Bringing a 'Brag Book' to interviews...Yes/No?

BittenByTheBug

Idea that the Americans use... bringing a "brag book" to job interviews and either showing them to interviewer or leaving it for them to look at afterwards (never heard of it until now, but it's basically a portfolio, including letters of recommendation, certificates, highlights of positive achievements job-wise, even praiseworthy e-mails from the ex boss!!).

Any recruiters/HR people out there who consider it a good/bad idea

Nody

I have never seen one nor would I bother to read one if I was given one; in fact I'd add it as a big no no in my recommendation as it shows that the person did not feel confident / capable in explaining their own achievements on the CV nor in the interview...

BittenByTheBug

Tend to agree... Seems very gimmicky - thanks!

statss

I used one before to get a place on a competitive college course which required an interview, but I would never do it for a job interview. They can check your Linkedin profile for additional information and any recommendations beyond your CV.

murphym7

Had a couple of people bring their Masters thesis with them, and try to bring me through the finer points of it, no thanks. Another brought the design of fixture they created - again, no thanks. All I would agree to is a copy of their CV, to reference during the interview if they needed to.

sky2424

No. Unless your applying for a creative role and its some sort of portfolio.

Otherwise forget it. Sounds a bit like a show and tell day at school...

Irish_Elect_Eng

BittenByTheBug wrote: »

Idea that the Americans use... bringing a "brag book" to job interviews and either showing them to interviewer or leaving it for them to look at afterwards (never heard of it until now, but it's basically a portfolio, including letters of recommendation, certificates, highlights of positive achievements job-wise, even praiseworthy e-mails from the ex boss!!).

Any recruiters/HR people out there who consider it a good/bad idea

This is a tricky one.

It would highly depend on the role being applied for and the culture at the company. I normally have all of the items listed with me at interviews in case they are needed. In terms of bringing actual work-product with you, that can be viewed as a breach of confidentiality in some industries. But for some roles this can really work, by engaging with the interviewer o your terms. Particularly in some creative and some highly technical industries.

I have one colleague that take a slightly different approach to the concept where all this information is available on a website, including an expanded CV ad personal interests etc. Any employer visiting the site, which is very professional and eye-catching would get a real sense of his achievements and a insight into him as a person. He simply includes a link to the site on his CV. He believes that this has been a successful approach for him.

sky2424

Irish_Elect_Eng wrote: »

This is a tricky one.

It would highly depend on the role being applied for and the culture at the company. I normally have all of the items listed with me at interviews in case they are needed. In terms of bringing actual work-product with you, that can be viewed as a breach of confidentiality in some industries. But for some roles this can really work, by engaging with the interviewer o your terms. Particularly in some creative and some highly technical industries.

I have one colleague that take a slightly different approach to the concept where all this information is available on a website, including an expanded CV ad personal interests etc. Any employer visiting the site, which is very professional and eye-catching would get a real sense of his achievements and a insight into him as a person. He simply includes a link to the site on his CV. He believes that this has been a successful approach for him.

Thats alot more subtle- and more effective I suspect.