it could be one of the prerequisites for the position. If that is the case, carry your laptop with you. Otherwise, better keep it at home!

Can You Bring a List Of Questions To An Interview

Yes, it’s not unethical to carry a list of question you want to ask the employer regarding the company. However, don’t save them in your gadgets like smartphones or laptop. As mentioned above, don’t take out these gadgets during the interview because they are a source of distraction.

Better, write down them in a paper, in neat and clean writing. Try to memories them, if you can. In case you are unable to memories them or afraid of forgetting them after a long nerve-wracking interview, keep them with you.

Once the interview asks you to ask your questions regarding the job and future of the company, you may take them out and gently ask them – not like as you’re reading a magazine!

Questions To Bring To An Interview

First of all, tell them what you feel about the company, based on the research you’ve done about it. Some of the common questions you can ask are:

• What characteristic do you expect from your employees?

This question will give you an idea of what kind of behavior and work the company expects from the employee they are hiring.

• Are there opportunities for professional development?

The most important aspect of any job is the growth factor there. Everyone wants to keep growing and expanding their skills. Apart from competitive salaries, intelligent employees want to work in an environment where they learn more.

• Who will I be most closely working with?

This will give you a better idea of your role in the company. Titles of the employees with whom you’ll be working with and your responsibilities.

• What new things will I learn here?

This is the most important question for any level of employee. Besides better pay scale, an employee switch job to move to a new and more learning environment.

• Do you love working in this company?

The interviewer’s expression on this question will sum up the employee-satisfactory level of the company. Of course, he won’t criticize anyone openly, but his tone will help you to learn what to expect if you work for them!

How Do You Express Your Strengths & Weaknesses

During the interview, at some stage, the interviewer will ask you about your weakness and strengths. How do you talk about weakness and strength during the interview? It’s important not to brag about yourself, or underestimate. Be honest, and confident!

What Could Be Your Possible Strengths

• punctuality
• dressing
• communication skills
• quick decision making
• quick learning
• team worker

What Could Be Your Possible Weaknesses

Some candidates tend to hide their weaknesses, or behave as if they are immune! Every human being has some weaknesses, and those who become successful, constantly seek ways to improve.

Don’t mention all of your weakness, in fact, mention only a couple and tell them how are you working to get better.

This will convince your employer that you are being sincere and not exaggerating about yourself!

Should You a Bring A Gift To a Job Interview

Always remember, nobody is your friend in your workplace. Why should you bring a gift to a job interview? They will hire you only if you are qualified. Even if you’re hired, there is no genuine reason to give a gift to your employer. The relation between an employer and an employee is far from being friends.

An employee is working for a certain company is because he is capable of benefiting the company – not because he gifts his boss! Your importance in the company is defined by the value you add there. Some of the grumpiest employees in the company have occupied top positions because of the value they add!