Here is what to bring to an interview: three to five printed copies of your résumé, a photo ID, a notebook and pen, your list of questions for the interviewer, the address and interviewer names, and any work samples the posting asks for, all in a simple folder or bag. For a virtual interview, "bringing" means having a charged laptop, earbuds, your résumé and the job description open, and a glass of water within reach.
Below is the full checklist for in-person and virtual interviews, extra items by role, what to leave at home, and a night-before packing plan.
What to bring to an interview: the essentials
- Printed résumés (3–5 copies) on plain paper, in a folder so they stay flat. Panels and surprise extra interviewers are common.
- Photo ID. Many office buildings ask visitors to sign in at a front desk.
- Notebook and a pen that works (bring a spare). Taking short notes looks engaged.
- Your questions for them, written on the first page of the notebook. See our list of questions to ask the interviewer.
- Logistics: the address, floor or suite, the interviewer's name and the recruiter's phone number, saved on your phone and written down.
- A reference list on a separate page, in case they ask. Tell your references first.
- Work samples or a portfolio if the job posting or recruiter asked for them, or if your work is visual.
- Phone, fully charged and on silent for directions and emergencies, then put away.
The full checklist: in-person vs virtual
| Item | Why bring it | In person | Virtual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Résumé | Interviewers sometimes haven't printed it; you can refer to dates and numbers | 3–5 printed copies | Open in a window or printed beside you |
| Job description | Keeps your answers tied to what they need | One printed copy in your folder | Open, with key requirements highlighted |
| Photo ID | Building sign-in | Yes | No |
| Notebook and pen | Notes, names, follow-up points | Yes | Yes (paper is quieter than typing) |
| Questions for them | You will be asked if you have any | Written in the notebook | On a sticky note or the notebook |
| Story prompts | One-line cues for your 3–4 best examples | Glance before you go in | Beside the screen |
| Reference list | Saves a follow-up email if they ask | One printed page | Ready to email |
| Portfolio or work samples | Shows your work instead of describing it | Printed or on a tablet | Links ready to paste |
| Water | Dry mouth is a nerves symptom | Small bottle in your bag | A glass on the desk |
| Charger / power | A dead device ends the interview | Phone charged | Laptop plugged in |
| Earbuds or headset | Clear audio, no echo | Not needed | Wired is most reliable |
| Breath mints | Small, easy confidence boost | Yes (finish before you go in) | Optional |
Extra items by role
Bring role-specific items only if they help you show your work or if the employer asked for them. A thick binder nobody requested adds clutter, not credibility.
- Designers, writers, marketers: a portfolio with 3–5 of your strongest pieces, printed or on a tablet, plus a link you can send afterward.
- Software engineers: usually nothing physical beyond the basics. Have your GitHub or project links ready to share and a laptop only if they asked you to bring one.
- Teachers: a sample lesson plan or teaching portfolio if the school requested one.
- Licensed roles (nursing, accounting, trades): your license or certification number and expiration date, written down, in case they ask. Bring copies only if requested.
- Sales roles: a one-page summary of your results (quota, territory, notable deals) that you can talk from.
- Managers: a short 30-60-90-day outline if the role or recruiter suggested it.
What to bring to a virtual interview
A video interview still has a packing list; it's just on your desk. Set it up an hour before so you're not hunting for a charger at the last minute.
- Laptop, plugged in, with the meeting app updated and the invite link open.
- Wired earbuds or a headset with a microphone.
- Your résumé and the job description open in windows you can glance at, or printed beside the screen.
- Notebook, pen and your questions, within reach but out of frame.
- Water in a glass, not a loud bottle.
- Your phone, silenced, with the recruiter's number saved in case the call drops.
- Portfolio links in a text file so you can paste them into the chat.
Our Zoom interview tips cover settings, lighting and what to do when the video freezes. Interviewing by phone? See the phone interview tips for the audio-only version of this list.
What not to bring
- Your Social Security card, passport or work-authorization documents (unless asked). In the US, the Form I-9 employment-eligibility check happens after you accept an offer: USCIS says employees complete Section 1 of Form I-9 any time after accepting the job offer and no later than the first day of employment (as of October 2026). Bring these to your first day, not the interview.
- Bank details. A real employer doesn't need them to interview you. Payroll setup happens after hiring.
- Coffee or food into the interview room. Finish it before you arrive.
- A large bag or suitcase if you can avoid it. A slim folder or tote is easier to manage when you shake hands.
- Strong perfume or cologne. Some people are sensitive to it, and it lingers in small rooms.
- Anyone else, unless arranged in advance. If someone drives you, they wait outside.
- A phone that can ring. Silent, not vibrate, and away in your bag.
The night-before packing plan
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| The night before | Print résumés and the job description. Pack the folder, notebook, two pens, ID and reference list. Lay out your clothes. Save the address and recruiter's number. |
| The morning of | Re-read the job description and your questions. Charge your phone. Check travel time or your video setup. |
| 1 hour before | Leave with a buffer, or for video, open the meeting link and test audio and camera. |
| 15 minutes before | Arrive nearby. Phone on silent. Look over your story prompts once, then put the notes away. |
| 5–10 minutes before | Check in at reception. Arriving earlier than that can put pressure on your host. |
For outfit decisions, see what to wear to an interview. For the full prep timeline, use our guide on how to prepare for an interview.
How to use what you bring
- Offer a résumé when you sit down if the interviewer doesn't have one in hand. Don't push it on someone who's already looking at it.
- Open your notebook to your questions and write the interviewers' names at the top. In a panel interview, sketch where each person sits.
- Glance, don't read. Notes are cues. Look up to answer.
- Show the portfolio when it fits an answer, not as an opening presentation, unless they ask for one.
- Write down follow-up points as you go. They make the thank-you email specific.
The thing you can't pack: practiced answers
Everything above takes an evening. What takes longer is being able to answer common questions clearly out loud. Write your three or four best stories with the free STAR story builder, research the company with our guide to researching a company before an interview, then rehearse. The free browser mock at /ai-mock-interview has 113 real questions across 9 tracks, and the CoPilot Interview desktop app's Mock Interview builds questions from your résumé and the job description and scores each spoken answer out of 10 with what to fix.
Pack the answers, too
Rehearse common interview questions out loud and see what to tighten before the day. Free in the browser, nothing to install.
Try a free AI mock interviewFAQ
How many copies of my résumé should I bring to an interview?
Bring three to five printed copies in a folder. That covers a panel, an extra interviewer who joins late, and one for you to refer to.
Should I bring a portfolio to an interview?
Bring one if your work is visual or written, or if the posting or recruiter asked for it. Keep it to three to five strong pieces, and have a link ready to send afterward.
Do I need to bring ID to a job interview?
Bring a photo ID. Many office buildings ask visitors to sign in at reception. You don't need work-authorization documents at the interview stage unless the employer specifically asks.
Can I bring notes into an interview?
Yes. A notebook with your questions and a few one-line story prompts is normal. Glance at it when you need to, but look up and answer in your own words rather than reading.
What should I bring to a virtual interview?
A charged, plugged-in laptop with the meeting app updated, wired earbuds or a headset, your résumé and the job description open, a notebook and pen, water, and your phone on silent with the recruiter's number saved.
Should I bring a bag to an interview?
A slim folder, portfolio case or small bag is fine. Avoid anything bulky that is hard to manage when you shake hands and sit down.