What to bring to the interview

[cmack]

I have my first onsite interview on Monday (a 4 hour extravaganza capped off with a lunch). I will obviously be wearing my finest (and only) suit.
What else should I bring? I have read that it is good to have extra copies of my resume. So maybe I should carry in my nice leather binder with me with resumes. Do I need anything else?

Has anyone ever gone in totally hands free? Anything that you wish you had brought but didn't? I did send an email to my contact to ask if I need anything just to be sure.

[FormLetter]

-pen
-resume copies
-notebook/paper
-something to hold the above for when walking around and shaking hands
-search function

[Hero3128]

Notes on projects you've done in prior employment

[Enough Exams Already]

Bring two handkerchiefs. No one wants to shake a hand that's been sneezed into. And any handkerchief not well-folded is assumed to have been used already. The pocket square on your suit will work in a pinch.

A leather binder is fine, as is an attache case, if you like the retro style. A clipboard works, too. (I usually bring a clipboard, but whatever works for you.)

Remember to carry the pen in your suitcoat's inside pocket, not your shirt pocket. That way if the pen leaks, you're not walking around all day with a big ink splotch on your shirt.

[FormLetter]

I carry a pen in my pants pocket.

[Maine-iac]

You pretty much have it down. You don't want to be carrying much. One leather-looking (doesn't have to be real leather) portfolio/padfolio that contains a pad of paper, a pen or two and a place to hold loose papers. A few extra copies of your resume are good. You could have a copy of your transcript, maybe. It's pretty rare, but occasionally somebody might ask about it. No big deal if you don't have it.

[Loose Seal]

I brought seven copies of my resume on nice paper and passed out exactly none of them (but you should still bring them).

DEFINITELY bring a notebook. I used mine for taking notes and writing out the steps to a word/logic problem one of the interviewers gave me. I also had a full page of questions I wanted to ask throughout the day. It helps you remember them all, and also shows that you're prepared.

[ldancer911]

Originally Posted by FormLetter

I carry a pen in my pants pocket.

I thought you were just happy to see me.


Also it wouldn't hurt to bring a bottle of water with.

[Vorian Atreides]

Your own lunch if you have strong dietary restrictions.

Additional notes on your key selling points on your resume. While the one who has that info down pat looks better, nervosity* is understandable and referring to such notes can help indicate that you do plan in advance.

Also have some additional points/experiences you'd like to share (if an appropriate opportunity arises) that are not contained on your resume.



* Just a word I made up. Or maybe it was that I saw on teh interwebs, liked it enough to adopt it into my specialized vocab. In either event, it should be included in buzz word bingo.

[Patience]

mints