NHS Interview

[confusedmum16]

I had an interview today for a band 3 support service assistant role with lived experience with drug and alcohol. I prepared so hard for the interview researching everything possible making little points/ notes on my notepad, only small bullet points on information to reflect back on. Im dyslexic so thinking under pressure in an environment like that can really throw me off,having notes can help my brain remember what it is I'm trying to say as I can struggle to find the words, I did state I was dyslexic on my application.

I went into the interview and politely asked if it was okay if I could have my notes with me( they were on one small page) she pulled a disgusted look and said " no one else brought notes in so we don't think it's fair you do, so we will have to say no" while having this disgusted look on her face. I was completely taken back and completely shut off as a result, answered the question the best I could but I left feeling so crap, her tone and body language put me completely off. I was in tears in my car I feel so stupid, i definitely left a bad impression!

Am I wrong to think they shouldn't have said no ? Or is it standard to not take notes into an interview? I've always been told it sets a good example?

It’s not standard to take notes into an interview. Especially if no one else does. Don’t overthink it. You may have done better than you think. Good luck.

Thank you, I will definitely take that on board for future interviews.

Oh I’d say the opposite, for NHS at least. There’s no need for rudeness from the woman, even if that was the case though.

It’s a question to ask prior to interview: some employers (and individual interviewers) seem to perceive crib notes, as your interviewer did, as a weakness; whereas others will see it as perfectly normal because the whole point of an interview is that you demonstrate yourself at your best rather than play an odd guessing and remembering game.

Sounds like a horrible bully. There are a lot of them in the NHS, unfortunately. She could have been kinder about her demeanor.

@confusedmum16 I've always taken notes in, they expect you to have questions to ask. I've never asked if it's okay though, just had them in my bag.
When you apply there is usually a section where you tick to say you have a disability and then they ask if you require any reasonable adjustments if invited to interview. Put in there that you need to bring notes to interviews then you'll never have any reason not to.

I will definitely ask in future to save this happening again 😅

Actually more and more employers are sending questions in advance
I took notes into my interview as I referenced big prices of research and wouldn’t have remembered
same with the questions I wanted to ask which again covered complex ground
i got the job
it shows preparedness and thoroughness and I would be impressed if a candidate brought notes
in day to day work we don’t have to remember stuff

I’ve always taken notes into an interview, and wouldn’t even ask if I could. If I was attending an important meeting I’d take notes if I thought it was necessary, why is an interview any different?

I think she was very rude, and wouldn’t want to work for her anyway, you’ve dodged a bullet there.

I don't know whether it's generally allowed or not OP, but to look down on you and act as if she was disgusted was well out of order. If you still want the job, I might be inclined to follow up with an email, and tell them that you don't feel you interviewed at your best, as being dyslexic, you struggle to order your thoughts in stressful situations like an interview, which is why you'd made brief bullet points in your notes, and then not being allowed to use them, rather threw you. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and even if it doesn't make any difference, at least you would be making them aware that they shouldn't rule out something, just because no one else has done it. Having said all that, I really hope you performed better than you think, and get the job, as it sounds like you worked hard to prepare.

I interview (law, not NHS) and would not routinely expect candidates to have notes. There is a part of our application form though that allows candidates to stipulate any reasonable adjustments they need. If a candidate is dyslexic and requires notes that would be allowed.

I’m sorry you experienced this OP. The interviewer sounds inexperienced and/or a bit of a bully. My DS is dyslexic and I understand the effect that it can have on executive functioning. Many people, if they are ill informed, think it’s just about reading. Try not to let it put you off. Try to find out in future what is expected and whether you can take notes. And you may even have done better than you thought.

Taking notes doesn’t need to be a reasonable adjustment request, I’ve never asked if I can take notes, I just do - same as I would for an important meeting or speaking on a panel, it’s not something that needs approval.

Total bollocks. I'm a senior manager in the NHS and have interviewed many many people over the years. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to take notes and it's good to be prepared. Your interviewer sounds inexperienced or just difficult. Interviewing is about seeing what someone has to offer and if they need some notes there to help them demonstrate that then it's helpful for both sides. Don't be put off, you sound like a very conscientious person who would be an asset to a team

People might be interested as a side note that my NHS employer has recently implemented a policy of sending interview questions to candidates 7 days before the interview. Apparently this is being considered by some as good inclusion practice.

I’m a manager in the NHS, have interviewed plenty and don’t see it as a negative at all- quite the opposite! I have always taken notes into interviews for myself, and fully encourage others to do so as I feel it shows you have prepared and are organised. NHS interview formats are generally competency based questions so I always encourage interviewees to print off and really read the job description in detail, I’ve literally sat in interviews with one printed out in front of me and bits highlighted!

One of my NHS interviews I got the interview questions 15 minutes before (which was just enough time for me to jot down cases and examples but not long enough to overly "polish" responses) and the other one I had the surreal experience of being interviewed by my two colleagues - printed interview questions in front of me and it ended up with me deliberately giving really long answers as my then-boss's facial expressions at trying to write down everything I said was bloody hilarious! (I got the job - don't think I've quite been forgiven for the lengthy in-depth answers and subsequent hand cramps!)

I've conducted so many interviews and would not bat an eyelid for f a candidate had some crib notes, I'm very surprised this wouldn't be allowed.

Interviewer sounds unprofessional and highly unreasonable

I'm sorry she made this such a shit experience for you OP

Exactly this

I have too and encourage others to do so

Also re bullet dodging

Exactly this. It sounds like the interviewer was not particularly well experienced or knowledgeable about the law around reasonable adjustments. But maybe you’ve dodged a bullet if you’d have been working with this person. Without patronising you - you sound like someone who is really trying their best and would be an asset to a team! Use this as a learning opportunity to do it a bit differently next time ie check about reasonable adjustments “officially” beforehand. And if you haven’t already done so - being prepared to discuss how your dyslexia makes you a strong candidate (resilience, ability to think differently, empathy for others etc). Good luck!

Thank you for all your helpful advice and opinions. I think I just caught them on a very busy stressful day and they were trying their best to stick to a time schedule. Fingers crossed that there is some positive news 🤞🏻

If I was interviewing you I would be impressed that you came so well prepared. She is the problem, not you

I see interviews as the same as any other meeting, where of course you'd have papers relevant to the meeting with you.

So, like PP, it wouldn't even occur to me to ask. I'd have a notepad with me, as well as a copy of my application and CV and would be making notes based on what they said as well as referring to my own notes. Obviously you wouldn't want to end up not looking at the person and always looking down, but again that's just the same etiquette as any encounter.

Other candidates weren't as well prepared? Well more fool them! Why is that your problem? It' should be a green flag for you if anything.

Sounds like your interviewer has a fixed and slightly dated idea of interviews (like some posters here?) where they ask you a question and you parrot an answer, repeat several times then goodbye. I know you feel bad now OP but you sound like an excellent, well-prepared and thoughtful candidate who'll find a great role soon enough, whereas she sounds unprofessional, inexperienced and a rude cow.

I didn't get the job unfortunately but that was to be expected. She gave me some feedback which I will use for future interviews, I'm gutted but I'll keep trying.

My worst interview ever was an NHS position about ten years ago - and the interview itself felt like an attack.

It was a panel interview of four managers and it was absolutely quick fire, one question after another - without an actual gap for me to answer. I was super flustered

It felt like a list of demands being fired at me in a very demeaning tone. The more flustered I became, the more they seemed to delight in it and one in particular got louder and more demeaning with her demands firing questions at me that had absolutely no consequence to the job role.

As i walked out, i had made my mind up i wouldnt take it if of

I actually felt relieved that I did not get the job - HOWEVER two months later they contacted me again to say their first choice had lasted two days before walking out (massive red flag) - and i said no

I've absolutely always taken notes into an interview and next asked permission and never been commented on.
It's pretty standard in the public sector?