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ladybirdirl · 18-02-2012, 18:42

Good Evening all,

I'm hoping someone can help. I have an interview Monday. While doing my research I've typed up some notes, questions I want to ask, my answers to the essential requirements of the job etc.

Question is would it be acceptable to bring these along to the interview & refer to them?

Thank you

Seomra Mushie · 18-02-2012, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybirdirl

Good Evening all,

I'm hoping someone can help. I have an interview Monday. While doing my research I've typed up some notes, questions I want to ask, my answers to the essential requirements of the job etc.

Question is would it be acceptable to bring these along to the interview & refer to them?

Thank you

It's great that you have a list of questions, but I would try to memorise them instead of fiddling with a piece of paper in the interview. You don't want to distract them.

nibtrix · 18-02-2012, 23:35

You could maybe get away with referring to a list of questions that you want to ask them, but you would look a lot more professional if you didn't.

Definitely don't refer to notes when answering questions about the job description.

not even wrong · 19-02-2012, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibtrix

You could maybe get away with referring to a list of questions that you want to ask them, but you would look a lot more professional if you didn't.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with bringing along some notes to remind you which questions to ask about the job, if I were interviewing I'd even see it as a positive sign that the candidate is well organised and prepared.

As for notes relating to the job description, why not just bring a printed copy of your CV and covering letter as a memory aid? If you've written them properly these should cover the reasons why you're well suited to the job. (Be careful not to sound like you're reading from a script though.)

later12 · 19-02-2012, 13:56

Also,make sure the answers to your questions cannot be found on the company's website (e.g. basic facts about the company).

Interviewers will sometimes ask if you know much about the company. I think it is a great sign if you can demonstrate the you have taken the initiative of researching the company, but you also have additional question: this demonstrates enthusiasm.

3DataModem · 19-02-2012, 14:29

An interviewee who refers to notes is very distracting IMO. By all means whip out a lost of q's at the end, but until then... no.

Seomra Mushie · 19-02-2012, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3DataModem

An interviewee who refers to notes is very distracting IMO. By all means whip out a lost of q's at the end, but until then... no.

I agree, it shifts focus from the candidate and distracts from their answers. There's no reason why you can't memorise the things you want to ask. Script your questions, memorise them, but obviously don't deliver them robotically in the interview.

ladybirdirl · 19-02-2012, 19:41

Thanks all for the very valuable replies. It's been quite a while since I did an interview so am a little rusty.

I think I might bring a copy of the CV & try memorise the questions.

Wish me luck

Ladybird

finisklin · 20-02-2012, 18:42

BTW, what are the interview questions that you are asking?

Bandana boy · 20-02-2012, 23:30

I take a leather folder with spare copies of my cv on the left( you would be surprised how often an interviewer arrives either without a copy or with one butchered by a recruiter) and a notepad on the right when interviewing for a position.
As the interviewer is talking I take notes specifically on points I want to address but do not want to interrupt the interviewer when in full flow .This could be examples from my past when I have addressed some of the problems he was discussing, This is to ensure I get these examples out as they might not come back into the natural flow of the interview.It is also where I jot down potential questions that arise from the interview.

I think it would be ok to have two or three questions jotted down before the interview but not a full typed page.

Mr. Loverman · 21-02-2012, 01:38

If someone had a print out of the questions they want to ask me in front of them, I might worry they have problems remembering things. It would be a red flag for me.

I have brought notes to an interview before, but it was because I wanted to give a mini-presentation.

Xcellor · 21-02-2012, 07:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladybirdirl

Thanks all for the very valuable replies. It's been quite a while since I did an interview so am a little rusty.

I think I might bring a copy of the CV & try memorise the questions.

Wish me luck

Ladybird

Good luck.

18-02-2012, 18:42	#1
ladybirdirl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Dublin Posts: 1,150 Adverts \| Friends	Interview Question Good Evening all, I'm hoping someone can help. I have an interview Monday. While doing my research I've typed up some notes, questions I want to ask, my answers to the essential requirements of the job etc. Question is would it be acceptable to bring these along to the interview & refer to them? Thank you

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18-02-2012, 23:35	#3
nibtrix Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 560 Adverts \| Friends	You could maybe get away with referring to a list of questions that you want to ask them, but you would look a lot more professional if you didn't. Definitely don't refer to notes when answering questions about the job description.

19-02-2012, 13:56	#5
later12 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: bangin at phil mitchell's door in me wedding dress Posts: 9,018 Adverts \| Friends	Also,make sure the answers to your questions cannot be found on the company's website (e.g. basic facts about the company). Interviewers will sometimes ask if you know much about the company. I think it is a great sign if you can demonstrate the you have taken the initiative of researching the company, but you also have additional question: this demonstrates enthusiasm.

19-02-2012, 14:29	#6
3DataModem Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Where YOU live Posts: 1,892 Adverts \| Friends	An interviewee who refers to notes is very distracting IMO. By all means whip out a lost of q's at the end, but until then... no.

19-02-2012, 19:41	#8
ladybirdirl Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Dublin Posts: 1,150 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks all for the very valuable replies. It's been quite a while since I did an interview so am a little rusty. I think I might bring a copy of the CV & try memorise the questions. Wish me luck Ladybird

20-02-2012, 18:42	#9
finisklin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Da' Nang Posts: 1,018 Adverts \| Friends	BTW, what are the interview questions that you are asking?

20-02-2012, 23:30	#10
Bandana boy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Temporarily Out of Order Posts: 1,573 Adverts \| Friends	I take a leather folder with spare copies of my cv on the left( you would be surprised how often an interviewer arrives either without a copy or with one butchered by a recruiter) and a notepad on the right when interviewing for a position. As the interviewer is talking I take notes specifically on points I want to address but do not want to interrupt the interviewer when in full flow .This could be examples from my past when I have addressed some of the problems he was discussing, This is to ensure I get these examples out as they might not come back into the natural flow of the interview.It is also where I jot down potential questions that arise from the interview. I think it would be ok to have two or three questions jotted down before the interview but not a full typed page.

21-02-2012, 01:38	#11
Mr. Loverman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beijing Posts: 2,835 Adverts \| Friends	If someone had a print out of the questions they want to ask me in front of them, I might worry they have problems remembering things. It would be a red flag for me. I have brought notes to an interview before, but it was because I wanted to give a mini-presentation.