From the Resume Guide learning library
What to bring to a job interview
A short, practical list for in person, video and phone interviews: what to carry, whether you need a padfolio, how many resume copies to print and what to leave behind. It ends with a checklist you can tick off the night before.
What should you bring to a job interview?
A short list covers almost every in person interview: copies of your resume, something to write with, your questions and the practical details.
The goal is not to carry a lot. It is to never be caught without something an interviewer might reasonably ask for, and to look organized while you wait. Everything below fits in a slim folder or a small bag.
The core list
- Three to five printed copies of your resume, the same version you applied with.
- A pen that works, and a spare.
- A notebook or a few sheets of paper with your questions for them already written down.
- The interview details: address, floor or suite, the name of the person you are meeting and a phone number.
- A photo ID, since many offices ask visitors to sign in.
- Anything the invitation asked for, such as references, a portfolio or certificates.
Do you need a padfolio?
No, but it is the easiest way to keep everything flat, together and easy to reach.
A padfolio is a folder that holds a writing pad on one side and a pocket for papers on the other, often with a loop for a pen. It is popular for interviews because your resume copies stay crisp, your notes and questions sit in front of you, and you are not digging through a bag when someone asks for a copy.
If you do not own one, a plain folder and a notebook do the same job. What matters is that your papers are not creased, your pen is easy to find, and you can open your questions without fuss.
"Bringing notes looks unprepared."
Not at all. Glancing at questions you wrote in advance shows you prepared. Reading full answers from a page is what looks odd, so keep notes to short prompts.
How many copies of your resume should you bring?
Bring three to five, printed on plain paper, and make sure they match what you sent.
Interviews often grow on the day. A second manager joins, someone from the team sits in, or the person you meet forgot to print your application. Handing over a clean copy at once looks prepared and saves everyone a minute of hunting.
Print the version you applied with.
If you tailored your resume for this role, the interviewer has that version. Bringing an older or different one invites awkward questions about why the two do not match.
Name your files by job, and print from the one you actually sent.
Check that it prints cleanly.
Colours, thin lines and small text can look different on paper than on screen. Print one test copy and read it at arm's length before printing the rest.
Get a clean copy ready
Run your file through the free resume checker first, with no account needed, to catch problems with layout and dates before they end up on paper. If the design itself needs work, the resume templates include twenty free designs, and you can download a PDF or a Word file to print.
What to have ready for a video or phone interview
You are not carrying anything, but the same idea applies: have it within reach before the call starts.
- Your resume, open or printed. You will be asked about it, and looking it up mid answer breaks the flow.
- The job ad. Keep the skills they asked for in view so you can connect your answers to them.
- Your questions and a pen. Writing by hand is quieter than typing while someone talks.
- A charged device and a backup. Plug in your laptop and keep your phone nearby in case the video link fails.
- Water. A glass of water helps if your voice gets dry, wherever the interview is.
What to leave at home
A few things add stress or send the wrong signal, so leave them out of the bag.
- Large or overstuffed bags. Anything you cannot hold on your lap comfortably gets in the way.
- Strong scents. Perfume or cologne that fills a small room can distract the interviewer.
- Food and loud drinks. Eat before you arrive and finish your coffee outside.
- A phone on ring. Switch it to silent before you walk in, not when it goes off.
Pack the night before
Packing early turns the morning into a calm walk out the door instead of a search.
Lay out your outfit (the guide on what to wear to a job interview helps you choose it), put the printed copies and your notebook in the folder, and save the address and the contact's number in your phone. Check the route and how long it takes at that time of day. If you are unsure how early to leave, our guide on how early to arrive for a job interview has a simple rule for in person, video and phone interviews.
Questions people ask
Short answers to the ones that come up most.
- Should I bring a resume to an interview if they already have it? Yes. Bring a few copies anyway, in case extra people join or the interviewer does not have one in front of them.
- Is it okay to take notes during an interview? Yes. Brief notes show you are listening. Keep eye contact and write only a few words at a time.
- Should I bring a list of references? Bring one if the invitation asks or if you are at a later stage. Ask your references for permission before you list them.
- Can I bring a portfolio to any interview? If your work is visual or written, bring a small selection of your strongest pieces, ready to show in a minute or two, and only offer it when it fits the conversation.
- What if I forget my resume copies? Stay calm and say so briefly. Offer to email a copy right after, then follow through.
Your checklist
10 items. Your progress is saved in this browser.
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