Have you ever left something important at home? It happens all the time, and usually you simply go home at the end of your day and get it. But before an interview, you don’t necessarily have that chance and forgetting something important can cause you to look and feel unprepared. It makes for a bad first impression.
So before your next job interview make sure you have taken the time to gather the following items.
Job Interview Checklist
- Spare Copies of Your Resume – Employers and recruiters go through a lot of applications, and even if they called you in for an interview they may not remember everything. Bringing your resume shows that you are prepared and gives them more to remember you by.
See our post on How to proof read your resume.
- A List of Intelligent and Relevant Questions – If you prepared ahead of time, you should have a list of smart questions. You don’t need to bring out the list at the interview, but reviewing the list right before the interview can be very valuable.
Download our FREE eBook on the 20 Best Questions to Ask at an Interview
Take a look at our post 8 Questions Employers Wish You Would Ask Them
- List of Most Important Qualities – Similarly, bring a list of the qualities and experiences you need to make sure you mention. Review them before the interview. You want to make sure you don’t forget anything and a list of the information you absolutely “must” tell the interviewers can be helpful.
- Reference Information – At the end of the interview, the interviewer may ask for your references. If you have 5 references at the ready, they’ll be very impressed, since most applicants will not have any on hand.
See our post on How to choose the best references for your resume
- Job Description – You may also want to bring a copy of the job description. This will allow you to make sure that you’re addressing the needs of the description, and to ask specific questions as they relate to it. You’ll want to make sure that your role is defined and that you are considered a valuable fit for the position.
- Review Your Elevator Pitch – An elevator pitch is basically a short 30 second blurb about your best qualities and why you are perfect for the role you are applying for. If you are struggling to develop yours, take a look at our post below then make sure you have a copy of it with you and review it before you walk in to the interview.It can help you make an amazing first impression.
See Post – How to Develop A Killer Elevator Pitch
See Post – How First Impressions Work and How to Use Them
- Directions – Even though everyone has a smart phone now, you will also want to keep a copy of directions on hand. It’s very important that you don’t get there late, and if something goes wrong with your phone, a copy of directions will help you get there on time.
Preparation is the key to success for any job interview, and this checklist will help ensure that you’re well on your way to making an impact with the recruiter.
See Also Related Post – 6 Reasons Why You Don’t Get Past The First Interview
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