Things To Do Before Your Next Interview

Are you super stressed about your upcoming job interview? I know for me, just the thought of having to sit down at an interview makes me feel uneasy! I've compiled a list of things that you can do to help ease that stress a bit! Nothing puts my mind at ease like having everything ready to go to avoid that last minute rush and I'm sure many of you are the same! Here is a list of what you should put in your portfolio or briefcase

1. Clean out your briefcase! All kinds of things could be in there from irrelevant documents to discarded tissues or, if you're anything like me, receipts. (Do those things breed? I swear they must breed. I've opened up old purses and found nothing but pennies and receipts! But I digress...)


2. Full name of company, name and position of contact person/interviewer and contact number


3. Full address of company and the department or building where your interview is.


4. Good directions or map. Get these by calling the company, they usually have a standard set of directions they can email you or they can tell you on the phone. You can also obtain a map from an internet map site such as Mapquest or Google Maps. If you are taking public transport have your route prepared.


5. Details of where you can park


6. Put in a couple of copies of your resume. Although the company already has a copy, you may need to give another copy to the interviewer or interviewers. Take this opportunity to read through your resume again and note any red flags that will have to be dealt with during the interview. Prepare your interview answers to tough questions about gaps in employment, reason for leaving etc.


7. Include copies of letters of recommendation or written job references you have.


8. Have copies of your reference list ready, the interviewer will ask for this during the job interview.


9. Relevant work samples


10. Pen and paper. Taking a few notes during your interview shows you are listening closely.


11. Your business card if you have one


12. The job advert or any details of the position that you have. You may want to refer to this during the interview.


13. Include your company background research. Review the research that you have put together about the organization and the job and consider how you will use it in your interview.


14. Put in the questions you have prepared to ask the interviewer. You should prepare at least five insightful questions about the job, the company, and management. Read through these questions and feel confident about asking them.

Once you have prepared your portfolio, you have a couple of hours to do the following on your interview checklist:

1. Take out the clothes you plan to wear to the interview. Make sure they are clean and pressed. Shoes should be polished. Select the accessories you want to wear. Lay your outfit out ready for the next day.


2. Go through your prepared answers to common job interview questions such as What are your strengths?, Why are you the right candidate for this job?, Tell me about yourself?.


3. If you are going to be asked behavioral questions, consider your possible responses. The objective now is not to memorize your answers but to review them and be familiar and confident with them.


4. Try to practice your responses out loud. Ask a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you. Ask for feedback on other elements such as your body language, communication skills and clarity of your answers.


5. Make sure you have something nutritious to eat for breakfast the next day, you don't want your stomach rumbling or to feel hungry during your interview.


6. Get a good night's sleep knowing you are fully prepared to ace the interview!

Now, how about landing that interview, can I help there? Sure can! Check out your options at ScienceCareersite.com now! Bambi Blue is a freelance writer, editor, and codemonkey living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She moonlights as a jazz musician, a social butterfly, and most apparently a weisenheimer. Loves to cook, hates to clean, and can easily be found on Twitter