<p>What are your opinions on bringing a resume, or "brag sheet" to your interviews?</p>
<p>I've only had a few so far, and since some of my interviewers have not really asked me a lot about myself or given me that many opportunities to speak, it may have been helpful to pull one out.</p>
<p>However, I wasn't sure if doing so would seem too forced. Also, since I had a purse, mine was folded up/not very presentable.</p>
<p>Any tips? Is having a "brag sheet" too pretentious? Or is not having one irresponsible?</p>
<p>i usually go in prepared to talk about myself and no additional info. I think being able to talk about the qualities on your resume is more important and effective than having one and having the person read it off a piece of paper. I only brought my application to my HArvard interview because the guy requested me to do so. My 6-7 or so other ones have all been with nothing on hand.</p>
<p>ahaha thats really funny, because i had the same problem, i had a purse so it was all folded up. also, it never seemed natural to me. usually they want information that is NOT in your application like ur gpa, honors society, just talk about what comes up naturally, although, later on i always feel like there is so much i should have said but forgot to say!</p>
<p>i bring my resume, and i keep it in a manila envelope before the interview</p>
<p>most of the time the interviewer will just glance at it, but i had one interview where she literally went page by page and asked me about the things i have done. that was my best interview yet, so i'd keep it with you. the worst that could happen is they don't look at it.</p>
<p>My college doesn't want the interviewer to know grades and SAT scores, so I prefer the applicant doesn't bring a resume. I think other colleges may be different. Going to a real job interview you'd probably have a briefcase kind of thing so the resume wouldn't get all scrunched. I think it is fair to ask the interviewer if you should bring one.</p>
<p>It's always a good idea to bring a resume or brag sheet and offer it to the interviewer at the beginning of the interview. If the person doesn't want it, no harm done, but for interviewers who find it helpful, getting the info is invaluable.</p>
<p>I ask students to bring a resume or brag sheet because in a few seconds, I can get a quick overview instead of spending the limited interview time having the student give a long list of names of activities that they are doing, thereby leaving me little time to find out more about what students actually are accomplishing with their activities. </p>
<p>By looking at the sheet, I also can ask questions about activities that the student is doing that I know are different from those of most applicants from my area, so could make them stand out when admissions officers review their applications.</p>
<p>By being able to see the resume, I also may ask about things that are important, but in the stress of the interview, the applicant forgets to mention. </p>
<p>I also don't have to take as many notes, which means I can focus more on the student.</p>
<p>And don't tuck it in your purse. Bringing in a resume or activity sheet is nothing to be ashamed about. Put it in a folder (so it doesn't get messed up), and gracefully offer it to the interviewer at the beginning of the interview. Again, if they don't want it, no harm done. You look professional and prepared to have it with you regardless of whether the interviewer uses it.</p>
<p>If you have high grades and SAT scores, it's good to put them on your resume. This will be true even when applying for internships in college or jobs immediately after college.</p>
<p>I've been a recruiter for a Fortune 500 company, and while grades weren't the main determinant in whom we hired, high grades and/or scores are always impressive and could help a student or very recent grad get hired.</p>
<p>Even when looking for ordinary summer jobs -- the kind that just require you to fill out an application at a store -- it is a good idea to bring in a resume. Do anything that would make you stand out in a good way. You don't want to do what everyone else does. Most people won't get the opportunity. You want to stand out so you do get the opportunity.</p>
<p>S even offered his resume (including grades, SAT scores) when applying for a campus job that had its own simple application. He got a nice job.</p>
<p>I used to run a regional scholarship program. Our original application had a fill in the blanks application, plus it required an essay, transcript and recommendation. One applicant stood out by coming to her interview and bringing several copies of her resume in a portfolio. Based on her extra preparation, she impressed the majority of the committee, and after that, we started requiring applicants to submit their resumes, too.</p>
<p>And the portfolio sounds like a great idea citygirlsmom. Northstarmom, I definitely understand the part about using it to get an overview of the student. I wish I had it in my first interview !</p>
<p>Where I go to school (and I would think that most people do it the same way), your resume is typically clubs/activities, honors/awards, volunteer/work experience. I brought mine to my UPenn interview (I only did one, ED). My interviewer was pretty casual and we talked about my activities. I offered them my resume (which was in a folder) and they skimmed it. I really think my interviewer looked it over after the interview, because they hardly took any notes during it. But the great thing was that the resume solidified all my little anecdotes about certain activities/academic experiences. It never hurts to bring it! </p>
<p>P.S. My interviewer must have like me at least a little, considering I did get accepted!</p>
<p>I brought a resume to all three of my interviews thus far, so let me see if I can share some of what I learned.</p>
<p>At my first interview (Duke), I handed it to the woman right away. She couldn't have cared less, said "Well let's see if we need that." She put it on the side without looking at it and left it there at the end of the interview. Also, when I'd handed it to her right away, she seemed annoyed that I was being "forceful."</p>
<p>At the second interview (Harvard), I kept it with me but didn't give it over right away. Rather, we spoke naturally for a while and then, towards the end of the interview, she said "I suppose I should write some things down." At that point, I said "Well I have an activity sheet if that will help you." She was very pleased to receive it, looked it over a little and asked me a few more questions on it. Then she said that she really liked how I'd waited to give it to her, that it was helpful to have it but that she'd preferred that we'd started without it. She actually went on and on about this for a while.</p>
<p>At the most recent interview (UPenn), I handed it over to him at the end. He seemed a little surprised to be receiving one but thanked me and held onto it. </p>
<p>So I suppose my general conclusion is that I might suggest giving the resume over towards the end. Give the interviewer some time to know you personally rather than just what's written in front of them, but also give them something to remember you by. Also, as far as what I included on the resume, I put clubs/jobs/awards of interest, but no SAT grades or anything. (Thought that was a little presumptuous.) And I brought it folded in my pocketbook every time and no one seemed to have a problem with that.</p>
<p>My daughter's HS required all students to have a resume and they all took it to their interviews. It's a joke because many interviewers would say, "you must be from ___ school." It is helpful because it helps interviewer remember you and do the writeup.</p>
<p>thanks for the anecdotes affle and oldfort. Waiting seems great; I just hope I don't forget at the end. I put on my gpa/sats, and am not sure how to fix it, so I hope it won't be too forward.</p>