Interview

theenergy

Do you bring written references to a interview?

Do you bring a copy of the CV to the interview?

Or do you just bring yourself!?

Thanks in advance

I would always bring a copy of the CV, cover letter and application form if applicable. If you have written references then you might as well.

When thinking of these things I always frame the question to myself in terms of: by bringing the documents there is the possibility of something to gain (even if it's a small possibility) but absolutely nothing to lose.

theenergy

thanks.... I have a panel interview coming up and just need to be sure to be sure!

Mr. Loverman

I'm weird, but I don't bring copies of my CV to interviews. I know if they say "you didn't bring your CV?" I don't want to work there. How disorganised must they be to not print my CV?

smcgiff

The interviewer should have your CV from the time of your application. It was how (presumably) you were selected for interview.

You should have the details off by heart, if you have to look to your own CV during an interview to answer a question you're not likely to be taken seriously.

Re written references - Are these still used? Personally I wouldn't rely on a written reference - supplying contact details for direct contact is now the norm.

Unless you are presenting a portfolio I cannot imagine what else should be brought into an interview.

Eoin

I wouldn't normally bring my CV, but having seen what an agency did to mine recently before sending it on, I might be inclined to now. It had been absolutely butchered, and I had offered to provide a copy without contact details so they didn't need to edit anything.

L.Jenkins

Bring a copy of your CV, with your experience, education and work history clearly outlined, so you can read through it quickly while you wait and in the days prior to the interview. Don't read from it in the interview, as that would be bad form.

Bring a copy of the Job Spec and read through that also. It's best to show how your personal experience fits with the Companies idea of what they want from a new hire. This could include what you've done in each role, team work and how you worked within that team as well as your work related goals and achievements. Expect questions such, what problems did you encounter and how did you solve them? This is up to you to prepare in the days before.

Two of the most important points to note. Research the Company and what they do in as much detail as possible without going over board. Be sure to have an idea of who their Competitors are. For example, Centra is a Supermarket here in Ireland owned by the Musgrave Group who also own Supervalue. The Retailer provides the essential day to day groceries an individual/family might need and their main competitors are Tesco, Aldi and Lidl, who all aim to compete on price through promotional offers.

The second point and possibly the most important of the two, prepare questions for the interviewer(s). When asked if you have any questions, that is your time and chance to interview them. With your experience and knowledge of the Company, a list of well prepared questions is something you could print out and read through when you have a chance to grill the people interviewing you. For example, What is your role in the Company? How do you find Company X to work for? What goals have you achieved to get to where you are now?

In everything, preperation is the key to success and following some of the points above should show you know your stuff and have a genuine interest in joining the Company. I also recommend joining LinkedIn if you already haven't. If not to look for jobs, then it could be used to network with people in the same industry, learn from them and when you get the chance, check out Liz Ryan (CEO of Human Workplace) who blogs and posts career advice that maybe invaluable.

Gael23

I never do but I know everything thats on it

theenergy

thanks guys for the comments....

L.Jenkins

When is your interview by the way?

Jim2007

smcgiff wrote: »

The interviewer should have your CV from the time of your application. It was how (presumably) you were selected for interview.

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

I'm weird, but I don't bring copies of my CV to interviews. I know if they say "you didn't bring your CV?" I don't want to work there. How disorganised must they be to not print my CV?

Not necessarily, agencies and HR do make summaries, transcribe stuff to standard formats and so on.

I always have a copy of my CV to hand for such situations.

Mr. Loverman

Jim2007 wrote: »

Not necessarily, agencies and HR do make summaries, transcribe stuff to standard formats and so on.

I always have a copy of my CV to hand for such situations.

I interpreted the question as the HR person not having your details in the interview. As in, they are relying on you to give them a copy of your CV.

I don't need my CV to talk about my work history. I consider knowing my history a part of the interview preparation.

theenergy

Itzy wrote: »

When is your interview by the way?

Next week