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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Asking for a copy of questions at job interview

112 replies

goldbutton · 29/07/2022 07:28

I'm currently job searching and have had a few interviews. Some interviewers ask long questions with multiple parts, which I've struggled with. I find myself answering the first part of the question and then having to ask them to repeat the second (or sometimes third!) parts of the question... because I have forgotten what it was! I had an interview recently when I've had to do this repeatedly and it made me feel embarrassed and more nervous.

I have another interview coming up and was thinking of asking for a written copy of the questions to refer to (to be clear, for them to give to me on the day, at the start of the interview). We have already had an informal meeting/tour where I spent 2 hours in a really positive conversation with 2 members of the organisation, one of whom will be interviewing me at the more formal interview.

WIBU to ask this? What would you think of a candidate who asked this? Would you expect to be given a reason, and if so, what is the best thing to say? It's for a small charity and I have not been diagnosed with any neurodiversity or disabilities.

OP posts:
NelStevHan · 29/07/2022 07:32

If you can retain information when asked a long question, they won’t be impressed.
Interviews are designed Tom make you think on you’re feet…

GettinPiggyWithIt · 29/07/2022 07:32

Please don’t do that

Brefugee · 29/07/2022 07:35

Make notes while they're speaking? that's what i do.

Myleftbigtoe · 29/07/2022 07:36

I've gone in with a notepad and pen before and wrote down the questions as asked. Never been an issue. Points were awarded per question so it helped me feel confident I could answer questions fully. Never stopped me getting a job

MrsLargeEmbodied · 29/07/2022 07:36

is it nerves?
do you have a disability?

mynameiscalypso · 29/07/2022 07:36

Can't you write down the question?

NancyJoan · 29/07/2022 07:36

Take a notebook, and bullet point what they ask you.

Ylvamoon · 29/07/2022 07:37

No.
Interview questions are about how you meet the job description and how you fit into the company.

With per prepared answers, can easily give a false impression.

However, there is a wealth of information and advice available on Dr Google!

Littlegoth · 29/07/2022 07:37

We wouldn’t give you a written copy of the questions. Once we have shared them we can’t guarantee where they will go next (LinkedIn, glass door, etc), and part of the interview process is the thinking on your feet.

For a reasonable adjustment we would give extra thinking time, repeat the question as many times as you need, let you restart your answer, etc, but we wouldn’t provide the list of questions.

DearieMeWhatsUp · 29/07/2022 07:38

We give the candidate the interview questions ten mins or so beforehand, helps settle nerves and gets the best out of people.

Immaterialatthispoint · 29/07/2022 07:40

Similar to @Littlegoth no way would I hand out printed copies.

i would happily repeat the question when asked and there’s nothing stopping you noting down what a) b) and c) parts of the question were.

Softplayhooray · 29/07/2022 07:40

Going against the grain here, I'd be fine with it, and I've interviewed people for some very senior roles. We are all different and some people just have a harder time with verbal instruction. The reality is an interview carries pressures that wouldn't be there in the day to day role so you'd likely be fine with verbal instruction any other time. It's just about facilitating talent however it appears.

wheresmymojo · 29/07/2022 07:41

Myleftbigtoe · 29/07/2022 07:36

I've gone in with a notepad and pen before and wrote down the questions as asked. Never been an issue. Points were awarded per question so it helped me feel confident I could answer questions fully. Never stopped me getting a job

I agree this would be the best approach.

Jot the key parts down on a notepad as they ask and then you have them to refer back to.

Original poster
goldbutton · 29/07/2022 07:42

I did think about taking notes - I didn't like the idea because I wouldn't be looking at the interviewer whilst they were asking the questions.

But then again, if it's more of a common thing to do, I would go for that option instead. I guess you're just jotting down a couple of words as a reminder which only takes a second.

For those who have done this before, would you explain what/why you're doing it or do you just get on with it and not make it a 'thing'. I've recruited before and it hasn't been a common occurrence.

OP posts:
Anothernamechangeplease · 29/07/2022 07:44

In the absence of any disability or neurodiversity etc, I would find it a bit odd tbh. I wouldn't count it against you in any way, but it would be unusual.

i would suggest that you just take notes as others have suggested - loads of people do this. And don't worry too much about asking them to repeat the question - this is pretty normal as well.

ItWasPeculiarButBearable · 29/07/2022 07:44

i work for a mid-sized charity. We’ve done lots of research and piloting on this.

We’re moving to providing questions in advance, with the caveat that there’ll be some unscripted follow-ups.

OP, I’d briefly explain to them what you’ve said there. Lots of charities in particular are beginning to head down this route so I’d be surprised if they’re surprised.

Good luck with the process!

Anothernamechangeplease · 29/07/2022 07:46

goldbutton · 29/07/2022 07:42

I did think about taking notes - I didn't like the idea because I wouldn't be looking at the interviewer whilst they were asking the questions.

But then again, if it's more of a common thing to do, I would go for that option instead. I guess you're just jotting down a couple of words as a reminder which only takes a second.

For those who have done this before, would you explain what/why you're doing it or do you just get on with it and not make it a 'thing'. I've recruited before and it hasn't been a common occurrence.

I think the best approach is to mention it near the start of the interview. "I've brought a pad so that I can take some notes of your questions... is that OK?"

Chocoqueen · 29/07/2022 07:46

I'm on the fence here. A few years ago I was interviewing and one of the candidates had a disability, and asked for this as a reasonable adjustment which I agreed to (after a chat with HR to check it wouldn't be a problem). So I don't think it's always out and out no, but if it's not done under a RA then it might be deemed as giving you an advantage.

MermaidSwimming99 · 29/07/2022 07:46

I’d think it’s a reasonable adjustment especially if the job itself doesn’t require you to receive multiple verbal instructions and require off the cuff answers. Many jobs are email driven or have time to take notes and prepare the reply why wouldn’t you interview in a way that matches the job required to get the best candidate?

purpledagger · 29/07/2022 07:47

We've done similar for candidates as a reasonable adjustment eg dyslexia. But we wouldn't do it just because a candidate is nervous, because it wouldn't be fair on the other candidates.

If you think there maybe an underlying reason as to why you are struggling, you should investigate this further. If it's just specific to interviews, there are always you can improve your interview technique eg

Take a note pad and pen in with you and jot down the key words.

Practice standard answers with someone eg customer services, team working, communication etc.

Use STAR method.

Ask the interviewers to repeat the question if you think you have missed something.

VerveClique · 29/07/2022 07:48

Use this technique to help you prepare, but unless you have a disability that would entitle you to ask for the questions, it’s your approach that you need to improve.

  1. Before the interview, think of a range of 5 or 6 scenarios that you know REALLY well where you think you have made a positive contribution to work in various ways. Find a willing partner/friend to talk to them about so that you can simply practice recalling and talking about them. Talk to yourself aloud in the mirror or in the case as well if you can. Simply practice saying stuff.
  2. Spend some time drilling yourself on preparing three-part answers to any question, using different aspects of the scenarios above. So firstly, describe the context. Then describe exactly what YOU did. Then explain the impact/outcome based on your contribution.

You can use any scenario more than once in an interview, provided you’re illustrating something different from it.

It takes time, discipline and practice to nail this.

But fumbling with a sheet of questions in the interview isn’t actually going to help you at all, and it likely won’t be well-received by the panel.

TIP: the interview panel may not lead you well to deliver this. But I can’t think of an interview situation where this wouldn’t help!

MermaidSwimming99 · 29/07/2022 07:48

Give ALL candidates the questions 10mins before is a reasonable adjustment for everyone. No brainier to me 🤷🏻‍♀️

BeetyAxe · 29/07/2022 07:48

My organisation routinely provides written questions at the start of the interview. It helps remind people of the question and keep them on track,therefore getting the best out of them, which is what the process is about- understanding what the person will bring to the role. I would take notes OP if you don’t want to ask for the questions. Good luck:

Gruesome2some · 29/07/2022 07:48

I work for civil service and have interviewed. Lots of people jot down the questions as they often have many parts. Some people state that’s what they’re going to do, some just do it. It’s all fine and I think it actually gives people thinking space and these tend to give the most considered responses.

SunshineAndFizz · 29/07/2022 07:50

I'd find it usual if someone asked for a printed copy of the questions. It's not a common request and I doubt they'll have an extra printed copy to hand.

Taking notes - totally fine - just jot down a word or two to remind you.

I've had people ask, "sorry could you repeat the second part of the question" and I also find that absolutely fine. It's not a memory test, it's the answer that makes the impression.