Taking notes into an interview - would/should you?

noelphobic

I've taken a list of questions into an interview before in case I forget them at the end. I always ask if I can refer to them and it always seems OK. However, a few people (both interviewees and interviewers) have suggested taking general notes into the interview and referring to them when asked questions.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

phill99

Taking notes in of questions that you want to ask is fine. But i wouldn't be happy as an interviewer if I asked a potential candidate what their three greatest achievements where and they said "Hold on I just heed to refer to my notes". It shows lack of confidence and that you lack spontinaity. I think it's a big no no!

R_P_W

Personally I take a print out of the job description and my cv. I might note down a couple of key questions on one of them, but never actually had to refer to the notes in an interview.

J_i_m

I do take a list of my prepared questions and answers in with me. So at the very least I can revise this whilst waiting in reception.

I don't read of my stock answers during the interview, as there is a need for spontaneity to tailor the answer to the actual question, but I do ask them if it's ok to refer to my list of questions to ask them.

Some people may think that shows a lack of confidence but I tend think you're simply displaying an element of your approach to clarifying information and communicating it across.

DKLS

I tend not to take anything in for interview, unless its an agency arranged interview where I take a copy of my cv in.

I have had a few interviewees turn up with notes, I didn't hire them. If you can't remember half a dozen questions your not right for the job.

somethingcorporate

I wouldn't take notes in, a copy of my CV but personally I agree, it looks bad.

Stephb1986_2

I've got an interview this morning, am I ok just taking in a copy of my CV? I don't want to look unprepared I only got the call late yesterday evening so not had much time to prepare

silentkiller

Taking in a CV is okay Steph In fact I see it as a good thing because even though the interviewer probably has one, it shows you are prepared in case they ask to see it

PasturesNew

I think it'd be odd to take notes into an interview .... even though the interviewers might be 3 in number and will have all their notes in front of them and be scribbling .....

InsideInsurance

silentkiller wrote: »

Taking in a CV is okay Steph In fact I see it as a good thing because even though the interviewer probably has one, it shows you are prepared in case they ask to see it

Again it depends what you do with it. If you just have it with you in case the interviewer doesnt then thats fine. If you are actually having to look at it yourself to answer questions then again this is alarm bells to me as you really should know whats on your CV!!


To the OP - the only thing I would find ok for the interviewee to have and actually use would be pre prepared questions they want to ask and possibly the job advert if a question relates to it.


I have even known people bring copies of technical documents they've written for their last employer, like tech specs or business cases. For one, I am not interested really and for two, that is probably a serious breach of confidentiality and I am immediately concerned that you will do the same to a confidential document I ask you to create if I do hire you

silentkiller

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Again it depends what you do with it. If you just have it with you in case the interviewer doesnt then thats fine. If you are actually having to look at it yourself to answer questions then again this is alarm bells to me as you really should know whats on your CV!!

Oh no, it's definitely just for the interviewer's benefit - and should really be in a folder of some sort (to avoid distraction, or as you say, reading it for the answers) or given straight to the interviewer.

An interviewee should definitely come prepared enough to not have to take notes or look at their CV, I agree 100%.
What irks me the most is when you ask people 'What do you know about us?' and they are like ...ermm.... well .. you do this and that.

And I'm like - first off, the name is a huge clue, secondly, EVERYTHING about us is on our website.

I have been known to completely dismiss a candidate from getting the job purely because they didn't do their homework.

It is a fundamental thing - do your research and be prepared!