Do you still take copy of CV to interview?

[Tibhbrg]

Hi,

As above, is it still expected? It’s been a while since I’ve been to an interview!

It's for an office based admin job.

Thanks

No perhaps it's role dependent but no, it seems wasteful for you both to have a copy in front of you. Would make me think that you were reading off the CV rather than being confident in your experiences and answering honestly.

I did for my own reference, just in case they referred to it. Also took a copy of the job description.

I'm not sure why you would need to? Presumably you know what is on it if they ask a question about your education, interests or whatever.

I've never heard of this being a thing.

Never done that - surely that’s all in your application? When doing remote interviews (like on Zoom), I usually stick notes on my laptop / the wall!

I've held many interviews and would never expect them to. I'd have a copy printed off myself anyway if needed. Ultimately an interview is to establish key skills in relation to the vacant job and to get a sense of people's personality and how that will fit. The only time I asked questions CV based is to get an understanding of level of experience and to establish how much training is needed.

Thanks all. I’m showing my age and how long it’s been since going for an interview!

I’ve never done a cv I wouldn’t know where start tbh but perhaps better to take a copy anyway wouldn’t hurt. I usually read over my personal statements and application prior, checking what they are looking for etc

I haven't had a f2f interview since 2018; they are all virtual now. But I didn't take a CV to that.

Was it ever a thing? I worked for 30+ years and don't think I ever took a CV to interview with me?

They will already have your CV / application form so really no need to take a copy - you can if you want but I wouldn’t stress if you haven’t got a copy.

I’ve never done that but it’s up to you.

Haven't done this for 10+ years. My DH does though as he has notes on his, he's obsessed with taking notes

I just take it so I can refer to it if needed

I do, but it's never been needed! I take one for myself to refer to in case my mind suddenly goes blank and I take a spare in case the interview is unprepared, in which case bonus points to me.

Nope not in recent times. I'd leave it at home.

Yeah leave it at home. The interviewers will have it, and really you should be able to speak to your experience without notes.

Yes. I've always taken my cv in with me, and also notes with bullet points under competencies that I think I might be asked about.

An interview is stressful for an interviewee and I don't want to forget about good examples so I use it as an aide memoire.

This hasn't stopped me getting the bulk of the jobs that I've applied for.

Last interview I was at (about 3 years ago online ) First thing interviewer said was take us through your cv!
I didn't have it in front of Me so just worked from memory.
So I'd bring it just in case.

I do
they’re typically very grateful

even if they don’t want it, normally they say tell me about your experience and at least it’s right there in front of me so I can answer easier.

I think they are just being polite. I they are interviewing you they have a copy of your CV and will almost certainly have brought it with them. If somebody asks me about my experience, I don’t need to refer to my CV, I know it.

I have before and I think whilst it’s not required, it’s a fine idea if you would be more comfortable. I would put it inside a smart work notebook though rather than just clutching a print out. Then you can write some notes about the role and why you are applying and refer to these on the tube, while you wait for interview etc.

Better thing for prep is to work through the job description of the role and google top interview questions and write down STAR answers to each that refer to different aspects of your work experience.

STAR = situation, task, action, result. So have answers prepared for each element of the job description because you know they will ask for examples of how you have done each thing. If there is anything you haven’t done, prepare an answer that shows transferable skills.

And then prepare answers to all the standard interview questions, hopefully you will get lucky and they won’t ask but be prepared to answer things like “what is your biggest weakness” “tell us about a time you failed” “tell us about a time you had to work to a deadline and how did this go” “if you were a fruit what would you be” etc

try to prepare answers that vary across your work experience and other experience eg volunteer or community work so that they get a nice full picture of your experience. A common mistake when people haven’t prepared is that they can only remember one project so every answer is variations on that project. A bit boring and you lose your chance to showcase all that you’ve done.

Perhaps it depends on your industry and job
they actually don’t typically have a copy of my cv when I interview

I always have and I will be doing at my interview later this week, not for the other people, just as a prompt for me as my mind goes blank in interviews.

No harm in having a copy in your bag along with the JD