Three Emergency Items to Bring to Your Interview

A job interview is a high-stress situation for new college graduates and longtime professionals alike. In such a charged atmosphere, even a small mishap can be your undoing. By coming prepared with emergency supplies, you can tackle problems without panicking or canceling the interview.

Sewing Kit

Chances are, you've spent a considerable amount of time picking a job interview outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident. If your pants split or your shirt pops a button on the way to the interview, it can kill your confidence completely. To prepare, include a small sewing kit in your stock of emergency supplies. The kit should contain a small pair of scissors, a needle, thread colors that match each piece of your outfit and any spare buttons that came with each item of clothing. If you don't have them, find buttons that match the originals. With these items, you can repair rips, holes, missing buttons and stray threads on the fly, allowing you to make a better impression on a potential employer. Though the fix may not be permanent, it will help you focus on the interview rather than the hole in your shirt.

Personal Hygiene Products

Personal hygiene is crucial during a job interview, partially for your own comfort and partially for the comfort of the interviewers. If, on the way to the interview, you realize you forgot to brush your teeth in the rush to get out of the house, it can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. To prepare, pack your bag in advance with a small kit of hygiene products, including breath mints, a travel-size deodorant, bandages, tampons and lip balm. These few items can ensure that you smell and feel clean during the job interview.

Backup Directions

The easiest way to kill a job interview before it starts is to get lost on the way and fail to show up on time. Many candidates simply plug the company's address into a map application and trust it to lead them accurately. To stay safe, bring a set of printed backup directions when you leave the house or hotel. Write them down on a piece of paper, making sure to note the train or bus numbers, street names or parking locations. That way, if your phone dies en route to the interview, you'll still be able to find your way. Write down the office phone number as well. If you run into unexpected traffic or construction, you can phone in to ask about suggestions for alternate routes.

A small amount of advance planning can help you tackle any emergency situation without losing your cool. Even in the case that everything goes smoothly, you'll enter the job interview feeling collected and confident.

(Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)