What should I not bring to an interview?

When preparing for a job interview, it's important to focus on bringing only the essentials. While you may be tempted to bring extra materials or items, some things can distract from your professionalism or might not be necessary. Here’s a list of things you should avoid bringing to an interview:

1. Excessive Personal Items

• Overly Casual Clothing: Avoid wearing anything too casual, like flip-flops, tank tops, or jeans with holes (unless you're specifically applying to a very casual work environment). Even in a business casual setting, aim for a neat, polished appearance.
• Excessive Jewelry or Accessories: Keep it minimal and professional. Over-the-top jewelry or accessories can distract from the conversation.
• Heavy Perfumes or Cologne: Strong scents can be overwhelming and potentially irritating to others, especially in closed interview rooms.

2. Food and Drinks

• Snacks: Don’t bring food to your interview unless explicitly stated (e.g., if the interview is over lunch or part of a working session). It may be seen as unprofessional.
• Drinks (Other than Water): If you’re given water during the interview, that’s fine, but avoid bringing beverages like coffee or soda that might make you appear distracted or not fully focused.

3. Large, Bulky Bags

• Huge Handbags or Backpacks: Avoid bringing a large purse, bag, or backpack unless absolutely necessary. Opt for something small and professional, like a briefcase, portfolio, or folder that you can easily manage.

4. Unnecessary Technology

• Personal Devices (unless needed for the job): Avoid bringing your personal laptop or tablet unless it’s specifically required for the interview (e.g., for a technical interview where you need to showcase code). If you bring your phone, make sure it’s turned off or on silent to avoid distractions.
• Unwanted Gadgets: Don’t bring extra gadgets like headphones, portable chargers, or gaming devices unless the role requires them and they are part of the interview process.

5. Overly Long or Irrelevant Materials

• Overloaded Resume or Portfolio: Only bring one or two copies of your resume (or printed work samples) to distribute, if requested. Avoid bringing a large stack or unnecessary materials, such as outdated work or irrelevant certifications.
• Unrelated Work Samples: Keep your portfolio focused on relevant work that aligns with the job you’re applying for. Don’t overwhelm your interviewer with irrelevant projects or old work that doesn’t align with the role.

6. Negative Materials

• Past Job Reviews or Negative Comments: Avoid bringing anything negative, such as critical performance reviews or complaints about past jobs. You want to present yourself as a positive, forward-thinking candidate.
• Personal or Controversial Topics: Avoid discussing controversial personal issues, politics, or other topics that could be seen as inappropriate in a professional interview.

7. Overconfidence or Arrogance

• Excessive Self-Promotion: While it’s important to showcase your skills, avoid talking too much about yourself in a way that seems boastful or dismissive of others. Keep your tone humble and focused on how you can contribute to the company.

8. Inappropriate Questions or Comments

• Questions About Salary or Benefits (Too Early): While it’s natural to be curious about compensation, it’s better to wait until later in the process to discuss salary or benefits unless the interviewer brings it up first.
• Personal or Invasive Questions: Avoid asking questions that could be considered too personal, such as the interviewer’s marital status, religious beliefs, or other unrelated personal topics.

9. Anything That Could Be Seen as Disorganized or Unprofessional

• Messy Documents or Portfolio: Ensure that your resume, portfolio, and any work samples are organized, neat, and free from any stains, wrinkles, or damage.
• Handwritten Notes (Unless Absolutely Necessary): While notes are fine, they should be neatly written or printed. Avoid showing up with pages of handwritten notes that look unprepared.

10. Unpreparedness

• Lack of Research on the Company: Don’t show up without researching the company and the role you're applying for. You should have a solid understanding of the company’s mission, values, and products/services.
• Unanswered Questions: Be prepared for common interview questions and have some thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the company, culture, or role.

Conclusion

When heading to an interview, focus on bringing only the essentials. Be prepared with copies of your resume, relevant work samples, a notebook for jotting down important points, and any other materials directly related to the interview process. Avoid distractions or irrelevant items that could take away from the professional impression you're trying to make. The goal is to appear organized, focused, and ready to showcase your qualifications.