Is it okay to take notes into an interview?

[Nitgel]

I had an interview today and I waffled on and didn't really answer questions well at all. It was a bit of a disaster but okay as I realised quite soon it wasn't the job for me, but it got me thinking, could I take notes into the interview? just examples to frequently asked questions and scenarios? I have been to many interviews and it never occurred to me that it was acceptable to do this but should I start now? i need to change jobs and don't want to mess up again.

Yes, I've interviewed several people who've done this.

Absolutely, I've always been told you should take in a list of things you want to ask. When I interview people I think them having notes shows they're genuinely interested in the job

Yes. I have never penalised a candidates for taking notes in.

Notes don't necessarily prevent waffle though, so prepare and focus on using the shortest sentences to get your point across. Don't be afraid of silence either. If the interviewer is making notes, you don't have to speak while they do.

Yes, i always think it makes people look prepared..

I think depending on the interviewer it can sound positive. You can say that you may be nervous so you created this strategy to make sure it will be right (meaning: you know your weak spots, you anticipate problems, and you create strategies to overcome them and ensure a good result)

Hummm. Not sure. I like a candidate to be able to think on their feet. It also depends on the question. If it is the typical “ tell me a bit about yourself” and they need to read notes about that one, I might cut the interview short.

I think it’s great when candidates bring notes into interviews! Most only refer to them during the questions but I’ve had a couple of candidates use heavily annotated copies of their CVs throughout an interview, it didn’t change the way they were interviewed or graded.

I did this but only used them towards the end of the interview when I didn't want to forget to ask them any of my questions, such as pension and quarterly appraisals. Got the job.

So glad you asked this OP! I’ve got an interview next week and was wondering about taking notes in

I had a man who had printed out 'common interview answers' and kept shuffling through them to find a reply to everything we asked.

We asked a question, but he couldn't find the reply and said 'I didn't print that answer out!'. I re worded the question several times and suggested thinking of an example outside of work, but he was so stumped, he couldn't think of anything. He didn't get the job!

Personally, I've never taken answers in as see it akin to taking answers into an exam. I can see that maybe some bullet points of key words might be helpful to prompt you though.

I guess it depends on what you’re being interviewed for. If it’s anything that needs you to be able to respond quickly in stressful situations with well thought out responses I’d say no.

I hire and have no problem with notes. I think they serve best as an aide memoire rather than as a script, though. The interview isn't a memory test. You could ask at the start - "Do you mind if I refer to my notes?"

As an aside, the process of making notes in itself is helpful preparation even if you don't use them - it helps fix your examples in your head.

I do but I always ask if I can use them. No one has said no.

Thanks. I will make notes for the.next interview. Am.hoping writing them will also fix them.in my.mind.

I always take notes. I tend to waffle on and struggle to make a point due to nerves. But with my notes I have my examples set out in a format that makes sense, so I can easily talk through them. In the company I work for they often recommend you make and take notes in to interviews.

As an interviewer I’ve taken notes and as I’ve interviewed people who take notes in and I don’t think any more or less of them than those I’ve interviewed without notes.

The trouble is that bullshitters are the best at 'thinking on their feet'.

Absolutely. I interview quite a few people, I'm not looking for those that can remember some shpeel by heart. I just want you to answer the questions using good examples.

Absolutely! In fact, I actually think that interviewees should get the questions beforehand and be given the chance to present themselves at their total best. Too many people are offered jobs because they’re great at interview. It’s such a nonsense process.

I interview people and I am happy for them to bring in/refer to notes. It shows preparation and taking the interview seriously and I've never had a candidate read it verbatim. Sometimes it's been to refer to key pieces of our organisation's 10 year strategy (which is a huge plan with multiple sections in it) or when it's career changers they might have jotted down specific bits of the legislation that covers the work we do. sometimes it's just a copy of their application so they can refer back to it to expand on examples. I've only experienced one organisation that didn't allow it and it wasn't clear why they said no.

Our work encourages it. They want to get the best out of you. When I bought notes in, I found I didn’t really look at them. But the comfort they were there seemed to help. And I got the job! The trick is to bring concise notes though. I only had a A4 sheet. You don’t want to be flicking through notes. Think of it more like a prompt.

I’ve never minded it. So long as you’re not intending to just read them out (civil service, happened often)

personally I’ve always found the process of making the notes to be the helpful part, I always end up ignoring them when I’m actually in the interview but that’s just me!

I have done lots of interview coaching and my advice would be to make brief notes about things you have done - that will support your answers to the common questions.

Depends on the job: the more senior the job is, the less credible you will look with notes…

Yes, I’ve always taken a notebook with me and a copy of my CV and the job description & person spec.

Previously I’ve used one sheet of A4 and drawn a mind map linked to the person specification and then had key words / prompts linked to those that might remind me of examples I can use.
Like others have said by preparing that I’ve then barely glanced at it in the interview. It’s also easy to look over the night before and morning off the interview.