WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU BEFORE INTERVIEW

As part of your keen and eager look, avoid carrying clutter. Just take the essentials – handbag, briefcase, sample case, toolkit, portfolio. Just one – no more. You need a hand free. Prepare it the night before.

Did you keep copies of any documents sent with your application?

• CV (curriculum vitae – your personal history)


• Application form


• Cover letter.

Take these with you, as well as the original advertisement or job description that you have. We tend to slant the different versions of our CV in the direction of the job being applied for, so you really need a copy of the particular one sent, for reference.

Remember to pack

• 
  
  
  The letter inviting you to come for interview, which confirms the address and telephone number; if there was no letter, take a note of these details; it is dangerous to rely on memory, and you may need to phone them en route.


• Map, route notes, special instructions


• Phone card and coins for a call box


• Notepad and pen to make notes during the interview and record the names of people you met


• Any company catalogues or brochures, which you will have studied before the interview.

Evidence of your ability and skill

Suggestions are given in the following list. Show them to the interviewer when you are invited to. If you are questioned about your work, say, ‘I have some examples here which you may care to see.’ Have them easily accessible, so you don’t take up the interviewer’s time fumbling with wrappings or knots.

• Portfolio of drawings, designs, photographs, advertisements you originated, articles you wrote (though some of these may have been submitted with your original application)


• Specimens of your work, such as word-processed layouts, videos you made, books you edited.

All the above should have your name and address sticker attached, in case you are asked to leave an item
for closer inspection.

• Certificates, diplomas
  
  


• Press cuttings
  
  


• Testimonials

Do not leave originals of the last three items – ask them to take photocopies while you are there. On arrival, you may find that you are expected to fill in a separate application form. This is where your copy CV etc comes in useful. The information will need to be neatly transferred to the application form, possibly being reworked to meet the employer’s format.