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Bring notes into an interview?
I've tried googling the answer, and there seems to be a lot of different opinions on the topic, so I wanted to ask you guys for your advice.
Do you think it's appropriate to bring notes with you into an interview? I'm talking typed up, bulleted, talking points and/or short sentences to use as reference when asked for a detailed example about what you did in any given situation? Would you bring examples of work that you have done (if it relates, of course)?
I'm just afraid that I'll freeze up and forget about a great example I could use, and if I had notes there, at least having a couple words typed up that could possibly trigger that particular example for me to use. Would you provide additional copies in case the interviewers wanted them as well? What about bringing in a list of questions you want to remember to ask the interviewer?
Also, what do you consider "essentials" that you need to bring with you into an interview? Other than the obvious, of course (pen, paper, extra copies of your resume...).
Thanks for the advice!
Re: Bring notes into an interview?
Do you think it's appropriate to bring notes with you into an interview? I'm talking typed up, bulleted, talking points and/or short sentences to use as reference when asked for a detailed example about what you did in any given situation?
Nope. Those are the sorts of things I'd have either memorized, or a general idea of what I was going to say. I don't like to refer to notes in the middle of interview questions. I see them more as things to go over in between people interviewing me, or maybe briefly looking at near the end when they ask if I have questions.
Would you bring examples of work that you have done (if it relates, of course)?
Absolutely.
I'm just afraid that I'll freeze up and forget about a great example I could use, and if I had notes there, at least having a couple words typed up that could possibly trigger that particular example for me to use.
That's what preparing is for IMO. I can't imagine that I would be so nervous that I'd completely forget everything I might say.
Would you provide additional copies in case the interviewers wanted them as well?
Absolutely not. Why would an interviewer want a copy of a "cheat sheet" (and I mean that in the best possible way)?
What about bringing in a list of questions you want to remember to ask the interviewer?
Sure. I often do that, and refer to it before I see the last person of the interview so I make sure I get all my questions answered.
Also, what do you consider "essentials" that you need to bring with you into an interview? Other than the obvious, of course (pen, paper, extra copies of your resume...).
I usually bring very little. A small notepad, pen, copies of my resume. Sometimes I don't even do the notepad and pen.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
You can absolutely bring notes with you. If they make you feel more comfortable, awesome. If they keep you from forgetting something important, even better. Your interviewer(s) won't be able to see what you're referring to anyway. Don't make your notes something you have to read directly from, though...that would be weird...just enough to jog your memory, as you said. I think examples of work you've done is a great thing to bring. I would NOT bring extra copies of your notes or questions.
As for essentials...the obvious ones as you mentioned....a portfolio to bring your paper and resume in would also give you some place to put anything they might give you. You don't want to bring in a ton of stuff, though...keep it light. And leave the phone in the car.
I've totally been there before. I was so incredibly nervous for my first interview after I started law school that by the time I walked the 50 feet to the conference room, I could barely breathe. I forgot everything I prepared, which made me even more nervous. I'm embarrassed to admit that the interviewer actually asked me if I was okay and gave me 5 minutes to collect myself. A few words on a note card may have helped me focus and get a grip before it came to that. Needless to say, I didn't get that job.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
I'm sorry to hear you had such a rough time of it. I guess I've never been that nervous about an interview. I see it less as a Grand Inquisition and more as a conversation. If I don't know the answer the questions, I'm not afraid to say so. I'd give a bit of a side-eye to someone who had to refer to notes to answer basic interview questions. That was where I was coming from in my answer.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
A little off-topic, but I was kind of weirded out when I saw your post because our screen names are so similar and I asked almost this same question a couple months ago...and I used to live in the Seattle 'burbs. Very random.
Anyway, to get back on topic, in my situation, the interviewer sent me a list of questions the night before to give me a heads-up on what they were going to ask in the interview. I planned all my responses and actually wrote them out. I wasn't planning on using it in the interview, but it helped me organize my thoughts. They asked situational questions, so it was good to think about my experience and find the example that was best. The whole night I practiced my answers verbally. I ended up bringing my notes with me to use as points of reference so I wouldn't forget anything. It ended up working out because when I got in, they pretty much had me run the interview and just run through the list of questions myself...they asked if I had the list of questions they sent, and I whipped out my copy with the notes I had made. I didn't need to rely on it much, but I felt better having them there. I did not give them a copy.
I also bring a notepad, pen, copies of my resume, a list of references, and a list of questions.
If it matters, I got the job
No worries and I can see where you're coming from. I don't know why I can't shake the interview nervousness. The crazy thing is that I used to rock interviews, even when I went completely unprepared. I was even a manager at one point and had to interview applicants! I was offered every job I interviewed for until I started looking for law clerk and attorney jobs. It's the strangest thing.
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.