Prepared notes in an Interview

shiraz99

Is it ok to refer to notes in an interview?

TELLIT01

The only point at which I would think it appropriate is at the stage of being asked if you have any questions. Then I think it potentially OK to say "Yes, but do you mind if I refer to the notes I put together before the interview so I don't miss anything?"

To me, certainly not OK to refer to notes if asked what you know about the company.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Absolutely. I think it demonstrates you have researched and prepared.

I have often had pre-prepared examples of scenarios that might be asked written down. It is a safeguard against my mind going blank.

If my interview has been to a sideways position where I might not have direct experience, I have had bullet points of my research to hand - eg legislation for example.

I have always mentioned at the beginning that I might refer to notes and it has always been received positively.

Having said that, I would never read them verbatim. That have been an aide memoir. For instance, if I think they may ask about a time when I have dealt with xxxxxx, I would have a bullet point STAR example to prompt me. I would generally glance down quickly, not read from the notes

Hope that helps.

shiraz99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932455#Comment_81932455

This is what I was thinking originally but searching this question tends to come back with the opposite being true . I do agree that you should definitely ask at the outset if it's ok to refer to and/or take notes.

I have a big STAR style competency interview coming up with quite a few scenarios to possibly cover so having bullet points to hand would be ideal.

Jemma01

If they ask a question like "what do you know about us?" Then having notes is not a problem, surely they don't expect you to remember by heart every company you interview for.

But notes related to questions about you, no, I think it's questionable. You should be able to recall what you did and how you did it. You just need to practice how to put it out to them.

I have taken my CV with me before and I tell them, hey I've got my CV with me if I glance at it. But I don't read from it. I've just been working for 16 years, what I did and for which company is confusing.

LightFlare

I interviewed quite a bit when I worked for the NHS

It’s not something I ever experienced and unless it was part of a requested presentation (or similar) then I don’t think I would have looked very favourably on it

It’s akin to taking prepared notes into an exam in my opinion

YBR

It depends a bit on the role, if it involves thinking on my feet then no, if there's a certain knowledge, experience or competency required then not about that.

When it's scenario questions then I might risk a small card by way of aide memoire so that I didn't use the same scenario multiple times - not notes about the "times when …" but examples. Better not to so I might have it in my pocket and hope not to need it!

Similarly I think notes about what I want to find out is OK.

Undervalued

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932591#Comment_81932591

I would largely agree.

There might be some situations where this would be considered appropriate but that would be at the discretion of the prospective employer.

gwynlas

It really depends on the type of job but you should be able to gauge what type of questions you might be asked from the job description and person specification.

I would suggest no more than a few bullet points as an aide memoire.

Jaybee_16

I usually took a notepad with questions I wanted to ask at the end of the interview. I also included a few bullet points for the STAR questions.

ohreallƳ

If the interview questions are along the lines of, 'give an example of a time you...." I would suggest referring to notes would be unconventional at best and could easily be poorly received.

Also they may have questions designed to probe how you may think on your feet, if you bring out notes they may choose to believe you are not a suitable fit for the role.

I wouldn't.