Notepad into interview or not?
Discussion
I've got a couple of interviews coming up in the engineering sector for the first time since I entered the industry as a grad and have been thinking about what to take with me.
I was wondering whether to take a notepad and pen into the interview to jot some notes down, any thoughts? Is it the done thing?
I was wondering whether to take a notepad and pen into the interview to jot some notes down, any thoughts? Is it the done thing?
Yes from me.
Towards the end of the interview, you're going to get asked "is there anything you'd like to ask us?"
If you take some notes, you're much more likely to be able to ask something relevant to something the interviewer has talked about. Or you could go with "how much holiday do I get?"
Towards the end of the interview, you're going to get asked "is there anything you'd like to ask us?"
If you take some notes, you're much more likely to be able to ask something relevant to something the interviewer has talked about. Or you could go with "how much holiday do I get?"
I would, as well as what has already been said it also allows you to take a checklist of anything you feel you need to go over while waiting in reception to better your chances ie company info from the about us section of the corporate website, maybe your CV to quickly skim over again or anything you have had to research for the interview.
manracer said:
...maybe your CV to quickly skim over again...
I always take a copy of my CV with me to a client interview, especially if an agency set up the meeting. It allows me to refer back to previous clients if I'm quizzed about it and need to refresh my memory of details, and in the case of an agency being involved, you don't know how they have doctored it so a true copy is worth having to hand. I even had one interview where I passed my copy across the table and invited them to compare it to the s
te they had in front of them. 
I "talk by drawing", as do many engineers and would feel particularly ham strung if I couldn't, so I always take one and a copy of CV to hand across if the interviewer is as prepared as I usually am - "CB, I've been called to a stakeholder meeting, could you just interview this chap for me, he's in reception"...
I would not. I used to interview a lot of engineers and they (we) are not the best communicators at the best of times.
Whenever someone has a notepad their attention is taken momentarily by writing things down, awkward silence ensues whilst they write. They then look up and this is then repeated a few times and everyone strains their eyes looking to see what's being written, legibly, style, value etc. If they 'cover' as they write it's noticed. You will be pressured by this focus, I assure you.
Interrupts the flow too much but each to their own. I always preferred to see a nicely presented folder of certificates, example work, qualifications and so on.
Whenever someone has a notepad their attention is taken momentarily by writing things down, awkward silence ensues whilst they write. They then look up and this is then repeated a few times and everyone strains their eyes looking to see what's being written, legibly, style, value etc. If they 'cover' as they write it's noticed. You will be pressured by this focus, I assure you.
Interrupts the flow too much but each to their own. I always preferred to see a nicely presented folder of certificates, example work, qualifications and so on.
Most important thing for me is clear communication, eye contact, posture, how well they respond and understand plus what they say about themselves, what they want, and if they can show drive and enthusiasm etc. If they take a few notes it's fine, I've not had anyone sat scribbling fully through an interview.
I have had people (graduates too!) Turn up in "nightclub clothes" ie trendy rather than professional. Engineers tend to be old school and expect smart! Good luck, don't stress.
I have had people (graduates too!) Turn up in "nightclub clothes" ie trendy rather than professional. Engineers tend to be old school and expect smart! Good luck, don't stress.
schmunk said:
Slightly off topic from the OP's situation, but in a professional services / finance role I'd find it a bit odd, and off-putting, if a candidate wielded a notepad in an interview.
Agree and this is what I was getting at when I asked what notes above. If someone was sitting in front of me with their CV to refresh their memory as suggested above I would start to think, rightly or wrongly, that the CV had been embellished and they were trying to remember it. The recruitment process in any organisation is full of unconscious bias an for many people walking in like that would make it worse. If I'm in an industry where I expect some kind of thinking by drawing interaction etc then as the interviewer I will provide the notepad / flipchart etc.
craigjm said:
If someone was sitting in front of me with their CV to refresh their memory as suggested above I would start to think, rightly or wrongly, that the CV had been embellished and they were trying to remember it. The recruitment process in any organisation is full of unconscious bias an for many people walking in like that would make it worse.
You might be right, though (for an alternate view) as a dirty contractor who on occasion has had to go through an agent to get to a client, it's nice to have the record of the profile I sent in with the version that the client has.bigandclever said:
You might be right, though (for an alternate view) as a dirty contractor who on occasion has had to go through an agent to get to a client, it's nice to have the record of the profile I sent in with the version that the client has.
I don't disagree with that. Some of the hatchet jobs recruitment agencies do with CVs to get their branding in etc is shocking. I would hand it over to the interviewer at the start though. dfen5 said:
I would not. I used to interview a lot of engineers and they (we) are not the best communicators at the best of times.
Whenever someone has a notepad their attention is taken momentarily by writing things down, awkward silence ensues whilst they write. They then look up and this is then repeated a few times and everyone strains their eyes looking to see what's being written, legibly, style, value etc. If they 'cover' as they write it's noticed. You will be pressured by this focus, I assure you.
Interrupts the flow too much but each to their own. I always preferred to see a nicely presented folder of certificates, example work, qualifications and so on.
Strange view. Oh, you must be the one person the national record of achievement folder you get given in school is for.Whenever someone has a notepad their attention is taken momentarily by writing things down, awkward silence ensues whilst they write. They then look up and this is then repeated a few times and everyone strains their eyes looking to see what's being written, legibly, style, value etc. If they 'cover' as they write it's noticed. You will be pressured by this focus, I assure you.
Interrupts the flow too much but each to their own. I always preferred to see a nicely presented folder of certificates, example work, qualifications and so on.
Interview in a suit, with a folder & several copies of your CV. Write some info out about the company and a few Q's the night before, it shows you've done some research and also helps you remember so you don't need to look down. Write it clearly and neatly, so it can even be glanced at by the interviewer.
Take notes, not loads, just points that you think are relevant to an interview. Ask questions at the end, or at least explain any questions you did have prior to it, have been covered. Thank them for the opportunity to interview, you look forward to working for them because... etc.
Do people not take minutes in meetings? You just remember what you have to do, endless lists of tasks?
Fore Left said:
spikeyhead said:
I always assume that anyone that takes a notepad into an interview has a poor memory.
I always assume that anyone that takes a notepad to 
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