“Burning Questions” Answered

Thandiwe asked:

“Why should I take my CV to a job interview?”

Ok, Thandi – there are a few possible answers:

Firstly, let me say that a CV plays a critical role in the whole interview process. From a rich source of information about you and what you can do to being a crutch for the interviewer – y’know something to refer to, to look at, to provide ‘inspiration’ for questions, to serve as a buffer between him/her and you, as something to hide behind. Lot’s of good and not so good functions the CV possibly fills!

So, it’s important for the interviewer to have it. BUT now to your question, why should you take it along, when you’ve likely already e-mailed/faxed it through in advance?

• Maybe it’s gotten lost? That’s possible. And to save them some embarrassment you take a copy along. It just, in that case saves time and eliminates the chance for a distracting event that could throw the interview a little off course from the start.

Also … and here’s perhaps the key reason you should take it along:

• It’s a chance for you to come across as organised, as someone who is prepared, as someone who foresees possible problems and takes steps to resolve them immediately.
• Added to that it’s a chance for you to take out your immaculate file folder with clean writing pad, smart pen, business cards and crisp newly printed CV – and reinforce the ‘organised, prepared’ impression.

Being prepared like this helps the interviewer see ‘you’ the way any number of words could never convey – in action. It’s a glimpse into the way you operate. You can say you’re organised till you’re blue in the face – but if your file folder is full of scuffed dog-eared papers, if you don’t have clean copy of your CV, if you’re flustered – your “I am an organised person” message just will never penetrate.

Thanks for your question Thandi! Hope my answer helps.

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