WWYD-- ? Mentor asking for word file of my CV

[Anonymous]

I met a female leader in a networking event. She is older and ahead in career. I maintained the casual outreach.

She messaged me that she was coming to town so we should have lunch. I agreed, found the restaurant, made the reservations. About four hours before our scheduled meet, she messages me that she is running late and cant do a sit down. I understand how work trips can go so I said no worries we can just cancel. She then responds that she has no time to figure out lunch, can I order something for her and meet her at her office. It rubbed me off wrong but I figured I can really use a good network so I did it. She did thank me. Never offered to pay me back.

1 year after, I see a job ad that is within our area of expertise. It is a promotion for me. I asked if she could take a look at my CV and suggest ways to improve it. She said yes so I sent her a pdf file. I was surprised that she responded if I could send her the word file instead so it's easier for her to edit. My spidey senses tingle. She is not untech-savvy. Am I paranoid that I am being used to copy my CV?

What's a good way to respond if I dont want to give her the word file?

[Anonymous]

You can tell her you don't have it anymore.

But I don't agree with you. You're the one that asked her. You volunteered a copy. She's just trying to have an easier method of editing it. If she wanted to copy you she already has enough information to do that.

[Anonymous]

super weird. Especially the request to deliver her lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can tell her you don't have it anymore.

But I don't agree with you. You're the one that asked her. You volunteered a copy. She's just trying to have an easier method of editing it. If she wanted to copy you she already has enough information to do that.

Yeah, you asked her for suggestions re: improving your cv. Either she prints it out and does handwritten edits, or she needs a file that she can edit. She’s doing you a favor that you asked for. Did you want to share what your concerns are? I don’t have an answer to your question. I don’t know a nice way to say: I’m asking you for a favor. I won’t provide the resources in a format that will make the favor easy to do — and your asking me to do so is prompting me to be paranoid in ways that I won’t articulate.

As to the lunch, I can see why that might bother you, but in your place, I’d me more than willing to cover lunch for someone who’s doing me a significant favor.

[Anonymous]

She wants to make edits in track changes so you and she can see them more easily. If she wanted to copy your CV, she could just as easily do that from a pdf. And why would she even want to do that?

[Anonymous]

I'd prefer having word files to edit. To me (older gen maybe), it makes good sense. If you tell me you don't want to share, I'd probably say "that's fine" but don't expect any help from me.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to share it, just say you use a different editing software to create it so don’t have a word version.

[Anonymous]

YOU asked her to take a look at your CV.

I read lots of things for people and the Word file is just easier to comment on, or maybe that's her workflow.

WHY would she be copying your CV? She can't have your accomplishments. Unless you are a graphic designer or something, your template is not going to get you the job. And honestly in 2026 an LLM can make a perfect copy from a PDF in minutes - it will just generate a word template.

You are being crazy about the CV. IF you don't trust this mentor, walk away. But that's a different question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She wants to make edits in track changes so you and she can see them more easily. If she wanted to copy your CV, she could just as easily do that from a pdf. And why would she even want to do that?

This. You can convert from PDF to Word and it's 90% right.

You already gave her the ability to clone your resume if that's what you're worried about.

I know this from working on my own resume.

Converting from PDF to Word and back again can introduce small formatting errors in spacing that are annoying to resolve.

You should send her the Word file if you want help.

[Anonymous]

I am not going to mark up a PDF. I would ask for a Word file as well.

[Anonymous]

This isn't a mentor, you are using her and her time. Yes, you pay for the meal.

[Anonymous]

Asking for the Word file is not the slightest bit weird and you wound super paranoid. Asking you to bring her lunch is a bit weird.

[Anonymous]

I would not mark up a pdf. I'm not doing any editing unless it's in word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd prefer having word files to edit. To me (older gen maybe), it makes good sense. If you tell me you don't want to share, I'd probably say "that's fine" but don't expect any help from me.

Oh no, and miss out on the help of an older person who can’t figure out how to make basic suggestions and text edits in Adobe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd prefer having word files to edit. To me (older gen maybe), it makes good sense. If you tell me you don't want to share, I'd probably say "that's fine" but don't expect any help from me.

Oh no, and miss out on the help of an older person who can’t figure out how to make basic suggestions and text edits in Adobe?

What a sick burn.