Do you think it's ok in an interview to take in notes?

[bigchris]

So if interviewer says what do you think about such-and-such can I say 'do you mind if I concult my notes' and just have a glance at a piece of paper in case I go blank
does it look daft or look like I've been researching and am interested in the job?

Any other interview tips very welcome

Not had an interview liek this in 10 years and would really appreciate lots of advice

dh has promised to go through person specification with me this weekend and ask me loads of questions

I can see a Bank Holiday weekend of no sleep for me!

you are all great!

I'd love to be an interviewer

It can be quite entertaining, for all the wrong reasons and you get to officially wear judgey-pants.

lol

I think if I get this job I might well be on the other side and I will be as nice as pie and make them feel at home

my best interview was when the interview met me at the door and as we were going up in the lift said 'don't be nervous, your application form was really good and this is just very informal'

it wasn't that informal imo (a written test!)
but I did get the job abd definitely relaxed after she said that

am I meant to shakle the panels' hands cos that's always a weird one?

although as part of a panel, it can be quite hard work explaining to two dated chaps that they really can't ask the details of candidate x's childcare arrangements, just because she is a single mother...

Or asking any female under 50 if they intend to have children...

[buries head in hands]

with this job I really want to ask about the hours but dh says to ask if I'm offered it

I think it is okay to ask about the hours. There is usually time for your questions at the end, just try to ask one about the job or company before you dive in with "so what is your policy on MNing on company time?"

I do a lot of interviewing, for the first 5 I really enjoyed it, now (well when I was working, not having fun on ML) I find them a drain on my time.

Anyway - with the hours question, it is all about how you frame the question. "Can I go home early every day" is not ok, "you say on the advert you believe in family friendly flexible working, could you tell me what the company means by that?" is ok. But I would still be wary about asking if you have really stuffy old shirts that would prefer not to employ women of childbearing age, ask someone from HR later (esp once you have the job offer).

And on the notes thing, I would be really unimpressed if I asked the "what are the main issues in x sector" question and the candidate referred to notes. I would only be happy with referring to notes when asking questions, or if pulling out the job description and referring back to that.

Good Luck Big Chris, I have read through thread and you have been given lots of good advice.
As an interviewer, I dislike bull- so anyone who starts waffling looses my interest. If you don't know, say you don't know and perhaps even ask for tips on how you might find the answere (so if it was a fact based question re the industry, you could say, sorry, I did look at z,p, f, but not seen any reference to that- can you recommend a research site) I work in an industry where the interviewer is likely to be an academic and enjoy sharing. This might not work across the board Above all be yourself, laugh if there is something funny.
I got feedback once that the interviewers thought I was too serious and were not going to employ me as they thought I would not fit in with their team (they did employ me and we had a great time!)
Also, smile, make eye contact, be honest, look smart, admit to being nervous - it is liable to make them go out of their way and take account of you being nervous. Abov
If you really really really want the job- say so! Tell them you really really want the job and WHY. you will get asked the chance at the end. One my my pals puts her success in an interview down to this and said it allowed her to tell them stuff that had not come out during interview questions.
On the paper front, I do bring my cv with me- I like to check what they are quoting from, recently I was interviewed and the interviewer thought I was a totally different profession due to an inference he had made from my cv. Never mind, I got the job anyway.....
And I am sure you will succeed too

I do, I write things in the margin of the job description, just one word reminders. Its a two way process - do they want you and do you want to work there? I have been an interviewer as well and thinks its a sign of being well prepared. If you read directly from notes might look a bit odd though!