What to Bring to an Interview (Checklist for 2026)

For in-person interviews, the modern checklist:

• 3 printed copies of your resume (1 for you, 1 for each interviewer; print extras if it's a panel)
• Notebook and pen (taking notes signals attention)
• List of questions to ask (a few written questions saves you when the moment comes)
• Portfolio or work samples if applicable (designers, writers, software engineers with code samples)
• Address and arrival info (phone navigation can fail; printed backup is fine)
• A water bottle (long interviews dry you out)

That's it. Below is what's no longer needed.

What's no longer expected

• Padfolio / leather binder unless it's a formal industry (law, finance, government).
• Laptop unless you'll demo something.
• References list, wait until asked.
• Stack of recommendation letters.
• Marketing-pitch presentations unless explicitly requested.

What to wear

Match the company's vibe. What to wear to a job interview.

For virtual interviews

• Quiet space, good light. Position the lamp in front of you, not behind.
• Working camera and microphone. Test before the call.
• Charged laptop + charger plugged in.
• Water bottle.
• Notes pulled up off-camera (your prepared questions, key facts about the company).
• Resume open in a tab for quick reference.
• Phone on do-not-disturb but accessible (in case the call drops).

What to do with the resumes you bring

• Hand a copy to each interviewer at the start ("Want a copy?").
• Reference your own copy when discussing specific bullets.
• Take notes on the back if helpful.

Last-minute prep

• Re-read the job description in the parking lot or before logging in.
• Re-read the LinkedIn pages of your interviewers.
• Have one or two prepared "tell me about yourself" answers in mind.
• Have at least three questions ready to ask.

The bigger pattern

Interview prep is real work. So is getting the interview in the first place, that's the bigger bottleneck for most candidates.

Sorce auto-applies to 5M+ open jobs for you, free swipes every day, AI agent submits. More applications, more interviews, more chances to bring this checklist.

For more: what to wear to a job interview, what questions to ask in an interview, how to prepare for a job interview.