Can anyone tell me if its acceptable to take notes into an interview as i`m really worried i will dry up ?

[fakeblonde]

I have an interview on Tuesday,and i am really worried about drying up as i get very nervous.
Does anyone know what the etiquette is regarding this /
Cheers x

What are the notes for and what kind of job are you going for?

Yes, it is acceptable, completely.

well you might find that just by having the notes it gives you the confidence and you won't need to look at them.

is it a job where you will be dealing with people and having meetings? If so it is not going to look good if you can't perform and dry up. IS there any way you couold go throguh what would be on the notes until you know it inside out and that way you won't dry up?

Ask for a glass of water and don't feel that you can't say "that is an interesting question - I just need a few moments to gather my thougts."

It depends. I would find it perfectly acceptable for a candidate to bring say a copy of their CV and application form to the interview with them - but "notes" implies something else, and I suspect that that might bother me. It suggests that you have rehearsed answers, which, whilst on one hand is understandable and common, on the other suggests that you have over-prepared for the interview and I may not be getting a true picture.

A good interviewer will be used to nervous interviewees. If I do have a candidate who dries up I will tend to go back to the cv/applcuation form and start from there.

Definitely say if you need time to think through a question, that would impress me, rather than someone who feels the need to blurt out the first thing in their head just to avoid silence!

good luck

i interview candidates. taking in notes implies A lack of spontaneity or scripted rehearsed answer. best approach is honestly explain i am nervous

try some tactics to buy time whilst you think eg ask them to clarify, repeat some key phrase back , glass of water

go back to the JD, the person spec. these form the basis for questions asked, as candidates have to demonstrate meeting criteria. interview panel take notes and score your answers aginst person spec

dont know what post is but usually
be prepared for a

scenario question
good/best practice
knowledge question

I took notes on my university projects and modules into recent interviews because I knew I would be asked about them and get them muddled up without the notes in front of me... I got two job offers so they apparently didn't mind! Didn't occur to me that it might be a problem..

It would be hard to read through detailed notes, whilst gathering your thoughts. Key words might be useful on a card or poster - yes, I did say poster.

For a very important interview once, I prepared a large poster, and borrowed a smart looking poster carrying thing.

When I went into the interview, I placed it by me, to curious looks from the interview panel. However, it came in useful, when they asked a question and I was able to say "I thought that you might ask about that, so brought along a poster here, which I prepared for a presentation recetnly. It shows my thought on this area, I think" - opened up poster, and talked about it, with the key issues on there.

You could also have A4 photocopied versions of it available to pass to the interviewers.

It's up to you to show off the strengths and qualities that you know you have. If presentation skills/communicating with others are part of your job, then you could try using a poster or handout.

Preparing for the interview I would do key words on post cards for the obvious questions - your main strengths, your main weaknesses, why this job appeals to you, relevant experiences you have, what the main challenges in this job are . . . Just preparing the answers and boiling them down to those key words will give you good ideas of what you want to say, even if you don't have chance to refer to them in the interview.

Best of luck.

I used to do a lot of interviewing, for the graduate intake into my company, and others as well. to be honest, taking notes in isn't a good idea - I had a graduate try this once, he was desperately searching for the correct piece of information on the company and it was a complete no no for me. Better to admit being nervous and say that the piece of information you want has completely dropped out of your mind - this happens to everyone at some time!

What works better is taking a copy of the job spec in with you, and write your questions about the job on there, or what you feel you could talk about to demonstrate your ability to do the job.

Good luck

Fab thanks.
So ill write my 3 questions down on the person spec. Ill take no other notes except my cv which i shall give a copy to each person before i leave ?
Was a bit worried about the "over prepare for interview answer " -as i have spent hours and hours reading up for this interview and will spend tomorrow answering typical questions.
The job i am applying for is a research secondment from my present clinical midwife post-am really excited very very nervous x

good luck read,read, read the person Spec - thats likely what the questions will be based around.fact you have been shortlisted is really positive it means alreday you have demonstrated ability to fulfill post criteria. Be positive

best clinical practice guidelines NICE, RCM
familiarise self with research methods and application to clinical midwifery
discuss your hands on clinical skills and the transferable skills you already have.
look at trust you are applying for website, what things are they emphasisiing, what are their plans/aims buzz phrases

go knock em dead

Scottishmummy-wow-are you a midwife ?
Have got the best clinical practice guidelines to read thro in bed (zzzz ).
Research methodology-sorted but very basic tbh.
Transferrable clinical skills - masses of them-over 18 years but i thibnk they are looking for communication/motivation/presentation teaching ect.
i think they are going to ask me specifically about some sort of consent issue due to the nature of the project ?
Fingers crossed x

The only other thing I'd add is to have it very clear in your mind why you want to do the job. It's the second question that is always included in my standard set of interview questions (first being along the "tell me about yourself" nature). It's always a really good opportunity to sell yourself, and flatter the interviewers at the same time. I can't think of a panel that wouldn't be pleased to hear a candidate say something positive about their trust or project, and it's a good icebreaker, because you're bound to get positive feedback. Also it's a really bad start when someone can't answer - we had someone saying they wanted to work at my inner city PCT because shopping nearby would be good! We wanted to hear "diverse population, dynamic organisation, lots of challenges" or something like that (they didn't get the job). Check out their website for a few recent things the organisation is saying about itself if you don't know any offhand. Good luck!

Thanks nooka,
I think ill just be honest about why i want the post - i wasnt really looking for a change -but thinking of maybe doing a masters or phd in next couple of years - but now my family are all much more independant i am free to do something I want to do and this sort of grabbed me .
Dont quite know how to fluff his feathers but will mention something maybe along the lines then of how honoured i would be to be part of such a huge and worthwhile research trial , which is predicted to influence the health of the next generation !
Sorry i am answering questions as i type- x

Sounds good. I didn't mean that you should make something up by the way! Just show that you have put some thought into your application - you'd be amazed at how many people really don't, and boy does it show - it's very depressing when you are on the other side of the table, and are hoping desperately for some really good candidates that you think you'd like to have working with you. Interviewing is also hard (although granted not as nerve racking!)

Fake blonde
I usually take alist of questions into the interview with me.I find this invaluable as by the end of the interview my mind is usually blank.When they ask 'and have you any questions', I smile and say 'yes, I have a liitle list' and get the list from my pocket,or in your case possibly your handbag!I always pick first a question that has not been covered and then I go onto and say we've coverered holidays,bonuses what ever.I always ask quite gently, what the interviewer/s think are the best and worst bits about the job. You might feel you need a fair amount of confidence to say this,but I have found in generel it actually intrigues the interviewers, they smile, but makes them start thinking,which can only take the pressure of you.I recall after one (sucessful) interview I talked to one of the interviewers afterwards and he said he would always remember my interview as my list of questions came out and I put them on the spot with the good bits and bad bits.
Be confident, you are being interviewed,but they are too,you need to know about the job,warts and all,so for me,dont take in notes,take in questions!

Have just read reread the thread,you are going for a research post in presumably nursing, find out about funding source,ask questions about that, find out before hand precisely what is being researched and work questions up about that.Perhaps rephrase the goodbits/bad bits into upsides/downsides.Re the project really know your stuff about consent and the implications of age/religion/cultural differences if applicable.I would have thought that all nurses should be good communicators as they are educators as well as the more task orientated skills, and after 18 years I am sure you are.
Do you have to give a presentation? If you do do you need equipment,computer, screen etc?
I think it is acceptable to say you are now up for a new challenge and this area interests you greatly because you have had a particular interest in...whatever
Good luck!

Oh yes, a few questions are good. But make sure they are relevant - we've had a few really weird ones that had nothing to do with the job at all. Like the upsides/downsides, I've had a couple of people asking questions like that and it always goes down well - you may also get a bit more of the uman side of the panel - always useful as you may be working with them (remember you are also checking out if you would like the job as well as showing that you can do the job)

Thanks both thats marvellous.
The job is for a research trial which is huge-20,000 so my job would be to train my collegues (midwives ) into the issues of consent and performing the task at birth.
I love the upside downside of the job question-i now have 4 queations ready.I also have 4 copies of my cv which i have held back and as its now pretty good i really want to leave them all a copy at the end-is this ok ?
And thank you so much .x

good luck
sleep well
go get 'em

Thanks scottishmummy-
I feel so sick this morning and it will be over soon !
Interview at 4 . 30 - how much do i wish it was 6 30 and will have big glass of vino tonight regardless of outcome ! x

good luck
remember you have been shortlisted
you are capeable clinician

will think about yu at 4.30 - when u leave skip past the off licence

I got it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x

fakeblonde I wasn't on your thread but congratulations!

And bump for you so that others come and congratulate you - I see no one's seen it yet

good luck well done