Bringing a copy of CV to interview ?

lcstress2012

I have an interview for a retail position. When I applied I sent them my cv. Is it really necessary to bring it with me or should I do without it.

Has anyone ever not brought their cv with them to an interview and what where your experiences?

ChikiChiki

No need to bring your CV. Just show your competent by knowing what you have put on it and be able to expand on the detail in your CV.

Best of luck.

Lucas Hood

I'd say no harm in bringing it but you probably won't ever need it.

somesoldiers

Personally I would, if only to give yourself something to look down at while you think of a reply.
I’ve not been interviewed myself in a long time but have interviewed lots of people, most would bring along a copy, in fact I can’t recall one that didn’t.

My wife asked me the same question recently and as it turns out the recruitment crowd that copied her CV on to their own template format had left half of her experience out. Luckily she saw that the interviewers’ copy was lacking and told them.

Either way best of luck

Ardent

Definitely bring CV with you. I got brownie points for this in the past for thoroughness.

micks_address

Ardent wrote: »

Definitely bring CV with you. I got brownie points for this in the past for thoroughness.

Yes bring it. And a notepad for taking notes

OMM 0000

I like to bring it. I bring three copies. One for me, two for whoever is in front of me.

I like to have it in front of me so I can take notes and better explain my previous experience.

TheBoyConor

My advice is no. Don't bring it.

You want to give the impression that you know you're stuff and are confident in it without having to have the CV with you.

If I had someone before me with a CV I'd be thinking why would they need it if they know their experience already.

And it's a distraction.
You want to be reading the interviewers and keeping good eye contact, not looking down and foostering with a CV.

I'd personally never have brought a CV to an interview nor would I dream of ever doing it.

OMM 0000

TheBoyConor wrote: »

My advice is no. Don't bring it.

You want to give the impression that you know you're stuff and are confident in it without having to have the CV with you.

If I had someone before me with a CV I'd be thinking why would they need it if they know their experience already.

And it's a distraction.
You want to be reading the interviewers and keeping good eye contact, not looking down and foostering with a CV.

I'd personally never have brought a CV to an interview nor would I dream of ever doing it.

How many years' experience do you have?

Were they complex roles?

I think this is a factor.

I've over 20 years experience, and some of my roles had a lot of responsibilities.

TheBoyConor

I'm a civil engineer with 6 years experience .

My feeling is that the more experienced you are the more it is that your should know you're stuff without any aids.

Might be ok if it's an entry level job or your very young and not practiced at interviews.

And I'd never felt the need to take notes in an interview. I don't get that at all.

Mint Sauce

Yes. I have often bought mine, never with the intention of looking at it, but would have had it in a folder, incase asked for, and along with relevent certs.

sullivlo

I bring a CV to every interview as I tailor each CV to each post I apply for. I tend to put the buzzwords from the application into my CV so it acts as a reminder when answering questions.

Franz Von Peppercorn

Too much looking at your CV might give the impression that you don’t know your stuff, but there’s nothing wrong with having it there.

Cyrus

OMM 0000 wrote: »

How many years' experience do you have?

Were they complex roles?

I think this is a factor.

I've over 20 years experience, and some of my roles had a lot of responsibilities.

I have never brought a cv and wouldn’t think much of someone who came to interview with me who had one , doesn’t give a good impression imo

GarIT

I always bring several CVs, a notebook, and a nice pen, for jobs that involved international travel I also brought my passport.

I would never look at my CV in an interview, it's just there to offer the interviewer if they don't have one, but I would think badly of an interviewer that didn't.

OMM 0000

Cyrus wrote: »

I have never brought a cv and wouldn’t think much of someone who came to interview with me who had one , doesn’t give a good impression imo

I think I've gotten every job I've gone for?

Anyway, keep doing whatever is working for you.

heroics

I always bring a couple of copies in a folder to any interview I’ve gone for. Mainly for the interviewer if they asked for it. I’d never have it out in the interview to refer to. I already know what’s on it.

Tbh I normally bring a printout of the role/responsibilities etc as well to skim over before going in the folder as well.

endacl

TheBoyConor wrote: »

You want to give the impression that you know you're stuff

What if they aren’t stuff?

Fann Linn

sullivlo wrote: »

I bring a CV to every interview as I tailor each CV to each post I apply for. I tend to put the buzzwords from the application into my CV so it acts as a reminder when answering questions.

I get sick and tired hearing buzzwords at interviews.

Cyrus

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I think I've gotten every job I've gone for?

Anyway, keep doing whatever is working for you.

You haven’t interviewed with me obviously

And I’ve also gotten every job I’ve interviewed for.

I’ll put it this way, I don’t think that not bringing one will ever be perceived negatively but bringing one can and sometimes will be

Tell me how

Cyrus wrote: »

You haven’t interviewed with me obviously

And I’ve also gotten every job I’ve interviewed for.

I’ll put it this way, I don’t think that not bringing one will ever be perceived negatively but bringing one can and sometimes will be

My take, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Have no idea how bringing one can be perceived negatively. Using it inappropriately can be perceived negatively but not bringing it.

Oh yeah, I've interviewed a couple hundred people throughout my career seeing as this thread seems to be a bit of a pi**ing contest.

GalwayGrrrrrl

I would bring one but keep it in my bag or a folder.

Dylan94

I always bring 3 copies and hand them to those who are interviewing me. I never keep a copy for myself!

Cyrus

Tell me how wrote: »

My take, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Have no idea how bringing one can be perceived negatively. Using it inappropriately can be perceived negatively but not bringing it.

Oh yeah, I've interviewed a couple hundred people throughout my career seeing as this thread seems to be a bit of a pi**ing contest.

I have never interviewed anyone for a senior position that was suitable for the role that brought one , just strikes me as amateur, this is for finance roles maybe it’s different in other industries.

TheBoyConor

GarIT wrote:

I always bring several CVs, a notebook, and a nice pen, for jobs that involved international travel I also brought my passport.

Mint Sauce wrote:

Yes. I have often bought mine, never with the intention of looking at it, but would have had it in a folder, incase asked for, and along with relevent certs.

OMG. What's with ppl bringing in region things like notepads, pens and certificates?
To bring in such things would never even cross my mind.
Why on earth would an interviewee want to take notes in an interview? It just seems strange.
If I was interviewing someone and they whipped out a pen and paper and started taking notes I'd be like WTF!

I've only ever brought myself to an interview and I've gotten the job or a place on the panel in the vast majority of cases. The ones where I didn't was because I didn't have the minimum experience needed and I knew that anyway and was actually surprised to get called for interview!

blindsider

- The Interviewer forgets to bring a copy of your CV to the meeting room - you can give them a copy.

- Extra person turns up - you can give them a copy.

- The Recruitment Agency, or In-house recruiter, has edited your CV and made a ball$ of it - you can give them a copy.

This happened to a good friend last week. Agency got canned and thankfully she had 2 copies as advised by yours truly:cool:

Keep the CVs in a folder and don't mention them at all unless specifically asked to.

jimmii

I would always bring one but keep it in a folder. Anything can happen on the day that results in the interviewer needing a copy. I was doing one of those mass interview days and it was only as the people were arriving we knew who we were interviewing and for one person they couldn't find their cv but luckily the person brought one in so the interview wasn't quite as awkward as it could have been! Wouldn't bring one in for yourself in the interview but it's good to have one to look through while youre waiting and as a back up for the interviewer. I've done 100s of interviews and would never view it as negative if someone did bring one unless they were having to refer to it during the interview.

GarIT

TheBoyConor wrote: »

OMG. What's with ppl bringing in region things like notepads, pens and certificates?
To bring in such things would never even cross my mind.
Why on earth would an interviewee want to take notes in an interview? It just seems strange.

It worked for me about two weeks ago. The guy decided to tell me the salary at the end of the interview but it was complicated. They are from one country so they pay in a certain country, the pay a bonus depending on what country you are based in, certain countries have mandatory insurances that have to be deducted from the salary. If you end up in france you are taxed differently depending on age. I wouldn't have remembered everything without it.

kaymin

I've never brought a CV to an interview and have never interviewed someone that did - and I've interviewed alot. Would strike me as odd as if they made up their CV and wanted to make sure they had their story straight.

doolox

If the agency or hirer screws up and mislays your CV it is your problem not theirs.

Everything is your problem until it is solved. The hirer has the upper hand in all aspects here.

I do not think anyone who is narrow minded enough to engage in macho memory games by looking down or thinking ill of someone who has his CV at an interview is worth working for. Or anyone narrow minded enough to look down on someone who keeps it handy as a memory aid at interview. These things are stressful enough without worrying about whether or not to take a CV in with you. Do whatever makes you comfortable.

You may have occasion to take notes such as starting dates and unusual starting times for second round stuff or further tests etc. You may be provided with names and locations for medical tests, second round aptitude tests or other such administration details. Under stress in an interview and without writing down such details they may be forgotten in the stressful atmosphere of a typical job interview. Do not engage in macho memory games by trying to look cool by trying to commit these vital details to memory.

Write the bloody things down.

Bring a pen in your jacket pocket to do so.

Do it it in front of the interview panel.

You will need answers to several questions just as equally as the hirer will have several questions for you such as starting dates, notice arrangements, time expected to elapse before a decision is made, holiday arrangements etc.

These are important and legitimate questions.

A decent employer should be able to provide a detailed account of the remuneration package and working conditions at the interview and an estimate of the time scale for deciding on hiring or further advancing of your application to a possible second stage.

I was lucky enough to be offered two jobs on the day of interview and I was given a two week estimate for the third one.

If possible when dealing with small organisations get the name of the receptionist or the personal assistant so you have a contact to fall back on if there is no reply after about three weeks. At least you have someone to call if there is no reply after the interview within a reasonable time.

Try and get the names of as many people involved in the process and write them down.

shawki

blindsider wrote: »

- The Interviewer forgets to bring a copy of your CV to the meeting room - you can give them a copy.

- Extra person turns up - you can give them a copy.

- The Recruitment Agency, or In-house recruiter, has edited your CV and made a ball$ of it - you can give them a copy.

This happened to a good friend last week. Agency got canned and thankfully she had 2 copies as advised by yours truly:cool:

Keep the CVs in a folder and don't mention them at all unless specifically asked to.

All the above has happened to me at some stage otherwise it sits in my folder and doesn't see the light of day.

Having a skinny folder that sits to the side if not needed is hardly going to the be deciding factor if I got a job or not?

Franz Von Peppercorn

Cyrus wrote: »

I have never interviewed anyone for a senior position that was suitable for the role that brought one , just strikes me as amateur, this is for finance roles maybe it’s different in other industries.

Why would it be a negative?

OMM 0000

Cyrus wrote: »

I’ll put it this way, I don’t think that not bringing one will ever be perceived negatively but bringing one can and sometimes will be

I think that's a fair analysis.

Halpenny

Cyrus wrote: »

I’ll put it this way, I don’t think that not bringing one will ever be perceived negatively but bringing one can and sometimes will be

Them double negatives don't do nobody no good.

ChikiChiki

I'm surprised at how many people bring their CV. Personally speaking I've crushed many an interview including Big 4 at a consulting level and never brought a paper CV. I do have copies stored on my Google drive which if required is accessible through my mobile.

The last 3 positions I've went for I have got the job. In my experience don't bring a CV. Just know it off by heart, be able to back up the detail with examples, look the interviewer in the eye and speak with confidence. That confidence will come from knowing your CV. Also align your examples with the job requirements as listed on the job specification.

Also have a few questions in your mind to ask about the job itself.

If you decide to bring a CV, place it in an enclosed professional looking folder. You will do fantastic OP. Good luck.

Mint Sauce

TheBoyConor wrote: »

OMG. What's with ppl bringing in region things like notepads, pens and certificates?
To bring in such things would never even cross my mind.
Why on earth would an interviewee want to take notes in an interview? It just seems strange.
If I was interviewing someone and they whipped out a pen and paper and started taking notes I'd be like WTF!

I've only ever brought myself to an interview and I've gotten the job or a place on the panel in the vast majority of cases. The ones where I didn't was because I didn't have the minimum experience needed and I knew that anyway and was actually surprised to get called for interview!

Mine is a simple soft or hard back folder, not a card board thing. Enough to look neat, but not show offy. I have also been requested to bring in copy of certs for some interviews. Other than that, I dont recall the folder ever being opened.

The interviewer does not need to know whats in it, although I am sure they have an idea.

siblers

I've had 3 interviews in the last few weeks, each time they all had a copy of my CV. Any recruiter I have spoken to has always told me not to bring my CV. When I went for interviews last year, the people interviewing me had a copy of my CV.

ongarboy

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I like to bring it. I bring three copies. One for me, two for whoever is in front of me.

I like to have it in front of me so I can take notes and better explain my previous experience.

Do you seriously think the interviewers (who may be interviewing 5 other candidates that same day for the same role) would not have your CV with them already as a point of reference as they conduct the interview?? Handing them something they already will have comes across a little smarmy and slight y patronizing. Not good for first impressions.

I've interviewed many candidates and I'm not sure I'd be impressed that they'd have to consult their own cv during the interview. It would call into question their ability to retain information (crucial for most jobs) if they can't even remember what they did in past roles and also demonstrate that they were not that prepared.

The candidate taking notes is another new one for me. Again it questions information retention abilities and distracts from the flow of conversation if the candidate is looking down at a paper, scribbling furiously instead of engaging directly, eye contact etc with the interviewers. Definitely highlights weakness if the role was client facing!

OMM 0000

ongarboy wrote: »

Do you seriously think the interviewers (who may be interviewing 5 other candidates that same day for the same role) would not have your CV with them already as a point of reference as they conduct the interview?? Handing them something they already will have comes across a little smarmy and slight y patronizing. Not good for first impressions.

I've been asked for my CV at interviews.

Personally I have no issue with people working through the points on their CV or note taking. I've interviewed probably over a thousand people.

In reality the interview doesn't really tell you much about the employee. They may just be good (or bad!) at interviews.

Cyrus

OMM 0000 wrote: »

I've been asked for my CV at interviews.

Personally I have no issue with people working through the points on their CV or note taking. I've interviewed probably over a thousand people.

In reality the interview doesn't really tell you much about the employee. They may just be good (or bad!) at interviews.

anyone interviewing you requesting a copy of a cv from candidate has no business interviewing people.

most important information you can glean from an interview is the personality of the candidate and how they will fit into an existing team, also their understanding of what they have written on their own cv can be enlightening.

OMM 0000

Cyrus wrote: »

anyone interviewing you requesting a copy of a cv from candidate has no business interviewing people.

Yes but we have no control over that.

Cyrus wrote: »

most important information you can glean from an interview is the personality of the candidate and how they will fit into an existing team, also their understanding of what they have written on their own cv can be enlightening.

I agree in general, but you still won't know if they're a dud until a few months after you've hired them.

bucketybuck

Why do people continually think that bringing a CV to an interview equals reading the CV during the interview?

Yes I would bring a CV to an interview. No I would not have it open in front of me, No I do not need to read the CV to remember what my work history was. :rolleyes:

You see said it so often in threads like this, its such a strange thing.

Cyrus

bucketybuck wrote: »

Why do people continually think that bringing a CV to an interview equals reading the CV during the interview?

Yes I would bring a CV to an interview. No I would not have it open in front of me, No I do not need to read the CV to remember what my work history was. :rolleyes:

You see said it so often in threads like this, its such a strange thing.

why bring it if you aren't going to use it? :rolleyes:

bucketybuck

Cyrus wrote: »

why bring it if you aren't going to use it? :rolleyes:

You really can't think of any reason whatsoever to bring the CV despite you yourself not needing it? Really? None at all?

Cyrus

bucketybuck wrote: »

You really can't think of any reason whatsoever to bring the CV despite you yourself not needing it? Really? None at all?

Not in any interview i have ever sat in on either side of the table, no.

beauf

Been to a lot of interviews, where there's an extra person, and they are short a copy of a CV.

Also agencies and often HR dept convert your CV into their own format. Often badly. The interviewer gets handed a butchered version of your original CV.

In such cases having the originally printed and formatted properly is very useful to be able to hand out.

bucketybuck

Cyrus wrote: »

Not in any interview i have ever sat in on either side of the table, no.

I ask again, you really can't think of any reason why somebody would bring a CV to an interview? Your imagination can't think of one single reason a person would bring a CV to an interview? An interview with a new company and with people you have never met?

Or is it that you just don't want to think of one?

beauf

lcstress2012 wrote: »

I have an interview for a retail position. When I applied I sent them my cv. Is it really necessary to bring it with me or should I do without it.

Has anyone ever not brought their cv with them to an interview and what where your experiences?

That said for a retail I doubt you'll need your CV.

Cyrus

bucketybuck wrote: »

I ask again, you really can't think of any reason why somebody would bring a CV to an interview? Your imagination can't think of one single reason a person would bring a CV to an interview? An interview with a new company and with people you have never met?

Or is it that you just don't want to think of one?

is this deja vu or have i already answered this? Is there some amazing point that you are waiting to make?

No, i cant think of a reason, and if you are going to tell me that i should have one to produce for the person interviewing me then i totally disagree.

I would think very hard about continuing an interview with someone who isnt competent enough to print off a cv for themself or senior enough to have someone take care of that kind of thing for them.

The vast majority of hiring managers glance at cvs when they first come across their desk and then actually read the thing during the interview.

beauf

bucketybuck wrote: »

I ask again, you really can't think of any reason why somebody would bring a CV to an interview? Your imagination can't think of one single reason a person would bring a CV to an interview? An interview with a new company and with people you have never met?

Or is it that you just don't want to think of one?

Not everyone will have had experiences that which will have a required a CV.

I've often needed a portfolio. Sometimes a laptop to do demo's.

Its human nature not to consider things outside your immediate experience.

bucketybuck

Cyrus wrote: »

is this deja vu or have i already answered this? Is there some amazing point that you are waiting to make?

No, its a very simple point. Most people know it already.