On interview day, having the perfect responses may not be enough.

There will be a lot on

your mind, but don’t forget that the way you present yourself through your dress and
punctuality tells an interviewer a lot about your professionalism. Since you took the time to
plan out your talking points, you should round out your preparation by planning the logistics,
too.

Here are some ways to ensure that the day of your interview goes as smoothly
as possible:

Confirm the location.

Know exactly where you’re going to interview that day. Some organizations have multiple
office locations, so confirm the exact address with whoever scheduled your interview.

Confirm your interview schedule.

Make sure you have the correct date and time for your interview. If possible, find out who
you will be speaking with on the day of your interview. With this information, you can search
their LinkedIn profile(s) to gain a sense of their professional experience, educational
background, and key interests. Additionally, check to see if you have any professional
connections in common. You can reference this information during your interview to build
rapport. 

Plan your route.

Map out a route that will get you to the interview location 15-20 minutes early; this will give
you enough time to get settled once you arrive and allow you to still make it on-time if you
get delayed along the way.

The last step in your preparation process is to pull together all the documents and supplies
you should bring with you. On the day of your interview, you won’t want to worry about the
little things.

Remember to do the following essentials: 

Print copies of your resume.

Many interviewers prefer to have a candidate’s resume in front of them to guide their
questions. Make your interviewers’ jobs a little easier by bringing enough copies for each of
them. Even if they don’t need them, they will appreciate your initiative and thoughtfulness.

Pack a notebook and pen.

Bring a notebook and pen to the interview so that you can take notes. This will allow you to
quickly reference interesting facts or information that came up earlier in the meeting. It also
shows your interviewers that you’re enthusiastic and genuinely interested in what they have
to say.

Prepare your questions.

Bring your list of questions! As the interview goes on, you might forget that really
complicated yet insightful question you had. Have a mix of technical and behavioral
questions handy, too. Even with proper preparation, something you or your interviewer
brings up could turn the conversation in a different direction.

Pick the proper attire.

Assume business formal is the dress code unless you know for a fact that the industry or
organization you’re interviewing with has a different expectation. If you’re not sure, ask!
You can also take a look at the organization’s website to see how its employees dress and
plan accordingly.

Aside from bringing the essentials, pause to take care of yourself. Don’t forget to get a good
night’s sleep before your interview and stay nourished. Interviewers will pay attention to the
energy and enthusiasm you bring to a conversation. If you show up tired, they may mistake
that for apathy or disinterest. If you show up well-rested, you’ll have a much easier time
engaging with your interviewer. 

Once your planning is out of the way, turn your attention to more important tasks, such as
rehearsing your key talking points and your resume story. That way you can enter your
interview with a calm, clear head, ready to impress.