What to Bring to a Job Interview: The Complete 2025 Checklist That Gets You Hired

You’ve landed the interview. Your outfit is pressed, your answers are rehearsed, and you’ve researched the company inside out. But here’s a question that catches most candidates off guard: what should you actually bring with you?

Showing up unprepared with nothing but your phone and a hopeful smile won’t cut it. Research shows that 80% of interviewers notice candidates’ preparation, from the moment you walk through the door to how you handle unexpected questions. The items you bring (or forget) can make or break that critical first impression.

Whether you’re interviewing in person at a corporate office or connecting via Zoom from your home office, having the right materials shows you’re organized, professional, and serious about the opportunity. It’s not about overpacking or bringing a moving truck’s worth of supplies. It’s about strategic preparation that positions you as the candidate who thinks ahead.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need for both in-person and virtual interviews. You’ll get separate checklists for each format, industry-specific recommendations, and insider tips on what hiring managers actually notice. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to pack in your bag (or prepare on your desk) to walk into any interview with complete confidence.

Let’s start with the essentials that every candidate needs, regardless of industry or interview format. For more comprehensive preparation strategies, check out our complete guide on how to prepare for a job interview.

The Non-Negotiables: Essential Items for Every Interview

These are your must-haves. Skip any of these, and you risk looking unprepared before you even open your mouth.

Multiple Copies of Your Resume (5-10 Printed Copies)

Even though you submitted your resume online, bringing printed copies shows preparation and professionalism. Print on high-quality white or ivory paper and keep them in a folder to prevent wrinkles.

Why it matters? You might interview with multiple people, someone may have forgotten to print your resume, or you may need to reference it during the conversation. Panel interviews can involve anywhere from two to five interviewers, and handing each person a crisp copy makes a strong impression.

Interview Guys Tip: Keep one copy for yourself to reference during the interview. It helps you recall specific details when answering questions about your experience without fumbling through your memory.

Professional Notebook and Two Working Pens

A clean notebook (not a spiral-bound school notebook) and reliable pens demonstrate you’re ready to take notes and engage actively. Choose a simple, professional-looking notebook in black, navy, or brown.

What to use it for? Jot down interviewer names so you can address them correctly in your thank-you note. Record key details about the role, company culture, or next steps. Write down any specific requirements or expectations they mention.

Test both pens before you leave home. You don’t want to be scribbling to get ink flowing while your interviewer waits.

List of Thoughtful Questions to Ask

Prepare 5-7 questions about the role, team, and company. Even if some get answered during the conversation, you’ll have backups ready.

Strong questions show genuine interest and help you evaluate if the role is right for you. Questions like “What does success look like in the first 90 days?” or “What’s the biggest challenge facing your team right now?” demonstrate you’re thinking beyond just getting the job. You’re considering how you’ll contribute.

For more guidance on crafting powerful questions, see our article on questions to ask in your interview.

Professional Reference List

Create a separate document with 3-5 professional references, including their names, titles, relationship to you, phone numbers, and email addresses. Format it professionally with the same header as your resume for consistency.

Many interviewers request references at the end of first or second interviews. Having it ready shows you’re prepared and makes their job easier.

Interview Guys Tip: Always ask permission from your references before including them. Give them a heads-up about the role you’re applying for so they can tailor their recommendation.

Valid Photo Identification

Many buildings and offices have strict visitor policies requiring ID to prove you’re on the list. Bring your driver’s license, passport, or state ID.

This is especially important for corporate offices, government facilities, and healthcare settings. Security won’t let you past the lobby without proper identification, and having to reschedule because you forgot your ID is embarrassing and reflects poorly on your organizational skills.

Professional Portfolio or Bag

Choose a briefcase, padded portfolio, messenger bag, or clean tote bag to organize everything. Avoid worn backpacks, shopping bags, or anything that looks casual or messy.

Your bag makes a visual statement before you even speak. It should be clean, structured, and appropriate for the industry. A leather or faux-leather portfolio works for most professional settings. Creative fields might allow more flexibility with stylish messenger bags or totes.

Think about coordinating your bag with your interview outfit. For guidance on dressing appropriately, check out what to wear to a job interview.

To help you prepare even further, we’ve created a resource with proven answers to the top questions interviewers are asking right now. Check out our interview answers cheat sheet:

The Interview Power Kit: Items That Set You Apart

These items aren’t always required, but they can give you a significant edge over other candidates who show up with just the basics.

Copy of the Job Description

Print the job posting and highlight key requirements that align with your experience. Reference it to tailor your answers and show you understand exactly what they’re looking for.

When an interviewer asks “Why are you interested in this role?” you can reference specific aspects from the description. When they ask about your qualifications, you can directly address the requirements they’ve outlined. This level of preparation is memorable.

Company Research Notes

Bring a one-page summary of your company research including recent news, company values, and specific projects or initiatives you want to mention. Include notes about the company’s competitors, industry position, and any recent awards or recognition.

This shows you’ve done your homework and helps you craft thoughtful questions. It also gives you talking points to weave naturally into your answers. For more interview preparation strategies, visit our job interview tips and hacks.

Portfolio or Work Samples (If Applicable)

For creative, technical, or specialized roles, bring 3-5 examples of your best work in a professional portfolio or on a tablet. Choose pieces that directly relate to the position you’re applying for.

Industries where this matters include graphic design, marketing, writing, architecture, engineering, web development, UX design, and education (lesson plans, student work examples). Your portfolio should tell a story about your skills and problem-solving abilities.

Interview Guys Tip: For digital portfolios, have URLs bookmarked and ready to share. Don’t waste interview time fumbling with links or dealing with slow-loading pages.

Certifications and Licenses

If your role requires specific certifications (nursing license, teaching credential, professional certifications), bring copies. This is especially important for healthcare, education, and technical roles where credentials are non-negotiable.

Having them readily available shows you’re organized and serious about meeting all requirements. It also speeds up the hiring process if they want to verify your qualifications on the spot.

Prepared SOAR Stories

While not a physical item, having 5-7 prepared SOAR method stories (Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result) written in your notebook gives you confidence when answering behavioral questions. The SOAR method helps you structure compelling answers that highlight your problem-solving abilities.

Reference these during the interview if needed. No one will judge you for glancing at notes. In fact, it shows you’re prepared and thoughtful. Learn more about this powerful technique in our guide to the SOAR method.

The Emergency Kit: Small Items That Save the Day

These tiny additions take up minimal space but can rescue you from unexpected situations.

Breath Mints (Not Gum)

Fresh breath boosts confidence, especially if you’ve had coffee or eaten before the interview. Keep a small tin of mints in your bag and pop one about 10 minutes before you enter the building.

Never chew gum before or during an interview. You might forget to spit it out or accidentally chew while talking, which looks unprofessional and disrespectful.

Small Bills and Change

Keep $10-20 in cash for parking meters, tolls, or unexpected expenses. Running late to feed a parking meter creates unnecessary stress and can throw off your entire mindset.

Cash also helps if you need to grab a bottle of water, use a parking garage that doesn’t accept cards, or handle any other small emergencies.

Phone Charger or Backup Battery

A dead phone means you can’t call if you’re running late, can’t access digital documents in a pinch, or can’t coordinate second interviews. Keep your phone at 100% before leaving home and bring a portable charger or charging cable.

Some candidates use their phones for digital portfolios or work samples, so having backup power is essential. Plus, if the interview runs long or turns into an impromptu office tour, you’ll have the battery to navigate home.

Emergency Supplies (If Space Allows)

Consider including a stain remover pen (coffee spills happen), small pack of tissues, Band-Aids for blisters from new shoes, compact mirror for last-minute checks, lint roller for pet hair or debris, and travel-size deodorant.

These aren’t essential, but they can save you from minor disasters. A visible stain or piece of food stuck in your teeth can distract from an otherwise perfect interview.

Virtual Interview Essentials: What You Need at Your Desk

With hybrid interviews now the norm in 2025, virtual preparation requires a different checklist. Here’s what you need for online interviews.

Tested Technology Setup

Test your camera, microphone, and speakers 48 hours before your interview. Update video conferencing software like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. Run a test call with a friend to check your audio quality, video clarity, and internet stability.

Check your internet speed and make sure you’re getting adequate bandwidth. Have your phone’s hotspot ready as a backup in case your Wi-Fi fails. According to research, connectivity problems might bias interviewers against candidates, so testing everything twice isn’t overkill.

Interview Guys Tip: Close all unnecessary programs and browser tabs before your interview. This frees up bandwidth and prevents distracting notifications from popping up on screen.

Fully Charged Devices with Backups

Have your laptop at 100% battery and plugged in during the interview. Keep a backup tablet or phone ready in case of technical failure. If your laptop crashes or freezes, you can quickly join from another device without missing a beat.

Nothing says “unprepared” like asking to reschedule because your computer died mid-interview. Eliminate this risk entirely with redundancy.

Digital Documents Ready to Share

Save these as PDFs in an easy-to-find folder on your desktop: your resume, reference list, portfolio or work samples, and links to your LinkedIn, GitHub, or online portfolio. Name the folder something obvious like “Interview Materials” so you can find it instantly.

Upload documents to cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox for quick sharing if the interviewer requests them. Having shareable links ready demonstrates tech-savviness and preparation.

Physical Resume Copy for Reference

Even in virtual interviews, keep a printed resume next to you to reference specific details without toggling between tabs or breaking eye contact with the camera. You can glance down naturally without the interviewer noticing awkward screen-searching.

This also helps if you need to reference dates, job titles, or specific achievements without the risk of accidentally sharing the wrong screen.

Water Within Reach

Keep water off-camera but nearby. Nerves and talking can dry your throat quickly, and a dry cough or raspy voice during your answer can throw you off.

Place it where you can take a quick sip during natural pauses without drawing attention. Just make sure it’s in a stable container that won’t spill on your keyboard.

Professional Background and Lighting

Set up your space 24 hours in advance. Test your background for distractions and ensure your face is well-lit from the front, not backlit by a window. Position yourself so the camera captures your face and upper body, similar to a professional headshot angle.

A plain wall, bookshelf, or simple home office background works best. Avoid busy patterns, personal photos, or anything that might distract the interviewer. For comprehensive virtual interview guidance, see our virtual interview tips.

Industry-Specific Must-Haves

Different fields have different expectations. Tailor your checklist to your industry for maximum impact.

Corporate/Finance Roles

Bring business cards if you have them. Consider a bound portfolio for panel interviews that includes any financial models or case study examples you’ve worked on. Bring extra resume copies for multiple interviewers, as corporate settings often involve several rounds with different stakeholders.

Professional appearance matters significantly in these settings, so ensure your materials match the formality of the environment.

Tech/Startup Positions

Have your GitHub profile link ready to share. Prepare a digital portfolio or project demos that showcase your technical skills. Bring documentation of any technical certifications like AWS, CompTIA, or coding bootcamp credentials.

Code samples or app screenshots can illustrate your problem-solving approach better than words alone. Tech interviewers appreciate seeing your actual work.

Creative Fields

Carry a physical portfolio with 5-10 of your best pieces printed on quality paper. Bring a tablet with digital work for easy browsing and zooming. Include design process documentation that shows your thinking, not just finished products.

Client testimonials or metrics (engagement rates, conversion improvements, audience growth) add credibility to your creative work. Numbers make subjective work more objective.

Healthcare Roles

Bring current licenses and certifications, CPR certification card, clinical hours log if you’re a recent graduate, and letters of recommendation from supervisors or preceptors. Healthcare employers need to verify credentials before hiring, so having everything ready accelerates the process.

Some facilities may want to make copies on the spot, so having originals or certified copies shows you’re ready to move forward.

Education Positions

Bring your teaching license or credential, 2-3 sample lesson plans that demonstrate your teaching style, examples of student work (anonymized), letters of recommendation, and a brief philosophy of education statement.

Schools want to see evidence that you can plan engaging lessons and manage a classroom effectively. Physical examples make your teaching approach tangible.

What NOT to Bring: Items That Hurt Your Chances

Knowing what to leave at home is just as important as knowing what to bring.

Your Phone (Unless Silenced and Hidden)

Many experts suggest avoiding bringing your cell phone to minimize distraction. If you must bring it, ensure it’s completely silenced (not just vibrate) and stored in your bag. Never place your phone on the table or check it during the interview.

One glance at your phone can make you appear disinterested or disrespectful, even if you’re just checking the time. Wear a watch instead.

Food, Drinks (Other Than Water), or Gum

Don’t bring coffee, snacks, or meals into the interview. Chewing gum during an interview shows disrespect and will likely cost you the job. The sound and visual of chewing is distracting and unprofessional.

Eat before you arrive and bring only water if anything. Most interviews won’t last more than an hour, so you can wait to eat afterward.

Other People

Leave friends, family, or partners in the car or at home. Having someone accompany you into the building (except for accessibility needs) appears unprofessional and suggests you lack independence.

If someone drives you, have them wait outside or in a nearby coffee shop. The interview is your moment to demonstrate self-sufficiency.

Distracting Accessories

Minimize excessive jewelry that jangles or clinks when you move. Skip strong cologne or perfume that might trigger allergies or overwhelm a small interview room. Leave large scarves, hats, and sunglasses outside.

Keep accessories simple and professional. You want interviewers remembering your qualifications, not your statement necklace.

Overly Casual Bags

Worn backpacks, plastic shopping bags, or gym bags undermine your professional image. These bags suggest you’re not taking the opportunity seriously or don’t understand professional norms.

Invest in one quality interview bag that you can use for multiple interviews and professional events. It’s worth the cost.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Even well-intentioned candidates make these errors. Here’s how to avoid them.

Forgetting Your Resume

Create a packing checklist the night before using the lists in this article. Go through it item by item as you pack your bag. Double-check your bag before leaving, especially for those non-negotiable items like resumes and ID.

Set your packed bag by the door so you literally can’t leave without it.

Bringing Wrinkled or Damaged Documents

Use a folder with rigid sides or a padfolio to protect papers during transport. If your documents get bent in your bag, they look sloppy and careless. Consider ironing especially important documents like certifications.

First impressions include the condition of your materials, not just their content.

Over-Packing

Stick to essentials. A cluttered bag that you’re fumbling through looks disorganized and wastes interview time. If you can’t fit everything in one professional bag, you’re probably bringing too much.

Prioritize based on what’s most relevant to the specific role and company.

Untested Tech for Virtual Interviews

Never assume your technology works. Test 24-48 hours before, not 5 minutes before. This gives you time to troubleshoot problems, update software, or even borrow equipment if needed.

According to Indeed’s interview preparation guide, technical difficulties during virtual interviews create lasting negative impressions.

Arriving Empty-Handed

Even if you’re nervous about bringing too much, never show up with nothing. At minimum, bring your resume, ID, pen, and notebook. Arriving completely empty-handed suggests you didn’t prepare or don’t take the opportunity seriously.

Your materials demonstrate respect for the process and the interviewer’s time.

Your Pre-Interview Packing Checklist

Use this checklist the night before your interview to ensure you have everything ready.

For In-Person Interviews: 5-10 printed resumes in folder, professional reference list, valid photo ID, notebook and two pens, list of questions to ask, copy of job description, portfolio or work samples (if applicable), certifications or licenses (if applicable), professional bag, breath mints, small bills and change, phone charger, and emergency supplies.

For Virtual Interviews: Tech fully tested 24 hours prior, all devices charged with backup ready, resume and documents in desktop folder, cloud links ready to share, background and lighting checked, water within reach, physical resume for reference, notebook and pen nearby, all notifications silenced, and backup internet connection plan.

Interview Guys Tip: Pack your bag 24 hours early, not the morning of. This eliminates last-minute stress and ensures you don’t forget anything critical. You’ll sleep better knowing everything is ready.

For more pre-interview preparation strategies, check out the pre-interview power hour.

Budget-Friendly Preparation Tips

You don’t need to spend a fortune to be prepared. Here are smart ways to look professional without breaking the bank.

Use your current work bag if it’s professional-looking and in good condition. Print resumes at your local library for pennies per page. Borrow a portfolio from a friend in a creative field if you need one temporarily. Use a simple folder instead of an expensive padfolio, it serves the same purpose. Test tech using free video chat with friends rather than paying for practice services.

That said, some investments are worth making. A quality interview bag costs $30-80 and lasts for years. Premium resume paper for 100 sheets runs about $15. A professional padfolio ranges from $20-40 and makes organizing materials easier.

The confidence these items provide is worth far more than their cost. Looking prepared helps you feel prepared, which translates to better interview performance.

For more practical advice, see Forage’s comprehensive job interview checklist.

Making Your Materials Work for You During the Interview

Having the right items is only half the battle. You need to use them strategically.

When to Reference Your Materials

Don’t spread everything across the table immediately like you’re setting up a yard sale. Pull items out strategically as needed. Reference your resume when asked to walk through your experience. Consult your questions list when they ask “Do you have questions for us?” Present your portfolio when discussing specific projects or skills. Take notes when recording important information about next steps or role details.

Timing matters. Pulling out materials at the right moment shows you’re organized and prepared, not that you’re overly dependent on notes.

How to Take Notes Without Being Rude

Ask permission at the start: “Would it be alright if I take some notes during our conversation?” Most interviewers appreciate this because it shows you’re engaged and serious about remembering details.

Write down key points, not everything. Focus on recording information you’ll need later, like interviewer names, project details, or specific role requirements. Your notes also provide natural breaks in eye contact that can reduce intensity.

Handling Your Materials with Confidence

Keep your portfolio or folder closed until needed. Organize your bag so you can find items quickly without fumbling or dumping everything on the table. Practice retrieving specific items from your bag before the interview so you know exactly where everything is.

Confidence in handling your materials translates to confidence in your candidacy. Smooth, practiced movements suggest competence and preparation.

For additional interview strategies, review Randstad’s interview essentials checklist.

Walking in Ready to Succeed

Walking into a job interview fully prepared isn’t about bringing everything you own. It’s about strategic preparation that demonstrates professionalism, organization, and genuine interest in the opportunity.

Whether you’re meeting in person with a stack of resumes and a professional portfolio, or connecting virtually with tested technology and digital documents at your fingertips, the right materials give you confidence to focus on what matters most: showcasing why you’re the perfect fit for the role.

Start with the essentials like multiple resume copies, professional references, and a quality notebook. Add industry-specific items that prove your qualifications beyond what’s on paper. Avoid common mistakes like arriving empty-handed or with untested technology that could derail the entire conversation.

Pack your bag the night before using the checklists in this article, and walk into that interview knowing you’re ready for anything. The preparation you put in today translates directly to confidence tomorrow.

The interview is your moment to shine. Make sure you have everything you need to make it count. After your interview, continue the momentum with a strong follow-up by reading our guide on thank you email after interview.

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