Five Things You Should Never Bring with You to an Interview
Briefcase
I cannot count the number of times that I have seen men bring a briefcase into an interview. While this might have been the thing to do twenty years ago, if you bring a briefcase to an interview now, you appear as a stuffy and particulate person. Usually, these are not characteristics that you want to have portrayed. Do not bring a briefcase to an interview.
A Purse
Purses are something that you have to keep track of during an interview. You have to figure out a place to put it, and you have to make sure that it is not in the way. Why bring this to the interview? You should have already taken care of any issues of preparation before coming to the interview. Do not bring your purse to an interview.
Your Cell Phone
Leave your cell phone out in the car when you go to an interview. Do not even think about bringing it inside with you. If I am giving an interview, and a person's cell phone goes off, the interview is over. Do not bring your cell phone to an interview.
Friends and Family
I have cancelled a lot of interviews over the fact of an interviewee who has brought an entourage. If a person walks into my office with friends and family, my first thought is that this person cannot be without particular people around them. I would be worried about constant visits at work from these people. Do not bring friends and relatives to an interview.
Shopping Bags
I used to work in a mall, and would often have people show up to an interview with bags of purchases that they made before the interview. As an interviewer, I do not want to have to worry about you putting something into those bags during the interview. I also do not want to worry about tripping over them. Leave any shopping bags in the car and do not bring them with you to an interview.
Keep these tips in mind the next time that you head out to an interview. Little things like this can cancel an interview before it has even started. If you are taking the time to go to the interview, take these extra precautions to make the best impression that you can, and do not bring these items to an interview.
Published by L. Vincent Poupard - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment and Travel
L. Vincent Poupard is known for his insightful news commentaries and unique takes on the entertainment industry. Along with his career in writing, he works as a political/business consultant and has helped b... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentI think a woman having a purse with her would be acceptable but it does not have to be a giant bag. Something respectable just big enough to carry wallet and keys. Men usually put these things in their pocket but women's clothes usually do not accommodate these things.
I've never seen anyone bring additional people to an interview. But I've got to have a handbag or else I'd be walking around with loose pens, pads, keys in my hands?
Great tips! I used to work in retail management and also found that lots of stuff in a person's hands were distracting.
Where do you put your keys if you don't bring a purse? Woman's dress clothing generally do not have pockets? Sometimes, woman will put them in their bra while at a club, is this what woman should do for job interviews too?
I think it really depends on the industry and the company culture. Of course an entourage is an inappropriate accessory for an any interview (unless, maybe, you're an entertainer at an audition, which is sort of like an interview). Everyone brings their cell phones everywhere nowadays; the important thing is keeping them silent.
#6. Kids. Don't bring your kids to an interview and excuse it with, "If I get the job, I can afford day care." #7. A bottle of scotch. Offering the interviewer a snort doesn't rack up any points in your favor. #8. Your parole officer. This is bad even if the interview is part of your parole stipulations and you're just trying to prove your intent to the officer.
I'm on a job hunt now and this is useful! I have to wonder, though if a female interviewer would mind an interviewee bringing a purse. It's like an extension of our bodies; I guess only a female would understand. :)