It does not matter what side of the table you sit on for your next interview, there are certain things you need to bring to look credible and interesting.
Hiring teams and candidates alike need to be prepared and ready to have a great conversation. We know that candidates put a lot of energy into doing their research and preparing their stories. It is important for hiring managers to do some pre-work as well.
Bring the job description and the candidate’s resume. You may not need to refer to either during the conversation but you will have them handy. Also, it means that you can give both at least a passing glance on your way to the interview room.
Bring your coffee cup or water bottle only if you are prepared to offer the same to the candidate. It will be awkward for your candidate to watch you chug away on your hazelnut flavoured latte with extra whip when they have nothing.
Bring some tissues in your pocket. Nothing is worse than sniffing through an interview. Also, if you have a tissue to hand to the other person, you look like a hero.
Bring a pen and something to write on. Even if you don’t end up writing down, it is a sign of respect that you are prepared to jot down notes or questions.
Bring your phone to the meeting but only if it is on silent. No fooling around on this one. Having your phone chirp away during a conversation is distracting even if you manage to avoid looking at it (and that’s pretty hard to avoid).
One last thing: leave your gum in your office. Gum has a way of moving around while you are talking and frankly, it’s gross.
These things may seem small, but they go a long way to setting the stage for a great conversation and that’s the goal right?
Recruiter's Couch 