Its All in the Bag!

Its All in the BagIts All in the BagIt goes without saying that preparation is key when youre interviewing for a job Youve done your research, youve laid out your dress to impress outfit, and youve planned your route down to the last millisecond but have you thought about packing your bag?First of all, whether your male or female, you should carry a bag or briefcase. It should look professional and preferably have enough room for an envelope with copies of your resume. The bag should be large enough to fit your belongings without them sticking out of the top of overflowing. A basic, clean purse and/or briefcase or beige/brown colored satchel are always good choices. Now, what do you put in your bag? Here are six essentials you must bring with you to any job interviewResume and Copies of Essential DocumentsWe have become so reliant on the internet and our phones for almost everything but it is always advantageous to include a paper copy of driving directions or any instructions about what to do and where to go once you arrive at your interview. If your GPS fails, or you cant access key information on your phone about the interview, what happens then? Never trust that you will have access to WiFi so save yourself a lot of agony by preparing a backup paper copy. Make sure to include any notes or practice interview questions you jotted down for the meeting.OuterwearChilly weather can catch you off guard, so you might consider bringing or wearing a jacket that can fit in your bag during the interview. The last thing you need is appearing disheveled by carrying a big bulky coat. Just make sure it can fit in your bag.Makeup For all our female readers, consider which lipstick or gloss that will best showcase that beautiful, friendly smile Fire engine red isnt always a good choice. Toss your makeup bag inside your purse or briefcase and do a little touchup before your interview.MintsIf you had a garlic bagel on your way to the interview, you might want to include a tin of mints in your bag for a fresh minty breath. No gum You might forget to toss it on your way in and its never a good idea to chew gum during a job interview.SnackA hangry interviewee is never a good version to present to a potential employer so if you skip breakfast, bring along an easy, edible snack (no Funyuns or juicy fruit) so you can dedicate 100 percent of your brainpower to the interview.PenWhat if the hiring manager gives you a quick written assessment or asks you to do a calculation and puts you in a conference room without anything to write with? Because you prepared well, you can whip out your own pen and accomplish the task while showing forethought and preparedness to the hiring manager.Always keep in mind that what you wear and how you present yourself are vitally important in an interview. Having the best bag wont necessarily land you a job but it will help present yourself as a savvy, confident job candidate.