[Anonymous]

Who should be the only ones to have resumes in front of them? I know interviewers must have the resumes but what about the interviewee?

What about notepads to ask questions and write down stuff…

[barelystayingsane]

I don't see any reason for an interviewee to have a resume in front of them, since they should know their own history. I bring some extras just in case, but I always keep them in my padfolio. I suppose you could bring a notepad to take notes, but I don't know how much detailed information you'd really be getting that you'd need to take notes for. I find it's more important to make eye contact with the interviewer when asking questions and receiving answers…show them that they have your undivided attention. You can always write down notes right after the interview when it's still fresh in your mind.

[barelystayingsane]

I don't see any reason for an interviewee to have a resume in front of them, since they should know their own history. I bring some extras just in case, but I always keep them in my padfolio. I suppose you could bring a notepad to take notes, but I don't know how much detailed information you'd really be getting that you'd need to take notes for. I find it's more important to make eye contact with the interviewer when asking questions and receiving answers…show them that they have your undivided attention. You can always write down notes right after the interview when it's still fresh in your mind.

[Amay]

I used to jot down 2 or 3 questions to remember to ask before interview was over, since asking questions is a good sign that you are interested in the job. It can also help you depending on how intelligent your questions are. I would not jot down questions/notes or have my resume in front of me during the actual interview though, for the same reasons barelystayingsane mentioned above.

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Amay]

I used to jot down 2 or 3 questions to remember to ask before interview was over, since asking questions is a good sign that you are interested in the job. It can also help you depending on how intelligent your questions are. I would not jot down questions/notes or have my resume in front of me during the actual interview though, for the same reasons barelystayingsane mentioned above.

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

I usually bring copies of my resume, references, and cover letter, just in case they need them. But, I don't have them out during the interview. I also try to bring a pen and some form of paper (last interview, I had a manilla folder with my resumes and blank sheets of paper in the front; notepad also works well) so that if there is something that's needed, I have it. There were a couple things that I jotted down…wish I had it in front of me to remember what, but some things I wanted to make sure I knew. But it wasn't writing full notes – it was like as she was writing a note of what I'd said, I'd scribble a word or two that would job my memory. I think one of the things I wrote down was the names of the software that they used, because I wanted to do some research on it before I talked to her again, so that if there was a second interview, the fact that I now knew about the software would demonstrate I was interested enough to research at home. Oh, and she gave me her email address for if I had any questions, and I could write that down as she gave it to me – in that situation, having pen and paper may've made me look more prepared.

But like the others said, your goal is to give them your undivided attention. Jotting down a few words during the interview is OK if you can do so at a time that it's not taking your attention away from them…but if you don't have a good opportunity, then save your notes for post-interview.

Oh, and that interview yielded the results I wanted – I'm now in my second week at that job. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I usually bring copies of my resume, references, and cover letter, just in case they need them. But, I don't have them out during the interview. I also try to bring a pen and some form of paper (last interview, I had a manilla folder with my resumes and blank sheets of paper in the front; notepad also works well) so that if there is something that's needed, I have it. There were a couple things that I jotted down…wish I had it in front of me to remember what, but some things I wanted to make sure I knew. But it wasn't writing full notes – it was like as she was writing a note of what I'd said, I'd scribble a word or two that would job my memory. I think one of the things I wrote down was the names of the software that they used, because I wanted to do some research on it before I talked to her again, so that if there was a second interview, the fact that I now knew about the software would demonstrate I was interested enough to research at home. Oh, and she gave me her email address for if I had any questions, and I could write that down as she gave it to me – in that situation, having pen and paper may've made me look more prepared.

But like the others said, your goal is to give them your undivided attention. Jotting down a few words during the interview is OK if you can do so at a time that it's not taking your attention away from them…but if you don't have a good opportunity, then save your notes for post-interview.

Oh, and that interview yielded the results I wanted – I'm now in my second week at that job. 🙂

[finne]

I'd prepare a few questions ahead of time and have them in front of my on a notepad during my interview, so that I wouldn't forget what I wanted to ask. I would also jot down the answers or other important notes during the interview. Like everyone says, don't go crazy with the note taking because of eye contact, etc.

As for the resumes, you should know your resume inside and out. However, I always brought extra resumes with me to an interview. You never know if the interviewer might need an extra copy and it's good to be prepared.

REG - 85
AUD - 99
FAR - 89 - w/ NINJA Audio and Blitz
BEC - 91

Using Wiley - books and test bank - 6 months - all 4 first time

[finne]

I'd prepare a few questions ahead of time and have them in front of my on a notepad during my interview, so that I wouldn't forget what I wanted to ask. I would also jot down the answers or other important notes during the interview. Like everyone says, don't go crazy with the note taking because of eye contact, etc.

As for the resumes, you should know your resume inside and out. However, I always brought extra resumes with me to an interview. You never know if the interviewer might need an extra copy and it's good to be prepared.

REG - 85
AUD - 99
FAR - 89 - w/ NINJA Audio and Blitz
BEC - 91

Using Wiley - books and test bank - 6 months - all 4 first time

[Tripp11]

As a recruiter for our firm, I would suggest you bring extra copies of your resume, references and cover letter. This is especially the case if your resume has been updated and you're not entirely certain the firm/interviewer has your current resume on file.

Further, I prefer candidates ask several pointed questions about our firm, the type of work, or the industry we specialize in, and it doesn't bother me at all that these questions are, at times, written down on a legal pad.

As others have stated though, maintain eye contact and engage the interviewer.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Tripp11]

As a recruiter for our firm, I would suggest you bring extra copies of your resume, references and cover letter. This is especially the case if your resume has been updated and you're not entirely certain the firm/interviewer has your current resume on file.

Further, I prefer candidates ask several pointed questions about our firm, the type of work, or the industry we specialize in, and it doesn't bother me at all that these questions are, at times, written down on a legal pad.

As others have stated though, maintain eye contact and engage the interviewer.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Author]

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