What to take to an interview
 

I've printed out some gouges and am reading through them and they keep mentioning "your folder" or "packet" and things like that. Besides my logbook and myself what would I take to an interview?

They're referring to the packet that the company sends out in advance of the interview. (application, interview directions, additional info/instructions, etc).

Personally when I interview, I take a leather bound 3 ring portfolio (like a legal pad sized planner). In it I have 5 copies of my: latest resume, color copies of my certificates and medical, the last page of my logbook (printed out), and my current (past 30 days) driving record.

Those I offer as "updates" to the on file info when I interview.

Carry everything in the nicest briefcase you can afford and in addition to the above mentioned items, written evaluations you may have from past employment may prove valuable.

A briefcase? I never thought of that. Guess I know what to ask for christmas!

Bring everything they tell you. I think you said you were interviewing at XJT, right Toilet? You will get a BIIIIG list of what to bring to the interview (if you don't have all your old W2s or employment records, you better call the IRS now to get copies of your old tax returns). As I recall, it was quite the laundry list of items.

Briefcase might be a little overkill. Its a small interview room and if its crowded, space will be at a premium. I was fine with just a leather-bound legal portfolio.

Duck, I am not your mom and certainly don't want to sound like one, but don't forget a nice, conservative suit, smart tie, shine your shoes, tamp down the cowlick, give a firm handshake, look people in the eye (but don't stare), relax, be confident, and don't forget to use a little appropriate humor.

That is what I do,
I make five copies of everything they ask for.
Then I put it in one of those little three ring binders that has the clear plastic cover over it like you would put something in school for a report.
Then I have a large envelope that I put all the originals in.
I sign everything in blue ink so it will stand out and they will know that my sig. is not copied.

I also order everything as they say or as their interview packet came to me as.

I just assume when they send you a list of things they want, there might be some kind of order they want it in, so I just go through it.

I was met with real good results that way.

I also know that most people that have to fill out apps to bring in with them that they take the time to type in the answers.

One thing you might watch for if they send stuff that needs to be filled out in .pdf files, you sometimes can fill them out on the pdf itself and then print.

Then the breifcase thing is right. I could not afford one that was leather or anything, but as long as you can keep your paperwork organized and find something the ask for instantly in there, then I think you would be alright.

Reeves

If I recall correctly, XJT is VERY explicit about how many and the order they want things in. You should be getting an email that has all the directions in it.

One note to make, that's uber-IMPORTANT! If you have ANY questions about the application or required supporting documentation (PRIA, copies of logbook, whatever), ASK THEM BEFORE YOU GO TO THE INTERVIEW.

It was 100% an automatic disqualifier for applicants that didn't have their sh!t straight when I was working for recruiting at my former employer. If you can't fill out a simple application according to the directions that are included, do you really thing a company is going to take you seriously?

You'd be surprised how many people didn't get this. At least one on every day we interviewed.