The Essential In-Person Interview Checklist
Whether it is your first interview or your fiftieth, having the right items with you eliminates last-minute stress and shows the interviewer you are organized and serious about the opportunity.
1. Multiple Copies of Your Resume
Bring at least 3 to 5 printed copies on clean, white paper. Even though the interviewer likely has a digital copy, handing them a physical resume shows preparation. You may also meet additional people you were not expecting, like a team lead who joins last minute or an HR representative who walks you out.
Make sure the printed version matches the one you submitted online. If you have updated your resume since applying, bring the updated version but be prepared to address any differences if asked. Before printing, run your resume through an ATS checker to make sure the content is optimized.
2. A Professional Folder or Padfolio
Keep your resumes and other documents in a slim, professional folder or padfolio. This protects your papers from getting wrinkled or bent and gives you a surface to write on. Black or dark blue leather or faux-leather padfolios work well in any setting.
Avoid showing up with loose papers, a backpack stuffed with random items, or a bulky briefcase. You want to look organized without looking like you are moving in.
3. A Notepad and Pen
Taking notes during an interview signals that you are engaged and value what the interviewer is telling you. Write down key details about the role, team structure, or next steps. This also gives you material for your thank-you email afterward.
Use a physical notepad, not your phone. Pulling out your phone during an interview, even to take notes, can appear unprofessional or distracted.
4. A List of Questions to Ask
Prepare 5 to 8 questions in advance and write them down. You will likely only get to ask 3 or 4, but having extras ensures you are not left with nothing if some get answered during the conversation.
Good questions show you have researched the company and are thinking about the role seriously. Avoid questions about salary or benefits in a first interview unless the interviewer brings them up. Focus on the team, the work, growth opportunities, and company culture.
Strong examples:
- "What does a typical first 90 days look like for someone in this role?"
- "What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?"
- "How do you measure success in this position?"
- "Can you tell me about the team I would be working with?"
5. Your ID
Many office buildings require a government-issued photo ID for visitor access. Bring your driver's license or passport, especially if you are visiting a corporate office, government building, or secure facility. Without it, you may not make it past the front desk.
6. Contact Information for Your References
While most interviewers will not ask for references during the first meeting, having them ready shows preparation. Prepare a separate sheet with 3 professional references, including their name, title, company, phone number, and email address. Make sure you have already asked each person for permission to list them.
7. A Portfolio or Work Samples (If Applicable)
If you are in a creative, technical, or design-oriented field, bring a curated portfolio of 3 to 5 relevant projects. This could be a physical portfolio, a tablet with your work displayed, or a link to an online portfolio.
Only bring work samples if they are directly relevant to the role. Quality over quantity. A few strong, relevant pieces make a much better impression than a thick stack of everything you have ever done.
8. Directions and Parking Details
Look up the address the night before, not the morning of. Know exactly which building, floor, and entrance you need. Check parking options or public transit routes. Plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, which means leaving even earlier than you think.
The Virtual Interview Checklist
Virtual interviews have their own set of preparation requirements. Technology failures are the number one way candidates undermine their own first impression.
1. Technology Setup
- Camera: Test it the night before. Make sure it is at eye level, not pointing up at your chin or down at the top of your head.
- Microphone: Use a headset or external microphone if your built-in mic is not clear. Test audio quality with a friend or recording app.
- Internet: Use a wired connection if possible. If you are on Wi-Fi, sit close to the router. Close bandwidth-heavy applications.
- Software: Install and test the video platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet) the day before. Do not wait until 5 minutes before the call to download it.
2. Your Background and Lighting
Choose a clean, uncluttered background. A plain wall, bookshelf, or tidy room works well. Avoid virtual backgrounds if possible since they can glitch and look unprofessional.
Position a light source in front of you, not behind you. A window behind you turns you into a silhouette. A desk lamp facing you from behind the monitor works well.
3. A Digital Copy of Your Resume
Keep your resume open on screen for quick reference, but position it near your camera so your eyes do not drift too far when glancing at it. Some candidates tape key talking points next to their webcam for natural eye contact while referencing notes.
4. A Glass of Water
This applies to in-person interviews too, but it is especially easy to forget when you are at home. Have water within reach so you do not need to leave the frame mid-conversation.
5. Silence Notifications
Put your phone on silent. Close email, Slack, and any other application that might pop up notifications during the call. Nothing breaks the flow of a good answer like a message notification sliding across your screen.
What NOT to Bring to an Interview
Knowing what to leave behind is just as important as knowing what to bring.
- Food or drinks (other than water). No coffee cups, snacks, or takeout containers. It looks too casual.
- Other people. Do not bring a friend, partner, or parent. Even if they are just waiting in the lobby, it sends the wrong signal about your independence.
- Strong cologne or perfume. You might love the scent, but the interviewer might be allergic or sensitive. Keep it neutral.
- Negative energy. Leave complaints about your current or former employer at the door. Even if your last job was terrible, the interview is not the place to vent.
- Your phone on the table. Keep it in your bag, pocket, or out of sight entirely. A phone sitting face-up on the table, even if it is off, is distracting.
The Night-Before Preparation Routine
The best interview preparation happens the night before, not the morning of. Rushing leads to mistakes, forgotten items, and unnecessary stress.
- Print your resumes and reference sheet. Make sure the file you are printing is the final, properly named version.
- Research the company. Review their website, recent news, and the LinkedIn profiles of your interviewers. Note 2 to 3 things you can reference naturally in conversation.
- Prepare your outfit. Lay it out the night before. Make sure it is clean, pressed, and appropriate for the company culture.
- Review the job description one more time. Highlight the top 3 to 5 requirements and think about specific examples from your experience that address each one.
- Practice your answers. Run through common questions out loud. Focus on the bullet point formula of Action + Task + Result for behavioral questions.
- Set two alarms. One on your phone, one on a separate device. Do not leave your morning to chance.
Key Takeaways
- Bring 3 to 5 printed copies of your resume in a professional folder
- Carry a notepad, pen, prepared questions, and your ID
- For virtual interviews, test all technology the night before
- Have references ready even if you do not expect to be asked
- Leave food, phones, and negative attitudes behind
- Do all preparation the night before, not the morning of