what should you bring to an in-person interviews?

[applyingtograd]

---

Members do not see this ad.

This may be a silly question...but what exactly should you bring to an in-person interviews?...a copy of your CV?...a recent paper that you have submitted? just a a notepad?...etc., etc.???
My first in-person interview is coming up and I am a novice 🙂
Thanks!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I'd say just bring a professional-looking portfolio (with a notepad and pen of course) and a few extra copies of your CV.

 

[member612]

I'd say just bring a professional-looking portfolio (with a notepad and pen of course) and a few extra copies of your CV.

Ditto! Definitely have a notepad and pen (to take down notes, or to have questions ready to ask them), preferably in a professional padfolio, as well as extra copies of your CV.

Outside of the actual interview, I remember someone on the forums last year mentioned mints, which is such a small yet important thing to bring (especially since a lot of time you are eating breakfast or lunch prior to interviewing). Nothing worse than terrible breath during an interview!

 

[mewtoo]

Where are some places you can get a professional portfolio (specifically cheap ones)?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Where are some places you can get a professional portfolio (specifically cheap ones)?

Pretty much any office supply store (e.g., Office Max, Staples, etc.) should have all you'll need unless you want to go super high-end.

Edit: Also, I second Dr. E's below recommendation for college bookstores. Many of the applicants I spoke with for grad school interviews had UG-affiliated portfolios (the same holds true for internship and post-doc applicants and grad school-affiliated portfolios).

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Where are some places you can get a professional portfolio (specifically cheap ones)?

If you are still in UG, your college bookstore probably will have something nice with your college logo or seal. I always think that makes it look classy (but admittedly I have an over the top affection for my UG).

Good luck,
Dr. E

 

[BOR84]

I brought copies of my CV, an extra copy of my statement (for that specific school!), and letter-sized versions of two posters, in case someone wanted to talk about research. I actually never used any of these documents, but having them there made me feel prepared.

I also brought a notepad, and I think mints are a great idea!

Best of luck 🙂

 

[mewtoo]

Thanks for the suggestions! I might hit up my school's bookstore if they aren't too ridiculously overpriced (they usually are).

 

[olive96]

Thanks for the suggestions! I might hit up my school's bookstore if they aren't too ridiculously overpriced (they usually are).

I think mine was less than $20 from office depot if the bookstore doesn't work out!

 

[Student2222]

This is a ridiculous question but what do you mean by portfolio? Are you just talking about the folder to store paper haha

 

[dumbledoresgirl]

This is a ridiculous question but what do you mean by portfolio? Are you just talking about the folder to store paper haha

I think what they're referring to is one of those black portfolios that have a notepad in them. I got mine from Walgreens for pretty cheap and it still looked professional (it was next to all of their planners/address books). Here's an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsill-70810...1359557896&sr=8-2&keywords=business+portfolio

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I think what they're referring to is one of those black portfolios that have a notepad in them. I got mine from Walgreens for pretty cheap and it still looked professional (it was next to all of their planners/address books). Here's an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsill-70810...1359557896&sr=8-2&keywords=business+portfolio

Yep; I actually got mine from a drugstore as well (might've even been Walgreen's) the day before my first post-doc interview. I may upgrade at some point before job interviews begin, but for the ~$15 I paid, it's hard to argue that the thing didn't earn its keep.