Prepared notes in an Interview

TELLIT01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932838#Comment_81932838

A list of questions is OK. Having to refer to notes if asked what you know about a company would suggest to me that the applicant has done nothing more than note a few points.

Tabieth

I don’t see any problem with referring to very short bullet points. But I’d glance at them as an aide memoire (rather than rely solely on them), and try not to rustle / shuffle papers too much.

(I once interviewed someone who read verbatim (in a monologue) off notes when answering all the panel’s questions! Needless to say they did not get the job!)

MyRealNameToo

I'd bring the notebook but only ask to refer to it if you need to rather than asking at the start and then possibly never needing it.

There will certainly be some that are concerned that you are looking at notes because you arent recalling a scenario you were actually in but instead are looking at something you got ChatGPT/Claude to create for you and hence why you can't remember it. That said, without doubt others simply make stuff up on the fly but thats not necessarily a problem as it does still show that you know what good looks like even if you weren't actually in the space station as your story claims.

I think looking to your book for the Qs to ask in return is less of an issue than referring to it during scenario questions

It will depend very much on the role, seniority etc… in the unlikely event I was hiring a senior SQL Developer and asked them to describe what a cross join is and an example of when you may use one I would have a lot of concerns if they had to refer to notes on what a cross join is

MacMickster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81933296#Comment_81933296

I would actually be quite impressed by someone who had done some preparation and came into an interview with a brief aide memoir to refer to if necessary (but would then hope that they would rarely need to actually use it).

It would give me confidence that they wouldn't simply try to wing it in a meeting with a client but would ensure that they have key points at their fingertips if necessary.

shiraz99

All, sorted. Had the interview this morning and they were happy I could refer to notes, particularly as it was a STAR based interview and they were happy I had something to jog my memory.

Tabieth

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934126#Comment_81934126

Part of the role they were applying for was to present complex information to the public and specialists. Reading verbatim from notes in a monologue didn’t demonstrate that they could do that job!

I agree that preparation and being organised are vital skills. But as, always, there are other skills a candidate needs to demonstrate.

kinger101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81932589#Comment_81932589

reading from a sheet when asked what do you know implies you know nothing. At that point, they'd be working out how to get their time back for a quick break before the next interview.

Jemma01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935829#Comment_81935829

no one here is talking about reading from a paper, can't help your comprehension

kinger101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935910#Comment_81935910

I think you're confusing reading with reading out aloud.

The process of looking at words in the written form, even if they are just bullet points poun used as an aide memoir, is reading.

My point still stands. If you need to refer to notes during an interview to understand what a company does……

Yazmina

Good to have notes for a STAR interview. Good luck. 👍🏾