The night before your interview can be a nerve-wracking time. However, there are a number of ways that you can get organized to make the morning and day of your interview as stress-free as possible. Utilize this helpful checklist to be prepared and confident for your upcoming interview.

Get an Outfit Ready First

Before you start preparing for the interview itself, it’s essential to pick out an appropriate outfit. Choose your outfit, iron it if need be, and hang it up so this simple task can be done, and you won’t have to worry about it the morning of your interview. You should also quickly review the weather forecast for the next day in case you need to have any additional clothing ready.

Organize Any Materials for the Day of the Interview

In addition to preparing your outfit, it’s also crucial to prepare all the materials you’ll need for the interview. Make sure you have extra printed copies of your resume, a professional notebook and pen to take notes, any business cards or portfolios you can bring, and a list of your references. You also may want to think of packing a bottle of water and a small snack in case you need it, but just be sure it is not visible during your interview.

Do Your Research

At this point, you should have already completed some general research on the employer. The night before your interview is a great time to review this information and brush up on any last-minute news about the organization. Be sure to think of any questions the interviewer may ask you about the organization and your skill set. Also, have your complete list of questions you want to ask the interviewer. A best rule of thumb is to have all of this information neatly written down in the notebook or pad you are bringing with you so you can reference it at any time during your interview.

Have Your 30-Second Bio Ready.

More likely than not, the first question you are going to get in an interview is, “tell me a bit about yourself.” While this may seem like an easy question, it can cause a stumble if you haven’t thought about your answer already. Have a quick introduction prepared that covers your top skills, what you’re interested in finding in a new job, and how you came across this opportunity. Practice this 30-second bio so you can say it effortlessly and subsequently start the interview confidently.

Practice Saying Your Answers Out Loud

After you’ve researched the questions you think you may be asked during an interview, practice saying your answers to these questions out loud. This should be in front of a mirror to see how you look when you answer them or have a friend ask them to you directly.  Taking some time to physically practice saying your answers will only help you be more comfortable when you are answering them in an interview setting.

Create Your Thank You Note Templates

By this point in the hiring process, you should know who you will be meeting with the next day in your interview. To save time after your interview, have a prepared thank you template ready to send to your interviewer or multiple interviewers. Leave some sections of your thank you note open so that you can reference what you just discussed. Having these templates ready beforehand will allow you to follow up promptly. Also, sending a thank you in a timely fashion helps you to stand out positively in the mind of the interviewer(s).

Have a Physical Copy of the Directions

Like many people who own a smartphone, it’s typical to use it for directions. However, you never know if you’re going to have poor service or if your phone dies, so it’s best to have a physical copy of directions to the location of your interview. It’s always better to be safe than sorry with something as simple as this, so be sure to bring a printout or write down the directions just in case.

Set an Extra Alarm for the Morning

You can never be too prepared when preparing for an interview in the morning. You want to ensure you have enough time to get dressed, review your notes, eat a brilliant breakfast, and arrive at the interview on time. The last thing you want to have happen is to be rushed in the morning. Oversleeping is not an option.  It can’t hurt to set an extra alarm on your phone so you are able to wake up with enough time to get everything ready to go.

Give Yourself Some Free Time before Bed

After you’ve prepared everything, it’s important to take time for yourself. Give yourself a little bit of free time before bed that allows you to put your mind at ease.  Watch that new sitcom episode on Netflix or read a good book to be as relaxed as possible before you fall asleep.

Checklist for Night Before Interview.pngAs you get ready for your upcoming interview, follow these helpful steps. That way, you’ll be even more organized, energized, self-assured, and prepared for your interview the next day.

 

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