job interview

mufc802 · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:18

I am wondering if it's acceptable to take some brief notes into a job interview which I can refer to? It would just remind me of particular questions I would like to ask such as their predicted revenue or environmental concerns. I just find when I'm without any written down information I can really struggle to think of what to say if you know what I mean.

Does it show the employer you're clearly interested in the job and want to know more or you're just unable to think for yourself?

mikeyp123 · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:19

I'd just take a small notepad to take notes on any important facts, obviously don't sit there like a court note taker, just the odd thing. Then just flick to your written questions/notes at the end

Shows you're organised/prepared..and not just gonna sit there and say "No that's all I needed to know", when clearly it isn't.

Cleeecooo · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:19

I wouldn't.
Just try and remember everything as this will help your public speaking skills aswell.

Mr-White · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:22

I'd take notes to the job i.e. job spec, info on the company and list of questions and then take notes as you go along. It makes it look like you've come prepared.

MW

[FnG]magnolia · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:23

mikeyp123 said:
I'd just take a small notepad to take notes on any important facts, obviously don't sit there like a court note taker, just the odd thing. Then just flick to your written questions/notes at the end Shows you're organised/prepared..and not just gonna sit there and say "No that's all I needed to know", when clearly it isn't.

Absolutely agreed. I much prefer to interview candidates who refer to notes and have something useful to say than those who flounder, having forgotten important information.

Cleeecooo said:
I wouldn't.
Just try and remember everything as this will help your public speaking skills aswell.

Why 'try to remember everything' when you can remove the risk altogether? The best candidates I interview treat the interview more like a meeting than an interview; they'll refer to and make notes and treat the situation like a joint meeting than an interviewer/interviewee situation.

Detroit_Waves · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:28

Yep, Id say go for it and take a small notebook in with you. If you do, I would possibly make some notes too, just to help you remember important bits once youre out of the interview. In here you can have the questions you want to ask too. Any interview, whether job based or other, I have always had a small notebook with me!

mufc802 · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:29

Cleeecooo said:
I wouldn't.
Just try and remember everything as this will help your public speaking skills aswell.

How about taking the notes but only referring to them when I really have to? Better having that rather than saying a stupid answer no?

I have some notes about the company and their revenue where I hope to ask what is their forecast for the current year and how they plan to improve revenue where I can refer to them being a supplier for the 2012 games.

I will also ask about what they do to help the environment such as improving energy efficiency and minimisation of waste.

Finally I will have some brief points about my skills which I will expand upon with examples.

Am I doing too much research just for a stockroom assistant position?

[FnG]magnolia · 5 Apr 2011 at 23:32

No such thing as too much research.

Refer to them as often as you like but before the interview starts properly just say, "I've prepared some notes so I'll probably refer to them during our meeting. Is that okay with you?" or words that effect which fit better with the way you normally speak.

mufc802 · 6 Apr 2011 at 13:08

Just had my interview. It was a lot better than the B&Q interview because I was more comfortable answering the questions. I asked at the start of the interview if I could refer to my notes and she was more than happy for me to. One of the questions was even "What research have you done about our company?" and I was allowed to look at my notes as well and had loads of things to say.
My interviewer was a very nice young lady who was very friendly so it was nice to look at her while answering the questions rather than looking at some grumpy old git.

misterPK · 6 Apr 2011 at 14:32

mufc802 said:
My interviewer was a very nice young lady who was very friendly so it was nice to look at her while answering the questions rather than looking at some grumpy old git.

I hope you managed to stop your eyes from wandering too much!

ran_out · 6 Apr 2011 at 14:56

I wouldn't take notes into the interview, I take a plastic wallet with a copy of my CV, maybe some notes in there that I can go over quickly before the interview starts and then stow away again.

arknor · 6 Apr 2011 at 15:18

i would take a clipboard , notepads are to student like

Duke_ · 6 Apr 2011 at 15:30

If you can I would strongly recommend avoiding it. It just looks like you can't remember basic information.

I too get worried about forgetting stuff, before any interview I've paced round the house and practised the questions to myself out loud. Sounds daft, the first couple of times I struggle to remember stuff but practise enough times and you'll retain it in no time. Test yourself by trying to remember the questions at random times during the day. Don't learn it by wrote and just try to retain the key points.
Good luck.

EDIT: Just read your post above - well done!