Staples prints CVs for free.
matthiasmcgregor.com
matthiasmcgregor.com
Do they also allow you to browse Altavista, Lycos, Excite and AskJeeves and use ICQ for free too?
Having your own printed copy will convince the employer that it's the recruiter (not you) who is being dishonest.
Today, first case out of maybe 10-15 where I needed a printed copy. However, I was talking to the founder... so it definitely was worth it. Again, it would have taken a minute to print a copy in the office, but it shows a nice touch of forethought... IMO.
At the very least, I like to have a copy to help meyself follow along.
Deleted comment
> That was funny but seriously, when you go for your interview, it's common courtesy to have a printed copy of your resume on hand in case the interviewer didn't have time to print out a copy to review before meeting you.
> I went for an interview recently and was berated by the interviewer when I didn't come with a printed copy - he had come straight from a meeting to interview me in the lobby and had neither access to his email nor a hard copy of the resume on hand and felt it was my responsibility to provide it - which i agree with.
> The interview was kind of a disaster because I had to recount my entire work history without anything that he could use to keep track of what I was talking about while I spoke - or even to make notes.
I respectfully disagree.
If a potential employer berated me for not doing his preparation for him I'd simply get up and walk out.
An interview is a two-way process. The prospective employee's responsibility is to show up on time, be respectfully presented and to be prepared and attentive (eg turn off your damn phone). The employer likewise has a responsibility to show up on time and be prepared.
I don't really care if you came from a meeting or have a bunch of interviews and can't remember who is who. That's your problem. If you're not organized to know who you're going to be spending 30-60 minutes talking to then why on earth would I, as the candidate, have any faith in your ability to manage what you're actually meant to be doing?
It's like an article I read a while ago about the dating scene in universities. A few years ago, there came to be more girls than guys in universities, and so the average guy could afford to become a slob and still attract the attention of pretty girls. It's just a matter of supply and demand.
This is a great service/brand builder at low cost.
-update-
Guess I should have googled harder: A curriculum vitae, commonly referred to as CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more detailed synopsis than a resume. (http://jobsearch.about.com/od/cvsamples/a/blsamplecv.htm)
In the UK, a CV is the catch-all term for what's called a resume in the US. Conventional wisdom is that it shouldn't be longer than 2 sides of A4 paper.
I once applied for a job that stipulated "all CVs longer than one side will be ignored". I got through to the interview and commented on what a good idea that was. He said, "you wouldn't believe how many we get that are still 5 sides long......".
http://steve-yegge.blogspot.com/2007/09/ten-tips-for-slightl...
http://www.centernetworks.com/staples-free-resume-printing-b...