7 Essentials to Bring to Any Job Interview

7 Essentials to Bring to Any Job Interview7 Essentials to Bring to Any Job InterviewWhen einstellungsgesprching for a job, preparation is key. Of course, you meticulously research the company, dress to impress and plan your travel route down to the last detail. However, do you plan whats in your bag? A part of your job interview preparation should always include choosing carefully what you bring and packing the day before. You dont want to haphazardly end up throwing anything in sight into your bag and forgetting a key item. Here are seven essentials you must bring to ace any interview.A Professional BagFirst, whether male or female, choose a bag or briefcase that looks professional. Preferably this bag has enough space for the envelope with the copies of your resume you so thoughtfully plan to bring. You want to choose a bag that is large enough to fit your belongings, where items arent sticking out of the top or overflowing. You dont want to look like you just returned from the gro cery store or mall with enough items to fill your fridge or closet. A basic, clean black purse, briefcase or nude colored satchel are always good choices.Your Resume and Paper Copies of DocumentsWith the internet and mobile phones, we have become very reliant on using our phones for almost everything. However, it is to your advantage to include in your bag a paper copy of your driving directions or any instructions about what to do once you arrive at your interview. Imagine what occurs if your GPS suddenly malfunctions or you cant access key information about which elevator to take or whom to inform once you arrive. Save yourself some agony by preparing with a back-up paper copy. Also if you did research on the company and wrote out some notes or practice interview question responses, you may consider printing these out for a quick last-minute glance. You can never fully entrust you will have WiFi access in every location so if you do want that last minute peek, ensure you have a pa per copy for no fail access.Extra Jacket or OuterwearIf you live in a location with chilly weather and are planning to take the subway or public transit to your job interview, you may also want to consider bringing or wearing a jacket that can fit in your bag during the interview. The last thing you want is to seem disheveled carrying a huge, puffy coat in tow. Its important to consider your needs so you will feel most comfortable but also pay close attention to how you fit everything into your bag.Make-UpIf you are a woman, you want to consider which lipstick or lip gloss best showcases your charming, friendly smile. After transit to your interview, you may want to hauch up your makeup, so adding this item to your bag is a good choice.Gum or MintsHave any garlic or onions last night on your pizza? Having a piece of gum or a tin of mints in your bag for minty, fresh breath can never hurt.A SnackYou want to present the best version of yourself and a hangry you is not the best you. Br ing an easily transportable and edible snack (now is not the time for a juicy peach or a bag of Funyuns) to ward off the hunger so you can dedicate 100 percent of your focus to the interview.PensYou never know when you might need to write something down. Imagine the hiring manager giving you a quick written assessment or asking you to do a calculation. What if you are in a conference room without pens and the hiring manager wants to write something down? You whip out your pen showing forethought and preparedness.What you wear and how you present yourself are both important in the interview process. While having a winning professional bag wont necessarily secure you the job, it is a key component to present yourself as a confident and savvy candidate.And it goes without saying, do not forget your wallet or keys.

6 ways to be comfy-cozy when you travel

6 ways to be comfy-cozy when you travel6 ways to be comfy-cozy when you travelYou may have heard rumors about how to get an upgrade on your flight - people say its all about how you look. Youre not going to get a chance at the first-class upgrade if you look like a disheveled mess. But at the saatkorn time, that first-class ticket isnt worth wearing high heels and pearls to the airport. So here are five tips for being comfy-cozy on a plane, even on your most travel-worn day, that dont leave you looking like a total slob.1. Wear all black.Black clothes are chic. Its the easiest way to look completely put together while not actually putting major effort into an outfit. A monochrome black look will negate any travel muss - because you cant be a slob in black on black on black.2. Bring a big scarf.If youre lucky enough to get a blanket for your flight, its usually pretty coarse and decidedly not cozy. But thankfully, gigantic scarves are available at any store near you and they are bas ically blankets. Wear it through the airport, stuff it in a purse and then spread it out in your seat for ultimate comfiness.3. Choose flexible shoes.So there are mixed reviews on folks taking off their shoes on airplanes. Some people are pro, some people are anti and some people are literal devils who chill barefoot in the seat next to you, wiggling their toes for the entirety of a transatlantic flight. You can avoid the sock shenanigans by choosing flexible, breathable flats or even slippers or moccasins for your flight shoe.4. Do your hair.You dont have to curl it. You dont have to straighten it. But do something with your hair. Braids are great for travel since theyll keep your hair out of your face for the flight and look super cute in transit. Theyll also save you the trip to the bathroom post-flight to make aya youre not a giant bedhead.5. Trade leggings for wide-legged pants.Culottes and palazzo pants are your friends for flights if youre worried about wearing leggings. Cert ain destinations arent accustomed to the leggings-as-pants life (although, personally, we love that life). Some nice, loose, wide-legged pants will save your legs the bother of jeans while also giving your skin room to breathe on a long flight.6. Be low-key matching.It just takes two matching items to create a coherent outfit. Just two complementary colors (if you cant go the all-black route) will make you look less haphazard even if you literally rolled out of bed and ran to the airport.This article first appeared on Swirled.

Why some people succeed almost all the time

Why some people succeed almost all the timeWhy some people succeed almost all the timeWhen it comes to success, its easy to think that people who are blessed with brains are the ones who will make it to the top. Common sense suggests that being smart inspires confidence. It does for awhile, but only while the going is easy.The deciding factor in success is how you handle setbacks and challenges. People who are convivial and pleasant even in hard times tend to attract the right people around them. With the right people come the right opportunities.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThere is a reason why some people succeed almost all the time, and it has little to do with being smart. Instead, they develop personal habits that carry them through setbacks and challenges. They usemental toughnessto master the art of discipline and become the right person at the right time.Here is a li st of personal habits for you to cultivate as well1. Forget Self-ImprovementThe reason why some people succeed almost all the time is because they understand their core strengths. They dont waste precious time trying to fix their weaknesses. Too much popular self-improvement tries to build up a skill set or talent that is lacking.Identify your strong character strengths and skill sets. Think about how you might use those strengths at work, in relationships, and at home. Youre also less likely to experience depression and other anxiety.TIP Bask in what is already great about yourself rather than try to fix what is leid.2. Savor Me TimeThe reason why some people succeed almost all the time is because they understand the value of time. They direct their efforts toward the most important things in their life. It is important that they impose effective time management skills and learn how to say no.They prioritize whatneedsto be done from what would beniceto get done. People who savor me time are very good at cutting out toxic relationships that add no value. Small acts of self-care do not need to take up giant blocks of time. But it is important to allow yourself to indulge in the stuff that brings you joy.TIP Spend a little time and write down the things that bring a smile to your face. Find ways to incorporate these small acts of joy into your daily life.3. Develop A Back-Up PlanThe reason why some people succeed almost all the time is because they dont leave things to chance. They have a back-up plan- for just about everything. From electrical outages to failed business plans, they create strategies that will help them move forward.One of my favorite lines comes fromThe Eiger Sanction, a movie starring Clint Eastwood in which 5 men plan to climb the Eiger in Switzerland. Eastwood asks one of the climbers about the back-up plan in case they need to retreat. The climber replies, I consider it self-defeating to plan in terms of retreat. Eastwoods character respond s with, I consider it stupid not to.Have a Plan B, because if Plan A is derailed, you can land on your feet and move right into Plan B. You might get blindsided by new competition, new regulations, or a turn in the economy.TIP Always have a Plan B to fall back on when things go wrong. And have other people available to help you execute it when the time comes.4. Know What Makes Them TickThe reason why some people succeed almost all the time is because they pursue things that bring them value and meaning. Theyve figured out what makes them tick and they go for it. They edit the stuff that detracts from their pursuit.Often, they make an extra effort to educate themselves about different issues and topics. This doesnt mean they have loads of formal education, but they are curious.Most likely, curiosity is what alerted them to their passion in the first place.TIP Find something that provides you with value and meaning. It might be related to your job, or it might not. It isnt always impo rtant to get paid. But do put your gift to use.5. Unafraid Of The UnknownThere was a shepherd boy named David. He was not a warrior and he was small in size. David looked at a giant named Goliath and said I will strike you down and cut off your head. That is exactly what he did. Challenges are only as big as we make them.The runt of the litter takes on the giant. We love stories of the underdog who musters the courage and confidence to find ways of beating the oddsAccording to the story, David ran toward the giant. As Goliath moved in for the kill, David noticed a gap in the armor that protected Goliaths head. David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones. It struck on the forehead, the giant fell down on the ground.TIP To increase safety, move toward the unknown. When David moved closer to the threat, he was able to see where and how to strike. Opportunities not seen from a distance were made visible as he pressed forward.6. Cultivate KindnessThe reason why some people su cceed almost all the time is because other people like being around them. They attract other people who succeed almost all the timeBeing a do-gooder can increase your level of contentment. It doesnt have to be anything big, but small acts of kindness can change your mental outlook. If the man standing behind you in the grocery line looks hungry and is buying one item, let him go ahead of you. Give someone a compliment.What goes around comes around. If you are kind to others, theres a decent chance youre kind to yourself as well.TIP Try this 10-second exercise fromChade-Meng Tan. Identify two people in your office and think, I wish for these two people to be happy and content. Dont say or do anything else. Since no one else knows what youre doing, theres no risk of embarrassment. It turns out that being on the giving end of a kind thought is rewarding in and of itself.This article first appeared on LaraeQuy.com.