An interview is a series of question-and-answer sessions between two people that is an integral part of the selection process for many jobs.
Keep copies of your resume and educational certificates handy, and prepare some questions to show that you are well-prepared and thoughtful during an interview. This shows your prospective employer that they can count on you.
1. Your Resume
Start your interview checklist by including your resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Even though it has likely already been sent over email to the interviewer, having an extra hard copy on hand is beneficial if they request one during an interview. Depending on the company, you may also benefit from bringing samples of your work should this become necessary.
Your resume should include your name, address, phone number, and a brief overview of your qualifications. Most importantly, however, it must be tailored specifically for the position you are applying for by using keywords that reflect those in the job description. It must also be easy for readers to navigate without including personal data such as photos or marital statuses.
If you are not a United States citizen, bring your visa as another crucial document to an interview. Should an opportunity present itself and require permanent resident card applications to file, your visa may need to be presented as proof.
Include in your interview materials a list of references who can vouch for your professional abilities and work experience, ideally from previous employers. Other options like community leaders or mentors are also acceptable. Make sure that this list is kept current with contact information for each reference; additionally, prepare some questions you want to ask the interviewer in advance to appear well-prepared while showing genuine interest in the position at stake.
2. Your References
Employers often ask interviewees for references after an interview to evaluate their character, professionalism, and overall fit for the position. Should an employer request professional references at any point during their evaluation process, be prepared with them ready for immediate submission.
Do your best to provide professional contact details of your references on a document clearly labeled “References Available Upon Request” to avoid any misinterpretation. Likewise, delineating which types of references they represent (work, character, or academic) will help your interviewer understand what kind of advice or insight can be expected.
When selecting references, prioritize those who can attest to your professional accomplishments regarding work accomplishments. Past supervisors, managers, and coworkers would make excellent references; academic references might include instructors or vocational counselors. When possible, look for those that can vouch for specific skills essential to the position you’re applying for, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork.
Once you have your references assembled, compile them into one document that can quickly be submitted via email or in an interview. Ideally, this should be separate from your resume and contain only professional contact information – not their details! When formatting, choose 1-1.5 inch margins with font sizes around 12 points; review it thoroughly for typos or misspellings before reviewing with references at an interview – never want them digging for details themselves! Whether bringing them with you or sending them off afterward – don’t forget to thank them for being part of your journey!
3. Your Portfolio
A compelling portfolio is a collection of work samples demonstrating your talents during interviews. Depending on your industry, this may involve writing samples, architectural plans, and fashion design samples, samples from your website and social media pages, and any professional references available to you.
No matter its format, any portfolio should include a table of contents and page numbers to make finding information easy. Be sure to introduce each piece, explaining why it’s relevant; for example, if applying for marketing roles, you could include something like: “Here is a selection of my most successful campaigns. ”
For hardcopy portfolios, bringing a pen and paper to take notes while the interviewer reviews your documents is wise. Interviews tend to move quickly; missing critical information during this short period can be easy.
Once the interview is over, please have a copy of your portfolio ready so that the hiring manager can keep it for themselves. Furthermore, should they request references be provided immediately following an interview request from them? Having that sheet at hand can make things much quicker and more straightforward.
If offered the position, having copies of your driver’s license and social security card handy could prove helpful if HR paperwork needs to be filled out following your interview. As it can be hard to recall this information under pressure during an interview, having them handy could save unnecessary hassle further down the line.
4. Your Visa
Not every candidate will be required to present their visa during an interview, but it doesn’t hurt to bring one – just in case! Additionally, any research you conducted during your studies that may have resulted in an interview invitation should also be included.
Carrying the appropriate documents can leave an impressive first impression on your interviewer, showing they understand your knowledge of visa requirements and know exactly what’s expected during an interview. Conversely, arriving unprepared or with no appropriate paperwork could send mixed signals about how serious you are about applying for one – potentially decreasing your chances of getting one!
Depending on the status of your case, if it shows “you are ready for an interview,” bring along these documents for consideration at your interview date and time scheduled by National Visa Center (NVC). Your appointment letter from them will outline this requirement.
Your spouse and any eligible children migrant with you must each participate in their immigration interviews, with copies of NVC interview appointment letters for them being brought along to these interviews.
The visa officer will ask questions to establish whether you intend to immigrate and have a reasonable plan for life in the US. Questions will focus on your job, family, finances, educational objectives and plans, and long-term goals.
At an interview, you are expected to provide detailed and truthful answers. Any answers or explanations which seem overstated may be seen as dishonest and should not be allowed, as these could come across as insincere or dishonest.
5. Your Fact Sheet
Fact sheets are informative documents that present hard facts to an audience. A well-crafted fact sheet can create an impactful impact, shock people into action, or provide clarity for complex issues. When creating one of these documents, it’s essential to think about who your target audience will be; for example, if you want to drum up support for public art projects by showcasing how art increases property values and deters crime, then including statistics as proof may help your cause.
When creating a fact sheet, make sure it has an organized layout with clear fonts and is visually stimulating to draw the eye in. Finally, be sure to cite any sources used.
As an added precaution, it’s also beneficial to bring a portfolio with examples of your previous work – this will give interviewers an accurate picture of your skills and expertise.
If you’re a recent graduate, bring along transcripts from both undergraduate and graduate studies – this can speed up the hiring process while showing employers you are dedicated to your career goals.
Pen and notepad should also be available after interviews to allow interviewers to sign any forms or documents that need signing off, like documents or forms. A traditional jotter or notebook would be better than an app on your phone as its use may appear unprofessional. Having one also shows that you are prepared to take notes, as this shows respectability as a job candidate; additionally, it will help retain any information that interviewers might share later while making it easy to refer back to anything said through follow-up emails. It would also be wise to bring an extra just in case one dies!