What to Bring to an Interview: The Top 10

Picture this nightmare: You walk into an interview for your dream job, shake hands with the hiring manager, sit down, and then realize you’ve arrived completely empty-handed. We’re talking no copies of your resume, no pen and paper for notes—heck, it’s a miracle you remembered to put on shoes! You need to know what to bring to an interview or your lack of preparation could cost you a job.

To prevent something like this from happening, you should start preparing for your interview as soon as a company gets in touch with you about your candidacy. Use this comprehensive checklist to make sure you have everything you need to make a good first impression in the job interview. This way you'll show up prepared 100% of the time.

What to Bring to an Interview

1. Folder
2. Copies of your resume
3. Business cards
4. Portfolio/work samples
5. References
6. Pen and notepad
7. Questions
8. Talking points
9. Identification
10. A smile

1. Folder

We’re about to outline a significant amount of paperwork you need to bring to a job interview, so first things first, you’ll want to have a folder where you can neatly store these documents.

This simple act also shows you’re organized, which is a soft skill many employers look for in candidates.

2. Several Copies of Your Resume

You most likely already submitted your resume when you applied for the job, but don’t assume the interviewer will have a copy of it on hand. Why bring multiple copies? You might not know how many people you’ll be meeting with.

3. Business Cards

Although your resume should include your contact information, and business cards may seem old school, it can’t hurt to bring them with you. In the event that someone does ask you for one, you'll look super-prepared handing over a card.

4. Portfolio/Work Samples

If you’re in a creative industry—like advertising, journalism, graphic design, architecture, or fashion—you should bring samples of your work that you can give to the interviewer. Definitely offer to email your full portfolio. Depending on what you do, you may also want to have a sheet that showcases positive feedback you’ve received from past clients on your work.

5. References

If the interview goes well—better yet, when the interview goes well, the hiring manager might ask you for references on the spot, so you should have a list prepared with their contact information.

Theoretically, you could just email the interviewer this information when you get home, but that’s not necessarily the best approach. Give the company everything they need to move forward with the hiring process after you leave.

6. Pen and Notepad

Standard among what to bring to an interview is a trusty pen and paper. Taking a few notes can be beneficial for a few reasons. For one, it shows you’re actively listening to the interviewer and engaged in the conversation, while also ensuring you won’t forget important details about the job. Moreover, you can refer to these notes later on when you're writing the interviewer a personalized thank-you email.

Just make sure you ask the interviewer for permission before taking notes, and don’t be writing for so long that you’re not making eye contact. Pro tip: Bring several pens with you in case your favorite one runs out of ink.

7. Questions

To show you’re genuinely interested in the job, you should have questions for the hiring manager prepared in advance that demonstrate your understanding of the company’s core values, challenges, and culture. Here are a few questions that will help you assess those key points:

• How does the company define and measure success?
• What’s the most important thing I can accomplish in the first 60 days?
• What do you do to encourage camaraderie and collaboration among coworkers?
• How do managers provide feedback to employees?

8. Talking Points

Job interviews are nerve-wracking. One way to reduce stress before the interview and build confidence is to jog your memory by looking at notes of things you want to mention during the interview, such as specific skills or anecdotes that highlight your strengths. Try creating list that summarizes your accomplishments, organized by skill set, that you can review before you walk into the interview. These achievements should be tied to the job responsibilities. For instance, if you’re interviewing for a management position, you’d want to mention the last project you oversaw and describe how you exceeded expectations.

9. Identification

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning. You may need to provide photo ID to enter the building, so check with the employer beforehand to find out what the building’s security requirements are. The security guard may ask you the company you’re visiting, the name of the person you’re meeting with, and what floor they’re on. Confirm all of that information when you set up the interview, so you aren’t fumbling in the lobby before your big meeting.

10. A Smile

It’s time to show off those pearly whites! Before you cringe, consider the benefits of arriving with a positive attitude. It sounds corny, but a smile shows employers that you’re enthusiastic about the opportunity.

What NOT to Bring to an Interview

Put simply: Don’t bring anything that could potentially distract you or the interviewer. This includes:

• Chewing gum
• Food
• Drinks

Also, make sure to put your phone on silent or leave it in your car.

Sound Smart

Yes, it's important to know what to bring to the interview, but as you can probably surmise, it's what you say during the interview that will have the biggest impact on whether or not you move on to round two. Need some help crafting memorable answers? Make a free profile on Monster today. As a member, you'll get interview insights, career advice, and job search tips sent directly to your inbox. From ice breakers ("Tell us a little about yourself") to standard questions ("Why do you want this job?") to more treacherous territory ("What's your biggest weakness?"), Monster can help you create strong, clear answers that demonstrate just how awesome you are.