Listener question: bring work samples to interview?

Should you bring a display folder to your job interview, or is that a bit of an overkill?

This week, we're answering a listener question about whether it's worth bringing along your certificates, volunteering highlights, and uni achievements.

Sarah and Emma explain who this works best for (hello new grads and early-career applicants), how it can add to your overall impression, and the easiest way to introduce it without feeling awkward.

This strategy only works if you have meaningful, relevant things to include. We don't endorse stuffing a folder full of random stuff for the sake of it!

🏀 Shoot Your Shot - Shoutout to Anne who bought us 10 coffees!

"To my Aussie interview boss QUEENS, I just had a huge career WIN and had to come straight here to thank you. For some context, I discovered your podcast a few years ago during unemployment because I had terrible 'Interview Mode' syndrome and public-speaking anxiety, but after 8 months of crafting and practicing my best bits, shooting my shot with employers, and squeezing my butt cheeks to fight the nerves, I became a happily employed lifetime weekly listener at my dream job! Well, after a few years in my dream role, I was asked to speak at a work conference in Miami to share successes and lessons learned with others in my field about using AI and growing my global team! At first, I freaked out and wanted to say no, given my public-speaking anxiety, but I thought of you two in my corner and how far I'd come, so, I decided to give it a try and say yes! For the month leading up to it, I prepped my stories to present as best bits and even scripted my responses, thinking the scripts would help me feel prepared, but the nerves were still high and literally keeping me up at night. I was so worried I was going to FREEZE and black out and forget everything! Your two recent episodes about going into 'Interview Mode' and 'The interview prep step you're not doing enough of' about deep critical thinking and being present were game changers for me. In my final prep week, I threw the scripts out the window and focused instead on story telling from memory and the heart. THIS WORKED! The anxiety dropped SIGNIFICANTLY, and my stories improved tenfold. I was finding all kinds of parts that were amazing to share that I would've missed rehearsing a script! Well, when the day came to present in Miami, I was nervous, but prepared, I didn't black out on stage, I remembered my stories and received TWO rounds of applause and shoutouts from participants after that they felt my presentation was the most engaging one. Both co-founders of the company leading the conference even congratulated me on my storytelling! They asked me to come work for them and I joked, 'Thank you, but you can't afford me!' It was all so amazing. Anyway, I can't thank you two enough, because thinking about you cheering me on that day (and laughing to myself as I squeezed my butt cheeks in my seat before going on stage...) was the best. Your resources are invaluable and apply for all kinds of career situations. I hope you know that and never stop putting episodes out there!"

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