What to Bring to a Job Interview

A job interview can be an incredibly stressful event. The last thing anyone needs is to make it even more stressful by arriving unprepared. In this brief guide, the team at Triumph Consultants go over what to bring to a job interview in order to increase your chances of success.

Bring These Things to Your Next Job Interview to Increase the Odds of Success

Before you head out the door to your next job interview make sure you have all of these things with you.

1: Copies of your CV, cover letter and references

Odds are the company you are interviewing with already has a copy of your CV. That’s one reason you got the interview. But bring along several copies anyway simply because you never know when someone might ask for one. Being able to present a copy if asked demonstrates you’re a forward thinker.

2: A portfolio of your work

If you are applying for a creative position you will no doubt be asked to supply samples of your work. You probably sent a few samples ahead but it’s important that you have a comprehensive portfolio with you when you arrive for the interview so you can demonstrate the full range of your talents.

3: A notepad and pen

Yes, we live in a digital age but there is still no substitute for arriving for an interview with a pen and notepad at the ready. This again demonstrates a heightened level of preparedness, which is something employers like to see. It also indicates you are fully engaged in the interview.

4: Organise your materials in a briefcase or bag

Don’t try to get by storing all the above materials in your pockets. Make sure they are properly stored and organised in a briefcase or professional-style backpack. Nothing says “amateur” like pulling important materials out of your pocket.

5: Questions

Interviewers are not only assessing your CV and portfolio they are also assessing your level of interest and engagement. Demonstrate your level of interest by doing your homework on the company and preparing at least a few relevant questions to pose to your interviewer.

6: A positive attitude

A negative attitude and poor body language have been the undoing of many a job candidate. Instead of sitting there with your head down and shoulders slouched, sit up straight, look your interviewer in the eye and don’t forget to smile.

Additional Tips

Making sure you enter the interview room with all of the above will enhance your chances of securing an offer. Here are a few additional things to keep in mind:

• Dress appropriately for the position you are applying for.
• Prepare everything the night before to ensure the interview day is as stress-free as possible.
• Know exactly where you are going before you walk out the door of your house.
• Allow extra time to get there and if possible, arrive a little early.

The Bottom Line

Successful job interviews have as much to do with preparation as they do with qualifications. If all other things are equal, it’s likely the best prepared candidate will end up receiving an offer.

If you are hoping to find a public sector role in the UK, please browse our available roles and submit your CV today.