To bring notes into a second-stage job interview?

[ThatRoseFish]

I have a final second-stage, in-person interview coming up for a relatively senior role in the charity sector.

The organisation has described the interview as conversational but structured, with questions covering several key areas.

I’ve prepared thoroughly and have some brief cue cards covering key examples, achievements and points I’d like to make.

Would you consider it acceptable to bring these into the interview and occasionally glance at them if needed, or would that come across as overly rehearsed or unprepared?

I’m not talking about reading out scripted answers, just having a few prompts available.

Interested to hear from people who’ve interviewed candidates at a similar stage as well as those who’ve used notes themselves.

I have been on the interview panel for many senior level roles and have no issue with a candidate bringing notes. Use them appropriately as prompts, not reading directly off them of course.

I take in notes of the questions I want to ask but I always think I should be able to answer any other questions without notes

My most recent role included a project and competency based interview at the final stage. I used a notebook and I got the job. I have interviewed people for various jobs in different sectors and have never minded when they have notes, if anything, it shows they have done their prep work! Interviewers know people get nervous and sometimes need something to jog their memory, as long as you’re not reading from the notes you’ll be fine.

@ThatRoseFish you need to memorise your points. Do not take notes in with you, you’ll not get the job.

I interviewed someone last week and was surprised when she turned up empty handed without any notes. It wasn't for a senior position though.

Are you lot fucking batshit???

Op - I’m an exec recruiter. My job all day long is to put senior people in front of more senior people.

Take notes. It’s not a memory test.

Dont take a roladex and a script - but bring notes.

I have interviewed at this level and have one memorable example of a candidate who had previously been considered very strong but bringing in notes that he referred to just made him seem lacking in confidence and less competent. We went with the candidate who didn’t require notes and spoke fluently and was obviously well prepared.

I work in the charity sector as a CEO in a mid size charity. I bring notes with me to an interview. As others say it's an interview, not a memory test. My recall is rubbish, due to ADHD (which I don't disclose at interview).

Having finished up a round of interviews yesterday for a director level role and I'd advise you to be succinct. One person had a great CV but their ability to not stop speaking about utterly irrelevant stuff was quite spectacular, including giving little jibes about the interview process.

I think this is of those things that has become permissable as a reasonable adjustment for people with neurodiversity, which in turn has caused recruiters to really question the wisdom of treating interviews like a memory test, so has now become an option for all candidates should they find it helpful.

I had an interview recently where there were several features clearly designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities. They were of no use to me but it told me a lot about the workplace culture, and I'll be asking HR to adopt some of the measures the next time I'm a hiring manager.

Reading answers is not ‘well prepared’, it’s showing them you need help/ instructions

Dont do it. The point if an interview is to show you are prepared and know enough about the role to discuss it. Taking in notes goes against that

Notes or prompts are absolutely fine but I find often those who refer to them often perform less well as they don't listen to the question and say what they've written down instead.

It’s very normal to take some notes in, especially for senior roles. Be present though. Any panel I’ve been on would judge bringing notes in, that are used appropriately, as an indication of organisation and interest.

Good luck.

Taking a notebook and/or a copy of your cv is totally fine. I'd always take a notebook to an interview and make a few notes of things said. I think this idea of interviews being akin to a memory test is outdated and not inclusive

Honestly some people are totally out of touch. Take them in. You wouldn't go to a client pitch or presentation without having done the preparation or having the backup notes!

Take your notes! It is absolutely fine!

I am Band 8 (NHS) and interview for senior postings all the time. People more often than not bring notes to their interview. I also took notes to mine!

I've interviewed lots of people, including people at senior levels.

I've never had a problem with people bringing in notes. As long as you don't rely on them too heavily, and as long as you show that you're able to communicate effectively without them, then I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

People get nervous in interviews and they sometimes forget what they want to say. Having a prompt is fine.

I have seen it a few times

One person got in a mess as they were too focused on notes

One read from their notes.... Boring....

But some used it as confidence and did well. And it was the state of mind. It didn't bother the panel at all.

One didn't get the job as he was arrived flustered and had come straight from another meeting so notes wouldn't have made a difference

Good luck for the post.

I’ve done it before and got the job. I’ve just said I’ve made a few notes and do they have any objections. However sometimes I’ve never referred to them but it’s made me feel better having them there.

the best thing is to prepare all your examples and practice again and again so you feel confident

I regularly interview in the charity sector & it's Absolutely no problem for ppl to have notes. It's not a memory test

we also send ppl the questions in advance

we are looking for the best person for the job not someone who can do interviews well because they can 'think on their feet' but can't actually deliver when reality kicks in

I wouldn’t be bothered at all by a candidate bringing in cards with a few short notes on them

In theory nothing wrong with it- in practise I’ve interviewed people with notes and it’s never come across well, except once and the person was an internal candidate and clearly knew roughly what they’d be asked and took a cool and relaxed approach to looking at the notes and had only a few- able to quickly find what he needed. A more confident candidate could have pipped him to post had we gone external for that role.

A couple of cue cards for a presentation maybe ok, but better not to at senior level- but you are saying a chat not presentation.

I’ve also interviewed someone who brought multiple ring bound folders with records of everyone they ever managed and summaries of projects as ‘evidence’- don’t do that.

I agree with you! Totally batshit to suggest having some notes to hand in an interview means you can’t do the job. Interviews are artificially pressured situations. It should be fine to have bullet points as prompts, just don’t read off a script or only be looking at the paper.

Would you be willing to share what the measures were?

Take them. Read over them before you go in, slip into your bag just before