Should I bring work samples to an interview?

It can’t hurt. You might not ever be able to bring them up or use them, but at least you will have them available.

Bring them along. You don’t have to bring them out if it doesn’t appear appropriate for you do do so. But if you don’t have them with, and they ask for them you are SOL.

Just make sure the samples you bring don’t have any information in them that shouldn’t be shared with anyone on the street. For example black out any names and addresses of former clients, or proprietary information from your former employer(s). A firm may be hesitant to hire you if you show a lack of concern for security of potentially sensitive information.

Bring ‘em, along with a copy of your resume, in a nice folder and any list of questions that you might want addressed. Use at your discretion.

I’d bring them. If an appropriate time doesn’t present itself during the interview, you can hand over a folder at the end, letting them know it contains samples of your work. Good luck!

Sure. It’ll give them an idea of what you can do, which is the most important thing they want to know.

Bring several sets of resume and samples. Even though the people who are interviewing you will have seen your resume digitally, having paper copies with you presents the image of someone who plans, is attentive to details, and is serious about wanting the position. Hand out the resumes after the introductions, and use the paper copies when they ask you to discuss how your experience. One or two examples should do; make sure no information proprietary to your last employer is included.

Good luck with the interview!

You are selling yourself at a new job interview. Take whatever you believe will be helpful. This may be impressive for you and it may not. Play it by ear.

I walked in our police department, back in 1964, and asked to be hired as a new rookie. I did not have anything to present to the Assistant Chief, except myself. I was hired on the spot and had to wait six months for a new rookie class to begin.

I just guess it all depends on the circumstances and the job you are looking for.

While some people may have had success with the methods outlined above, they seem to me to be indicative of a way of acting or being that puts you at a distinct disadvantage. That is, it makes you appear to “want” or “need” or even “hope for” this job. I think that’s the wrong attitude to take into an interview, psychologically speaking.

I believe that you should show up late (carrying a golf bag instead of a briefcase), in casual clothing (something to match the golf bag would be a nice touch – ask the receptionist “Are cleats okay to wear in the clubhouse office?”) and consult your watch from time to time (shake your wrist, tap the watch face and frown as you do); let these bozos know you’ve got places to go and things to do, baby; you’re here at the interview solely as a favor to them! They may need reminding. Frequently.

I wouldn’t put my feet up on the desk (not while wearing cleats, but if you take them off it should be okay), but grab an empty chair (from a nearby office if necessary) and use that as a footrest instead, if you keep your shoes on. If you’re drinking, then by all means offer the interviewer a shot or a swig from your hip flask.

Be sure to cut the interview short as a final reminder that your time is valuable, and you’ve spent quite enough of it here. “Nice to see ya’, take care, b-bye now.”

But to answer the question directly and so that I don’t get modded right off here it wouldn’t hurt to take some printed and secure .PDF copies of your work on a CD (so that details can’t be gleaned that aren’t apparent, but may be in spreadsheet file copies, for example), and pass them around liberally. And be sure to mention your golf handicap. Modern firms are very big on hiring the handicapped, the lower, the better.

Short answer: YES!