Question on what to carry to the interview

Question

Hi
Any suggestions on what things one should carry to the interview? Should i take a copy of the resume? Anything else?

billyjeans · Answer

A portfolio would be nice and a note pad/pen would be helpful if you need to write things down sometimes.

I don't think these days people use "briefcase" anymore, since really who brings documents when you have a laptop. Girls can carry a purse of fine leather.

Ari123 · Answer

Should I carry my laptop? What did everyone do?

Ari123 · Answer

When i meet my interviewer should I give him a copy of my resume/ offer a copy of my resume or wait for him to ask me for it.

billyjeans · Answer

I didn't bring my laptop. Just a portfolio with resume/note pad/pen. They will ask you for your resume if they don't already have it.

shadow · Answer

just bring a portfolio with some papers inside, a pen, and your resume. dont bring a laptop or anything like that. also, keep your phone off or on silent (not vibrate), as if it vibrates in the middle of your interview, chances are they will still be able to hear it.

Ari123 · Answer

Thanks everyone for the answers

go2bizSkool · Answer

also business cards!

miccarlo · Answer

I agree with everyone here...checklist should be a nice portfolio, nice pen, resume, business cards, and HEAD SHOTS (j/k) :lol:

highhopes09 · Answer

Sorry for the ignorance. But what is a portfolio?
Do you just mean a folder that contains resume, blank papers, pen etc? or some more documents of yourpast achievements?

PBateman · Answer

Yes, usually leather too. Sometimes called a "padfolio". Google it. I bought a nice enough black one in college at the university bookstore for like 20 or 30 bucks. Has holder for pad of paper, opposite side for other papers, and slot for business cards. Example: https://common3.csnimages.com/lf/1/hash/ ... dfolio.jpg

highhopes09 · Answer

Thank you!

wmcrockett · Answer

Isn't it redundant to bring a portfolio if the only thing you're going to have in it is a copy of your resume? If you've already submitted an application to the school you're interviewing at, they've probably read your resume and will have a copy waiting in the interview room.

I didn't bring anything to mine, but then again I haven't gotten in anywhere so my opinion isn't worth much.

I didn't bring anything to mine, but then again I haven't gotten in anywhere so my opinion isn't worth much.

SalarymanJ · Answer

Bringing the extra resume is interviewing 101. Maybe they read your resume, but didn't print it out, or forgot sections of it. It is always good to have an extra resume, it makes you look more prepared then not having one. Why take the risk of not bringing one?

rhyme · Answer

I'd bring it. You never know if the interviewer may have forgotten yours, or misplaced it, or perhaps the school didn't print it out. Its the same reason you bring copies to normal job interviews too

PBateman · Answer

For at least 2 of my 4 interviews, I was asked for a resume, even though I had uploaded it as part of the interview confirmation (they also had it in my application). Part of me was wondering why they didn't just print it off, and the other part of me felt a huge wave of relief that I came prepared on the expectation they had lost all of my materials.

You don't want to let the things you have complete control over pose any risk to your candidacy.

gregarious · Answer

I second all the posters saying that that bringing an extra resume just makes good sense. As for the actual portfolio/padfolio itself, I'd say that's mostly style points. It's not like bringing in your resume in a plain manila folder is going to get you automatically dinged. OTOH, as they say, you only have one chance to make a first impression, and who really knows what a random interviewer might consider important.

rhyme · Answer

Along those lines, feel free to leave the bic pen that you've chewed in half at home too

tan888 · Answer

Good question and great answers.

mhla82 · Answer

Is it inappropriate to bring a small gift? I am a re-applicant interviewing with the same adcom officer as last year and she mentioned that she could use some of the products that my company sells. I can get sample products for a negligible price.

Do you think that a small gift could be misconstrued as being inappropriate?

Do you think that a small gift could be misconstrued as being inappropriate?

Question on what to carry to the interview

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards