Preparing for an interview, starts with what you need!

So yesterday was Sunday and you checked your local newspaper for new job postings, found something you were interested in, and faxed your resume in, expressing your interest in the company's opening. Now, the company has called, expressing their interest in you and tomorrow.. they want to interview you! BUT before you walk out that door ready for your interview, understand what you should bring to the job interview, so that you will shine as only you can!

For starters, if your interview is truly the next day, I'd recommend pushing it back a few more. Some will argue that you are allowing other candidates to interview first, possibly ruining your changes of getting a chance at the opening. BUT I'd argue, that an unprepared candidate is just as negative if not more.

Bring what THEY want to YOUR next job interview!

When you are ready to show up for your initial interview, the most important thing to bring along is your resume. Yes, that same resume you faxed or mail in the day you spotted the opening, may not seem that important to you, but however if the person interviewing you that day has lost your copy or forgotten it, you can hand them the copy you brought along! This makes you appear not only well prepared for the interview but well prepared in general and will definitely help you stand out!

Another great thing besides your resume to bring along to your job interview, is a list of references from former employers and friends, recommending you. Although, companies will not call references until they have considered you a top candidate for the opening, a list of references listed on top of your resume, shows how much you believe in yourself. Think about it like this... an employee unwilling to let others speak of them probably has a lot to hide. An employee willing to let others talk, shows that they are not only great but that they have much confidence in their greatness.

It is important to check references and make sure they are up to date before turning them. Letting somebody who is interview you, call your references only to find that the person you listed is no longer with the company you said they were or even worse, fired for poor performance  themselves, makes you look horrible.

A list of what to bring!

So you have your resume, you have your references, and you even have yourself who is dressed professional, confident, and ready to impress. BUT what else is a necessity during this all important job interview?

 Bring a nice notepad to take notes!

A nice leather notepad with a pen shows that you are prepared and a good note taker. Companies love people who are organized and simply holding a notepad, gives them a great impression of you! It also allows you to take notes during the interview. If the personal interviewing you says something important about the position your interviewing for including responsibilities and task the title entails, you can make notes for yourself --- rather than look like a fool asking the same thing twice or three times!

An understanding of the company your interviewing with!

It's true, it's great to know about the company you want to work for. Try talking with others who already work where you plan to be. Informational interviews are your gateway to the inside scoop, and a possible gateway to the job you want!

Your degree, if you have one.

Candidates will degrees, especially college degrees, really shine during the interview process. It is one thing to list your education, it's another provide a copy of your college diploma. A copy of your diploma, sort of emphasizes what you already know - that you have a degree - but it sort of puts a physical image in front of the personal interviewing you.

If you've lost or damaged your college diploma, you can check with your former school although their may be a delay in getting a replacement made. For a quick fix, companies like Diploma Company provide custom made diplomas. They even carry over 300,000 actual layouts from real school-issue diplomas, that can be adjusted with your name, degree, gradating dates, and more. These diplomas, often sold as fake diplomas, are great replacements for lost or damaged degrees. In fact, Diploma Company can help with any sort of degree including high school level and college! The diplomas can them be photocopied, allowing you have a copy of your diploma on hand. This also saves a step when your employer needs a copy of your diploma later on... down the road.

Last, bring your confidence!

With the lack of quality job openings and many people applying for the same positions, the idea of confidently interviewing for a job opening seems almost daunting! BUT you can't let that get in the way of your hope and dreams. A job interview can be yours, if you remain confident. Leave the past in the past including failed interviews. An interviewee who comes across as beaten and depressed will not win themselves over, let alone anybody looking for a qualified candidate to take the company in a better direction.

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