Notepad into interview or not?

[rustyuk]

Always make sure I have a pen but have never taken a notepad. I can't really remember interviewing a candidate who brought in a notepad either.

Did interview one chap for a role and he brought in his shopping. Potatoes rolled all over the bloody desk.

[mondeoman]

fido said:

illmonkey said:

Do people not take minutes in meetings? You just remember what you have to do, endless lists of tasks?

Different situation. I would not take kindly to someone scribbling notes in an interview, other than on the paper provided which [b]I would ask them to leave on table after the interview.[b]

I wouldn't accept an offer from you after that. An interview is a two way thing, both parties have a vested interest in making the right decision.

Just as you as the employer are interviewing several candidates, so want to take copious notes to help you decide once you've seen everyone, the same can be said of the candidate - they could well have several interview lined up and need to take notes to help THEM decide on the right employer.

I'd be disappointed if a candidate turned up without a notepad, with pre-prepared questions.

[ClockworkCupcake]

mondeoman said:

I wouldn't accept an offer from you after that. An interview is a two way thing, both parties have a vested interest in making the right decision.

Just as you as the employer are interviewing several candidates, so want to take copious notes to help you decide once you've seen everyone, the same can be said of the candidate - they could well have several interview lined up and need to take notes to help THEM decide on the right employer.

I would say that one's short term memory should be sufficient to retain thoughts long enough to get back to the car park and then make notes about the interview then. I wouldn't say it was necessary to be scribbling notes during the interview. I'd consider it a little rude actually.

Having said that, any notes I did make would be mine and mine alone.

[mondeoman]

ClockworkCupcake said:

mondeoman said:

I wouldn't accept an offer from you after that. An interview is a two way thing, both parties have a vested interest in making the right decision.

Just as you as the employer are interviewing several candidates, so want to take copious notes to help you decide once you've seen everyone, the same can be said of the candidate - they could well have several interview lined up and need to take notes to help THEM decide on the right employer.

I would say that one's short term memory should be sufficient to retain thoughts long enough to get back to the car park and then make notes about the interview then. I wouldn't say it was necessary to be scribbling notes during the interview. I'd consider it a little rude actually.

Having said that, any notes I did make would be mine and mine alone.

Rude for who - interviewer or interviewee? If interviewee can wait till after the interview, then so can the interviewer.

[A205GTI]

I find this interesting,

I always take a blag folder, as usually the MD pops in to the meeting for a quick chat he can browse through it if needs be, always spare copies of CV for similar reason.

I do take notes, usually next to questions I have written down to ask. this shows you are prepared and as others have said what would you be like in a meeting if you did not. Also they will generally scribble notes while you are talking.

I have seen people leave companies as they did not take notes during meetings or training so I would expect an interview to be the same.

[ClockworkCupcake]

I had an interview yesterday, and went in with a hardback Black n' Red A4 notepad, inside of which was tucked a copy of my CV and a printout of the email telling me who to speak to there.

I didn't open it once.

But it was nice to know that I had it if I needed it.

[ambuletz]

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 an interview any meeting is quite diligent and well prepared

yes but what notes do you need to take down during an interview? none. The only piece of information you're going to take with you at the end of it will be how long until they contact you. Of course it's ok to have it in your bag with you and jot down a name/number if they give it to you. But imagine how weird it would be entering an interview with pen and paper in hand!

[GipsyHillClimber]

ambuletz said:

yes but what notes do you need to take down during an interview? none. The only piece of information you're going to take with you at the end of it will be how long until they contact you. Of course it's ok to have it in your bag with you and jot down a name/number if they give it to you. But imagine how weird it would be entering an interview with pen and paper in hand!

I think a lot of people are applying their own interview experience in their industry and assuming it works across all sectors. I've interviewed for an investment bank where i rocked up at 9 am and had 5 hours of interviews with a range of people, left my coat and bag with the receptionist and just took a small folio with a notepad and some reports i'd published, was definitely needed in my interviews. This was especially true as i could jot down bits at the end of each interview and recall it during the next one to give myself the appearance of knowing their internal strategy etc which helped!

I think the overall response is feel free to take one in with you but don't make notes for the sake of it, just read the situation.

(i would add that any interviewer who is turning you down for the sole reason that you walked in with a notepad is somebody that should be avoided.)

[silent ninja]

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.

Why?
Because suddenly the candidate is prepared and may be taking notes about you and your organisation?

Fore Left said:

I always assume that anyone that takes a notepad to an interview any meeting is quite diligent and well prepared

Absolutely.
Interviewing is a two way thing. I am interviewing the company to understand if I will be a good fit. Just because I'm at an interview, should I be grateful they're considering me? Yes, but it's business and they should be grateful I'm taking their potential offer seriously too.

I take copies of CV's and a notepad. The notepad is either blank or has a few bullet point reminders at the top.
I'll take my own Powerpoint if I have to to demonstrate work, so my laptop is in my bag. Do they ask for this? No, but surprising them this way works well in the right situation. Be different, take calculated risks. Do whatever you need to distinguish yourself from the other 20 viable applicants.

Edited by silent ninja on Saturday 5th August 13:35

[Pica-Pica]

200Plus Club said:

Wouldn't worry me. One thing tho, if nervous, do not sit clicking the pen you take with the pad. Had someone do that once in an interview and eventually asked him to stop.

Take a pencil sharpened, but 'run-in',and a slim practical notebook, not a scruffy and not a flash one. Seriously though, I have never known an interviewee take notes, but it would not phase me. Make notes for your questions and research what you want to and what you should ask. Lay your notebook open with your questions on one side and a space for notes on the other side. That implies a flat-folding spiral notebook is best. Go for a book-style, not reporter style, A5 size, no larger. I would say at the start that you have the notebook for any opportunity for questions, ask if that is OK. Do that confidently, that puts you on the front foot. If they say no, just close the book, don't fumble to put it away. (So that implies a plain hard cover, not a striped one). Unless it comes up, don't talk money or holidays at the interview, concentrate solely on you, them and the job.
Very importantly, have clean hands and nails. I have interviewed people for director level who had badly bitten nails, one nail bleeding. That tells you even high level interviewees get nervous. I have even had an interviewee for a directorship have LinkedIn colleagues as referees! Don't do that! I am talking about directorships for large organisations too, not 6-person firms. You only have one chance to create a first impression.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Saturday 5th August 20:09

[schmalex]

spikeyhead said:

I always assume that anyone that takes a notepad into an interview has a poor memory.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people forget an interview is a two way process.

Of course you should take a note pad - that's the bare minimum!

For me, I always take a couple of spare copies of my CV, my research of the shape and finances of the prospective employer (sometimes a D&B with my annotations / sometimes my notes from their most recent Annual Report), as well as general notes on them, their industry and their main competitors from my own web / industry research, as well as areas where my experience can be demonstrated to add value to them. I'll then note down a number of areas about the role / their competitive position / their perceived strengths and weaknesses I've identified that I'd like to understand further to use as a basis for part of the discussion.

So yes, I'll take a notepad. I may not use it much, but I'll jot salient points down as you would in any business meeting.

I've lost count of the number of people I've interviewed for sales roles who, when asked "what do you know about us" have done absolutely no research about their prospective employer and haven't got the first clue about what we do, who we compete against or even basic facts such as turnover / # employees / key markets etc - basic skills needed in the role. The lack of preparation and then the applicant forgetting to close for continuation at the end of the discussion (another fairly important asset for a sales person) are two of my biggest frustrations.

Edited by schmalex on Saturday 5th August 20:49