Bringing a copy of your own C.V. to an interview.

job seeker

Hi all, I am wondering what ye think of someone bringing a copy of their own c.v. to an interview? (As in the person applying for the position)

On one hand I feel that you should know your own c.v. inside out. Therefore, having a c.v. with you may look you don't know your own c.v. Then on the other hand, not having a c.v. kinda looks like you are slightly disorganised, or that you might have forgotten it at home.

So I am wondering. Is it better to have a c.v. with you for interviews. Or should you just try to learn your c.v. inside out?

Thanks.
JS..

my3cents

More than one copy. If there is more than one person interviewing you there is a chance that they only have one copy of your CV so good to have copies to hand out to your disorganised interviewers

alsiet2017

job seeker wrote: »

Hi all, I am wondering what ye think of someone bringing a copy of their own c.v. to an interview? (As in the person applying for the position)

On one hand I feel that you should know your own c.v. inside out. Therefore, having a c.v. with you may look you don't know your own c.v. Then on the other hand, not having a c.v. kinda looks like you are slightly disorganised, or that you might have forgotten it at home.

So I am wondering. Is it better to have a c.v. with you for interviews. Or should you just try to learn your c.v. inside out?

Thanks.
JS..

Never bring cv if they have it already. Looks strange

Tell me how

I'd bring just one. It's useful to point to a part of the cv which they might be struggling to locate, say where a specific detail is listed.

Personally, I wouldn't bring some for those interviewing you. If they do not have one it might be they prefer the interview to be purely about the person and the verbal answers so I wouldn't force one on them. If they wanted to use one, they'd have it.
That's just an opinion.

Baron Kurtz

Don't bring it. You should know it backways. They will have a copy. That's how it should go.

my3cents

I've been to at least one interview where they had lost my CV, having a copy just saved everyone a lot of time.

Also been to an interview where three interviewers were looking at one copy of my CV again just made it simpler to give them all a copy.

If you have a copy with you you don't have to use it but if you have one then it may come in useful. You just have to judge if for example handing out an extra one is going to help your cause. You wouldn't have a spare to look at yourself as you should know exactly whats on it and why.

There is also the possibility that the interviewers have an old copy of your CV maybe because you fired CV's out to everyone you could think of in the past and when you applied for a specific role with a new CV they picked the old one out of the file. Again up to you if you tell them they have the old CV and give them the new one.

pauliebdub

I've always brought a copy of my CV to an interview, I may not use it or even look at it but it doesn't do any harm. Certainly bring the job spec along with any questions you may have about the position and organisation.

alsiet2017

my3cents wrote: »

I've been to at least one interview where they had lost my CV, having a copy just saved everyone a lot of time.

Also been to an interview where three interviewers were looking at one copy of my CV again just made it simpler to give them all a copy.

If you have a copy with you you don't have to use it but if you have one then it may come in useful. You just have to judge if for example handing out an extra one is going to help your cause. You wouldn't have a spare to look at yourself as you should know exactly whats on it and why.

There is also the possibility that the interviewers have an old copy of your CV maybe because you fired CV's out to everyone you could think of in the past and when you applied for a specific role with a new CV they picked the old one out of the file. Again up to you if you tell them they have the old CV and give them the new one.

Send one cv for application. It’s their problem thereafter.

listermint

Never had any problems with someone bringing a copy of their CV in ever.

It's the quality of the candidate in the interview that is what in looking at not if they arrive with a printed off or not.

Clockwork Owl

alsiet2017 wrote: »

Send one cv for application. It’s their problem thereafter.

What an odd point of view. If you want the job, it seems strange that you wouldn't make it as easy as possible for the company to hire you. Having a spare copy in the event that they have misplaced your CV shows strong forward planning and organisation - both desirable qualities in an employee.

TG1

I would think it's no issue either way, I would never expect a candidate to have a CV with them but if they do I wouldn't think more or less of them for it....

Tell me how

Clockwork Owl wrote:

What an odd point of view. If you want the job, it seems strange that you wouldn't make it as easy as possible for the company to hire you. Having a spare copy in the event that they have misplaced your CV shows strong forward planning and organisation - both desirable qualities in an employee.

Interviews are a two way thing, the candidate is interviewing the company just as much as they are assessing the individual.

If I was being interviewed by someone who wanted a copy of my cv for the interview but hadn't brought it, I'd be judging the company for showing poor behavior.

irishgrover

I would suggest bringing a couple, not for yourself, but fit the interviewer, just in case they don't have their own copy....which is unusual but can and occasionally does happen....

Dublinstiofán

From what i've been told by HR its no harm to have some copies of your CV in a bag with you but don't take it out of the bag unless the panel need it. Any decent interview panel will have looked at what you sent them in application to try to think of questions to ask you before you come into the room.

The panel usually like candidates to have nothing in front of them for two reasons. One it looks more professional that you know your CV interview inside out and are comfortable talking about it and Two because some candidates when they get flustered by a question get distracted and start reading through it trying to find that answer, which doesn't look good!

Best of luck

listermint

I've never paid much head to any of our HR in terms of interview process or input.

They rarely have a clue what the role is about or the skills we are looking for.

They are mainly booking agents or salary and benefits negotiators who deal with company related he matters .


Hiring, well they shouldn't be doing any of it especially in a technical environment more hinderance than help

TG1

listermint wrote: »

I've never paid much head to any of our HR in terms of interview process or input.

They rarely have a clue what the role is about or the skills we are looking for.

They are mainly booking agents or salary and benefits negotiators who deal with company related he matters .


Hiring, well they shouldn't be doing any of it especially in a technical environment more hinderance than help

Wow. Would love to see your average run of the mill manager try to challenge a discrimination case on an interview they've done with no assistance from HR, no HR designed score sheets, records, fair hiring practice and procedures etc.... would go well I'd imagine.

listermint

TG1 wrote: »

Wow. Would love to see your average run of the mill manager try to challenge a discrimination case on an interview they've done with no assistance from HR, no HR designed score sheets, records, fair hiring practice and procedures etc.... would go well I'd imagine.

Who needs the challenge a discrimination case ?

I've yet to be in an interview where anyone was asked discriminatory questions.

I guess your one of those HR people who think they need to insert themselves in every interview.

Oh joy...

TG1

Well I'm one of those HR people who doesn't think 'oh he's a mate of a mate and I've met him for coffee once" is an appropriate and fair hiring procedure....

listermint

TG1 wrote: »

Well I'm one of those HR people who doesn't think 'oh he's a mate of a mate and I've met him for coffee once" is an appropriate and fair hiring procedure....

I'm amazed you managed to infer that's my hiring practice, can you elaborate a bit in where you managed to get that from?

Rikand

TG1 wrote: »

Well I'm one of those HR people who doesn't think 'oh he's a mate of a mate and I've met him for coffee once" is an appropriate and fair hiring procedure....

Even if he's the best person for the job?

TG1

listermint wrote: »

I'm amazed you managed to infer that's my hiring practice, can you elaborate a bit in where you managed to get that from?

I'll bow out there before the thread goes totally off topic, after your inference that I need to be in every interview!

OP on topic if you are more comfortable with a CV in front of you then bring a CV. It's not a big thing and unlikely that anyone will be psycho analysing your choices.

Tell me how

listermint wrote:

I'm amazed you managed to infer that's my hiring practice, can you elaborate a bit in where you managed to get that from?

Well, you were implying behavioral practices of HR people without evidence from a specific post here. The other poster did the same, in reverse.

IMO, both of you have valid points. In rare cases. Neither example is the norm.

Neither helps OP either.

TG1

Rikand wrote: »

Even if he's the best person for the job?

How do you know if all you've done is met one person for coffee?

Avatar MIA

Back to the OP,

If you have to refer to something on your own CV then you've failed the job interview.

If the interviewer turns up to the interview without your CV and possibly your future manager, wrap it up quickly and get out of Dodge.

listermint

TG1 wrote: »

How do you know if all you've done is met one person for coffee?

How do you know they've just met them one time.


Digging more holes I see.

I didn't infer you inserted yourself in every interview it was very telling by the responses.

Alas back to the op if you want to bring CV then do if you don't then don't.

It wasnt me123

I've always bought a cv to an interview - not only do you get to look over it just before - which can be a pressurised time for candidates - it helps as a reference point if you've had a good few positions or change of careers (I've had 3 totally different careers). I think you look prepared as opposed to forgetting what strengths you had for a particular position because you have 3 interviewers staring at you waiting on an answer. Good luck with your job hunting.

jimmii

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I would never have a problem with someone bringing one in. Bad things can always happen if it's an early interview the interviewer could be running late, forgotten it if it's off site, printer broken etc.

Also interviewers don't always have the most notice one time i was doing mass interviews for O2 in London and the person who was meant to be running the interviews came in and was just like sorry I actually don't know who is coming in next but luckily they had a cv with them or else it would have been very awkward :pac:

Cunning Stunt

Did a jobdeekers course recently where it was advised to bring copy if CV plus a list of any questions you may want to ask that you could forget, plus any notes you want to make for yourself, regarding success stories in your previous jobs etc.

Rikand

TG1 wrote: »

How do you know if all you've done is met one person for coffee?

A tech person could know

Oops69

bring a copy just to double-check on the 'economical with the truth' bits so there's no awkward confusion with the facts during the interview , while waiting for the interview and stick in your pocket just before youre called in for interview .

AndrewJRenko

listermint wrote: »

They rarely have a clue what the role is about or the skills we are looking for.

Any thoughts on where they might get this important information from?

listermint

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Any thoughts on where they might get this important information from?

The job spec drawn up by the manager.

There's one thing handing a job spec to recruiter's there's another thing actually being able to talk to it.

AndrewJRenko

listermint wrote: »

The job spec drawn up by the manager.

There's one thing handing a job spec to recruiter's there's another thing actually being able to talk to it.

Interesting - any thoughts on how to enhance a colleague's understanding of something outside their core area, if 'handing over a job spec' isn't cutting the mustard?

the_pen_turner

arnt we always told to adapt your cv to the job and to do diferent cover leters for each role. having a cv on hand could really help if you have sent out a few variances to it.

listermint

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Interesting - any thoughts on how to enhance a colleague's understanding of something outside their core area, if 'handing over a job spec' isn't cutting the mustard?

Yep leave the hiring to the managers , leave the HR portion to HR.

HR isn't about interviews it's so much more

job seeker

Sorry, I think people are taking me up wrong. What I mean is for the candidate to have a copy of their own c.v. to allow them to follow it themselves during the interview, (when/if the interview panel asks. Please outline/go though your past work experience and education or similar) . As the interview panel reads through their own copy of the candidates c.v. I hope I've made it clearer.

Avatar MIA

job seeker wrote: »

Sorry, I think people are taking me up wrong. What I mean is for the candidate to have a copy of their own c.v. to allow them to follow it themselves during the interview, (when/if the interview panel asks. Please outline/go though your past work experience and education or similar) . As the interview panel reads through their own copy of the candidates c.v. I hope I've made it clearer.

This would not be usual, in my experience.

You should have good recall of your tasks and responsibilities you carried out as well as your achievements.

If I asked someone what was their greatest impact they had with their role in X company, I'd not be impressed if someone had to take a moment to flick through their CV to see what they had written.

bucketybuck

I surprised this is even a question, of course you bring a copy of your own CV.

Even on a basic level, if you are trying to display to the interviewer that you are an organised and prepared person who arrives to meetings with the correct paperwork then what else would you be holding?

On a more theoretical level, I thought it was common knowledge that an issue with nervous applicants is what to do with their hands, both while waiting and then in the interview itself. A good trick for that problem is to carry a file or folder, not only does it look professional but it gives your hands something to do. And if you are carrying a file you need to have something in it, and so a copy of your CV is the obvious and most relevant choice.

Avatar MIA

bucketybuck wrote: »

A good trick for that problem is to carry a file or folder, not only does it look professional but it gives your hands something to do.

What? You've got a file/folder sitting in your lap for 30 odd minutes, really?

AndrewJRenko

listermint wrote: »

Yep leave the hiring to the managers , leave the HR portion to HR.

HR isn't about interviews it's so much more

In my experience, a good HR partner is an essential part of any recruitment process. Like any partnership, you need to invest time in the partnership, and that investment pays off in the long term.

Phoebas

I've always brought one.
That's the primary document that being discussed so why not have it to hand, just like you'd have other documents to hand at any other meeting.

Avatar MIA

Phoebas wrote: »

I've always brought one.
That's the primary document that being discussed so why not have it to hand, just like you'd have other documents to hand at any other meeting.

But you know this document inside and out, and it's not your job to provide a second copy of your CV to the interviewer. They either have it or if a serious enough role have gone through it very carefully and don't need to reference it.

I'd go as far as saying if the interviewer turns up for the interview without your CV and looks for a copy off of you the job is likely already gone.

Phoebas

Avatar MIA wrote: »

But you know this document inside and out, and it's not your job to provide a second copy of your CV to the interviewer.

I'd be bringing it for myself, not for the interviewer.

Sure I know my own career inside out, but I like to have the document I'm discussing in front of me, just to be sure we're both on the same page so to speak.

TG1

Phoebas wrote: »

I'd be bringing it for myself, not for the interviewer.

Sure I know my own career inside out, but I like to have the document I'm discussing in front of me, just to be sure we're both on the same page so to speak.

What I used to do when I was looking for a job was print off a copy of the job spec, and write notes on that. So I would match what bits of my CV were most relevant to each competency listed in the spec, and have key words for examples of each written on it.
Maybe that might give you the support you need without having to bring your CV if you are unsure about how it will look?

Avatar MIA

Phoebas wrote: »

I'd be bringing it for myself, not for the interviewer.

Sure I know my own career inside out, but I like to have the document I'm discussing in front of me, just to be sure we're both on the same page so to speak.

I've encountered some strange things at interview, but I've never seen anyone take out their CV and reference it.

nkav86

job seeker wrote:

Sorry, I think people are taking me up wrong. What I mean is for the candidate to have a copy of their own c.v. to allow them to follow it themselves during the interview.

I would say no, only for the fact that you should know it backwards yourself and not need to follow it on paper.

no.8

alsiet2017 wrote:

Never bring cv if they have it already. Looks strange

Ehhh I would disregard this comment ladsðŸ˜

no.8

Avatar MIA wrote:

If you have to refer to something on your own CV then you've failed the job interview.

Rubbish

Phoebas

no.8 wrote: »

Rubbish

True.

I've sat on both sides of the table and I wouldn't have any issue about it (nor have people who interviewed me).

Avatar MIA

no.8 wrote: »

Rubbish

INTERVIEWER 'Now, walk me through a typical day in your current role'
INTERVIEWEE 'Sure, just a second while I take out my CV. Don't mind me, talk amongst yourselves'

:pac::pac::pac:

bucketybuck

Avatar MIA wrote: »

I've encountered some strange things at interview, but I've never seen anyone take out their CV and reference it.

One thing we haven't encountered yet is a reason not to bring the damn thing.

Its the classic example of something that might help but can't harm, so why not just bring it?