Interview packing

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I heard somewhere that a granola bar is a good idea for the interview day. I'm also bringing a pocket notebook with a few talking points and space to jot notes (ofc don't read from a notebook during the interview, but to remind myself in the hallway or whatever)
 
DrRiker said:
I heard somewhere that a granola bar is a good idea for the interview day. I'm also bringing a pocket notebook with a few talking points and space to jot notes (ofc don't read from a notebook during the interview, but to remind myself in the hallway or whatever)
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Oh I like that idea! I've been typing stuff up but I think I'll jot some bullets down on some paper and just carry it in my padfolio to take a look at before walking in.
 
Catalystik said:
Grooming items.
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I'd hate to deal with my crazy hair if I forgot a brush haha, definitely important.

In terms of taking suits on flights, would they look ok still if I rolled it all up and stuffed it in a carry on? I read online that people do that but I don't want it to get all messed up or wrinkly or anything.
 
someonenew22 said:
I'd hate to deal with my crazy hair if I forgot a brush haha, definitely important.

In terms of taking suits on flights, would they look ok still if I rolled it all up and stuffed it in a carry on? I read online that people do that but I don't want it to get all messed up or wrinkly or anything.
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If you’re not experienced at folding/packing like that, you’re probably going to get it wrinkled tbh.
 
someonenew22 said:
Oh I like that idea! I've been typing stuff up but I think I'll jot some bullets down on some paper and just carry it in my padfolio to take a look at before walking in.
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This is also a good idea so you can jot notes down from interview day. The school and students may provide unique information that can help later on in deciding between schools and after a few weeks of interviews, it's easy to forget the little things about the school that may just sway you one way or another.

Bring a pen. Bring an extra for the fellow applicant who will be asking to borrow one.
 
someonenew22 said:
I'd hate to deal with my crazy hair if I forgot a brush haha, definitely important.

In terms of taking suits on flights, would they look ok still if I rolled it all up and stuffed it in a carry on? I read online that people do that but I don't want it to get all messed up or wrinkly or anything.
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Pack a travel steamer, or immediately hang your suit in the hotel bathroom and run the shower full steam upon arrival. Mini steamer works best though. A hanging garment bag would probably be better for a suit than a weekender-style carryon or suitcase, and can be carried on a plane.
 
Breath mints might be a good idea to have with you too. Just avoid something too strong like those listerine strips that smell up a whole room in case your interviewer doesn't like mint. I've heard mixed things about watches. If you're someone that has to always know the time, then I guess wear one because checking your phone should be minimal to none at all; however make sure you're not checking the time in your interviews
 
theKingLT said:
Breath mints might be a good idea to have with you too. Just avoid something too strong like those listerine strips that smell up a whole room in case your interviewer doesn't like mint. I've heard mixed things about watches. If you're someone that has to always know the time, then I guess wear one because checking your phone should be minimal to none at all; however make sure you're not checking the time in your interviews
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I don't even own any watches haha, most of my flights are late in the evening anyways so won't have to worry about the time too much
 
If you are wearing a suit, a spare dress shirt. I can’t stress this enough. I still do this when I attend conferences etc. if you accidentally spill your coffee on it, or tear a button off, etc...you want a backup.

Also, make use of the iron in your hotel room, or invest in a portable steamer. Or non-wrinkle shirts, I live by those.


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someonenew22 said:
I'd hate to deal with my crazy hair if I forgot a brush haha, definitely important.

In terms of taking suits on flights, would they look ok still if I rolled it all up and stuffed it in a carry on? I read online that people do that but I don't want it to get all messed up or wrinkly or anything.
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Honestly, as long as you had your suit clean and pressed before hand and have a garment bag. Just make one fold and place it in your carry on. Make sure you pack lightly so you have enough room in your luggage so nothing is squishing your suit. My suit have all come out fine when I hang it up at the hotel. Your dress shirt might get wrinkled but just iron that the night before.
 
sinigang14 said:
Honestly, as long as you had your suit clean and pressed before hand and have a garment bag. Just make one fold and place it in your carry on. Make sure you pack lightly so you have enough room in your luggage so nothing is squishing your suit. My suit have all come out fine when I hang it up at the hotel. Your dress shirt might get wrinkled but just iron that the night before.
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Alright thanks! I'll probably buy a garment bag before my first flight then. For the drives I'm just going to hang it in the plastic covering I have in my back seat so shouldn't have any issues with that.
 
OrthoTraumaMD said:
If you are wearing a suit, a spare dress shirt. I can’t stress this enough. I still do this when I attend conferences etc. if you accidentally spill your coffee on it, or tear a button off, etc...you want a backup.

Also, make use of the iron in your hotel room, or invest in a portable steamer. Or non-wrinkle shirts, I live by those.
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I'm glad you mentioned the extra dress shirt. I wouldn't have thought of that and I'm prone to running into issues like that at the worst time haha
 
theKingLT said:
Breath mints might be a good idea to have with you too. Just avoid something too strong like those listerine strips that smell up a whole room in case your interviewer doesn't like mint. I've heard mixed things about watches. If you're someone that has to always know the time, then I guess wear one because checking your phone should be minimal to none at all; however make sure you're not checking the time in your interviews
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If you're someone that checks your phone or watch constantly, you should probably leave your phone in the car/luggage and not wear a watch. Checking your watch a lot is probably just as bad.
 
tide pen, benadryl, advil, and band aids were a couple things that I brought just in case. benadryl can be great just as a sleep aid if you have jitters the night before or are dealing with a time difference.

there are cheap travel steamers on amazon and honestly this was the best item I brought for my two interviews so far this cycle. My clothes were all in a garment bag but little wrinkles were inevitable and the steamer was easy and did the trick.

If you don't have one buy a light simple portfolio. Its nice to have something to write in that is professional looking and can hold all your stuff.
 
seaturtle98 said:
Pack a travel steamer, or immediately hang your suit in the hotel bathroom and run the shower full steam upon arrival. Mini steamer works best though. A hanging garment bag would probably be better for a suit than a weekender-style carryon or suitcase, and can be carried on a plane.
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strongly second the travel steamer. Just don't do what I did and burn your arm with it the morning of an interview 😳
 
I would highly recommend Band-Aids to put on before you put on your shoes especially if you wear heels! Also something to help you sleep like a melatonin , advil or Tylenol in case you get sick or have a headache, and a pen because they may not give you one ( and i like to take notes on curriculum and special things a school has -so if by some miracle I end up getting to choose between schools I remember everything I want to factor into that decision )
 
I've actually had better luck with masking tape vs. Bandaids. Seriously! ;-) Bandaids grip your panty hose, but if your feet are dry when you put it on, a strip of masking tape on the back of your heels will stick adequately and your nylons will slide right over. (This is for back of the heel blisters)
 
I highly suggest taking your own towel. Motel towels suck and it's awkward to use someone else's if staying with a student host. If you're staying in a nice hotel on the other hand then probably don't need to worry about it haha. I forgot a towel for one of mine and was too embarrassed to ask for one so I used an extra shirt to dry off 😕
 
freedoctor17 said:
I highly suggest taking your own towel. Motel towels suck and it's awkward to use someone else's if staying with a student host. If you're staying in a nice hotel on the other hand then probably don't need to worry about it haha. I forgot a towel for one of mine and was too embarrassed to ask for one so I used an extra shirt to dry off 😕
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I will never understand stuff like that. You’re already naked in their shower, but you’re too embarrassed to ask for a towel?
 
someonenew22 said:
Besides the obvious things like your interview clothing and a change of clothes for overnight stays, what else are you guys taking with you?
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Besides the obvious, I brought my laptop so I could watch a movie before bed to chill me out, my phone charger, headphones. I also brought a couple small boxes of raisins and a granola bar to put in my pocket/bag for the interview day. I was really glad I did because at my first interview they provided breakfast but no lunch and I was getting a little hungry before the actual interview session.

I don’t have trouble falling asleep usually, but bringing some melatonin can be useful if you get a little insomnia from anxiety. Also bringing Motrin or Tylenol is helpful. I woke up with the start of a wicked sinus infection the morning of my last interview (like 0330) and some Motrin would have been useful.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
I will never understand stuff like that. You’re already naked in their shower, but you’re too embarrassed to ask for a towel?
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They asked me if I needed a towel and I said no cuz I thought I had one. And then I realized I forgot one and at that point I was too embarrassed lol. Might just be part of my upbringing but whenever someone's already doing me a favor I try not to inconvenience them or ask for even more after. I know it might sound ridiculous, it's just a towel but that's how I am.
 
freedoctor17 said:
They asked me if I needed a towel and I said no cuz I thought I had one. And then I realized I forgot one and at that point I was too embarrassed lol. Might just be part of my upbringing but whenever someone's already doing me a favor I try not to inconvenience them or ask for even more after. I know it might sound ridiculous, it's just a towel but that's how I am.
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I guess I don’t view it as an inconvenience if they offered. I typically don’t offer people favors if I’m not happy to do them.

Edit: I’d actually be a little embarrassed if they didn’t ask me for a towel when they needed one because that would make me feel like I wasn’t welcoming enough.
 
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
I guess I don’t view it as an inconvenience if they offered. I typically don’t offer people favors if I’m not happy to do them.

Edit: I’d actually be a little embarrassed if they didn’t ask me for a towel when they needed one because that would make me feel like I wasn’t welcoming enough.
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That's a fair point. I've hosted people before (friends of friends) and I'd hope that I made it as comfortable as possible for them so I can see what you mean. It's just even the smallest thing to me feels like too much when they're already doing such a huge favor.
 
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