6 Essential Items To Pack Before the Night Before an Interview

After months of applying to jobs, you’ve finally hit the jackpot. A recruiter from your dream company has called you in for an interview. EXCITING! Now what? After the adrenaline rush you’ll have to figure what to wear, how to style your hair and exactly what train will get you there (on time).

Our bags are usually the last item we think about when preparing for an interview the night before. Believe it or not, what you have in your purse can keep you on track for your interview.

Read below to see what important items you should be carrying to stay on track and avoid a potentially uncomfortable moment:

This is a total given but making sure you have the most updated version of your resume is key to acing your interview. The recruiter may have your resume on hand already but you may come in contact with someone else at the company who would also like to see your work experience. A set of 4-5 copies is a good amount. If you want to go the extra mile (especially those in the creative field) placing your resume and/or portfolio on a USB disk can make you stand out from the bunch. It gives the recruiter something to remember you by once you leave.

Bad breath and 45 minutes of talking, in close quarters, is not an ideal situation. Carrying mints in your bag allows you to avoid that awkward moment during the interview when the meal you had for breakfast or lunch decides to make an appearance.

You’re suit is pressed, you’ve polished your look and you’re out the door. You get to your interview and realize that somehow a patch of white fuzz has formed on your blazer. Keeping a lint roller stashed in your bag can alleviate such stresses and keep you focused on the task at hand.

You never really know what to expect when you go on an interview. Yes, you’re more than likely going to have to answer questions regarding your background and experience but the interviewer can also throw a curveball. Keeping a pen and pad in your bag prepares you for any unexpected tasks and allows you to write down anything you’d like to remember from the interview to ask about later.

Ladies, how many times have you tracked your period but ended up off by a day or so? Having your period show up unexpectedly, especially before an interview, can make or break your confidence. Let’s face it, no one likes to carry around pads all the time but having a liner, such as the U by Kotex Lightdays liners, can give you a sense of relief at such an uncomfortable moment. These liners are lightweight and barely there, giving you one less thing to worry about. U By Kotex is giving away samples, so click here for more info. Oh, and *major* bonus! If you want a chance to win a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a camera, and a $100 Sephora gift card, consider entering their #BringComfyBackContest. A winner is selected every month, and at the end of the contest the most creative selfie will win a trip to L.A. with a friend along with a photoshoot and with U by Kotex and $2,000 in cash.

Books are always a good conversation starter. If you’re a good 15-20 minutes early, the recruiter may or may not be prepared to see you. Reading a book while you wait shows that you can occupy your time with something other than your phone. It also showcases your personality and is a great conversation starter.

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